PRESS RELEASES
The legendary Upper East Side hotel opens new restaurant honoring timeless dining; decor is highlighted with five newly acquired original Ludwig Bemelmans paintings
October 12, 2021
New York, NY -- October 12, 2021 -- The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel and bastion of Upper East Side sophistication, is thrilled to introduce Dowling’s at The Carlyle. The new restaurant is helmed by Executive Chef Sylvain Delpique, formerly of 21 Club, who has designed a menu that features his own contemporary interpretations of timeless New York favorites and throwback dishes from another era. Designed by New York-based tonychi studio, the stylish and intimate 80-seat dining room will exude the glamour and charm of the 1930s and ’40s. The arrival of Dowling’s at The Carlyle marks the completion of a multi-year thoughtful transformation of the legendary property that also includes newly debuted guest rooms and suites.
This latest addition to The Carlyle family is named after Robert Whittle Dowling, former owner of The Carlyle and an influential urban planner known for his passionate efforts over half a century ago to revitalize the city. He acquired the hotel in the 1940s and was instrumental in turning it into the institution it is today and putting it on the map as a fashionable destination attractive to celebrities, politicians, royalty and tastemakers. It is through his whimsical vision that The Carlyle embodies a distinct sense of place, offering a welcoming, intimate and eclectic atmosphere for New Yorkers and visitors.
The menu at Dowling’s at The Carlyle will showcase American and European-style cuisine with an emphasis on tableside preparations. Breakfast includes specialties like Truffle Eggs Benedict and Brioche French Toast, while Lunch offers a wide selection of salads, a Fontina and Heritage Bacon Sandwich and Roasted Eggplant with Romanesco Cauliflower. Dinner service starts with East Beach Blonde oysters with a ginger-sake mignonette, Tuna Tartare with whipped crème Fraiche and sauce gribiche, the immortal Wedge salad with blue cheese, bacon and tomato confit and Hudson Valley Foie Gras Terrine. Main Courses include Steak Tartare, Colorado Spiced Lamb Shank, Salt Baked Branzino, and Steak Diane, flambéed tableside with Cognac. House-made Waffle Fries with Bearnaise make the perfect complement. For Brunch, favorites like Quiche Lorraine and Croque Madame round out more decadent offerings such as Wagyu Skirt Steak and Eggs, Lemon-Ricotta Short Stack with maple butter, and the signature Carlyle Burger with house-made brioche, pickled relish and cheddar. A dedicated Carving Station for Prime Rib and Parmesan Crusted Faroe Island Salmon provides a charming tableau throughout the dining experience. Tableside dessert also adds an air of celebration, with a signature Sundae for Two featuring caramel-pretzel ice cream, chantilly, chocolate sauce and strawberry flambé.
“We are thrilled to introduce Dowling’s at The Carlyle to New York City,” says Executive Chef Sylvain Delpique. “The Carlyle is such a beloved Upper East Side institution, and this new dining experience will celebrate the timeless dishes that evoke the vibrancy of our city. Regulars and new diners alike will be surprised and delighted by the menu at Dowling’s, and we’re excited to welcome them back.”
Adjacent to the beloved Upper East Side favorite of over 75 years, Bemelmans Bar, the cocktail list at Dowling’s at The Carlyle delivers on a generous selection of Martinis and Manhattans. Bemelmans Bar has also developed a selection of bespoke cocktails exclusively for Dowling’s at The Carlyle. Created by the Bemelmans’ team, drinks include the Parade Master and the Mr. Dowling. The wine program will focus on approachable offerings and classic pairings with the new menu, and the diverse portfolio will showcase premium producers, including exclusive vintages and unique bottle formats ideal for any occasion. Matthew Finney, the newly appointed Director of Restaurants at The Carlyle, will oversee the day-to-day operations of The Gallery and Dowling’s at The Carlyle.
Designed by New York based tonychi studio, the stylish and intimate, 80-seat dining room will exude the glamour and charm of the 1930s and ’40s. William Paley, long-time Creative Director of tonychi studio, designed the space to honor the luminaries that have enriched the hotel’s history. Paley was specifically inspired by acclaimed decorator Dorothy Draper, who introduced the high-contrast color palette into the hotel lobby in the 1930s. Riffing off her cinematic sense of escapism, the use of black and white throughout the restaurant feels just as worthy of a tuxedo occasion as it does a treasured afternoon amongst friends. The walls are adorned with dark walnut wood panels finished in French polish to balance the existing architectural wall treatments. The ceiling is crisp white, a perfect contrast to the new dark wool carpet, allowing the eclectic mix of artwork to punctuate the walls. This collection includes a mix of classicism and avant-garde, such as five newly acquired Ludwig Bemelmans prints and paintings celebrating scenes from Madeline that pay tribute to the bar next door, works by local artists including Federico de Francesco and Ron Silver, and much more. For an added layer of texture, Paley incorporated etched leather banquettes by Capricorn Hides, who also did the delicately printed leather tabletops — inspired by old New Yorker sketches — that are featured throughout the main dining room. Though perhaps subtle in the overall magnitude of The Carlyle, these considered details are meant to be discovered in layers as guests revisit the hotel and help to write its next chapter.
Dowling’s at The Carlyle is located at 981 Madison Avenue and will be open for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner with Brunch service on Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information: www.thecarlyle.com, call 212-570-7192, or e-mail dowlingsatthecarlyle@rosewoodhotels.com. Follow us @dowlingsatthecarlyle.
Hours of Operation:
Weekdays
Breakfast: 7 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Lunch: 12 p.m.– 2 p.m.
Dinner: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Weekends
Breakfast, Sat: 7 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Breakfast, Sun: 8 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Brunch: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Dinner: 6:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
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About The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel:
Situated at the corner of Madison Avenue and 76th Street, The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel has been a classic landmark of Manhattan’s sophisticated Upper East Side since 1930. Located just one block from Central Park, The Carlyle is a 35-story, 190-room hotel highlighted by the original Art Deco design from the renowned Dorothy Draper. Following a multi-year thoughtful transformation of the legendary property by New York-based design firm tonychi studio, the property has recently debuted new guest rooms and suites in addition to a new signature restaurant, Dowling’s at The Carlyle. Embracing a passion for the arts, pianos grace many of the suites, and most tower rooms have views of Central Park. The Carlyle is also home to the renowned Café Carlyle and the beloved Bemelmans Bar and offers visitors a whimsical experience into an undefinable era of glamour. The Carlyle is the proud recipient of Condé Nast Traveler’s 2020 Readers’ Choice Award for #1 Hotel in New York City. Follow the latest news through the hotel’s Instagram: @RosewoodTheCarlyle @DowlingsAtTheCarlyle @BemelmansBar @CafeCarlyle
About Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts® manages 26 one-of-a-kind luxury hotels, resorts and residences in 15 countries, with 25 new properties under development. Each Rosewood property embraces the brand’s A Sense of Place® philosophy to reflect the individual location’s history, culture and sensibilities. The Rosewood collection includes some of the world’s most legendary hotels and resorts, including The
Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel in New York, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas and Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel in Paris, as well as new classics such as Rosewood Hong Kong. For those who wish to stay a little longer, Rosewood Residences offer a distinct opportunity for ownership or rent in extraordinary destinations within the brand’s wide-ranging portfolio.
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