PLAZA ARCHIVE - THE EDWARDIAN ROOM
By Rob Arango
Welcome to my new column introducing historical tidbits of the legendary Plaza. My first stop is the most pristine real estate spot in New York City—the famed Edwardian Room with enormous windows facing Central Park South and Fifth Avenue and 59th Street.
There is no other address like this turn of the century Victorian room. In 1980 I dined in the Edwardian Room with my parents and it was one of the first times I had worn my customary blue blazer and grey flannel slacks. We sat near the window overlooking Central Park. I remember having veal Oscar for the main course. After dinner, my mother asked me to dance with her. She told me how to do the simple box step. I was only 14 but for one brief moment I felt like Gene Kelly on the tiny dance floor.
In 1920 the doors opened to men only and it became the hotel’s premiere dining room. When making reservations men would ask for The Men’s Café. At the time it quickly became the first of its kind “Power Breakfast” in Midtown. Major political, business tycoons and movie stars would dine for breakfast to be seen among New York’s elite. The dining experience was true to its time in culinary history – starters included Hearts of Artichokes, Pate Maison and Cape Cod Oysters. Popular fish courses were Filet of English Sole Mervina and Olivette Potatoes Persillees. The star of beef courses was the famed Roast Prime Ribs of Beef au Cresson with Baked Potato (a SPLURGE at 75 cents EXTRA). Dessert specials were various fruit pies, Lemon Meringue, custard rice pudding and assorted sherbets. All ending with Demi-Tasse, of course.
It was called the “Plaza Restaurant” until 1955. Then it was named as the “Edwardian Room” after the time period of when the hotel was built – 1900’s aka Edwardian era.
In December 2018 I will be hosting a dinner for 175 guests. The menu will be a bit healthier in choices, all nut-free, and of course a silent vegan and gluten-free option. Times have changed but the room still holds over 100 years of dining stories all waiting to be told.
For a limited time, you can have the unique opportunity to host an event in the Edwardian Room. Please call 212-549-0550 to inquire.
THE PLAZA’S ROYAL WEDDING WEEKEND
By Emily Reifel
The Royal Wedding Of Ms. Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Was Worldwide News That Really Was So Exciting To Watch, Especially Being In The Wedding Industry Myself!
When the news first broke of the engagement I started thinking about how we at The Plaza Hotel were going to celebrate! What unfolded was pretty incredible. Rachel Jo Silver first contacted me in December of last year with an idea to host a Royal Wedding viewing party! We then looped in the talented Ariana Swerdlin and Maureen Farley from The Plaza’s PR and Hospitality events team! After months of planning and brainstorming, the Royal Wedding Weekend arrived!
On Friday, May 17th, The Plaza hosted over 90 bloggers, influencers and press to come to The Royal Wedding Rehearsal Dinner. Guests started the evening in of course The Royal Suite in the hotel and were treated to Krug champagne and afternoon tea inspired canapés alongside some really cute activities! Kleinfeld’s had setup a Tiara Bar so guests could really get into their inner Duchess spirt! There were even Corgies to play with that are the same dogs that the Queen calls her own! Andre Maier who is a photographer set up a royal portrait station and took photos of all the guests in the same style of Cecil Beaton who shot many of the English Royal portraits! The guests loved every minute of it!
Soon the guests made their way down to The Terrace Room where the super chic and talented Jung Lee of Fete had designed a gorgeous dinner perfectly fit for royalty! Large candelabras were overflowing with stunning roses and peonies! It’s was dreamy and romantic! Alpine Creative who designed the invitations for the whole event has also printed the menu cards with these same beautiful flowers incorporated into the design. Our own Chef Geoff Rudaw has created a perfectly British menu that included Dover Sole as the entree!
As Guests sat down for dinner they were in awe of the Room and the beautiful classical music prepared by Michael Hart of Hank Lane! Soon Rachel Jo Silver of Love Stories TV introduced herself as the Toast Master of the evening. We had invited 10 “celebrities” in the wedding industry to give toasts on their thoughts about different aspects of The Royal Wedding. There were lots of laughs as Marcy Blum wedding planner extraordinaire, Ron Ben Israel wedding cake designer to the starts, The Plaza’s own etiquette expert Myka Meier, and of course the creative Jung Lee wedding and event designer! Each one spoke on what to expect and Meghan and Harry’s royal nuptials the next morning! After each toast we all raised a glass in the royal couples honor and sipped our delicious Krug champagne.
As the last and final toast of the evening by our very own Director of Catering, Mike Warren was wrapping up, Mike introduced a super star performance! Lights dimmed and Sir Elton John (or so we thought) started singing from a Grand Piano! As he belted “Tiny Dancer” the guests started to realize that Sir Elton wasn’t really here but his impersonator couldn’t have been better!
As the night came to a close guests picked up their Royal Portraits and headed to bed because we all had a very very early morning the next day.
The next day the alarm went off at 5 AM! I arrived to the Palm Court at 6 AM for The Royal Wedding Viewing party! There were dozen’s of mainly women and lots of little girls who were all dressed up with fascinators in tow! Our Plaza Team was lucky enough to be wearing couture fascinators by Monvieve in an assortment of colors! Good Morning America covered the party and Brides Magazine gave an honor to the best dressed at the event. The crowd went wild went the first vision of Meghan in her Givenchy gown emerging from her car appeared on the extra large screen that had been installed in The Palm Court for the special occasion. The crowd loved it and we were so pleased to have The Plaza feel like the best place in New York City for everyone to feel like Royalty even if just for a day!
This month I am so excited to invite our Director of Catering, Mike Warren, to interview the incredibly talented and fabulous Baz Luhrmann, who directed this season’s blockbuster hit The Great Gatsby. Mike worked tirelessly for weeks to create the speakeasy after-party with Warner Brothers and Samantha Sackler Productions, which took place in the gilded, turn of the century, Grand Ballroom. Read further to find out about Baz’s socks.
1) Where were you born?
Sydney, Australia
2) Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get it from the desire to live an adventurous life.
3) What made you want to direct The Great Gatsby?
I heard it on the train going through Siberia as an audiobook ten years ago and realized there was a different film version to be made.
4) Was Leonardo DiCaprio always your number one choice for Jay Gatsby?
Always. There was no list.
5) Why do you think F. Scott and Zelda loved the Plaza?
What’s not to love?
6) Why do you love the Plaza?
Because of its history. It is glamorous, yes, but just a bit of outrage as well.
7) Tell us what you loved about the post-party bash in the Ballroom?
Those things nearly never work. And people hardly ever have a good time. But when Florence and Jay-Z are dancing together you know something is right.
8) What do you do for fun when you are not working?
I am never not working so I try and find fun when I am working.
9) Why don’t you wear socks?
Because I’ve got the ankles for it.
10) If you could have dinner with three people tonight, who would they be?
Catherine Martin, Lillian Luhrmann, William Luhrmann
11) What is your favorite place to travel to?
Asia. With Russia a close second.
12) If you come back in another life, who do you want to be?
Myself, with hindsight and wisdom.
–Rob Arango