UNION Square could be called “Hansonville,” now that restaurateur Stephen Hanson is beginning construction on his fourth eatery in the restaurant-heavy area. The CEO of the B.R. Guest group will open his company’s third Ruby Foo’s at 225 Park Ave. South (between 18th and 19th streets) by late July 2003. The former Chase Bank interior bi-level space will be created by Yabu Pushelberg, who designed nearby Dos Caminos and Blue Fin in Times Square.
* Sighting: Wolfgang Puck raiding the kitchen Monday night at Daniel to “borrow” a handful of aromatic (and expensive) truffles to bring to a private pot-luck party in the neighborhood.
* Hamptons Happenings: The highly rated Peconic Coast restaurant in East Hampton has gone into bankruptcy. No word yet on what is going in there, but a persistent rumor has it that the owners of Nick & Toni’s want to put a steakhouse at that location. Principal Mark Smith said, “Chances are remote of that happening.”
* On Nov. 4, the March of Dimes will host “Gourmet Gala: Une Soiree Parisienne” at the New York Palace Hotel. It will feature an original four-course meal prepared by eight Parisian French Master Chefs and 12 of their U.S. colleagues, including New York chefs Christian Delouvrier of Lespinasse and La Cote Basque’s Jean-Jacques Rachou. The event will be co-chaired by Sheila Rosenblum and Ivana Trump. Among those confirmed to attend will be Lauren Bush, Denise Rich, Star Jones and Cathy Moriarty.
* Next month’s Travel & Leisure readers’ poll has named Jewel Bako as its best sushi restaurant among the city’s “Upstarts.” Esteemed Nobu gets the sushi honors in the mag’s “Classic” category. “Upstart” Mary’s Fish Camp wins the top spot for the best lobster, and Jean Georges is the “Classic” winner here.