So glad to see that the restaurant industry is stepping up to the plate to help out with the relief effort in Haiti. Big hitters like Jean-George Vongerichten and Mario Batali have been asked to join in on Philippe Massoud’s idea to make January 24^th Haiti Dine Out Night in New York. The idea being that 10% of sales would be donated to relief in Haiti. Servers will hopefully donate 5% of their tips on this day as well.

Events are also taking place in San Franciso, Los Angeles, Seattle, New England, and many other cities. Check out some of these in The New York Times Diner’s Journal at http://bit.ly/8K02UK

If there’s no event already planned in your area create your own. Call on your favourite restaurant to set something up, or plan your own event at home. Remember people tend to give more after a few drinks...perhaps a wine tasting night might raise a few dollars. Do a blind tasting and charge your friends $5 a glass.  Give all the money to the relief effort, and feel good about imbibing!