Although I am not necessarily an Art Deco devotee, the fabulous story behind The Beaumont Hotel in London provides enough intrigue to investigate. I am fascinated by the craft of storytelling and the art of incorporating a mythical story into building a posh property.

Favorite Manhattan at The Colony Grill Room at The Beaumont

Two of my favorite high school authors were Fitzgerald and Hemingway, who wasn’t enthralled by the duo of writers of stories? Distinctly different, each vividly wrote of their times. Fitzgerald and Hemingway might have been visitors to The Colony Grill Room, had it been a London fixture during their era. I’ve written about various aspects of the hotel and am besotted with the amazing devotion to detail Jeremy King observed in his quest for perfection, matching the fictional backstory for his hotel. The fictional character, Jimmy Beaumont, was an entrepreneur who left New York in the 1920s at the height of prohibition. Wanting to replicate a classy New York style London hotel, he opened an establishment, a speakeasy in Mayfair, London paying tribute to the Art Deco aesthetic of the classic New York hotels and restaurants he loved. The Beaumont Hotel was born.

The Colony Grill Room at The Beaumont

The Colony Grill Room, the main restaurant of The Beaumont depicts a lifestyle venerated in sophisticated Grill Rooms that were popular in New York in the 1920’s. Clubby and  masculine, furnished with cozy leather banquettes and miles of gleaming dark wood, the astonishing retro murals by San Francisco artist John Mattos dominate the walls of the restaurant. Honestly, once you enter the hotel, you feel as if you have stepped back into a very bewitching era. Black and white photographs evoking the glamorous 1920’s and 1930’s line the walls. Sports hero’s, fashion icons, celebrities all have a noted position. Lighting is low and glammy, one looks much younger in this cozy enclave!

The Colony Grill Room at The Beaumont

The Colony Grill Room at The Beaumont

The atmosphere is fun, sophisticated and elegant. Dining wasn’t forgotten, as the menu captures the spirit as well: Signature dishes include lobster à la Russe, New York hot dogs, omelet Arnold Bennett, chicken potpie, red velvet cake and do-it-yourself ice cream sundaes. Shocking to mention, my avocado salad consisting of creamy avocado wedges from Spain, dressed with a shake of Greek Olive Oil and watercress topping were the best avocados I have ever tasted…from a native Californian, this is almost a travesty.  The menu is served all day through dinner. Cocktails and entrees are served with polished professional flair. Bartender appropriately inquires if my Rye Manhattan should be prepared sweet or dry? Attention to detail in each and every aspect at The Beaumont. Am I in a movie?

I adored everything about The Beaumont and loved being transported to an era of chic glamor in The Colony Grill Room.

The Colony Grill Room, an intoxicating concoction of excellent people watching, decadent style, class, fine dining and well crafted libations!