With 46 hotels in the pipeline for New York City this year (according to a tally quoted in the Times) and 40 slated for Brooklyn in the coming years (according to the Brooklyn Eagle’s math), it should be no surprise that Print isn’t the only new hotel venue we’re introducing to you today. This next one, Polar, will open below Gramercy’s Marcel Hotel on February 9 (just in time for Fashion Week!). Like, say, the Mercer Hotel’s SubMercer, it’s small and subterranean (and boasts a stand-up bar as well as a lounge area), but as you can see in our slideshow, Polar is quite a bit brighter.
Design firm Goodman Charlton (which also created the Marcel’s mod-tastic Coal lounge in the same space) this time aims to take revelers to the North Pole via faux Polar Bear skin and “polar caves” reserved for VIPs (or you can claim them by emailing the address below— no bottle service is necessary but keep in mind drinks are $17 a pop). Overseeing the lounge on behalf of Amsterdam Hospitality (Empire Hotel, etc.) will be David Bowd, who ran the Mondrian LA, The Royalton NY, and others while at the Morgans Group. Check out the seasonal cocktails by Somer Perez of Couture Cocktail Concepts and the small-plates menu from neighbor ’inoteca.
Food Menu
Antipasti Plate
serves 2-4
14.
Olives
7.
Affetatti Assortito
assorted cold meats - daily selections
18.
Bruschette
Fagioli / Pesto / Tapenade / Ricotta / Cauliflower / Rabe / Fennel
One for 3. Three for 7. Five for 12.
Croquettes di Patate
lightly fried potato croquettes
9.
Insalata Di Calamari Grigliata
salad of char-grilled squid with chili and garlic
12.
Formaggi Assortito
assorted cheese - daily selections
3 for 12. 5 for $14.
Truffle Egg Toast
truffle oil, fontina cheese and egg yolk
9. per piece
Proscuitto Panini
mozzarella, arugula and pesto
11.
Fontina Panini
truffle oil, spinach and mushrooms
11.
Drinks
POLAR Specialty Cocktails
17.
POLAR’s Champagne Cocktail
Veuve Clicquot Champagne and Rhubarb Bitters with a Sugarcube
Tundra
TyKu Junmai Ginjo Premium Sake, Cucumber and Lychee Puree
Endurance
Sazerac Rye, Meyer Lemon Puree, Honey Water and a Floating Glacier
The Terra Nova
Don Julio Silver Tequila, Aztec Chocolate Bitters, Housemade Vanilla Syrup and Smokey Salt
Operation Highjump
Reyka Icelandic Vodka, Frozen Grapes, White Grape Juice and Pear Eau de Vie
Bourbon Grog
Makers Mark Bourbon, Pinot Noir, Brandied Cherries and Sweet Vermouth
Prime Meridian
Bluecoat Gin, Morello Cherry Puree, St-Germain and Lime
Polar, at the Marcel, 201 E. 24th St, nr. Third Ave.; reservations@nycpolar.com
