The Plaza Hotel is probably recognizable to most from the movies—the site of abductions, confrontations, chance reunions, hijinks by precocious children—used as an evocative backdrop by writers from F. Scott Fitzgerald to Neil Simon.
Trista regards the Plaza as a lovely place for afternoon tea when she wants to wear a big hat.
The Plaza has been a New York City landmark since 1969 and a National Historic Landmark since 1986. It has undergone extensive renovation but efforts have been made to retain its original, 1907 appearance.
Meaning lots of gold, black, crystal, carpets, very tall flower arrangements.
In the Palm Court, the Gilded Age theme continues. Padded menus the color of jade, silver pots with clotted cream. Plus palms.
Yet the Palm Court’s afternoon tea tradition has kept up with the times: Trista’s companion orders gluten-free, lactose-free tea and the tuxedoed waiter does not bat an eye.
At the Palm Court, gluten-free and lactose-free look indulgent.
Is that Jordan Baker over there? No, it’s not. It’s tourists speaking elegant foreign languages, while at the next table a young couple, who look to be about twelve, sit side-by-side, apparently on some kind of quaintly strange date.
The waiters assure Trista she may linger over her sandwiches as long as she likes, but at five pm the lights dim and seat at the bar begins to fill. Trista can see that teatime is over, and summer afternoon glides smoothly, as things do at the Plaza, into summer evening.
Not wishing to stuff her face, Trista takes her remaining cakes home with her in a Palm Court bag. She thinks she’ll have them for dinner.
Trista is made from more batik fabric from the swap table. Her statement hat is made from a pair of my daughter’s old pajamas, accented with tiny roses from Bernice. Her sundress is cut from old boxer shorts, and her shoes from a free sample bag from Clinique. Her purse is made from ribbon, and her bracelet is an earring from Ellen.
‘I love New York on summer afternoons when every one’s away. There’s something very sensuous about it—overripe, as if all sorts of funny fruits were going to fall into your hands.’
—Jordan Baker, on her way to the Plaza, from The Great Gatsby
Special thanks to Madeline.
Trista looks so cool and elegant, The Plaza must also have excellent air conditioning.. I wonder, though if she’s a native New Yorker given her gorgeous white flowered shoes. One trip to Zabar’s and they’d be ruined.
EXCELLENT air conditioning, very 21st century. And of course she doesn’t wear those shoes to Zabar’s!
Trista looks right at home at the Plaza, enjoying tea and all the gluten and lactose free goodies. Her hat looks very fashionable with its roses echoed in her dainty white shoes. The pattern on her bag looks iconic but cannot at the moment think of the brand name. A cool white-patterned blue dress looks about perfect for a summer day stopping by at the Plaza for tea. Makes me think I”d like to go there myself next time I’m in NYC; must remember to bring hat and elegant shoes. Wanda Paik
Yes, let’s have tea. No need for a hat!