Moderators, you have my green light to move this thread if you wish but my argument for leaving it here that it has to deal with a *Community Event* - or should I say multiple events* and Cite is a part of Flyertalk folklore. Thanks! ')

Flyertalk Friends...

Just confirmed some sad news that the great Cite Restaurant in Midtown Manhattan will close April 2nd (The owners are NOT renewing the lease.)

I posted in the NYC Travel and Dining thread the sad news:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...46#post7172046

Cite is sort of famous in F-T History for hosting a number of gatherings and events and dos including a gathering of Flyertalkers to reflect after 9-11 and, most recently, Benjamin NYC's latest "banker" dinner. I've taken friends there and all have enjoyed the place.

I was introduced to Cite by Quiet Lion one night and fell in love with the service and the great food and the wine of course.

Cite I think was a great F-T place where people could get great food and, for those who wished, good wines at a great price. Cite's staff was very accomodating for those who did not want wine.

For me on a "purrsonal" note... Cite helped make the Catman DO Trois a reality. The restaurant hosted about 80 or so Flyertalkers including mystery guest the esteemed Randy Petersen the night of March 24, 2001.

While party planning, I was somewhat panicking that I could not find a restaurant that could accomodate so many people plus serve good food plus do it at a decent price.

Several friends said "Why not talk to Cite?" The staff went above and beyond to make it a special evening for everyone. Sometimes when I come someone from the staff at that time asks will be be a Catman Do Quad. Well sadly it won't be at Cite.

First the cigar bar at the Sheraton NYC HOtel and Towers. Then Bergoff's at Chicago! Now Cite!!!

I'll have to go back one more time to raise a nice red and say "So Long."

Some of us remember that night very well Until the London Do this last November, it was probably the biggest FT event I've ever been to, and I'll always have fond memories of the place.

So sad to see the site of the most recent successful BJ DO closing.

What a fantastic night it was! ^^^

This restaurant is associated with the famed Wollensky's Grill, as well as its parent restaurant, Smith & Wollensky's.

Wollensky's Grill has been the site of countless successful BJ DO's. Wollensky's Grill is know best for its fantastic food, wine and service, especially it's best-in-NYC hamburger for only $12.00. A a fantastically reasonable restaurant.

Happily, life goes on for this good franchise, and there are more BJ DO's to come! ^^^

...why yes, that was my only experience with Cite... ^

...I guess it's back to the Grill?

Catman,

I remember that post 911 dinner at Cite. If I recall correctly, LarryU somehow managed (with all his charm) to invite a UA flight att to join us. The PS to that story was that she was our FA on our New Years eve trip to SFO on the old 762's (sigh).

As for your above quote Well sadly it won't be at Cite. Are you suggesting another location for the very famous (or shall I say infamous) CatmanDo Quad?

Cite has come a long way with Flyertalkers. From Catman to bj.

I wonder if S&W is having financial issues with some of their expanded locations/concepts.

The Dallas location (a regular dine-at-the-bar spot for me) closed its doors on 12/31. The employees were told that executive management was not pleased with the revenue figures (this despite the restaurant being busy nightly and having a large crowd of regulars). What's worse is that S&W owned the location - so now they are looking to sell it or lease it out.

Now Cite (which has always been busy when I've been) is closing shortly thereafter.

Very sad.

A truly sad day. Many GREAT FT memories there.

Well... at least it ended on a good note for them.

Surprised no one has proposed a final Flyertalk Cite dinner yet.

We need to send Cite off on a nice scale.

As I said I'll be making one final trip before April 2nd but I don't know when yet.

May I propose the first week in March, a time when we are scheduled to be in town?

I have joined the group at Cite quite a few times, had been there a number of times before FT, and would very much like to be there with all of you for a fond adieu.

March, you say? If it's after March 5 I'll probably be able to make it!

^ That's the week I was talking about.

Bearing work commitments and cat sitting client load and the date I will try to make this dinner. Just pick a date. I will be there towards the closing date as well.

I think it would be a great idea, perhaps even a purrrrfect idea.

I joined FT after CatmanDo Trois, but it (and the first two CatmanDos) are certainly an integral part of FT history, and still talked about fondly by those who attended. I'm certain for many FTers (including some who weren't in attendance at CatmanDo Trois), if "Cite" was mentioned in a word association game, "CatmanDo Trois" would be at the top of the list.

Catman, didn't a bunch of us have dinner there in honor of Howie's 21st birthday??? (Skye, Hammer, cjbryant et al) Those prix fixe wine dinners sure were a heluva value...