Celebrity News

Outpouring of love at birthday bash for Gael Greene

To ease legendary restaurant critic Gael Greene’s “pain” of turning 80, the candles were split into two bunches of 40 on separate birthday cakes wheeled out Monday night at Macy’s Stella 34 Trattoria.

At the bash hosted by Patina Restaurant Group chief Nick Valenti, Greene lavished love on friends “who I took to dinner for 40 years on New York magazine.”

Emcee Kathleen Turner joked about Greene’s racy novels. Joining in toasts were Broadway’s Jimmy Nederlander and Barry and Fran Weissler, plus a legion of famed chefs and restaurateurs. Daniel Boulud honored Greene for helping to create Citymeals-on-Wheels.

Stephen and Deana Hanson were so moved, they told Greene afterward they’re sending $10,000 to deliver meals in her name to the homebound elderly. RedFarm owner Ed Schoenfeld was besieged by guests asking for help getting into his new uptown place. Buzzy O’Keeffe revealed that his River Cafe, nearly sunk by Hurricane Sandy, will reopen in a few days.

Also mingling were Drew Nieporent, Shelly Fireman, Peter and Penny Glazier, Michael Whiteman and Rozanne Gold, Rita and Andre Jammet, Zarela Martinez, Michael Tong and Tim and Nina Zagat.

Cookbook author Karen Page summed up the night’s spirit: “Gael, we would not be surprised if you continue to outlive and outwrite and out-tweet us all.”