First Look: The Plaza Hotel's Sparkling 'Gatsby' Tree and Fitzgerald Tea

Where: 5th Avenue and 59th Street [map], New York, NY, United States

November 27, 2012 at 2:40 PM | by JetSetCD | Comment (1)

Though we have to wait until May 2013 to watch the film, the holiday tree inspired by the upcoming movie Gatsby was just unveiled within The Plaza. The tree sits inside the hotel's famous Palm Court and, just like the movie, was designed and dressed by Catherine Martin, costume/set/production designer, film producer and wife of Baz Luhrmann.

Yesterday evening at the debut, we asked Catherine if the finished tree matched her original vision. "Yes and, from the first, I wanted the hundreds of 'JG' monograms you'll find on it," she replied. "I hope that this would be the sort of tree Jay Gatsby would have in his foyer."

And the biggest challenge to making this vision reality? "Getting this 900-lb tree to turn!"

As for the Fitzgerald Tea ($79 adults, $45 kids), it honors a former guest of The Plaza (yes, the author himself had a special place in his heart for the hotel and even set a pivotal scene in a suite here) and will be served in the Palm Court throughout the holiday season.

Aside from the afternoon tea blend and some teatime staples like smoked salmon sandwiches and scones with lemon curd, some 20s-themed menu items include P�t� de Fruit with Gin Rickey Sugar, a Sachertorte with Amarena Cherry, and the "Jazz Age Chocolate Bon-Bon." And then there's always the booze, which is Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne and two specialty Hendrick's gin cocktails: the "Warm Fitzgerald Tea" and "Fitzgerald Gin Tipple."

We won't spoil the menu for you any further, but having done the signature Plaza tea service in the Champagne Bar before, we can confidently say that the Fitzgerald menu and holiday Palm Court experience is so, so much better and so worth it. For reservations, call 212.546.5300 or email palmcourt@fairmont.com.

Unveiling of The Plaza's Gatsby Tree from Jaunted on Vimeo.

[Photos: Cynthia Drescher/HotelChatter]

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