May 18, 2007
High in the Sky: a Times Square 360 at The View
Las Vegas has its New York hotel and soon it's own Plaza hotel, but what does New York have to make Vegas lovers feel at home?
Increasingly, a lot. Case in point: The View restaurant atop the Marriott Marquis Times Square hotel.
It comes complete with an all-you-can-eat buffet, keepsake glass with your cocktail, drunk Aussie tourists singing three back-to-back rounds of "Happy Birthday" over the piped-in Bon Jovi soundtrack -- all tucked neatly into the staid decor of a revolving restaurant overlooking the heart of Times Square.
Let's just say you won't find The View listed any any Not-for-Tourists-type guidebooks.
But there are some benefits to spending an hour here, which is the time it takes to make a full 360-degree loop. First, there's the 48th-floor view, which is very good. Second, you don't have to buy into the buffet to get a window seat and we weren't pressed to order more than one round of drinks. And third, well, there's the view.
They also doled out impressive cocktail napkins identifying all the skyscrapers that would pass by within the hour.
We timed it to arrive before sunset in order to get that "magic hour" light when the buildings glitter. That proved genius, as we were rewarded with some Chrysler Building eye candy that's probably elicited more than one unanticipated marriage proposal.
 And that's another thing to know about The View: they love couples. The only way to get a seat next to the window is to travel in a pack of two. If you're in a group, you'll have to sit in the middle of the room. The View is for lovers. But unlike Vegas, you can't run out and get married on the spot and then hope to get it annulled the next morning.
In The Lounge, (the bar,) the buffet was priced at $27.95 (no sharing,) or $16.95 for desert and cheese only. (The dessert buffet even included a chocolate fountain.) The View Fizz (their signature cocktail) was $16.95 with the souvenir glass. You can book a table for dinner or Sunday brunch through OpenTable.com, which notes the prix fixe dinner is priced at $69.95.
 Would you believe there's a dress code? They call for "smart business casual" -- no T-shirts, shorts or tank tops. There is a $7 cover charge after 9 p.m. in The Lounge for non-hotel guests. No minors (under 21) are allowed in the bar after 9 p.m.
The View restaurant and lounge is located on top of the Marriott Marquis, at 1535 Broadway, map.
More pictures after the jump.
(All pictures taken March 29.)
Earlier: High in the Sky: Statue of Liberty's observation decks
High in the Sky: Above restaurant, eat with The Hand
High in the Sky: Rockefeller Center's pristine roofdecks
High in the Sky: Empire State Building's 102nd floor
May 18, 2007 10:17 PM in Architecture, Drinkology, Foodology, Midtown, Romance, Sightsology
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