The 298 room Ritz-Carlton, Battery Park had a birthday this week, and they celebrated with a spectacular party on Thursday night! It’s hard to believe that 10 years have passed since the hotel first opened its doors as the premier luxury accommodation Downtown.As the years passed, the famous—and the infamous—have laid their heads on R-C pillows and gazed out at the Statue of Liberty, using the in-room telescopes, seemingly a stone’s throw away.
After hobnobbing with fellow invitees, we circled the grand ballroom, stopping at food station after food station to sample the elegant fare provided by Ritz-Carlton chefs. Some of my standouts were the mac and cheese, topped with greens, topped with plump and juicy fried chicken; the lobster nugget with a squirt of delectable sauce; and the salmon and crème fraiche “cone.”
But they saved the best for last…a chocolate extravaganza! A curtain was drawn back to reveal giant chocolate sculptures depicting various iconic New York City images like as the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty crown. But then it was time to dig into the accompanying medley of sweets. There were cakes, candies, ice creams, individual hot molten souffles and fruit tarts. As much a feast for the eye as it was for the stomach.
Alas, time to head home. May we enjoy the next ten years as we did the celebration for the first!
For more information, visit ritzcarlton.com/batterypark
—Shari Hartford
