Recently, amidst one of Manhattan’s latest snow storms during which the city is rendered a mound of meringues and winter macaroons, we took refuge at the Essex House.
Initially, we sat in the sumptuous Art Deco lobby – and ordered high tea. While the snow fell outside, we sipped lapsang souchong and nibbled on cucumber sandwiches and buttery scones. And though there was royalty in house and media vans parked outside, the Essex House lobby was a sanctuary of stylish decorum. We spent an hour watching the snowfall – and when it was time for dinner, we moved from the lobby to South Gate, the Essex House’s in-house restaurant.
South Gate opened in February 2008 after a spectacular redesign by Tony Chi who opened up the room to the views onto Central Park. With a massive skylight and what is, arguably, the largest fireplace in Manhattan, the soaring space, furnished with classic pieces of modern design, gives off a warm amber glow in the evening. There’s an understated elegance about the room that seems an amalgam of Moderne and Mad Men. You can see Roger Sterling dining here as easily as F. Scott Fitzgerald.
South Gate’s kitchen is helmed by Kerry Heffernan, whose triumphant turn at Danny Meyer’s Eleven Madison helped bring about the renaissance of Madison Square. In keeping with the Essex House’s storied history, Heffernan’s menu is an homage to contemporary classics. Pair the sage-dusted fries with one of Heffernan’s perfectly balanced salads: the poached quince and arugula salad, for example, with pomegranate and hazelnut vinaigrette. Then order several of the tempting sides, such as the potato, leek, and Gruyere gratin, or the “mustardy” greens. One more suggestion: save room for one (or more) of South Gate’s widely-acclaimed desserts.
In short, there are few restaurants as romantic and seductive as South Gate – and we were, therefore, intrigued by the recent press release about South Gate’s plans for Valentine’s Day. We’ll let you read it in its entirety here – and trust you to make your reservations accordingly.
“Most Romantic Hotel” in New York
(NEW YORK, January 26, 2011) – Jumeirah Essex House, the iconic luxury hotel with an exclusive Central Park address, recently dubbed the “most romantic hotel” in New York by the Philadelphia Gay News, is offering a sweet Valentine’s Day fine-dining experience for couples. The hotel’s spectacularly designed South Gate restaurant will host a Valentine’s Day feast with three delectable food courses, a bottle of one of the finest Champagnes, and a memorably personalized dessert option.
Served in South Gate, with its cozy fireplace and dazzling floor-to-ceiling views of Central Park, the Valentine’s Day dinner will impress your honey with a culinary tour-de-force that includes a bottle of the finest Bollinger Rosé Champagne, a three-course gourmet dinner featuring the cuisine of celebrated chef Kerry Heffernan and – la pièce de résistance – a truly unique and unforgettable handmade dessert designed by you uniquely for your beloved. You will get to create your own exclusive “bespoke dessert” made in consultation with Executive Pastry Chef Deden Putra as well as try a number of other uniquely made desserts.
Birkin Bavarois Dessert: Is your partner obsessed with the finest handbags? Astonish him or her with a mouthwatering interpretation of the iconic Hermès purse – “Birkin Bavarois” – rendered in almond joconde and filled with raspberry bavarois. It’s a lot cheaper than the original and there’s no wait list!
Hole in One Dessert: Is your partner addicted to golf? Design a “hole-in-one dessert” featuring tasty gianduja chocolate golf balls filled with champagne and orange mousse. They’ll be perched on marzipan “tees” stuck into a “fairway” of green coconut. Make sure he avoids the cinnamon “sandtrap” when he tees off!
Edible Postcards: Does your romantic getaway in the Maldives feel like ages ago? Relive the romance with a delicious postcard from your honeymoon destination. Work with Chef Putra to design your own pastry creation that evokes those Maldivian sweet endings you enjoyed so much. And if that doesn’t do the trick, there are only a few more weeks left before you can enjoy Jumeirah’s newest resort opening on March 1 in the Maldives.
Details: “Confection Perfection” costs $400 per couple, and bookings must be made by Monday, February 7 in order to allow our South Gate chefs time to craft your custom pastries.
The three-course meal without the champagne and “bespoke dessert” is available for only $85 per person.
Call (212) 484-5120 to book your once-in-a-lifetime “Confection Perfection” experience.
LINK: JW Marriott Essex House
