Benjamin for News, Martin, FreelThe NY State Capitol Building.

ALBANY - Senate Democrats must be really hungry for victory. 

The Senate Dems' campaign committee spent a whopping $26,000 on restaurants during the past six months, according to recently filed financial statements. 

"They're all associated with political and fund-raising meetings," insisted group spokesman Eric Blankenbaker.
He declined to offer specifics about any of the meetings. 

The Democrats held nearly 80 such "meetings" at dozens of restaurants across the state, including three stops at Jack's Oyster House - a fixture among Albany's power players - costing from $192 to $644, and four visits to Amber Japanese on Columbus Circle, where they rang up a $1,218 tab in just one visit. 

Democrats also satisfied their political appetites at the Ricardo Steak House, which bills itself at "The New Oasis in Harlem," Les Halles, a "typical Parisian brasserie" on Park Ave. in Manhattan, and Café Luxembourg on the upper West Side. 

The restaurant binge comes as Senate Democrats bulk up for what promises to be a bruising battle to retain their slim one-seat majority. 

Republicans, by comparison, seemed content to stay at a leaner fighting weight. They billed their campaign committee for only about 20 restaurant visits, costing about $3,200. 

"While they raised taxes and created hardship for working families, they obviously treated themselves very well," said Senate GOP spokesman Scott Reif.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/07/20/2010-07-20_senate_democrats_bulk_up_for_election_fight_by_spending_26000_in_albany_restaura.html#ixzz0uJhTUcUf