Cityfile: New York's Most Notable and Influential

The High Line opened to the public a couple of months ago. And it's a delight, isn't it? Unfortunately, it appears the park is a little too delightful since four times as many people have been stopping to visit than Friends of the High Line originally anticipated. And now maintenance costs have gone through the roof, so the group is now looking to tax local residents to make up the difference.More

• Michael Chow has filed suit against Philippe Chow for "unfair and deceptive trade practices, misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair competition, conversion, and trademark infringement," among other things. [NYP, GS]
• A list of eateries that just opened, or will be open soon. [Gothamist, Eater]
• A controversy is brewing over plans to sell food on the High Line. [NYDN]
• Thirteen Dunkin' Donuts locations will change their names this weekend and become part of Tim Hortons, a donut chain that's popular in Canada. [NYT]
• New York magazine's Grub Street food blog is going national. [WSJ]
• Reminder! New York Restaurant Week begins on Sunday. [NY1, NYCGO]

It hasn't been a fun ride for hedge fund manager Phil Falcone since he picked up 20 percent of the New York Times Co. a couple of years ago. He had to face off against the ruling Sulzberger clan for representation on the board of directors and the company's plunging stock price means his investment in the paper is now worth a few hundred million less than it once was. Today, however, he gets his money worth with a Times profile of his beloved bride, Lisa Maria Falcone, who, as the title of the piece informs us, is a "philanthropist with a sense of timing." Indeed!More

The High Line celebrated its grand debut with a splashy, Calvin Klein-sponsored party on Monday night. Naturally, Lisa Falcone and her husband, Phil Falcone, were in attendance: The hedge fund founder made a $10 million donation to the elevated park a week or so before it was unveiled to the public. Lisa took a few minutes to address the crowd at Monday night's party, and her speech came off as a bit loopy, according to people who were there.More

The High Line Spawns a Limited-Edition Towel | The first stretch of the High Line may have opened yesterday, but you didn't think Diane von Furstenberg was going to sit back and relax with two more sections left to renovate, did you? She's now offering a limited-edition "large plush beach towel celebrating the opening of the High Line" both online and at her meatpacking store for $75, and a "percentage of the proceeds will go to the Friends of the High Line conservancy." [DVF]

Hedge fund mogul Phil Falcone hasn't had the easiest stretch as of late. The $500 million he plunked down for a 19 percent stake in the New York Times? The value of his shares have plummeted by nearly two-thirds over the past few months as the paper has struggled to remain solvent. And his recent efforts to dominate the charity circuit haven't worked out as well as he might have liked either. Last week, in what was either a very bold act of generosity or an effort to steal the limelight, Falcone and his wife Lisa announced plans to donate $10 million to the High Line, just days before the railway-turned-park was officially unveiled to the public. Unfortunately for Phil, his sizeable check still didn't entitle him to a front-row spot at the yesterday's official ribbon-cutting ceremony. So Phil did what he had to do to insure his pair of scissors was put to use (and his $10 million didn't go to waste). Evidence of Phil's brash power move below.More

The High Line was technically scheduled to open to the public tomorrow. But it opened today, just after this morning's official ribbon-cutting. Curbed has a set of pics of New York's newest (and most expensive) park, which, as you can see, already appears to be already attracting joggers. We'll have to hope that illegal nude sunbathing isn't far behind. The people who look out on the railway-turned-park—and who've had to cope with years of messy construction work—deserve nothing less. [Curbed]

High Line Makes Its Debut | Mayor Bloomberg cut the ribbon at the opening of the High Line this morning. It officially opens to the public tomorrow, although if you plan to pay a visit, keep in mind that access will be limited during peak hours and visitors "will flow from south to north," which means you'll need to enter the park at the Gansevoort Street access point. Oh, and keep your dog at home. They're not welcome, at least for the time being. [HighLine.org, NY1, previously]

A date has been set for the debut of the High Line. The first section of the renovated rail line will open to the public on Tuesday. [NYT, previously]

The High Line, the elevated railway turned public promenade, opened last night to a select group of donors and supporters. Before the gala kicked off, Diane von Furstenberg and Barry Diller issued a challenge grant, promising to donate $10 million to the walkway if someone else came along and matched it. Hedge fund mogul Phil Falcone and his wife Lisa delivered, and while it's still unclear when the public park will actually be public—rumor has it that it may just be a matter of days now—in the meantime, venture capitalist Fred Wilson was good enough to bring a camera along to last night's event so we can all get a little peek at what's in store.

$10 Million Gift for High Line Project [NYT]
The High Line Set [Flickr via Curbed]

High Line Tours | Want to see the High Line for yourself? A lottery system is being used to give out tickets to one of several free tours scheduled for next week; your chance to throw you name into the hat ends at 4PM today. [High Line Lottery via NewYorkology]

High Line Plans Revealed | Parks commish Adrian Benepe and city planning czar Amanda Burden unveiled the final design for the High Line this morning, the park that's being constructed atop 22 blocks worth of abandoned rail lines on the West Side. Now we know where we'll spend the occasional afternoon. In 2026. [NYT]