Thursday, July 06, 2000
Heavy-hitters stay late at steakhouse
By JIM KNIPPENBERG
The Cincinnati Enquirer
A little of this and that, seen and heard around town ...
Heard around town: “I'm gone. Lock the door behind you.”
That would be Jeff Ruby talking to St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa and Indiana University basketball coach Bobby Knight at 2 a.m.
Turns out LaRussa called Ruby last week when the Cards were here and asked him to keep Jeff Ruby's open for a late dinner. Knight was here for the game and a visit with LaRussa.
So Ruby fed them and then partied 'til he pooped out at 2 and left, leaving Knight and LaRussa instructions to lock up.
Meanwhile, the list of Ruby roasters grows daily. You know, the Sept. 6 fund-raiser at the Hyatt for Cystic Fibrosis where roasters will include Rob Lowe, Michael Douglas, Ed Marinaro, Sparky Anderson, Johnny Bench, Anthony Munoz, Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Larkin, Tommy LaSorda.
Now it includes Knight — “I nailed him after dinner,” Ruby says — and Tony Curtis.
“I never met him, but he was my favorite star growing up. I called his office and went through three people. The last one took my number and said he'd call.
“Sounded like a kiss off, but a minute later Tony called from Vegas. I told him what was going on and who was coming.
“He agreed, schedule permitting. He lived at Hugh Heffner's house once, so I told him to bring him too. No word yet.”
Heard, Part II: “What??? The Maisonette without Richard Brown??? Hard to imagine.”
That would be about a zillion people as word spreads that maitre d' Brown is leaving the Maisonette after 15 years.
He starts as maitre d' at the Palace Aug. 1.
“Please don't read anything into this. There's no feud, no anger. Just time for a change. And sure, the Lindner family's involvement (they own the Cincinnatian) played a role in my decision.
“When I took the Maisonette job I said I'd stay at it five years. It's been 15 and I don't want anyone to think I regret a minute, but I'm close to 50 and have to think about the next 15 years.
“Besides, I'm ready for a challenge and I think the Palace is it.
“It's been a great job. You meet everyone in town and under happy circumstances — birthdays, weddings — always people out for good food and a fun night out.
“I'll miss the Maisonette. But I'm hoping some of my friends from there will come say hi at the Palace.”
Heard, part III: Well dang, looks as if Mary Ellen Tanner is going live. Specifically, says producer Stan Hertzman, she and her trio will record a live CD at the Celestial Friday and Saturday.
“We'll record lots and lots, then pick the best 15 or so. It will be Mary Ellen's standard material, big band, jazzy stuff.
“The occasion for the album is celebrating Mary Ellen's 15th year singing at the Celestial.”
The CD will be on the Strugglebaby label in September.
Knip's Eye View appears Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Have an item to report? Call Jim Knippenberg at 768-8513; fax: 768-8330.
KNIPPENBERG ARCHIVE
