Beautiful New York: The Plaza Hotel

After we returned from our trip to California, I got in my car and drove to New York City.  My best friend Gina was there visiting her cousin (my college roommate and dear friend), Craig.  Since I never get to see them, we decided to spend a couple of days together.  We shopped and went out to lunch.  In the evening, we had dinner at one of my favorite New York restaurants, Patsy's (side note: as I get older, I've noticed that all of my favorite restaurants are upscale, slightly old-school, and cater to the over 60 set.  These are the best restaurants!  Patsy's is one of them.  White tablecloths, great food, wonderful service, and no trendy, over-dressed guests trying to impress.  It's not scene-y.  I like that about Patsy's). 

 

 

During our New York visit, we all went to lunch at The Plaza.  I've walked past this historic hotel a small handful of times, but I've never been inside.  The interior was so mesmerizing, I snapped a bunch of pictures with my iPhone...

 

 

 

 

I can't quite come up with the words to describe the pure grandeur of this place.  It's truly magical.  You walk through the marble-clad hallways, look up at the gold-trimmed plaster ceilings and you can only imagine the Gatsby-esque parties that have occurred here over the years.  What kind of social giants of the 20th Century stayed here?!  It's a one-of-a-kind landmark that can't be missed, and if you're in New York, you must go!  Next time I visit The Plaza, I would like to have tea in the Palm Court just so I can stare at that incredible glass ceiling for an hour.  The gal in the gift shop told me that when Conrad Hilton owned the hotel in the 1940s, he covered that glass ceiling to make way for air conditioning!  Can you believe it?  Fun stuff. 

Before lunch, we walked into The Plaza Gift Shop, which is filled with interesting things-- new gifty items and fun vintage Plaza memorabilia.  Gina and I bought necklaces by DogEared.  I'm calling it a "friendship" necklace (even though our choices don't match) because Gina and I have been friends for about 20 years.  In junior high, we wore friendship bracelets and signed our notes "BFFs!!".  So, when I wear it, I will think of her.  I also bought an ashtray from the former Edwardian Room (the space is now occupied by Italian designer, Angelo Galasso).  But just a short time ago, The Edwardian Room was a notorious restaurant at The Plaza, overlooking Central Park (originally, it was a mens-only club...  but later evolved to include both genders, which is nice).  The ashtray was only $12.00 and I think it might be considered "vintage" at this point (is it over twenty years old? Ha!).   My little Plaza trinket now holds my bracelets on my bedside table...

The three of us ate lunch at Todd English, located on the lower level of The Plaza.  It's a gorgeous space and the food was delicious.  I highly recommend...

 love the orange barstools and mosaic floor

 

fun typography at the bar

 

 

 

 

 

modern tile in the kitchen

the three of us at lunch

(me, Craig, and Gina)

Homemade pasta anyone?

 

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If you're a history nut like me, you will DEFINITELY enjoy watching a few short videos on The Plaza's website. I would have posted them here (one is particularly great!), but the page won't let me share them. So, click HERE and make sure to watch the two videos under the "Restoration" section of the page. Once you've seen those, scroll down a little lower and watch the video called Architectural Tour-- you'll see the ballroom where Truman Capote hosted his famous "Party of the Century". The videos are short, they're fun to watch, and they allow you to escape to The Plaza for a few minutes today!!

 

 

 

Happy Friday!

 

 

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