Some Things Change and Others Stay the Same at Delmonico’s 

When visitors first enter the newly reopened Delmonico’s (56 Beaver Street), they might think they’ve traveled back to the Gilded Age. They’ll hear soft jazzy music and the tinkling of forks against plates. Modern glass bubble chandeliers bathe the main dining room in a warm light, amplifying its historic murals and lush indoor palm plants. The cherry wood wainscoting, which has been a part of the decor since it opened in 1837, still adorns the walls today. 

The iconic restaurant is back after a three-year closure during the pandemic. If you visited the restaurant pre-2020, you might notice some new changes. “In our main dining room, the wood has been toned down. It’s a little bit lighter,” operator Dennis Turcinovic told the Alliance. “We also have some beautiful fixtures, new chairs and new plateware.” 

One thing that hasn’t changed: the restaurant’s most iconic menu items. “When you come to Delmonico’s, you have to order the Delmonico’s steak — our boneless ribeye — as well as the Baked Alaska, which was created in the restaurant as well,” Turcinovic said. These delicacies wash down perfectly with cocktails like the Delmonico’s martini or with Turcinovic’s drink of choice, a vodka gimlet.

In addition to the Delmonico’s classics, Chef Edward Hong is also putting his own spin on the menu, with new offerings like chilled jumbo prawns with gochujang sauce and creamy burrata topped with pear, lemon gelee, macadamia and romesco.  

If you’re lucky enough to be at Delmonico’s for a private event, you’ll also get a peek at the restaurant’s exclusive dining rooms, which have seen their fair share of famous guests over the years. 

The Board Room, a 12-person space just off the main dining room, is perfect if you want to see and be seen, and has accommodated plenty of celebrities and even presidents. Then, there’s the Club Room, a downstairs space that evokes a classic steakhouse ambiance with plenty of dark wood and sleek decor. For a particularly cozy atmosphere, book your event in Tesla’s Quarters, which has a cheerful fireplace and modern lounge seating. It’s named, of course, for Nikola Tesla. “This was his favorite restaurant,” shares Turcinovic. 

Last but not least, there’s the Dickens Alcove, which transports guests to Old New York with its marble floors and historic architectural features. It’s easy to imagine former guests like Charles Dickens, Marilyn Monroe or Rock Hudson pulling up a chair in the space. It remains a celebrity hotspot today, so keep your eyes peeled during your next Delmonico’s visit.

(food/drink photos: Simon Tchoukriel for Delmonico’s)