New York - Salon de Ning
Autun 2008
Frank's view 
'best early or late'
‘East meets West in Salon de Ning, with Chinese and international influences fusing in a style mélange of culture reflecting the glamour and style of 1930’s Shanghai – the ‘Paris of the East.’
So says the blurb on the web site.
The multi-cultural ambience was lost on me in the crush, at 6.30pm on a weekday evening in Salon de Ning, the rooftop bar of the Peninsula Hotel on Fifth Avenue, New York City.
I tried, as a hotel resident, to reserve a table in advance for a meeting. The concierge advised that I have a word with the bar staff who would ‘look after me.’
Fat chance!
“I suggest you sit at a table when it becomes free sir.”
Camel and companion fought a path back to the elevator, followed by, as it transpired, the very disgruntled Scottish actor, Richard Wilson, AKA Victor Meldrew, who morphed into character, complaining of a headache and launching into a Glaswegian rant.
We returned to the roof after dinner, at around 10.30pm, and the crowd had waned.
I still wasn’t convinced by the claims of pre -WW II, East meets West decadence.
The focus is the view along Fifth Avenue to Central Park.
At least half of the bar space is outside. Although facing south, down Fifth, this is not a deterrent to the hardened smokers who endure rain, hail and snow to defy New York’s tough health regulations.
This was November and I suspect, that in warmer weather, the squeeze may ease as people spread.
Of course, there is the risk, that on a fine summer’s eve, even more New Yorkers will squidge into the single lift and head for the roof.
Salon de Ning
The Peninsula Hotel
700 Fifth Avenue
New York
+1 212 956 2888
Link to Salon de Ning
So says the blurb on the web site.
The multi-cultural ambience was lost on me in the crush, at 6.30pm on a weekday evening in Salon de Ning, the rooftop bar of the Peninsula Hotel on Fifth Avenue, New York City.
I tried, as a hotel resident, to reserve a table in advance for a meeting. The concierge advised that I have a word with the bar staff who would ‘look after me.’
Fat chance!
“I suggest you sit at a table when it becomes free sir.”
Camel and companion fought a path back to the elevator, followed by, as it transpired, the very disgruntled Scottish actor, Richard Wilson, AKA Victor Meldrew, who morphed into character, complaining of a headache and launching into a Glaswegian rant.
We returned to the roof after dinner, at around 10.30pm, and the crowd had waned.
I still wasn’t convinced by the claims of pre -WW II, East meets West decadence.
The focus is the view along Fifth Avenue to Central Park.
At least half of the bar space is outside. Although facing south, down Fifth, this is not a deterrent to the hardened smokers who endure rain, hail and snow to defy New York’s tough health regulations.
This was November and I suspect, that in warmer weather, the squeeze may ease as people spread.
Of course, there is the risk, that on a fine summer’s eve, even more New Yorkers will squidge into the single lift and head for the roof.
Salon de Ning
The Peninsula Hotel
700 Fifth Avenue
New York
+1 212 956 2888
Link to Salon de Ning
Be Frank: agree or disagree? What do you think?
