A Fun Outing Where Parisian Elegance Meets Revolutionary Grit
NYC Insider Club members met at the Cafe inside Printemps
Last Sunday, 10 of NYC Insider Club members joined Anne Akers and me for a fabulous private tour of Printemps New York followed by lunch at Fraunces Tavern—each steeped in history, design, and sensory delight.
Printemps New York: A Parisian Playground in the Financial District
Nestled inside the landmarked One Wall Street building, Printemps New York is a 55,000-square-foot marvel designed by Laura Gonzalez, who masterfully blends Art Deco heritage with Parisian flair. Our guide welcomed us to “Printemps NYC apartment.” The interiors are a feast for the senses. It’s as if you are wondering through a fashion art show. It truly has to be experienced. Here are a few of the highlights and photos.
- Red Room: Once the Bank of New York’s entrance, this dramatic shoe salon features 33-foot ceilings, red ombré walls, and gold mosaics by muralist Hildreth Meière
- Rose Quartz Staircase: A pink marble tribute to Coco Chanel, leading to the intimate Red Room Bar .
- The Boudoir: A jewel-box of evening wear, vintage Hermès, and fine jewelry, framed by moon-gold metal and lacquered screens.
- Café Jalu: Named after founders Jules and Augustine Jaluzot, this all-day café anchors the vibrant Playroom—a marble mosaic of casualwear and gifts .
- Salon Vert: A raw bar and champagne lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Broadway, perfect for apéro hour.
- Maison Passerelle: The fine dining destination features AI-generated sunset murals, hand-painted tiles, and a stained-glass window by Pierre Marie.
- Sustainable Design: Upcycled furniture, recycled plastic tabletops, and antique French pieces reflect Printemps’ eco-conscious ethos design.
- 25% of all their fashion items come from Paris and are only available at Printemps; 50% of all their skin care products are also from France and are exclusive to the store.
From LED-lit sneaker rooms to coral-inspired bar counters, every corner invites exploration and delight.
Fraunces Tavern: Where History Lives and Lunch Was Legendary
After the tour, we dined at Fraunces Tavern, NYC’s oldest bar and restaurant, established in 1762 by Samuel Fraunces. There are several different rooms for dining and a lovely bar that has a jazz trio. The food is excellent and reasonably priced.
A little history of this Georgian-style building at 54 Pearl Street :
- George Washington’s Farewell: On December 4, 1783, Washington bid an emotional goodbye to his officers in the Long Room Fraunces Tavern Museum.
- Revolutionary Milestones: It was a hub for the Sons of Liberty, the Birch Trials, and even a cannonball strike from HMS Asia in 1775.
- Early Government Offices: From 1785–1788, it housed the Departments of Foreign Affairs, War, and Treasury.
Today, Fraunces Tavern is both a museum and restaurant, offering:
- The Long Room: Preserved for its historical significance and Revolutionary gatherings.
- Washington’s Pot Pie: A nod to the General’s favorite dish, still served today.
- Multiple Dining Rooms: Each with its own character, from colonial charm to whiskey trail ambiance Fraunces Tavern.
I highly recommend a visit there!
All are welcome to join in on the fun through our NYC Insider’s Club. GET THE DETAILS.
The tomato behind The Three Tomatoes.
Cheryl Benton, aka the “head tomato” is founder and publisher of The Three Tomatoes, a digital lifestyle magazine for “women who aren’t kids”. Having lived and worked for many years in New York City, the land of size zero twenty-somethings, she was truly starting to feel like an invisible woman. She created The Three Tomatoes just for the fun of it as the antidote for invisibility and sent it to 60 friends. Today she has thousands of friends and is chief cheerleader for smart, savvy women who want to live their lives fully at every age and every stage. She is the author of the novel, "Can You See Us Now?" and co-author of a humorous books of quips, "Martini Wisdom." Because she's lived a long time, her full bio won't fit here. If you want the "blah, blah, blah", read more. www.thethreetomatoes.com/about-the-head-tomato
