"I worked at The Rainbow Room back in 1988. Back then it was owned by David Rockefeller. He poured millions into revitalizing the complex. It was absolutely the most glamorous space in NYC. When you got off the elevator the first thing you was was The Empire State Building and the Twin Towers beyond. It was breathtaking. There were Pages to greet you. There was a 30 piece band and a singer in the dining room to sing the classics like Cole Porter, Gershwin, and Glenn Miller. The dance floor rotated. There were cigarette girls with pillbox hats, tight jackets with peplums and skirts with crinoline. The main bar spanned nearly one side of the floor. There was a piano lounge with a singer. David Rockefeller spared no expense. There was original artwork from Norman Bell Gedes, photos from Steichen, historic photos of 30 Rock back when the building was being built, and of architectural details of the building. In one of the private dinning rooms there was an entire wall of original Bakelite radios from the 1930's. I don't know when it closed, but the Cipriani Group are the new owners, and they have not done justice to the history and physical space. It is now a sad shell with a drab institutional look. So sad."
