Eighty One

Monday, August 04, 2008 - At this new American eatery, just across from the Museum of Natural History, surprises abound. One evening, a hostess led a party past the main room and down a narrow hallway, which opened into the kitchen: a gantlet of sorts, lined with staff, all of whom rushed to wish the guests good evening. One didn’t quite know where to look, or how to respond. Then onward, to what looked like the library of a very tasteful gentleman—soft jazz, art tomes, dark wood.