The New Rolls-Royce Ghost And a Taste of the High Life

By riChard poSluSzny

There are very few things that actually are extraordinary these days, although you wouldn’t know it. That’s because the word gets thrown around, a lot. You can thank mass production, cratered expectations and a societal waning of pride in the quality of one’s work.

So, when you do come across a product or service that is objectively unique, or has a certain type of joie de vivre, it stands out. And, for me, it brings a rush of excitement.

As someone that’s an automotive enthusiast as well as a self-described “foodie,” I figured it’d be a good idea to marry the two. What would happen if I over indexed on both, just for one night? As they say, there’s only one way to find out.

Taking delivery of a Rolls-Royce Ghost was a surefire way to start.

In its second generation, the Ghost is the über luxury automaker’s more accessible sedan that’s packaged in a tidier fashion. That means its footprint is smaller than the flagship Phantom and it boasts a more sporting driving experience. But, of course, when you’re talking about a Rolls-Royce, “sporting” is relative. That’s because, as with any vehicle with the interlocked R’s, comfort and sophistication are prioritized above all else.

Where the Ghost shines is in the brand’s balancing act of minimalist design cues and the integration of the latest technology. Frankly, no one does it quite like Rolls-Royce. When you get situated in its cockpit, it becomes abundantly clear. I love the simplicity of its HVAC controls. Essentially, you have a handful of fan speeds you can select from, and then you have these red and blue adjustments that act as a spectrum for heating and cooling. While it sounds archaic, it’s actually brilliant because it simply works and is easy to control. Then, there’s the 10-inch infotainment display that controls many details of the vehicle. Take, for example, raising and lowering the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy that deploys and retracts from the hood when you start/stop your Ghost. From the leather-trimmed, well, everything, to the real metal brightwork, to the neatly integrated screens, it all comes together in an especially tasteful way.

Adding to that, there’s the customer experience. Having seen Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Paramus open its doors just last year, I wanted to explore what that journey is all about. Right off the bat, I can tell you that it’s the polar opposite of your traditional car dealership experience. It’s best to think of it as a luxury boutique that features a one-on-one consultation with an automotive sales professional. According to its General Sales Manager, Ron Haro, the Paramus showroom is the “first of its kind in the country.”

I believe it.

While the space is exceedingly well designed, its crown jewel is the atelier, which is located in the back of the store. Equipped with a stateof-the-art Rolls-Royce visualizer as well as a myriad of paints, hides, trims, threads and more, Haro says, “We have the ability to create their [the customer’s] dream.” He’s not kidding, either. That’s because now, more than ever before, “Customers want to express their individuality and express themselves,” which has led to “More bold selections,” notes Haro. This requires extra attention and a more involved consultation to ensure that buyers walk away pleased with their choices.

What better way to meet people’s expectations than by providing them a realistic rendering of their to-be-built vehicle? As the saying goes, seeing is believing.

Now the tough part: How do I try to match Rolls-Royce with a night on the town in Manhattan? Although I had my work cut out for me, I had a trick or two up my sleeve.

Propelled by a 6.75-liter, twin-turbocharged V12 engine, my fiancé and I ventured into New York City. Working our way down the West Side Highway, two things were crystal clear. First, power was more than adequate. With more than 560 horsepower and over 625 lb.-ft. of torque at my disposal, getting to our destination was essentially effortless. Second, as expected, the Ghost lives up to the Rolls-

Royce brand with an uncompromised suspension system. Leveraging multiple advanced technologies, it provides a Magic Carpet Ride that’s smooth and able to absorb even the worst of New York’s pockmarked-ridden roads. You don’t feel like you’re driving as much as you feel as though you’re floating along the highway.

Arriving at our destination, Cosme, we were struck by its contemporary, dimly lit interior. While I understand it may be off putting to some folks, it intentionally provides a significantly more intimate atmosphere for your party. Having learned a bit more about its chef founder, Enrique Olvera, via Netflix’s “Chef’s Table,” it’s clear that Olvera has crafted a space that celebrates relationships, platonic or romantic.

And, when it comes to the food, his approach focuses on simply prepared dishes that feature ingredients of the highest quality. Where things get interesting: Some dishes have components that are deeply rooted in Mexican tradition. Others are more eccentric and experimental.

For example, we started our dinner with a striped bass tostada, which was accented by a chicatana chintextle. If you’re not in the loop, let me get you dialed in. Chicatanas are a Mexican delicacy – ants. Their unique flavor harken back to traditional Mexican salsas and moles. Simply put, it adds a bit of a kick and smokiness that was welcomed.

Speaking of mole, one of our two entrées was just that. Plated in a straightforward manner, don’t let its look deceive you. It is not just a brown circle. Once it hits your tongue, you’re in for a treat. That’s because Olvera’s mole has so much dimensionality, you’re not likely to eat something with as many layered flavors in your life. This thick paste is truly something to behold and savor in the moment.

And then there’s the duck carnitas for two. Think of this as Cosme’s pièce de résistance. The lean portion of poultry is prepared in a fashion that its texture is more reminiscent of pulled pork. With each bite, somehow, Olvera’s team manages to serve a dish that gets more vibrant as you consume it. While it’s probably attributable to the freshness of the onions, radishes and cilantro, I like to think there’s some other sorcery going on here.

The reality is, much like the Rolls-Royce’s unfathomable abilities, every single detail has been engineered over time with the sole purpose of delighting – and, in some ways, surprising – the customer. There’s a pursuit of decadence and exceptionalism, which you can’t help but admire.

Although Cosme and duck carnitas can’t really be topped, I did have one more thing on my agenda. A nightcap at the Mandarin Oriental’s MO Lounge.

Located high above Columbus Circle on the 35th floor of the Deutsche Bank Center, the MO Lounge is one of the best spots in New York to watch golden hour emerge and the sunset take over the Central Park skyline. Even better, the relaxed atmosphere lends itself to a more delicate side of Manhattan that you don’t often get to see.

Watching midnight and purple hues sweep over the skyscrapers, we knew it was time to hit the road.

Getting situated in the Ghost’s sumptuous front seats and setting our feet on the plush lambswool carpeting, there’s no question that a Rolls-Royce cockpit is one of the most comfortable places to be. The only thing that could improve the environment would be the soft glow of a crackling fireplace. Until the British marque figures out how to deliver that, its shooting star headliner will have to suffice.

Working our way through the concrete maze, there was a decidedly hushed tone. While this is how I like New York best, a part of me knew that it wasn’t simply a quiet night in the city. The Ghost was doing all the heavy lifting, ensuring our cruise back to the other side of the Hudson was as peaceful as possible.