Eliot Engel sure can eat. In fact, so far in the 2009-2010 cycle, Rep. Engel’s campaign has spent $9,406 on restaurants. Check out the “Dining with Engel” map I made below…
View Dining with Engel in a larger map
Let’s break down some of Engel’s choices. First, his New York eats:
- Hunan Balcony: The Engel campaign has hit up this downright legendary Riverdale joint 19 times — spending a total of $1,487. That’s not hard to understand. There might be no better eatery within Riverdale’s tree-lined “not quite suburb, not quite city” borders.
- Liebman’s Deli: Eliot’s been quite outspoken about his love for Liebman’s.
- Hilton Rye Town Hotel: According to OpenSecrets, Engel spent money on food and lodging here. Nothing crazy about that, except that the hotel is only 30-45 minutes from where Engel lives (weird, I know).
Now how about his D.C. area haunts:
- McCormick and Schmick’s: No big deal, just a couple of dinners at the chain seafood spot…for a whopping $4,825. Those must be some mighty fine lobsters.
- Charlie Palmer Steaks: Yet another pricey venue, Engel spent $783 on one event here. In fact, I’m noticing a trend….
In this election cycle, Engel has seen just over $45,000 in donations from New York area contributors, while spending $2,752 on restaurants. Meanwhile, he’s spent almost $6,000 in the D.C. metro area, and pulled in $12,400. I’m no scientist, but either his New York contributors eat less, or Engel’s D.C. donors require fancier wooing.