Cityfile: New York's Most Notable and Influential

The Tribeca Film Festival was founded to help New York bounce back after the deadly attacks of Sept. 11th. That was all well and good, except for the fact that the fest never managed to turn a profit, much to the chagrin of the festival's founders, Jane Rosenthal, Craig Hatkoff and Robert De Niro, who had established the annual event as a moneymaking enterprise, not as a not-for-profit like, say, Sundance or the Toronto Film Festival. Last year, the trio raised ticket prices and trimmed the lineup, an effort designed to stem the flow of red ink. But it seems the three have figured out a new way to boost the fest's fortunes: They're taking the franchise to the Middle East. More

New York restaurateurs may be panicked about the economy, but all is well in Qatar! This week it was reported that the Four Seasons in Doha will be home to the latest incarnation of Nobu. (A Dubai outpost opened earlier this month.) Gordon Ramsay is supposedly looking at two different sites in town for an eatery he has planned. And when Doha's new W Hotel opens in a couple of months, Jean-Georges Vongerichten's Spice Market will be located in the lobby. Less exciting news, at least as far as New Yorkers are concerned: "Bollywood legend" Asha Bhosle has also opened a high-profile restaurant in Doha, and a branch of the Hard Rock Café is coming, too. [The Penninsula via Luxist]