Algonquin Round Table

Intro photo credit:  Wikipedia in the Public Domain

Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley and Robert Sherwood were casual regulars for lunch.. Then one day in 1919 they planned a welcome back luncheon for Alexander Woollcott when he returned to the U.S. after his gig as a war correspondent. Several people were in attendance and someone suggested that they make this a daily event. They were all in agreement and met at the Algonquin every day for many years.
Frank Case, the owner of the hotel, liked having this lively and talented group of young people at his hotel every day even though they were grossly underpaid at their jobs and could not afford to pay for lunch at such a swanky restaurant. Mr. Case offered them free celery and popovers, their own table and waiter. The legend was born!
I could almost feel the electricity and excitement generated by that circle of friends who met there almost a century ago.
Our waiter assured us that this is the original table where the acid tongued (hence the lemons?) writers met and lunched every day. Of course, we were seated at a table for two.

The Round Table Room has two dinner menus, one is their standard menu and the other is a pre-theater fixed price menu. My sister and I both elected to choose from the pre-theater menu. Which by the way, is surprisingly affordable.

These were our choices:

We each had soup:

• Manhattan Clam Chowder...thick, not watery. Lots of veggies and clams.

•  Lobster Bisque...creamy and chock full of lobster.

Our main courses:

• Linguini with Shrimp and Sea Scallops with Oven Roasted Plum Tomato, English Peas and Lemon Garlic Broth.

• Pepper Crusted Salmon Filet with Baby Vegetables and Mushroom Risotto. The risotto was 'out of this world'! It was by far my favorite dish.

And for dessert:

• New York Cheesecake with Fresh Strawberries, Coffee.
• Apple Crisp with Cinnamon Ice Cream, Coffee.

By the time we got to dessert, I didn't think I could eat another bite, but I did!
The price is very reasonable and the portions are quite large. So large in fact that the lobster bisque would have been enough for me!
The food was prepared to perfection, served by a courteous and accommodating staff. I give the Algonquin Round Table Room 5 Stars!! If you're ever in New York City, try to include this landmark hotel and restaurant into your itinerary...you'll be glad you did.
Maybe I'll see you there next time!

Matilda wears many hats at one of New York City's most notable hotels, The Algonquin. As the Executive Director of Guest Relations, CFO (Chief Feline Officer) and now Matilda has told her story to author Leslie Martini.

The Executive Director of Guest Relations, Matilda, gathered her team at the Algonquin and they made the hotel pet-friendly for the first time in it’s history. Each pet guest is greeted personally by Matilda and is given a welcome package which includes a letter from Matilda along with a list of her favorite places in New York City. Matilda and the hotel concierge will help pet guests find a salon and/or spa, suggest places to run and play or just to shop for a new collar. Their mission is that no pet will lift a paw at the Algonquin.
The pet guest humans will also receive a pet package that includes latex gloves, waste bags, a litter box if necessary, a water bowl and more.
This pet-friendly policy is another reason to stay at the historic Algonquin Hotel in New York City.