Here's an elegant destination that really does it right.
The Lady in Red invited me to Brasserie Ruhlmann for dinner, chat and music. She wasn't there when I arrived, but the maitre d' could not have been more welcoming. He made me comfortable at a nice table near the music and personally delivered a cup of tea. In the few minutes it took for my companion to arrive, at least two other people checked in to see if I had everything I needed.
It's a beautiful setting reflecting the timeless beauty of Art Deco: dark paneled walls with inlaid designs, warm colors with a rich, elegant feel. A perfect place to enjoy champagne and potato chips (Marilyn's meal of choice in Seven-Year Itch, though I don't believe hers were home-made, as they are at Brasserie Ruhlmann), and nibble on tuna tartare and oysters on the half shell.
The service was friendly and efficient, I couldn't find fault with it, even after mentally running through the litany of complaints I've heard from my nearests and dearests.
As someone who has enjoyed wine by the glass everywhere from the Lower East Side to the Delaware Water Gap, I found Ruhlmann's list very interesting, varied and fairly priced. I've seen lower-quality wines offered at higher prices in Twin Falls, Idaho.
The women's room was very nice, with three shallow (but non-splashing) sinks scooped from a single slab of Absolute Black granite.
Brasserie Ruhlmann is an elegant place to relax with a drink and a snack in Midtown. Though it has a special-occasion feel, the prices are not stratospheric -- especially for the neighborhood -- and the atmosphere and service alone are priceless.
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