• Members of the Genovese crime family are accused of shaking down students at bartending schools. [NYP]
• The Chocolate Bar will not be returning to the West Village as was previously reported. The owner of House of Cards & Curiosities has no plans to vacate the space. [NYO]
• During a recent dinner at Tea & Sympathy, Rupert Everett started rehearsing a scene from the upcoming revival of Blithe Spirit with owner Nicky Perry. [NYP]
• Chef John Doherty is leaving the Waldorf=Astoria after 30 years because “I couldn’t do anything else, they wanted me in the kitchen all the time. I couldn’t do TV.” [Diner’s Journal/NYT]
• Betting on weight loss is a positive incentive among co-workers and friends. [NYT]