It’s true. Reservations are booked through the summer solstice. The food is delicious. The interior is gorgeous. You must go.
On our way to the Architectural Digest Home Show in New York I told my husband, “I need one thing to happen on this trip. Reservations at Mr. Lauren’s new Polo Bar.” He made it happen. We started with a Saturday dinner request for four people and landed on a Friday at 10p dinner for two. And actually, that was perfect!
The Polo Bar, just East on 55th Street past the windows of the Fifth Avenue Ralph Lauren store, is stunning. Mr. Lauren’s restaurant serves everything we as Americans love—martinis, burgers, steaks and shrimp cocktail, too. While the cocktails range from $16-21, the food is pure comfort not to mention affordable. All is served on Mr. Lauren’s signature china with American Colonial style flatware upon white linens. Each side dish—the kettle chips, warm olives and nuts that come with cocktails, the ketchup for fry dipping— comes in the most beautifully polished silver footed bowls, too. Just as we should expect, I suppose.
The flow of it all is lovely. From walking through the narrow equestrian outfitted bar, to the intimate cocktail parlour where one is staged prior to being seated at their table downstairs, the customer service and surroundings are impeccable. Layered horse artwork above chestnut leathered banquettes and mallard green walls do not disappoint. Details such as the polo mallet stir-stick for my husband’s Manhattan to the vintage ceiling lights are thoughtful details that just add to the already incredible experience.
The fact that the food is wonderful and we have three servers to our two-top table only adds to our delight. We started with shrimp cocktail, then shared a cheeseburger—the best we have ever had, I might add—with fries and a farrow butternut salad. All followed by Ralph’s chocolate brownie and signature coffee which is now being served in his stores.
That experience was the perfect reset to a busy New York week—special thanks to my hubby for making that special moment happen.
