BY ROBERTA GRAFF
Photos courtesy
Il Gattopardo Group
Manhattan has, tucked
into its ever-changing
landscape, magnificent,
revered buildings, which are a
throwback to bygone eras. And
when they’re hotels, or better yet,
restaurants, they allow us to wander
into their walls and experience the
aura of former guests.
And so it is with the Hotel
Des Artistes, the 18-story Neo
Gothic-style building on West
67st Street just off Central Park,
which opened in 1918. Once home
to artists Childe Hassam, Norman
Rockwell, Rudolph Valentino,
Fanny Hurst, Isadora Duncan,
Noel Coward, Mayor John Lindsay
and other notable tenants, it offered
115 apartments and studios. There
was also a restaurant just off the
lobby for the residents, as many
of the apartments either had no
kitchens or very small ones.
In 1975, Hungarian born George
Lang took the helm and opened
Café des Artistes, which for more
than 34 years offered superb French
cuisine in a legendary setting.
Guests would dine surrounded by
the landmarked murals of “Fantasy
Scenes with Naked Beauties” by
famed American illustrator Howard
Chandler Christy.
Today there are 65 private residents
in the apartment building
and a restaurant, “The Leopard,”
which is keeping the tradition of
fine food and New York grace, dignity
and charm very much alive to
the delight of discriminating diners.
The restaurant has been totally
renovated and the nine murals have
been restored to glorious perfection.
And well- dressed patrons,
who want their dining experience
to be more like theater, are making
reservations.
Chef Vito Gnazzo is turning
out dishes with a southern Italian
twist. The areas of Campania and
Calabria are well represented on the
menu. There were thinly sliced baby
artichokes marinated with oil and
lemon over frisée salad, which was
delectable; smoked tuna carpaccio
layered upon fennel; as well as grilled
octopus atop hearts of escarole,
which were also excellent. A specialty
was “Gnudi,” Buffalo ricotta
gnocchi in butter and parmigiano
with sage and asparagus—truly
memorable. Pastas were exceptional,
especially the rigatoni with eggplant
and the bucatini with sardines.
Veal chops with arugula and pan
seared duck breast were terrific
mains, with the Sicilian caponata
an excellent choice for a side.
Even the coffee and the tiny cookies
were sheer perfection. Service
was superb. Rarely have we left a
restaurant so totally relaxed, happy
and anxious to return.
The Leopard at the Artistes is
located at West 1 67th Street; they
can be reached at 212-787-8767.
The Leopard pan-seared duck breast “porchetta” Almond frangipane tart of seasonal fresh fruits on vanilla
custard
The Leopard at des Artistes
The Leopard “Fountain Of Youth”
38 NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER ¢ September 2017