The Plaza celebrates the Roaring '20s with period-inspired affairs this spring, in honor of its role in Baz Luhrmann's new film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's “The Great Gatsby”, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire and Carey Mulligan. The film opens in theaters on May 10, 2013.

The Plaza’s history is intrinsically tied to this timeless American novel and its author F. Scott Fitzgerald, who, with his wife Zelda, was a devoted patron of The Plaza. Epitomizing the Lost Generation, Fitzgerald’s exploits were notorious and he regularly drew inspiration from everyday life for his novels. The hotel’s enduring presence on the New York social scene made it a natural setting for the most climactic scene in the novel and the upcoming film. This spring, guests and visitors can embrace the Jazz Age with a collection of experiences throughout The Plaza.

Todd English Food Hall "The Great Gatsby" Brunch Hendricks French 75 from Todd English Food Hall’s “Prohibited” Cocktail Menu Sunday Strollers Bloody Mary from The Todd English Food Hall Sunday Stroller Cocktails at The Todd English Food Hall 1920s inspired dishes on “The Great Gatsby” Brunch Menu at The Todd English Food Hall Fillet of Sole a la Meuniere from “The Great Gatsby” Brunch Menu at The Todd English Food Hall Vol au Vent of Seafood from “The Great Gatsby” Brunch Menu at The Todd English Food Hall Sunday Strollers Bellini from The Todd English Food Hall Side Car from Todd English Food Hall’s “Prohibited” Cocktail Menu S’more Cupcake at Billy’s Bakery The Gatsby Tartine at Tartinery Lady Biltmore at Lady M The Gourmandises Willowy box at La Maison du Chocolat Chocolate Mint Whoopie Pie at Luke’s Lobster “The Great Gatsby” Tuna Nicoise Sandwich at Pain D’Avignon The Daisy at Sushi of Gari Gatsby-inspired Chocolate Ganache Cake at William Greenberg Desserts

Over the years, The Plaza has played an important role in film, beginning with Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest in 1959, starring Cary Grant. Until then, movies had been filmed on soundstages and rarely on location. How liberating it was to film on-site—so much so that
The Plaza became a top New York City film location. To date, more than 40 films have been shot here with The Plaza as a feature character.

We are thrilled that the newest film with ties to The Plaza is Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, and Carey Mulligan. Zelda and F.Scott Fitzgerald were favorite patrons of The Plaza, spending most of their evenings here after their 1920 marriage. Most famous of these excursions included Fitzgerald jumping into The Pulitzer Fountain in front of the hotel. The Plaza appeared not only in The Great Gatsby but in some of his other novels and short stories as well.

In this issue, we celebrate all things Gatsby. Throughout the building there are opportunities to live like Gatsby. Enjoy the “Fitzgerald Tea for the Ages” in The Palm Court, or a Buchanan or Knickerbocker in The Todd English Food Hall. The Rose Club features libations from Moët Hennessy as a Moët Imperial Gatsby and Between the Sheets. The Champagne Bar will become a Moët Pop-Up shop, featuring a Moët & Chandon Champagne Cart, serving guests Moët Imperial by the glass as they conjure images of Gatsby’s champagne soaked soirees.

Todd English reinterprets menus of the 1920s and kicks off our new Great Gatsby Brunch this spring. The Plaza Food Hall gets into the spirit by debuting new exclusives with ties to the era, like FP Patisserie’s S’more macaron; a raspberry rickey marshmallow from Three Tarts; and the Daisy from Sushi of Gari, flower-shaped salmon sushi.

What better way to live like Gatsby than in The Fitzgerald Suite, making its debut this May. Designed by Catherine Martin, Academy Award®-winning production designer and costume designer, as well as the producer of Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby, the suite embodies the spirit of the movie and the life of F. Scott. Catherine shares details of the suite and its creation in this issue.

Whet your appetite and enjoy our modern take on the era of the speakeasy and the glamorous life of this extravagant couple. The Grand Ballroom, Terrace Room, and Fifth Avenue Foyer look exactly as they did in the 1920s, creating a perfect backdrop for a visit to our past.

Enjoy reading!