Tales from the Road: Taste of the Town

Tales FROM THE road

~ taste of the town ~

By Jay Newmarch

One of the great things about travel is the chance to try out some tasty new foods from restaurants that we don’t have at home. Well, my sisters and I took it up a notch a few years back when we travelled to New York City during NYC Restaurant Week to celebrate my younger sister’s birthday. Restaurant Week offers the option of dining at some of the city’s fi nest, best known restaurants, at a more accessible price point. Participating restaurants offer prixfi xe menus for both lunch and dinner. Lunch consists of two courses, dinner consists of three courses.

A couple of things to note. First, Restaurant Week takes place at the end of January. So, don’t count on great weather. In our case, it was brutally cold. Even with layers of clothing, it always felt as if the icy wind was slicing through us. Second, while the fi xed menus might not be your fi rst choice, I doubt you’ll feel let down. Every meal we had was both special and delicious. And, the restaurant experience itself is part of the allure. Our Big Apple culinary tour began with one stop that wasn’t a part of Restaurant Week. As my sister had always wanted to go to an afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel, that had to be on our list. My favorite part of it was the grand architecture and design of the Plaza. Afternoon tea takes place in the Palm Court, a beautiful space in the center of the hotel. It is resplendent with wood lattice, stained glass and, yes, large palms. While the multi-tiered display of sandwiches and pastries is incredible, the setting and service combine to make the experience something even more grand. A complete turn from the quiet, gracious afternoon tea at the Plaza, was our dinner in what was once the roudy, party atmosphere of Studio 54. Feinstein’s 54 Below is literally in the basement of what was the disco-era club, Studio 54. At Feinstein’s 54 Below, you’ll receive a delicious dinner alongside a show. As the space is small and intimate, you don’t so much watch the show as feel a part of it. A fun time with delicious food. Moving on, what culinary tour would be complete without dinner at the swanky 21 Club? You may know the 21 Club, or 21, as the bar and restaurant adorned with 37 jockeys atop the railings outside. The jockeys stand at attention while simultaneously drawing attention. The interior is equally eye catching. The walls and ceiling of the Bar Room, in which we dined, are fi lled with antique toys and sports items that line the walls and hang from the ceiling. The space is so cozy and intimate, you can’t help but feel relaxed. And, if people watching isn’t enough, there’s plenty of items surrounding you to keep your interest while waiting for the next course. lyn Monroe, just to name a few. Sadly, as the pandemic continues to take a toll on restaurants, The 21 Club is not immune. 21, which has been in existence in one form or another for nearly a century, recently announced that they have closed, with no plans to reopen at this time. I, for one, hope it fi nds a new life after COVID-19 is behind us.

Another notable with a history just about as long is Tavern on the Green. The restaurant, tucked away at the edge of Central Park, once served as the sheepfold for the sheep that grazed in nearby Sheep Meadow. The restaurant fi rst opened in 1934. With trees and shrubbery all around, you feel as if you are coming upon the restaurant in a forest glade. Our dinner wasn’t at the top of our list, but the location on the Upper West Side is quite spectacular and one to see. While on the West Side, we also made a stop at the famous Zabar’s deli. The grocery store and diner is a defi nite must see. The compact space is overfl owing with so many delicious sights and smells. If you can’t fi nd time to eat there, just pick up some bagels and cream cheese for a quick breakfast in your hotel room. But, it would be a shame to miss out on a thick, authentic deli sandwich from Zabar’s.

Last, but defi nitely not least was a Sunday brunch at the Rainbow Room. It’s brunch with a bird’s eye view of New York City. The Rainbow Room was opened by the Rockefeller family in 1934 as the pinnacle of panache atop the RCA building, now the Comcast building. The building is home to NBC. Even with the lavish brunch topping my list, the real star is the view. It is simply incredible. You step out of the elevator to a spacious restaurant lined with fl oor to ceiling windows and New York City fi lling every window frame. From this vantage point, the Empire State building looks so close that you feel like you could almost reach out and touch it.

If you’re a food and restaurant buff, Restaurant Week is a vacation in itself. Nothing, after all, beats a great meal in a great restaurant, shared with equally great company. And, I’m happy to announce that after last year’s hiatus, NYC Restaurant Week has returned for 2021 as Restaurant Week To Go. Not even a pandemic can keep such a good thing down.