May 13, 2005

VIP lunch at United Nations Delegates' Dining Room

One of the best semi-secret lunch spots in Manhattan isn't technically in New York; it's in international territory. The United Nations Delegates' Dining Room is open to the public, though the process of gaining admittance feels rather James Bond-like.

Once at the United Nations, diners enter through the security tent at 46th Street and First Avenue. Unfortunately you're still with the madding crowds here; tourists from Iowa rub shoulders with busloads of school children all jousting about unaware they are in the presence of a VIP who is queuing to get a day pass to the Delegates' Dining Room.

Once through security, head to the information kiosk in the lobby for your security pass. After presenting a picture ID, you'll get a badge to wear around your neck - suddenly looking very official. Proceed to the back of the hall, past all the little people waiting for the UN tour, and let the security guard near the elevator see your fancy badge. This is where you tell your dining companion about the time you ran into Kofi at a cocktail party and both reached for the same hors d'oeuvre at the same time. Oh how you'll laugh.

The attendant in the elevator will take you to the fourth floor, where the maitre d' will find your name on the list and show you to the table.

The room itself is standard, but the view is excellent, with floor-to ceiling windows looking out over the East River, Brooklyn and up toward the Upper East Side.

There are no menus as the meal is served buffet-style, (one supposes it's all-you-can-eat, so gauche;) but waiters bring you drinks and fresh bread is served by passing waiters.

The buffet table offered selections such as pate, quail with apricots, bowtie pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, veal au jus, fried calamari, haricot vert with tomatoes, salad, couscous, cornichons, olives, and of course, for the Germans one supposes, sausage in a puff pastry served with mustard.

The dessert table was a bit much as well, with white chocolate cake, cheesecake and fruit tart among the sweets offerings, along with sterling silver canisters of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice creams. Three cheeses were also available: a manchego, Fontina and a very stinky though tasty, Blacksticks Blue.

The food was good and the service was friendly, but the real reason to go is for the wow factor. Even though you've got your badge and day pass, it still offers the thrill of feeling like you're sneaking in. The only trick to getting into the Delegates' Dining Room is to make a reservation at least a day in advance.

The number is (212) 963-7625. When I called, it was just a voice mail system, instructing me to leave my name, telephone number, the date and time of our lunch and number in my party. I was expecting the reservation requirement was so they could run a security check, but they didn't even ask for the name of my guest, so I was probably wrong there. The recording says a jacket is required for men, and jeans and sneakers are not allowed. All diners must have picture identification.

The $25 lunch buffet is served weekdays from 11:30 to 2:30. Dessert is included in the price, though drinks are extra. Beer, wine and champagne is served, with wines by the glass priced from $6 to $9.50.

Corrected: This post was fixed to change Upper West to Upper East, as per the comments.

May 13, 2005 10:39 AM in Foodology, Midtown, Sightsology

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