Office Hours: You ask, we answer
Intimate PDRs, alternative decor & branded takeaways
Can you suggest a small private dining room (like under 20) to host an elegant dinner after a city hall wedding? I’d also love any recommendations for an alternative to florals for the tablescape.
— Christine, NYC
Well, it depends on how you define elegant. My definition is that, it needs to feel elevated and have a sense of occasion, but there also needs to be warmth, a history, or something nostalgic. The tatami mat rooms at EN Brasserie would have been at the top of this list if they were still open. RIP.
I’d suggest:
The PDR at Le Veau d’Or. Timeless, intimate, with incredible history and one of the city’s most celebrated kitchens.
The Salon at The Grill. Grand architecture, beautiful artwork, and old New York glamour paired with world-class hospitality.
The PDR at Bridges. The setting is understated, but the menu is what makes it feel truly special.
For a more affordable option, Lee’s Private Dining Room is a cozy choice that you can personalize completely to your liking and bring in their house chef or your own.
Or why not try hosting a mid-morning ceremony at City Hall followed by a long afternoon lunch at The Odeon with champagne, oysters, Steak Frites, and BYOB wedding cake. There’s something incredibly chic about celebrating with friends & family during the day and allowing everyone to leave feeling a little tipsy, happy, and with the rest of the day, or a nap, ahead of them.
I love your idea of not leaning into florals so you can make it feel special and original to you. Beautiful tables don’t have to rely on flowers. Some of alternatives that you can easily make personal to you and your guests include:
Use unexpected objects as place cards: names carved into fruit or hand-painted directly onto plates. Maybe try a custom illustration of every guest.
Laser engraved lemons or hand-painted plates for personalization Another option: An absurd number of candles. Use high-quality flameless candles so you get all the atmosphere without the threat of burning the place down.
A thoughtful takeaway for your guest: beautifully wrapped gifts tied with oversized ribbon waiting at each place setting as a token of appreciation of your loved one.
Natural greenery that’s meaningful to you, like from your childhood or your homeland. Think fig leaves, English oak branches with acorns, or monstera leaves running the length of the table for a sculptural, understated look.
Do you know anyone who could do cute customized branded takeaways?
— Tiffany, NYC
While there are a million and one places to order generic branded takeaways from, there’s only one New York Embroidery Studio. Used by many of the fashion industry’s top designers (like Marc Jacobs for this year’s Met Gala), NYES, located in NYC’s Garment District, offers more than 60 services ranging from novelty stitching and hand-beading to laser cutting and 3D printing. They can handle both high-volume production and highly customized one-offs, including onsite personalization during events.
Really, the world is your oyster here. They’re fast, wildly capable, deeply professional, and somehow still manage to impress me every single time.
do you have a flameless candle rec?