Entertainment Magazine: New York: Restaurants

The Waldorf = Astoria:

SUNDAY CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH AT PEACOCK ALLEY SHOULD BE ON EVERYONE’S LIFE LIST

BY:  LYNN MARIE

I personally think everyone should make a life list and inspire to fulfill that list.  One such item that should be on the agenda is celebrating on one particular Sunday, a Champagne brunch at the Peacock Alley, the hotel’s signature restaurant at the historic Waldorf = Astoria (a New York Landmark hotel) located at 301 Park Avenue, New York City, New York. In the heart of mid-town Manhattan between Park and Lexington Avenues and 49th and 50th Streets.

Arriving Sunday morning, we were greeted with a tender welcome.  The service was on the spot throughout the entire brunch.  The dining room is romantic enough for couples, yet friendly enough for a family to enjoy their dining extravaganza.  The champagne complemented the endless variance of taste from each item on your many plates.

With gracious style and lavish surroundings you will encounter an elaborate selection.  The layout of the brunch encourages patrons to walk around and see what they like. 

The brunch features a savory selection of all your favorites such as a carving station, omelet station and their seafood table; which includes such delicacies as gulf shrimp, crab, lobster, and caviar.  Enticing salads, hot entrees and sumptuous desserts including a chocolate fountain (whole strawberries and marshmallows, so divine) are just a short walk away.

The Waldorf = Astoria is synonymous with the elegance and grandeur of the best of New York City.  An official New York City landmark since 1993, the 625-foot, 47-storied, Art Deco property occupies an entire city block of prime, mid-town Manhattan real estate.

On March 24, 1893, millionaire William Waldorf Astor opened the 13-story Waldorf Hotel, at the site where his former mansion stood, at Fifth Avenue at 33rd Street.  Built by renowned architect Henry Hardenbergh, The Waldorf was the embodiment of Astor’s vision of a grand hotel; complete with electricity throughout and private bathrooms in many guest chambers –two of a long list of Waldorf first.

Four years later, in 1897, The Waldorf was joined by the 17-story Astoria Hotel, erected on an adjacent site by Waldorf’s cousin, John Jacob Astor IV.  The corridor built to connect the two buildings became an enduring symbol of the combined Waldorf and Astoria hotels, which was represented by the “=” in The Waldorf = Astoria.

In 1929, after decades of hosting distinguished visitors from around the world, the original Waldorf = Astoria closed to pave the way for a reincarnation 15 blocks north on Park Avenue.  The current hotel opened on October 1, 1931 as the world’s largest and tallest hotel – 625 feet tall, with 47 floors, 42 which are guest floors – a veritable city-within-a-city.  Today it remains of the world’s largest Art Deco buildings and The Waldorf = Astoria continues to be one of the city’s most beloved and utilized institutions.

The Waldorf = Astoria is a member of The Waldorf Astoria Collection, Hilton Hotels Corporation. For more information regarding The Waldorf = Astoria and Peacock Alley Restaurant contact the hotel at (212) 355-3000 or visit www.waldorfnewyork.com.

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New York Restaurants