By JOHN MARIANI
ForbesTraveler.com
April 8, 2009

"Prohibition crippled fine dining in America throughout the 1920s, when most of the grand dining halls like Louis Sherry’s and Rector’s went out of business for lack of a drinking clientele.  In their stead came the speakeasies, most of them seedy places serving dreadful food and bad booze.  One exception was the notorious '21' Club in New York, which catered to New York society, show biz, and politicians—Mayor “Beau” James Walker entertained showgirls in the private wine cellar.  The liquor was the best money could smuggle in and the food, while outrageously expensive, among the finest in New York.  Today '21' is thriving at its original location on West 52nd Street, its colorful jockey statues still stand on the stairs out front, its Remington paintings and sculptures are still arrayed, and its great bar room still hung with corporate toys. Scenes from All About Eve, Sweet Smell of Success, and Wall Street were filmed here."

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