On Tuesday night we headed downtown for a special celebration honoring the late Michel Richard’s birthday at Central Michel Richard. We snapped friends of Michel Mel Davis with Central's executive chef David Deshaies and Lebanese Taverna's Gladys Abi-Najm.

Guests enjoyed a selection of Richard's most delicious items, including his fried chicken bites. Here, WJLA anchor Simone Shenny joins DC Refined's Laura Wainman and Amanda Andrade-Rhoades.

The evening's guests and many restaurant patrons took time to sign a tribute book for Michel.

Guests also enjoyed a selection of wines during the celebration, including a delicious Côte-du-Rhone. Here, DCist's Travis Mitchell with Capital Cooking's Jordan Burns.

Pike Productions' Carly McCormick joins NoMA BID's and blogger Diego Gonzalez with DCM Communications' Channing Muller.

Friends of Michel: Elizabeth Bertholon and Eunice Mazloom surround restaurateur Abi-Najm.