I stopped by the softly opening Lambs Club in the Chatwal Hotel yesterday and learned a bit more about the Sasha Petraske-created drinks program.
First of all, the space, while a bit garish, is also gorgeous, and reminds one of the glamour that was once associated with the theatre district. I suspect it will become catnip for theatre types, who are always looking for an attractive backdrop. The mezzanine bar (seen above in the rear of the picture) is long and luxurious, its top a warmly glowing red glass, Empire State Building-shaped silver light fixtures above, the barmen in white jackets, hands folded behind their backs when they're not working.
Petraske's five-drink menu will expand in coming weeks to include from 25 to 30 cocktails, among them the La Floridita and Red Hook. I sampled the Cherry Fix (with rum) and the Gold Rush. Both were excellent, peerlessly made and wonderfully presented, the Cherry Fix tasting wonderfully of fresh cherries, and filled to the brim with crushed ice, the Gold Rush an easy-drinking chilly dream. (The Cherry Fix will only be on the menu as long as cherries are in season, so hurry on down.) Downside: the cocktails are $18, easily among the most expensive in town.
Lambs Club will begin serving lunch next week. The grand stone fireplace in the dining room, by the way, is one of the last elements of the old Lambs Club that remains in place, although the wood paneling certainly looked familiar to me, as well as the cushioned doors leading to the restrooms.
