Cuisine:

• American
• New American
• Bar

Monkey Bar Description:
Graydon Carter strikes again! The maestro of both Vanity Fair and The Waverly Inn has deigned to sprinkle his special too-cool pixie dust on the Monkey Bar in the Hotel Elysée. Big red curved booths overlook the dining room, and looming over it all is a mural depicting some of the great literary figures of the twentieth century. The last time we experienced the Monkey Bar, it was turning out dim sum. That is the case no more---far from it. What is offered now is more akin to country club fare: lobster Newburg, clams casino, Waldorf salad, and even a big bowl of chili. After a rough start, Carter brought noted chef Larry Forgione on board as "supervising executive chef," so look for the American quotient to be upped as time goes by. Still, Monkey Bar is as much about the scene as it is about the food, so stick with a foolproof classic like the burger (a blend with brisket, or soft-boiled duck egg) or foie gras sliders and see how many celebs you can identify, either in the mural or actually inhabiting the room.


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