The St. Regis New York’s Drawing Room Is The Social Gathering Spot In Midtown Manhattan
It’s a place that reminds you of the importance of slow dining and pouring into relationships is what matters most…
New York City’s 5th Avenue is a bustling street, of people shopping and taking in sites like St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, Trump Tower, and the famous Tiffany’s. As you turn down 55th Street things quiet down a little, and if you walk into the renowned St. Regis Hotel things shift.
Walking through the revolving doors of the hotel, you can feel you’ve entered someplace special. Shortly after Covid in 2021, I found myself in New York and it was a very hot September day. I was having a meeting close to the St. Regis, but I was early to the area. I remember a former boss always talking about the St. Regis NYC so I popped in to get cool and kill 20 minutes. As I sat in the lobby, a worker came up to me. I thought I was going to be asked to leave but instead he said, “Ms. can I offer you a bottle of water?” This is how I’ve come to know the St. Regis New York. Every staff person I have come into contact with has shown kind hospitality.
Last week I found myself in New York again and dined at The Drawing Room, a place of NYC class and charm. Passing through the gold revolving doors, I knew I was in for something special. Turning to the left, as I began to make my way to The Drawing Room, I took in the grandeur of the lobby. The gold oval reception desks draws one in with the high ceilings, grand chandeliers, along with the striking deep turquois walls where the concierge sits.
In 2024, the hotel went through a massive renovation for its 120th history. Originally opened in 1904 by John Jacob Astor IV, as a hotel for the high elite it became the it-place to lodge where European luxury, modern technology, and American sensibility naturally meshed. The original St. Regis, it was the first hotel to install a phone in every room and the butler service was introduced. The Bloody Mary was invented at the hotel and it’s where the renowned King Cole Bar stands.
The St. RegisThe Capitol Mary and the Beset Address cocktails | Photo Credit: Seele
The Drawing Room is the lobby restaurant. Dining during the latter part of the day is a magical time where post-working New Yorkers gather to catch up, laugh, and sip on custom King Cole Bar cocktails with friends. Looking around you’ll notice how the hotel really draws in more than just hotel guests. The name is altogether fitting because The Drawing Room is a social gathering space for Midtown Manhattan. A good hotel understands that in order to be set apart, it has to be more than just a place for people to stay, it has to a sort of living room in the neighborhood where it sits, and be a place where people gather for drinks and meetings, and the St. Regis understands and captures this all too well.
Arrive just before 6:30pm to catch the St. Regis brand’s iconic champagne sabre display, where a member from staff will take a sabre to open a bottle of champagne.
As we took our seat I absorbed the décor. Look up and you’ll notice the most captivating ceiling art. Colors of emerald, gold, pink, rose, turquoise, and black make up The Drawing Room. The King Cole Bar and its iconic mural at the end of the bar is situated firmly, until it hit me, this bar was featured in the first Devil Wears Prada film. Every detail of the restaurant is inspired by Caroline Astor’s dresses and jewelry, with fringe detailing and embroidery on the chairs.
The current Drawing Room menu isn’t fully encompassing, but we hear a new and fuller menu is on the horizon with some Easter Sunday and Mother’s Day surprises. To appreciate the full experience, starting with a cocktail is the best way to go. Servers are available to answer questions and advise. There’s a plethora of cocktails to choose from like Caroline’s Whisper with Belvedere 10, Lime Juice, Cranberry Juice, Cointreu, and Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut. Or, the Best Address that was recommended, that’s not too sweet or too sour. The St. Regis Aged Old Fashioned is a strong one but crafted carefully with quality ingredients. Because there is also a host of Bloody Mary options to choose from, and I was in the home of this iconic cocktail, I had to try one. It was a toss-up between the Harry’s Texas Bloody Mary or the DC inspired one. I went with the Washington, DC inspired The Capitol Mary that includes the St. Regis Bloody Mary mix, Old Bay Seasoning, clam juice, and Beefeater Gin. This one must be tried to be believed.
The Jumbo Wild Caught Shrimp Cocktail | Photo Credit: Seele
The Mini Maine Lobster Rolls | Photo Credit: Seele
As for starters, the Mini Maine Lobster Rolls with chilled lobster salad and herb aioli on buttered brioche is palette sparking. The Jumbo Wild Caught Shrimp Cocktail with red snapper cocktail sauce and lemon is fresh and makes the palette jump. It really goes well with a Bloody Mary, I might add. And, the Baked Meatball Gratin is exceptional— the perfectly baked beef brisket blend with local mozzarella, herb ricotta, and grilled focaccia is a meal in-and-of itself. Like, you will find me popping into The Drawing Room just to have this for lunch when I’m next in New York City.
The Baked Meatball Gratin | Photo Credit: Seele
Main course options include the St. Regis Classic Burger, the NYC Turkey Pastrami Reuben, a Cobb salad, and a pizzetta. It is possible to order from the in-room dining menu and that’s what we did. The filet is seared to perfection and pairs nicely with fries and sautéed spinach. Whether you go with The Drawing Room menu or order from the in-room dining menu, you won’t be disappointed.
The Cheesecake | Photo Credit: Seele
For dessert, the NYC Cheesecake is served with fresh fruit and a generous helping of whipped cream. The perfect round size, it’s not too sweet and is just right. The Crème Brûlée is rich in flavor and won’t disappoint if you’re a connoisseur of the creamy vanilla custard with caramelized sugar.
For us, the food was enticing. It’s delivered in a timely manner, it’s tasty, and it’s flavorful. The ambience draws you in and reminds you that dinners should be eaten slowly with great conversation over tasty cocktails. These moments make for the best evenings and the St. Regis New York gets this right.
We chose to take in the moment and dine slowly. Life is meant to be lived and enjoyed, right? Yet, above these things, it’s the service that is most memorable. The waiters are most attentive and kind. They’re true New Yorkers. Being from the American South, where hospitality is a way of life, I’ll never forget our waiter from the Bronx, who was a delight to speak to, as well as other hotel staff that stopped by to make sure the experience was going well.
Hands down, dine at The Drawing Room. Have drinks with your friends at The Drawing Room. Stay late and have long conversations with those you love at The Drawing Room. Life is meant to be lived, enjoyed, and not rushed. In a city like New York where rushing is its own language, it can surprise you, and offer slower experiences like The Drawing Room.
The Drawing Room is open Monday-Tuesday 4:00 – 11:00 PM & Wednesday – Sunday 9:00 – 4:00 PM; 4:00 – 11:00 PM
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