Power, influence, and estrogen coursed through the Rainbow Room at the 17th Annual Power Lunch for Women. Liz Smith and Gael Greene hosted the luncheon to raise bucks for Citymeals-On-Wheels, which provides food for the homebound elderly throughout the five boroughs of New York. This yearly luncheon brought 300 of the city’s most accomplished women (and a few men who donate $10,000 just for the privilege of joining them).

In the mix was Andrea Marcovicci, who lamented at one point, “I guess the only way I’m going to get into Liz Smith’s column is if I kiss her!” Philanthropist and Citymeals Board member Robert Grimes quickly put the money where the mouth is, and offered $1,000 for the dare. After Liz agreed to the bargain, the two women went at it (à la Britney and Madonna).

Later, we caught up with Kathleen Turner and asked her opinion on the Michael Jackson debacle. She quickly shot back, “We have more important things to think about—like overseas!”

The power-lunching ladies included Katie Couric, Paula Zahn, playwright Tricia Walsh-Smith, Jane Pauley, Diane von Furstenberg, Mary Higgins Clark, Amy Irving, Sandy Duncan, Bobbie Brown, Anita Hill, Lorraine Bracco, Christine Baranski, Marisa Tomei, Donna Hanover, Geraldine Ferraro, Martha Nelson, and Hizzoner gal pal Diana Taylor, whom we marched up to and gave a full account of our boorish cabby lighting up a cigarette, then telling us he had to stop to use the bathroom, and finally just asking us to leave — because there was too much traffic!

Diana couldn’t believe such behavior, and promised us our tale would get directly to the Mayor.

(Still waiting, Di.)