Saratoga Spotlight: Coat Room

The Coat Room in Saratoga Springs, New York, is an upscale speakeasy-style restaurant and bar that offers a unique dining and cocktail experience steeped in local history.

Here is a detailed breakdown of what makes it unique, its history, menu highlights, events, and contact information.

What Makes The Coat Room Unique

The Coat Room distinguishes itself through its atmosphere, concept, and exclusivity:

• Speakeasy Concept and Ambiance: It is designed as a true speakeasy, hidden behind a simple door labeled “Coat Room” off the lobby of the prominent downtown building at 385 Broadway. Once inside, the space celebrates the grandeur of a bygone era with opulent décor featuring walnut, brass, black steel, saddle leather, and lush fabrics. The entrance often involves walking through an actual coat room to experience the full effect.
• Preferred Guest Program: While open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis, the restaurant operates primarily as a club for “Preferred Guests.” This membership grants priority access, advanced reservations, a 10% discount on private events, access to a “Reserve List” of top-shelf liquor, and complimentary fob access to the building’s amenities, including a fitness center and the rooftop terrace.
• Craft Cocktail Program: The bar is a major focus, featuring unique and refined cocktails crafted by respected mixologists. The drinks philosophy is to be both unique and approachable. Signature cocktails have included adventurous options like a Caprese Martini topped with a burrata cheese foam, and seasonal creations like The Oat Fashioned (Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal Infused Pinhook Bourbon) and The GPS (The Great Pumpkin Sour) (Sazerac Rye, Pumpkin Butter, Egg White).
• Culinary Alchemy: The scratch kitchen, led by Chef Dominic Colose, focuses on “culinary alchemy,” creating bold flavor profiles and stunning presentations using local, sustainable ingredients. The cuisine is influenced by the Mediterranean and Northern California.

History

The Coat Room is located at 385 Broadway on the historic former site of the renowned United States Hotel.

• The United States Hotel: The original hotel was constructed in 1824 and, at its peak after a rebuilding in 1874, was one of the largest hotels in the world, once boasting over 1,000 rooms.
• Millionaire’s Row: The popularity of Saratoga’s natural springs and the hotel’s grandeur drew the nation’s wealthiest to its doors. The long, narrow porch facing Division Street was famously known as “Millionaire’s Row,” a meeting place for luminaries such as Cornelius Vanderbilt, Andrew Carnegie, and J.P. Morgan.
• Paying Homage: The Coat Room’s design, including the use of historic photographs and period décor, is a direct homage to the lost grandeur and exclusivity of the United States Hotel era. The space it occupies was initially intended to be a storage locker for residents of the modern building, but was converted into the speakeasy to pay respect to the historic site.

Customer Feedback (Cuisine and Beverage Highlights)

General customer sentiment highlights the unique concept and quality of the offerings:

• Cocktails: The cocktail menu is frequently praised for being both “unique and noteworthy,” featuring creative twists on classics. For example, a drink was described as being a “caprese in a cup” (the Caprese Martini).
• Cuisine: The menu emphasizes familiar ingredients prepared in novel ways. Notable menu items that have been highlighted include:
  • Atlantic Cod with Syrian Curry: A dish noted for having the deep flavors of common Indian curries but with a Middle Eastern identity.
  • Decadent Filet Mignon with rich truffle bordelaise.
  • Hand-made Tagliatelle and Mushroom Risotto.
  • Flatbreads and a unique Orange Tart for dessert.
  • Lounge Menu items like a luxurious Cheese & Charcuterie board and various artisanal pizzas, such as the Mushroom Pizza with truffle cream and black truffle shavings.

Significant Events

The Coat Room hosts various public and private events, and its “Preferred Guest” program often provides exclusive access to these happenings.

• Masquerade Ball: A significant past event included a Masquerade Ball, which featured an open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, a best-dressed contest, and a DJ.
• Weekly Specials: Ongoing events include:
  • Weekday Happy Hour with food specials (Monday – Thursday from 4 PM to 6 PM).
  • Wednesday Special: A Burger and a glass of wine or beer for $25.
  • Thursdays: 2-For-1 Espresso Martinis.
• Exclusive Tastings: Events for Preferred Guests have included exclusive spirit tastings, such as the “Ignite Tequila Spirit Tasting.”
• Private Events: The venue is available to host private gatherings, ranging from intimate events to grand celebrations.

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