T's turning 30, again! Plus, NYC's UNhospitality Industry
So, one of my most fabulous and dear friends from out-of-state is having her 30th birthday "re-do" party this weekend in NYC. And, having enlisted the event-planning help of yours truly, the birthday girl & I have been carefully orchestrating the details of this 48-hour-long soiree for the better part of the past 6-weeks.
T's first inquiry was in regards to finding the perfect place for her and her out-of-town guests to rest their well-coiffed heads. She was lusting after a hotel that, aside from a "hip" factor, also listed "outdoor pool" on its menu of amenities. I returned with the following options:
Gansevoort Meatpacking District or Park Avenue
Her choice? Gansevoort Park Avenue.
With dates chosen and shelter settled, the next task was to plan T's birthday party. "I don't want to do a sit-down dinner," she said. "My group of friends are eclectic and most people are coming in from out of town. I don't want anybody to be forced to sit next to someone and make awkward small talk." OK, easy enough.
Now, here were some traits that she was looking for:
Evening, preferably from 7-10pm
Cocktails and heavy hors d'oeuvres
Outdoor option
Semi-private
I returned with the following ideas/venues (make sure to read my notes after each colon):
Veranda Suite at the Eventi Hotel: gorgeous space, reasonably priced, incredibly prompt response from knowledgeable and warm event planner
Gansevoort Park Avenue's rooftop bar: urban "rooftop" view, appx. 2000 sq. feet, took multiple emails to receive a response from outsourced events department - not impressed in that aspect
Gramercy Park Hotel's rooftop garden: lovely venue, but the $7500 food/bevg minimum was too $$$ - took two emails to receive a response from the events department - not impressed in that aspect
Above 6, at 6 Columbus: received an initial response from the hotel, who cc'd Blue Ribbon Sushi, the restaurant who runs Above 6, but never heard from Blue Ribbon Sushi - extremely unimpressed in that aspect
Soho House: perennially cool venue, but no public non-member outdoor rental spaces - events department returned my email inquiry immediately, leaving me impressed
The Studio & Garden Terrace at The James Hotel: fabulous indoor/outdoor event space, but non-compliant for our particular needs after 8pm - events department was beyond responsive, knowledgeable, patient, and helpful, leaving me very impressed
Salon de Ning, The Peninsula Hotel: NO RESPONSE. Are you kidding me? Really??
Various options, Trump Soho: lovely indoor/outdoor option on pool level - events department was responsive, though there was a small lag time between emails, coupled with a slight language barrier - I was impressed initially.
Her choice? Trump Soho
Prior to planning this particular event, the only experience that I'd had with Trump Soho was a fabulous dinner that I enjoyed at onsite restaurant, Quattro Gastronomia Italiana, last summer. Unfortunately, my opinion of the hotel diminished when a not very "events knowledgeable" employee was assigned to our case, if you will - thus, making the initial planning, communication, and details very challenging. Come Monday, however, I am confident that I'll be able to report that T's birthday (happening tomorrow night!) was the most knock-out, over-the-top, and fabulous soiree. Ever.
With her birthday bash in place, the next item on the agenda was to organize a small, intimate dinner for Friday evening. "I want something hip, downtown, new. Fresh, delicious food that isn't over-complicated. How about The Fat Radish?" To be honest, we were 1.5 weeks out when T sent me the email with this particular request. "No offense, T, but I don't think that 1.5 weeks is enough lead time to secure a reservation at a highly coveted restaurant. On a Friday night. At 8pm. For 5-6 people." After opentable.com spit back a 5pm or an 11pm available seating, I decided to give The Fat Radish a call. What do I have to lose? Expecting more heat and disappointment from the hospitality industry, my tensions were already high. To speak to someone in the office, press #1. "Hi, how can I help you?" Shocker. There was a real person on the other end of the line! And, from the sounds of it, a nice one, at that! I explained that it was my friend's birthday next Friday and that she "wasn't from around here," hence the 1.5 week's notice (for a potential dinner reservation). "I realize that I should have made this reservation a month ago," I said. The woman must have felt for me - and T - because she was able to squeeze us in for a 5-top table at The Fat Radish at 8pm.
Now that, my friends, is what you call "hospitality."
Restaurant, Hotel, & Institutional Management is what I studied in college. I did my internship at a hotel in NYC, where I rotated within all of the in-house food/beverage departments. And, after graduating with a Bachelor of Science, I worked for ARAMARK - a global outsourcing company - for three years. My point is this: I know the ins and outs of this field and, with a few exceptions mentioned above, I am pretty horrified by the hospitality (or lack thereof) industry in NYC.
Case in point: I find it absolutely despicable that I never received a response from The Peninsula Hotel or Above 6. I sent each venue an inquiry for a semi-private party - NOT a sales pitch! Blech.
Overall, I found the lack of knowledge - service - courtesy, and slow response-times that I recently encountered to be extremely shocking and disappointing. I mean, this IS Manhattan, after all - the cream of the crop - the capital of the world. Shouldn't everyone in this town be on the tip-top of their game? Seriously, what in the hell is going on here?
OK, enough ranting. But before I end this post, I want to give a shout-out to a handful of venues that did go above and beyond the call of hospitality. These places knew their stuff, were courteous, extremely responsive, and were all very willing to help/go the extra mile:
Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for not contributing to ripping yet another 10-years from my life. I'm serious.
Wishing all of you a beautiful, safe, and sunny weekend! Be on the lookout for my follow-up to "T's 48-hour birthday extravaganza" coming next week...
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Until we eat again,
Lindsay, The Lunch Belle