The Ultimate NYC Experience | Visiting The Pierre, A Taj Hotel & a Decadent Lunch at Perrine
This past week in NYC, I couldn’t have been more excited to visit a timeless hotel called The Pierre, A Taj Hotel located on 61st and 5th and lunch at its delightful restaurant called Perrine. Located across from Central Park, this iconic hotel was one I was so excited to visit because, although a native of NJ/NYC, I have surprisingly never experienced a hotel uptown even though I was once an Upper East Sider. I certainly was having an inner Gossip Girl-inspired fangirl moment. Life uptown, especially the experience you get when staying at or visiting an iconic landmark with such a regal reputation is a sort of magical that is hard to explain unless you actually step foot there and soak in all the elements.
The Pierre Hotel has set the standard for excellence and timeless elegance in New York since opening its doors in 1930. Over the last 89 years, it has been renowned for elegant celebrations, romantic escapes, intimate moments, glamorous weddings, star-studded galas, luxurious living, and unforgettable parties of almost every kind. Exquisite entertaining is synonymous with The Pierre, and its opulent Grand Ballroom, Cotillion Room and Rotunda continue to host New York’s most unforgettable events.
First stop was lunch through the big gold doorknob that led to Perrine, and my friend Kat and I were greeted within seconds by the restaurant’s lovely staff. We sat down and took a look at the menu which was filled with dishes that made our mouths water just by looking at it.
I knew we were in for a treat, as Executive Chef Ashfer Biju notoriously brings his worldly vision inspired by regional ingredients to the culinary program at The Pierre, where he oversees all food outlets including Perrine, The Rotunda, as well as Two E Bar & Lounge. Fun fact: he regularly visits farmers markets and key farms that the hotel works with to sustain his refreshing balance of innovative creations and classics representative of beloved dishes from The Pierre’s vintage menus. He remains dedicated to keeping all menus seasonal by sourcing the best local and regional ingredients.
I personally loooove a seasonal menu moment because fall flavors are some of the best and make for the coziest dishes!
Here’s what we got (and what I highly recommend!):
Paloma & a Tequila Mule
Shrimp salad made with cherry tomato, avocado and spiced lemon aioli
Butternut Squash Soup made with crispy kale and pumpkin seeds (PS – this was vegan and INCREDIBLE!)
Tuna Tartare made with haricot verts, cucumber, basil, olives and Dijon dressing
Maine Lobster Salad made with endives, radishes and green apple remoulade
Brussels Sprouts Flatbread made with house made naan, red onions, capers, chilies and parmesan
Glazed Carrots with lime, orange and chilies
Charred Cauliflower made with turmeric, parsley and caper vinaigrette
Fall mushrooms
We concluded our lunch with some melt-in-your-mouth chocolates and of course some espresso!
Here’s a glimpse at all the decadence!
Our final two stops before we left the hotel was of the iconic Rotunda and the new Pierre Stories gallery.
I was in complete awe of The Rotunda. It is the signature room of The Pierre, with famous Renaissance-style trompe l’oeil murals created in 1967 by American artist Edward Melcarth. Its famous staircase is the main affair – I felt like a princess walking down them! It’s a pivotal moment you must incorporate into your visit to The Pierre when you go, aside from the evidently picture-worthy and panoramic jaw-dropping artwork.
The Pierre Stories gallery holds so much history in a small room located near Perrine. It is an exhibition of hotel memorabilia that captures the legacy and heritage of one of New York’s most enduring landmark hotels. Pierre Stories is a curated collection that traces each decade of the hotel’s history and gives both guests and visitors a chance to rediscover what has made the Pierre such a beloved icon. What you see in the gallery is a collection of Pierre Stories that the hotel is bringing to life – filled with items from guests and the people who create the stories and memories at The Pierre! From celebrity weddings, to Hollywood parties, fashion industry romps and brochures that promise the ne plus ultra in hotel services and menus that promise to indulge your most decadent desires.
Only at The Pierre:
· Yves St Laurent debuted his first US collection at The Pierre
· Elizabeth Taylor was one of the first private residents of The Pierre
· Bulgari opened its first US shop in The Pierre
· When the late singer Prince needed a last-minute haircut in the middle of the night, The Pierre opened its salon just for him
· The iconic tango scene from Scent of a Woman was filmed in The Pierre’s Cotillion Room
· The First Wives Club and Oceans 8 also created scenes at The Pierre
· The mural in the Rotunda featured famous faces like Jackie Onassis, ElizabethTaylor and Eric Estrada. The famous CHIPS actor has returned at least once with his son take take photos of his younger self
· During the go-go 1980’s, The Pierre hosted many Wall Street soirées where the per person cost exceeded $1000
· Valentino brought his entire design team to stay at The Pierre every year
· Henry Fonda and Frances Ford Seymour were married at The Pierre
· The staff speaks more than 35 languages to make foreign guests feel at home and still provides manned elevators
· The Pierre has hosted thousands of weddings over the past 89 years
· Sirio Maccioni was the Manager at the famed La Foret in The Pierre for 10 years
· Tommy Manville married his 10thwife, showgirl Pat Gaston who was 40 years younger than he at age 26
· Rex Harrison and Lilli renewed their vows at The Pierre
· President elect Nixon moved his entire team to The Pierre
Today, almost 90 years later, The Pierre still carries its glamour and grandeur like no other hotel can. As a total history buff, learning about these facts in the gallery blew my mind and I truly was amazed!
Now through September 2020, guests are invited to post about their Pierre experiences using the hashtag #PierreStories and are encouraged to send in personal memorabilia from their stays. All participants who share mementos will be automatically entered to win one of several grand prizes including a two-night stay in the hotels 39th floor Tata Presidential Suite, a culinary master class & kitchen tour with Executive Chef Ashfer Biju, private dinner in The Rotunda and VIP tickets to the acclaimed Broadway At The Pierre cabaret series, now finishing its second season.
Huge thank you to Perrine and The Pierre Hotel for such a spectacular experience, your five star service, unparalleled hospitality and warm welcome. Although we were only there for a few hours, we felt so at home and are eternally drawn to your incomparable memoire. Visits to The Pierre are now forever a must every time I come back to the city!
