09 Feb Please The Palate Pick of the Week: The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel

When I travel to New York for work, I typically stay at a hotel near where the event I am working will take place. This past week, I was in New York for a wine event that we decided to do in The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel, in Manhattan’s Financial District, within walking distance to the World Trade Center and the Brooklyn Bridge. I decided to stay there as well for the convenience. I had seen photos on the internet and read about it but nothing could prepare me for The Beekman. It is one of the most magnificent hotels I have ever stepped foot into and hence it is the Please The Palate pick of the week. From the moment my car pulled up to the doors, I was greeted by a bellman who grabbed my bags. Check-in at registration was friendly and quick and then I was escorted to my room by a friendly young man, JB, who marveled at the beauty of the hotel with me, even though he looks at it every day. The Beekman is a nine-floor building which was originally constructed in 1883. It was one of the first skyscrapers built in Manhattan and after a renovation was opened as The Beekman in 2016. What is most breathtaking is the open atrium in the center with a pyramidal skylight at the top. Whether looking up…… or down…… …the architecture and decor is pretty extraordinary. High ceilings, tiled floors, plush seating, vintage decor and aged oak floors with jazz funk music playing, the vibe is warm and inviting but hip and cool without an ounce of pretentiousness. My room was quite spacious and comfortable with modern amenities and a rain shower. It was a nice room by any hotel standards but exceptional in size for New York! And there is a modern two-story fitness center which is not easily found in New York hotels. Downstairs in the atrium is the Bar Room of Temple Court where I relaxed and enjoyed breakfast in the morning and worked at the bar while grabbing a snack later in the day. Connected to the Bar Room is the Temple Court restaurant. This is a Tom Colicchio restaurant and offers a seasonal, contemporary American menu. I enjoyed dinner there on my first night and it happened to be NY Restaurant Week so I enjoyed sweet potato agnolotti with chestnuts, leeks and black trumpet mushrooms and salmon served medium rare over red cabbage and winter citrus with Hollandaise sauce paired with Ruet 2016 Brouilly, Voujon. For dessert I had a millefeuille with banana, chocolate and hazelnut paired perfectly with Braida 2017 Brachetto d’Acqui. There is also Keith McNally’s Augustine, a Brasserie-style restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. And there is even a speakeasy! The Alley Cat Amateur Theatre is located in an old mechanical room and now is an intimate bar serving classic cocktails strongly influenced by Japanese culture. I had planned to only have one cocktail and ordered the Lemon Sour made with Tin Cup Bourbon, Manzanilla Sherry, black lemon shrub and lemon. But the bartender Ryan made such a good drink that he convinced me to try another and I am happy he did. The Tokyo Rose, made with lychee, rosemary infused Boodles Gin and Lime was a delicate, well-balanced cocktail with tart, citrus notes and a savory finish. It is no doubt that The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel, is the Please The Palate pick of the week and I look forward to staying there again on a return visit to New York! The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel 123 Nassau St New York, NY 10038