Noy runs into Redford, to meet with Arnold

NEW YORK – President Aquino bumped into actor Robert Redford at a posh restaurant here when he dropped in to have dessert with some businessmen.

Sources said Redford shook Aquino’s hand when they met at the Post House here Thursday.

The businessmen were having dinner but the President was not able to join them throughout, leaving after only 30 minutes.

The President is scheduled to meet with another Hollywood star, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, best known for his “Terminator” movies, when he goes to the West Coast this weekend.

Mr. Aquino has said there would be no luxurious lunches or dinners for him here, and even stopped at a hotdog cart for a sandwich and Coke for lunch the other day.

So far, he has dined at an Italian restaurant called Serafina, had dinner at Keens steakhouse and grabbed a meal at a low-end Japanese restaurant near his hotel. His staff said even the steakhouse did not charge that much.

He did not get to eat at Shake Shack, the famous burger chain here, despite the prodding of Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, because of security concerns.

But Mr. Aquino had In and Out burger popular in San Francisco and found it delicious.

With his full schedule, the President said he would usually just have soup and a sandwich.