Manhattan's Rainbow Room--A Symbol of Affluence
Restaurant Opened in 1934 Depression; Closed in 2008-09 Recession
Jan 5, 2009
John D. Rockefeller Sr. demonstrated his faith in New York City when he opened the Rockefeller Center and its elegant 65th floor Rainbow Room in the middle of America’s greatest depression. The room became a Manhattan icon, but the restaurant could not survive the world’s troubled 2008-09 economy and a dispute with its landlord.
A spokesman for Cipriani International, the Italian restaurant company that has operated the grill since 1998, announced that it was closing the restaurant at least temporarily on January 12, but would continue to operate the bar, the banquet business and weekend big band dancing sessions.
That meant that visitors could still at least enjoy the fabled view of the Manhattan skyline, including the Chrysler Building and the Statue of Liberty. Susan Stanbury of National Public Radio said visitors could "get drunk on the view" alone.
Sunday Buffet $80
Right up to its closing, the Rainbow Room website offered an $80 Sunday buffet, or $40 for children. It also offered a $70 (plus tax and tip) three-course, pre-theater dinner with entree choices of:
- Chicken Spezzatino alla Pizzaiola
- Beef medallions with green peppercorn sauce, or
- Spinach and cheese ravioli with butter and sage.
The regular menu offered lamb chops for $48, prime ribeye for $53, free range chicken for $40 and salmon filet for $41, each served with mixed sauteed veggies and roasted potatoes.
Since the Cipriani operators cited both the economy and the strained relations with the landlord, it was not possible to determine which was the greater reason for the closing of the grill.
Offices Offer Greater Income
The Associated Press reported that the landlord had estimated it could derive twice as much income by renting the space for offices than it was receiving from the restaurant. However, WNBC-TV reported that the landlord said it had no plans to convert the space to offices.
The Rainbow Room website said Rockfeller designed the room "to symbolize all the glamour and elegance of New York nightlife. From its opening day the Rainbow Room has epitomized Manhattan luxury to both native New Yorkers and visitors from around the world."
Hints of Frayed Elegance
However, both the Associated Press and the New York Times indicated in 2008 articles that the room was no longer up to the standards of its earlier glory days. Though it was once known for attracting celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Bob Dylan. Susan Dominus wrote in an August 2008 New York Times article that the room was still famous "even if its guests aren’t."
She also noted "hints of frayed elegance" in the replacement of upholstered leather chairs with "spindly ones that suggest a suburban country club," as well as some slippage in a dress code that once stressed evening gowns and tuxedos.
References:
- The Rainbow Room.com, Jan. 2, 2009
- "Rainbow Room to close restaurant, citing economy," by Jennifer Peltz, Associated Press, Jan. 3, 2009
- "Rainbow Room Is Famous Even if Its Guests Aren’t," by Susan Dominus, The New York Times, Aug. 10, 2008
