There was no fritto mix-up after all. Upper East Siders (and Jane Fonda) were confused after Joe Biden — in town for wife Jill’s book launch — ate at a “random” Italian spot, Fumo, on Tuesday night.
Rumor spread in the neighborhood that he was actually supposed to be across the street, at famed red sauce joint Elio’s — beloved by Gwyneth Paltrow, Joan Didion, Nora Ephron and many more — and had mistaken Fumo for it.
Page Six spies tells us that Fonda and Martha Stewart were both dining at Elio’s, and the “Barbarella” star was overheard quipping, “Doesn’t he know he’s supposed to be over here?”
But the gossips were no doubt extrapolating a little too liberally from Biden’s reputation for being muddled: Elio’s says they were never expecting the former president.
In fact, after scolding us for not having anything better to report on, an Elio’s staffer told Page Six that their across-the-street neighbor is actually “very popular,” offering particular praise for their artichokes.
Biden was greeted by applause on his way into the restaurant, and by the time he left, a crowd had gathered. They cheered him as he climbed into his car.
No word on their orders, but Biden was with one of his granddaughters for dinner.
Jill has been promoting her memoir, “View From the East Wing,” and made stops here at the 92nd Street Y, where she was interviewed by Whoopi Goldberg, and ABC’s “The View.”
During the audience-questions segment of the 92Y evening, Joe got up from his seat and walked to the front of the stage, where he said, without the microphone, “I have a question.”
“Who do you love most in the whole world?” Biden asked. “Whoopi,” Jill answered, causing the audience to break into laughter.
The former first lady eventually caved and said, “I love you most, Joe. Was that it? Was that the answer he wanted?”
