In addition to a modern redesign, the King Cole Bar & Salon welcomes a new culinary partnership.
By Vicki Hogue-Davies
Timeless elegance and modern sophistication come together in glamorous Manhattan style at The St. Regis New York’s new King Cole Bar & Salon, which reopened in November following months of renovation.
For decades, the city’s most influential people have frequented this iconic Fifth Avenue address, making high-powered business deals with martinis in hand or simply relaxing and socializing over signature bloody marys. While still reflecting its classic legacy, the King Cole Bar & Salon has been reimagined for a global new era of New York glamour. Changes include a redesign of the existing space and the addition of an expanded lounge for dining. Further positioning the King Cole Bar & Salon during this rebirth is a partnership with renowned New York restaurateur and chef John DeLucie.
“The renovated bar and restaurant infuses contemporary glamour into the landmark St. Regis hotel’s rich culinary heritage, creating a dynamic epicurean experience for New York’s social elite and a new generation of luxury travelers,” The St. Regis New York General Manager Paul Nash says. “John DeLucie brings with him a new energy and perspective that perfectly reflects this new era of glamour. As a lifelong New Yorker, chef DeLucie cherishes the hotel’s history while lending his celebrated creativity and a fresh culinary approach. His presence will marry the old and the new, combining downtown chic and uptown sophistication, paving the way for the next generation of luxury here at the St. Regis.”
Cuisine Fit for a King
DeLucie brings his 15 years of distinguished background to The St. Regis New York, having worked as the chef for a number of top New York restaurants. He experienced his breakout moment in the culinary world overseeing the Waverly Inn & Garden in Greenwich Village as executive chef and partner. The restaurant opened to critical acclaim in 2007 and, since that time, he has opened three more highly venerated restaurants within the city’s competitive dining scene: The Lion, Bill’s and Crown.
For his most recent endeavor, the reimagining of the King Cole Bar & Salon, DeLucie has introduced a menu that highlights American dishes yet gives a nod to a global sensibility. “Chef DeLucie’s updated menu infuses his signature take on American cuisine, while incorporating an international Mediterranean twist to reflect the city’s diversity,” Nash says. “The King Cole Bar & Salon now offers a tailored selection of small plates designed to be shared, including a stunning seafood platter featuring fresh oysters, clams, lobster and caviar that recreates a classic specialty from the hotel’s earlier days.”
Fresh seasonal ingredients are highlights on the revamped menu, which includes pastas, seafood, meat and poultry dishes. Linguine with clams, crusted smoked salmon, chicken paillard Milanese and Barolo-braised short rib are just a few of the DeLucie dishes that guests to the King Cole Bar & Salon can savor, as well as the truffle macaroni and cheese that is new on the menu. Nash points out that the dish is a perfect accompaniment to the bar’s signature cocktail, the Red Snapper, which is the hotel’s nomenclature for a bloody mary—a drink created in the 1930s by St. Regis bartender Fernand Petiot.
An Icon Transformed
Channeling an upscale lounge, the King Cole Bar & Salon’s sophisticated design changes include the addition of a dramatic open fireplace in the lounge area that provides a place for guests to warm up on cold winter nights. The space also includes low, lounge-style furnishings that are contemporary in appearance yet luxurious to the touch. Three sparkling chandeliers hanging above an extra-large communal table act as visual anchors and provide another interesting focal point in the room. The lighting throughout the King Cole Bar & Salon is strategically placed to create various atmospheres in the space, from quiet and intimate to energetic and celebratory. The bar received a sleek new onyx bar top, and the entire bar and lounge area features updated fabrics and textiles in rich and vibrant colors. The existing dark wood surfaces contrast with the rich colors, creating an elegant and inviting look.
“The bar space opens up directly into the lounge area, allowing fluid movement between the bar and salon, carrying the ambience throughout the restaurant,” Nash says.
The famous “Old King Cole” mural by Maxfield Parrish still hangs above the bar, having famously adorned the spot since 1932. As part of the redesign and reimagining of the King Cole Bar & Salon, the classic piece underwent an extensive restoration by Rustin Levenson, who ensured that it continues to be a bright focal point in the bar for decades to come.
“Amidst the dramatic changes that have taken place in the King Cole Bar, the mural will continue to cast its watchful eye as New York society meets, entertains and celebrates in the beloved space,” Nash says. “And the St. Regis legacy will continue to come alive through the brand’s signature afternoon tea service, renowned bloody mary cocktails and intimate live jazz performances.”
