Monkey Bar
Photo: courtesy of the restaurant
Editor/restaurateur/scenemaker Graydon Carter brings his winning Waverly Inn formula to Midtown with Monkey Bar, a revamp of the circa-1936 eatery in the Hotel Elysée, featuring the same lush lighting, transporting decor (this time aping a soigné 1940s nightclub) and epic Edward Sorel mural; the midpriced American menu mixes comfort fare (meatloaf) with retro items (lobster Newburg), but no one’s paying much attention to the food what with all the A-list celebs and media types monkeying around; needless to say, reservations will be a challenge, but the front bar, with its famed simian murals, might be more accessible.
60 E. 54th St., New York; 212-308-2950