Swifty's
Every time that I visit New York, which is never often enough, my days follow a distinct pattern. The Frick Collection. Lunch at Nello (post upcoming on my not-so-secret crush, Mr. Nello Balan). Bergdorf Goodman 7th Floor. My parents claim to follow my location by checking the American Express bill online. But, Swifty's is my Mecca, a Holy Land of Gastronomic Pleasure, the absolute pinnacle of gourmet chic. Like Adam without Eve or Brad without Angelina, a trip to Manhattan would be incomplete without a lunch date at Swifty's. There is no other place on the globe that so elegantly combines my love of cheese souffle and glamorous people watching.
I remember reading Vanity Fair as a young child (school books held no fascination with me. Annie Leibovitz did), positively salivating over Dominick Dunne's delicious description of Swifty's. My wildest girlhood dreams could not top the scenes of Swifty's in Mr. Dunne's monthly V.F. columns. Until his recent passing, I would make an extra effort to scour the room for his white hair and signature voice, deep into conversation with a chilly UES society doyenne. No such luck.
"Swifty’s is more than a place to dine. It’s a way of life—a style of eating, a place for socializing, an approach to entertaining and in many cases a way of dressing. The two rooms were designed by Mario Buatta and Anne Eisenhower. They combine the elegance of New York society with the clubby atmosphere of a favorite haunt." ~ www.swiftysny.com
Swifty's is magically comfortable, which sometimes surprises me as the "big names" are no more than a salad fork away. The uber-handsome proprietor always welcomes me with a gracious hug. I invariably see old friends from my wild days as a debutante in New York, or chums from Rollins College, sitting across the room. We squeeze around a table to laugh away the afternoon and make grand plans for future visits. Never in one million years could I vary from my order of a cheese souffle with a mustard salad and pineapple upside-down cake. Never, ever. These are just a few of the reasons why I love to dine at Swifty's.
Before signing off, I wish to say that I greatly appreciate the kind staff of Swifty's. The last time that I was dining at Swifty's, I was a very lonely looking party of one. The previously mentioned proprietor became my lunch date. His kindness and companionship will forever remain in my memory.....along with the vanilla meringue cake.
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