It’s one of the most prestigious dining and entertainment venues in New York – a city which in itself isn’t short of premium grade entertainment spaces. The Rainbow Room, on the 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, home of NBC and immortalised by Tina Fey in the award-winning sitcom 30 Rock, offers breathtaking views of New York; There are 24 glass panes, each over 7m tall, proving a 360 degree view. But it’s spectacular inside as well.
Visitors to the 65th floor can pop into Bar SixtyFive, which is a smart-casual eatery. Your ears will pop as the elevator speeds upwards.
An outside terrace, which allows for a more visceral top-down view of the city (so spectacular as dusk falls). Our advice is find one of the open gaps between the protective glass shields and take your photos from there – just don’t drop your phone.
While you can pay for the privilege of going to the top of the rock, and its Observation Deck, it makes far more sense to buy a cocktail at Bar SixtyFive and take advantage of the view here.
But our destination was the far grander Rainbow Room, a private event space. We were lucky enough to visit as part a European media contingent, and it looked huge with just 30 of us in attendance, but we got our elbows out. A single, dramatic dining table dissected the ballroom. A bespoke bar looked out from beneath a flight of stairs. Attentive waiters offered beverages and mouthwatering canapes.
Designated a New York City Landmark in 2012, the private event space offers one of the highest vantage points above the city. The restaurant was last renovated in 2014, by Gabellini Sheppard Associates, after a period of closure. The original Rainbow Room restaurant opened in 1934, and elements of the thirties design are clearly prevalent today. The interior architecture is stunning.
Originally designed by Wallace K Harrison, the 13,500-square-foot space has a single entrance, which leads to a raised area that encircles the dancefloor. The brass and glass staircase, and high ceiling create a heady atmosphere. In the centre of the room is an imposing chandelier, that hangs from a brass pole. Two smaller chandeliers add depth.
The dance floor itself can be made to rotate. This party trick was pulled while we waited for our deserts, and proved quite disorienting (although that might have been down to the fine wine served during the meal).
The Rainbow Room isn’t just architecturally thrilling – the quality of the food is sumptuous. The menu is classic American. Truffle infused grilled cheese bites appropriately elevated the concept of the toastie to new heights; juicy sliders were all too tempting and the chicken satay sauce was simply delicious – an inevitable (tiny) spill brought a speedy mop-up from attentive staff. The only canape I resisted was a fancy fig, because, well, it was a fig.
Our main menu offered a choice of salmon or filet Mignon, the former a generous portion, the latter perfectly cooked. I chose the latter and dutifully cleaned my plate. The desert platter included New York Cheesecake, low on originality perhaps, but jolly tasty all the same.
The Rainbow Room is extraordinary – both architecturally and as a fine dining experience. For many of us, a visit will be a once in a lifetime event. The good news is it doesn’t disappoint.
St Martins Lane hotel has collaborated with leading CBD drink specialist TRIP CBD to create a secret summer terrace with a menu of refreshing spritzes and summer cocktails, and fresh, seasonal dishes. Visitors to the Capital will know just how challenging it can be to find an outdoor oasis where you can chill and dine…
NCL’s soon to debut Norwegian Viva cruise ship will feature a unique interactive artwork by innovative British digital artist Dominic Harris. Running the length of Viva’s Metropolitan Bar, from the atrium through to the ship’s specialty restaurants, it features a kaleidoscope of the artist’s iconic animated butterflies. Each silver-winged digital insect will dynamically respond throughout…
Looking to bag a dining experience like no other? Restaurant reservation app Resy has announced Resy Drop Week, a series of exclusive eating experiences in the capital. For one night only, five of the best eateries in town will be hosting one-off dining experiences. The restaurants in question are Rambutan, FKA BLACK AXE MANGAL, Kurisu…
The Luxe Review 
It’s one of the most prestigious dining and entertainment venues in New York – a city which in itself isn’t short of premium grade entertainment spaces. The Rainbow Room, on the 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, home of NBC and immortalised by Tina Fey in the award-winning sitcom 30 Rock, offers breathtaking views of New York; There are 24 glass panes, each over 7m tall, proving a 360 degree view. But it’s spectacular inside as well.
Visitors to the 65th floor can pop into Bar SixtyFive, which is a smart-casual eatery. Your ears will pop as the elevator speeds upwards.
An outside terrace, which allows for a more visceral top-down view of the city (so spectacular as dusk falls). Our advice is find one of the open gaps between the protective glass shields and take your photos from there – just don’t drop your phone.
While you can pay for the privilege of going to the top of the rock, and its Observation Deck, it makes far more sense to buy a cocktail at Bar SixtyFive and take advantage of the view here.
But our destination was the far grander Rainbow Room, a private event space. We were lucky enough to visit as part a European media contingent, and it looked huge with just 30 of us in attendance, but we got our elbows out. A single, dramatic dining table dissected the ballroom. A bespoke bar looked out from beneath a flight of stairs. Attentive waiters offered beverages and mouthwatering canapes.
Designated a New York City Landmark in 2012, the private event space offers one of the highest vantage points above the city. The restaurant was last renovated in 2014, by Gabellini Sheppard Associates, after a period of closure. The original Rainbow Room restaurant opened in 1934, and elements of the thirties design are clearly prevalent today. The interior architecture is stunning.
Originally designed by Wallace K Harrison, the 13,500-square-foot space has a single entrance, which leads to a raised area that encircles the dancefloor. The brass and glass staircase, and high ceiling create a heady atmosphere. In the centre of the room is an imposing chandelier, that hangs from a brass pole. Two smaller chandeliers add depth.
The dance floor itself can be made to rotate. This party trick was pulled while we waited for our deserts, and proved quite disorienting (although that might have been down to the fine wine served during the meal).
The Rainbow Room isn’t just architecturally thrilling – the quality of the food is sumptuous. The menu is classic American. Truffle infused grilled cheese bites appropriately elevated the concept of the toastie to new heights; juicy sliders were all too tempting and the chicken satay sauce was simply delicious – an inevitable (tiny) spill brought a speedy mop-up from attentive staff. The only canape I resisted was a fancy fig, because, well, it was a fig.
Our main menu offered a choice of salmon or filet Mignon, the former a generous portion, the latter perfectly cooked. I chose the latter and dutifully cleaned my plate. The desert platter included New York Cheesecake, low on originality perhaps, but jolly tasty all the same.
The Rainbow Room is extraordinary – both architecturally and as a fine dining experience. For many of us, a visit will be a once in a lifetime event. The good news is it doesn’t disappoint.
Secret London: We enjoy CBD-infused cocktails at the West-End’s chicest summer terrace
St Martins Lane hotel has collaborated with leading CBD drink specialist TRIP CBD to create a secret summer terrace with a menu of refreshing spritzes and summer cocktails, and fresh, seasonal dishes. Visitors to the Capital will know just how challenging it can be to find an outdoor oasis where you can chill and dine…
NCL heralds the rise of art tourism, previews interactive art for Norwegian Viva cruise ship
NCL’s soon to debut Norwegian Viva cruise ship will feature a unique interactive artwork by innovative British digital artist Dominic Harris. Running the length of Viva’s Metropolitan Bar, from the atrium through to the ship’s specialty restaurants, it features a kaleidoscope of the artist’s iconic animated butterflies. Each silver-winged digital insect will dynamically respond throughout…
Resy Drop Week: reserve an exclusive dining experience at London’s coolest restaurants
Looking to bag a dining experience like no other? Restaurant reservation app Resy has announced Resy Drop Week, a series of exclusive eating experiences in the capital. For one night only, five of the best eateries in town will be hosting one-off dining experiences. The restaurants in question are Rambutan, FKA BLACK AXE MANGAL, Kurisu…
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