While this is the story as to how I got “my table”, it is more about the warmth and atmosphere created by the owners of’21’ (the family) that set it apart from other restaurants in the city.

I had become a regular patron of ‘21’ by the mid 70”s. Unlike other regulars, I liked to sit in “Siberia”. The captains and waiters rapidly became friends.

In October of 1981, New York magazine did a feature article on ‘21’ with Pete, Jerry and Sheldon on the cover. In the body of the story, they had a diagram of the bar room and titled it “the power positions in the bar” There were customer names listed on both sides of the diagram. The names on the left largely occupied tables in the first bay and arrows pointed to their tables. The names listed on the right, however, mostly had arrows pointing to preferred tables in the center bay. The one exception was my name next to my regular table, #53.

The next time I was in for lunch, I kidded Pete, Jerry and Sheldon that I was their aesthetic balance as in the diagram they needed someone who actually sat in “Siberia.”

Having forgotten the whole thing, I was in for lunch a few weeks later. I was at my table awaiting my guest when Pete, Jerry and Sheldon came over. One of them said, “Frank, we want you to know that you are more than an aesthetic balance here at ‘21’ “. As he said this, Sheldon reached over and removed a napkin that I had not noticed on the banquet behind me. He unveiled a bronze plaque stating “Frank Polk – his table.”

To this day the plaque remains at table #53. It is the kind of touch that makes ‘21’ special.

Frank L Polk, Jr

The blackout that took New York by surprise, one night between five and seven o’clock…that is the lights went out as we were sipping our gin and tonics in the Tycoon horseshoe at ‘21’. I was with a p.r executive from a giant company. We met for a drink at ‘21’ to gossip and catch up from time to time. During one early evening, the city’s electric power went out, and one by one, lighted candles were brought to each table. The room got merrier and more talkative, as we sat in the shadows with the vast collection of miniatures suspended from the ceiling. . We were all in this together. ‘21’ by candlelight was lovely, and an adventure to add to my memory book. 

Terry Mayer

Ruthi and often enjoy an early dinner at ‘21’ after a Saturday matinee at the theater. We both enjoy a lobster salad but her tastes tend to be more eclectic and you can count on her to try anything.

I have been coming to ‘21’ since the 60’s and enjoy being made a fuss over. That what it’s all about. Maybe that’s what life is about.

Governor Brendan T. Byrne

I’ve been to the ‘21’ Club so often in the last quarter century that it’s difficult to select one or even a few most memorable moments.  What I do know is that I never had a meal I didn’t enjoy, with the possible exception of the two or three at which I was called upon to address audiences during the ‘21’ Breakfast Series.  That’s a daunting experience because most of the people you’re talking to know more about your subject than you do.
It’s a very distinguished Club.

Governor Mario M. Cuomo

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