Like his other midtown restaurant The National, Geoffrey Zakarian’s The Lamb’s Club is a sleek, sexy design dream that reeks of Mad Men-inspired power lunches and martini-fueled evenings among New York City’s beautiful people. It’s hard to pass through The Lamb’s Club’s door without turning your head in double take at some A-lister making waves in the media (assuming you follow such silly affairs). A bi-level confection of red leather and tweed banquettes, and Empire State themed-light fixtures, The Lamb’s Club sits pretty in the Chatwal Hotel, right off the messy chaos of Times Square. But don’t be fooled by the location, The Lamb’s Club is an elegant, atmospheric escape from the madness taking place just down the street.
Residing in a landmark building, there’s history behind The Lamb’s Club; it’s the original home of the Lambs, America's first professional theatrical club. Counting such luminaries as Lionel and John Barrymore, Cecil B. DeMille, Charlie Chaplin, and Fred Astaire among its members, Zakarian’s Lamb’s Club is a place where such royalty would feel at home. Adding his own culinary royalty to the mix—Zakarian has graced the kitchens of Le Cirque, 44 at the Royalton, Blue Door at the Delano, 21 Club, Patroon, Town, and Country— The Lamb’s Club is a fitting addition to an already impressive resume.
To a background din of Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, and The Beatles deals are made, and straightforward yet wonderful food is consumed. The service is uber-attentive—sometimes to a fault—but in part, that makes the experience of a Zakarian restaurant worth the repeat visit. Fashioned as a modern day grill room, The Lamb’s Club serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and at the latter services, the usual menu suspects prevail: a couple of tartars (beef, tuna), a couple of salads (Cobb, Club), and of course, an excellent burger (though I’d ask them to hold the mayo-based sauce next time). There’s raw bar offerings (shrimp, oysters), and an assortment of grilled and roasted entrees (chicken, lamb, swordfish, cod, steak)—nothing out of the ordinary, but that’s part of what I count on. Prices range from $11 - $48.
I’ve long been a Geoffrey Zakarian fan, following his talent from 21 Club to Patroon from Town to The National. It’s the well-executed simplicity of his food, the subtle twists in flavor profiles—peekytoe crab on a white gazpacho, hazelnuts in a foie gras terrine, braised oxtail served with sturgeon, sweet potato with banana and orange—that give his menus depth. The Lamb’s Club is no exception.
Located in the theater district, pre and post-theater menus are offered (three courses, $44), and during the afternoons, the upstairs bar and lounge offers a limited afternoon service and free Wi-Fi for a working crowd. But don’t skip dessert ($6.50 - $10) here. An excellent bourbon pecan tart, turtle sundae complete with peanut brittle, and pistachio cake are worth the added calories. And since we’re on the topic, so is the chocolate ginger cake with poached pears.
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