Bogota Bistro Participating In Dining Out for a Cure
Third Annual ‘Dining Out For a Cure’ Begins June 1
By Caitlin McNamara
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
BROOKLYN — When Lenore Arons was planning the third annual, month-long “Dining Out for a Cure” restaurant event in Brooklyn, she worried that the restaurants that eagerly participated in 2008 might not be able or willing to partake this year.
“I was concerned and would have understood if some or many [of the restaurants] felt they couldn’t participate,” says Arons.
But her worry evaporated when almost all 25 restaurants from last year, plus a few new ones, signed up to host a special evening in June, from which a portion of the receipts will go to The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.
“It is terrific and surprising how many are returning for a second and third year,” she says. “It’s really exciting, because it’s an expression of caring, community and generosity on the part of the restaurants.”
She acknowledges that diners are similarly pinched, but hopes they will turn out to support the event and their local establishments. Dining on a “for the cure” night is a way of saying, “you’re doing something good,” she says — for the Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and Fort Greene restaurants, and for the fundraising effort.
For those who love the whites and reds, the second annual “Start Wine-ing” tasting fundraiser is also in progress, and will continue on select days through June. This series, organized by Arons, raises money for money for Avon too.
Last year “Dining Out” raised $8,000, a significant increase over the prior year. Most of the proceeds came from the restaurants, but some were also from diners donating directly to the cause and from passersby who saw Arons in a pink shirt (the color of breast cancer awareness) out in front of restaurants greeting guests and sharing information about the cause. The same happened during the wine tastings, which raised $1,800.
Arons began walking in the national, two-day, 39-mile Avon events several years ago because she had friends affected by the disease. Soon after, Arons herself was diagnosed with breast cancer. Last May, Arons walked in her fourth Avon walk, in Boston, which was the first following her diagnosis. It was also the first time she entered the closing ceremonies as a survivor. Arons says there was great power in this moment — of walking into the tent together with the other survivors, all wearing the same pink shirt, and being cheered by hundreds of people.
“It is extraordinary to be at the closing,” she says. “It’s dramatic and exciting, and emotional for me. Right when you are standing there, they announce where the money goes.”
As always, Arons will be at every “Dining Out for a Cure” event, greeting and thanking guests. So look for her — she’ll be the one in pink!
To make an individual donation, or for more information about the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, contact Arons at walking withlenore@att.net. or visit http://www.diningoutforacure.com/
‘Dining Out for a Cure’
June 1 — Bogota Latin Bistro, 141 Fifth Ave.
June 2 — Ici, 246 DeKalb Ave.
June 3 — Beast, 638 Bergen St.
June 4 — Bocca Lupo*, 391 Henry St.
June 5 — Chez Lola, 387 Myrtle Ave.
June 6 — The Chocolate Room, 269 Court St.
June 7 — Santa Fe Grill, 62 Seventh Ave.
June 8 — Bonnie’s Grill*, 278 Fifth Ave.
June 9 — Playa|Cabana Bar, 230 Fifth Ave.
June 10 — Aunt Suzie’s, 247 Fifth Ave.
June 11 — Miriam, 79 Fifth Ave.
June 13 — The Chocolate Room, 86 Fifth Ave.
June 15 – Sette Enoteca e Cucina, 207 Seventh Ave.
June 16 – Lobo*, 188 Fifth Ave.
June 17 – Lobo*, 218 Court St.
June 18 – Flatbush Farm*, 76 St. Marks Ave.
June 19 – Blue Ribbon, 280 Fifth Ave.
June 22 – Rose Water, 787 Union St.
June 23 – 200 Fifth, 200 Fifth Ave.
June 24 – Barrio, 210 Seventh Ave.
June 25 – Saul, 140 Smith St.
June 28 – Lunetta, Smith St.
June 29 – Palo Santo, 652 Union St.
June 30 – Loulou, 222 DeKalb Ave.
*serving lunch too
Labels: Bogota Bistro, Breast Cancer
posted by Bogota Bistro @ 4:47 PM
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