BOLDFACE NAMES / Joyce Wadler

Curiously,
He Grew Up in Bensonhurst

It is probably for the best that revelers in Times Square on New Year's Eve were unaware that MICHAEL IMPERIOLI and his wife, VICTORIA, were dining at the West 42nd Street restaurant of JEAN-CLAUDE BAKER, Chez JOSEPHINE.
There would have been gawking and requests for autographs, which sophisticates like ourselves of course eschew.
Oops, excuse us: an Instant Message from GROUCHO@otherside.com. "Gesundheit!"
Our Reply: You're welcome.
Groucho: Are you going to say they were eschewing terrine de foie gras and scallops with truffled mashed potatoes?
Our Reply: Mais oui, for we are coming off a holiday weekend, and CARSON DALY, wouldn't let us in to his party, nor would HUGH HEFNER.
At the piano was 80-year-old LILLETTE JENKINS, who was not above throwing CHOPIN segues into her rendition of "Oh, Lady Be Good!" and "All of Me."
"There is nothing like her," said LILIANE MONTEVECCHI, who won a Tony for her performance in the original Broadway production of "Nine." She signaled her delight by ratcheting a noisemaker and squawkinga New Year's horn.
Ms. Jenkins, meanwhile, torched a song about a one-eyed man and his love for a one-legged lady.
No, we couldn't quite believe it either. And YOUR NAME HERE, to the first Boldface reader who can name that song and send us a few of the lyrics, because it was New Year's Eve and, well, we still have a headache.
But to the chanteuse's all-important back story: Ms. Jenkins was among the opening performers at Chez Josephine 18 years ago and was a regular for a decade. The an adoring customer proposed to her and they moved to Sarasota, Fla. Recently, he died.
"I am Hinsisting that she come back to hus for New Year's heve," said Mr. Baker, in his patented patois. "And look, she is so hextraordinary. I love hair."
Then Mr. Baker leaned forward to reveal a confidence. "She is so vairy wanderfool. And though she say she is heighty years old? Sank you! She may be holdair."