"I spent some of my most romantic afternoons in the Oak Bar." Richie Boy tells everyone he meets at the fabled bar in the Plaza Hotel. "Nothing more romantic than watching the light of the day change on the face of the girl you love, even if it's only for today."
He mentions no name to avoid any confusion. Most people think he's talking about his life. Luis Bunuel the Spanish surrealist filmmaker also had kind words for the Oak Bar. He even had a favorite table. The best time around the ebb of the day. "A quiet time when only real drinkers come to the bar."
The bar was an institution as was the Oak Room. Both were places New Yorkers came to be seen and be seen being seen. The prestige of the restaurant took a big hit yesterday with a savage review from the NY Times food critic.
One Star.
The chef had said, "If I get two stars, then I'm out of here."
One star and he's gone, but the problem is not the chef. I know his cooking. I've sat with him and he's explained the simplicity of his favorite meals. None of these seem to please the owners of the Oak Room. They wanted to make money and there's no sin in that or at least there was none until 2008.
I commiserated with the chef last night, but understood the food critic's objections to the ownership of the Oak Room. They are not New Yorkers and have no idea what it means to be a New Yorker. The faster they're gone from this city, the better or else the Oak Bar will go the way of the Palm Court.
Save the Oak Bar.
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