It’s well and good that distinguished Gramercy Tavern chef Michael Anthony will be the “culinary consultant in charge” of a planned restaurant at the Waldorf Astoria when it reopens, as the New York Times reported.
But “culinary consultants” are rarely in charge of anything. What New Yorkers want to know is when the fabled hostelry and its famed public spaces such as Peacock Alley will finally reopen after standing closed for more than six years. The prolonged shutdown is an embarrassment to operator Hilton, which has spread the “Waldorf Astoria” brand around the world while the New York original remains dark.
The hotel will shrink to 375 rooms from the original 1,400, to make room for luxury condos. Hilton and the landmark building’s owner, China’s Daija Insurance Group, remain silent on the reopening date.
USA Boutique Hotelier reported it’s “expected to debut in late Q4” this year. But although a publicist for the condos tried to excite us with word that they’ll be ready by the end of 2024, she failed to respond to our question about the hotel itself.
Anthony told the Times, “I will not reduce my commitment to Gramercy.” Unless he can be in both places at once, it sounds like his Waldorf association is mainly to lend the hotel and the restaurant — which has yet to be named — some badly needed local credibility.
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