New York's online editorial director and secret Eater devotee Ben Williams was at the opening of Gold Bar last night and filed on the adventure for his man Cutlets. Though the lede is certainly the fact that Williams is due for a camera phone upgrade (observe his handy work via the link below), a couple of new facts about the venue emerge as well:
The one major design detail that has so far gone unreported are the series of mock oil paintings on the walls, which, designer Robert McKinley explained to us, depict a "defunct Italian count who lives like a James Bond villain; he's obsessed with gold." Like, maybe, Goldmember?Also, Ben reveals that the cocktails are expensive, and it's "undoubtedly set for a run in the tabloids" after which time there's a very small possibility it'll cool down.In a cute touch, the models for these portraits included GoldBar investors, contractors, and the photographer's accountant. Other inspirations include Baz Luhrmann, Run DMC, and the catacombs of Paris. Also: The bathroom areas and the D.J. booth (which was pumping out a very weak soundtrack last night) are decorated with murals by "New York's leading graffiti artist" — whose name, apparently, is Vinnie.
· Gold Bar Finally Emerges From The Vault [Cutlets]
