http://www.nyrp.org/About/New_Leaf_Restaurant_Bar

The Cafe des Artistes has closed, and the Parlor Bar closed with it.

The last time I was in the Bar, the owner was sitting next to us, having dinner with his daughter.   He was very nice, very friendly, and happy to share a little history.  He told us about the night Clinton bought out the whole dining room (the menus for that dinner are framed on the wall), and how Rumsfeld would always reserve a window table.  Maybe he thought that was the kind of stuff we wanted to hear.

But everyone retires sometime, and I suppose he picked a pretty good moment.  Struggling through this economy at his age – as a restaurant owner, why?

Hopefully the Cafe won’t disappear, and a new owner will be able to take it on.

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The Parlor Bar at the Cafe des Artistes, 1 West 67th Street, New York, NY.

The smallest bar that I know of, except for a closet in Key West on Duval Street, but that’s another review.  The Parlor Bar is very, very cozy.  5 small tables for two, and maybe room for three at the bar itself.  The whole room is about the size of a large elevator, dark, with no music, very nice flowers, and the day’s newspapers.  You can just have a drink, or order dinner from the Cafe menu.  Very cozy, very intimate, very charming on a date.  Very fun after a show at Lincoln Center.  Not recommended if you intend to discuss secret business.  Everyone will hear you.