Feasts at the Plaza Hotel in New YorkFood and entertainment from eight world-famous hotelsBy Mary McHugh If you live in New York or one of its suburbs, or if you're planning a trip to the city any time this year, don't miss the food festivals at the Palm Court in the Plaza Hotel on Fifth Avenue and Central Park South.
March 19-28: Ciragan Palace Hotel Kempinski Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey. Dine on baklava and bouillabaisse in an elegant setting of comfortable pillows and luxurious carpets, while belly dancers undulate nearby. You'll feel like you're sitting in a gazebo on the Bosphorous.
June 4-13. Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. If you're a samba fan, watch demonstrations of the best samba dancers in the world while you try the Feijoda, the traditional Saturday stew, the fresh seafood brunch or a Cachaca, the national rum drink of Brazil. Enjoy a Brazilian feast while visions of Carmen Miranda dance in your head.
Plan your trip around the Plaza if you're coming to New York. And if you're lucky enough to live nearby, make your reservations now. (212-546-5200) |
|
TM
For ten days each month, eight of the most exciting hotels in the world will bring their cuisine and entertainment to the Palm Court at lunch and dinner, and you should really make it a point to include them in your trip to New York. Here's a list of the hotels, dates, and a tantalizing taste of what you can expect:
February 26-March 8: La Mamounia Hotel in Marrakech, Morocco. You will eat spicy chicken and lamb tagines—thick stews made in clay pots with seasonal vegetables; b'stilla a la mode de Fes—a delicious pigeon pie baked in flaky pastry and dusted with cinnamon, as well as couscous, kebabs, and special Moroccan pastries. While dining, you will be surrounded by sumptuous Moroccan carpets, decorative lanterns, and traditional musicians. 
April 23-May 3. Grand Hotel National Kempinski, St Petersburg, Russia. While gypsies sing and dance, you'll feast on everything from King Crab to caviar, from Chicken Kiev to Beef Stroganoff, served with a variety of vodka marinades, to say nothing of the vodka martinis to get you in the mood.
May 15-25. Alvear Palace Hotel, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Whether you're palate is set for a world-famous Argentinean steak or the house specialty, Patagonian Lamb, you'll be tantalized by a demonstration of the tango, though in a decidedly different way. Go and find out.
July 16-23. Hotel Sacher, Vienna, Austria. If you've ever eaten a Sacher-Torte, one of the world's greatest chocolate cakes, you will want to visit the Palm Court at the end of July. First, you could have a light meal of Weiner Schnitzel or Tafelsplitz. Go ahead - indulge. 
August 13-23. Kempinski Hotel Atlantic Hamburg, Hamburg Germany. Listen to the "Shanty-choir" as you feast upon traditional German cuisine with modern accents. Don't miss the Hamburger Rote Grutze, a delectable red berry dessert to finish off your meal.
September 1-10. The Ritz Hotel, London, England. You must have a real English tea some afternoon during the first ten days of September. What better place than the Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel to experience the quintessential Ritz experience with a variety of teas, a selection of delicate pastries, those delicious little sandwiches, and freshly baked scones!