Sotheby’s elegant restaurant Marcel features T. rex tooth display, succulent fare
To be able to bid on “Gus” – a 67 million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton up for auction at Sotheby’s on July 14, you would need $30 million. However, for a much more affordable price of $40,000 to $60,000, you could own a T.-rex tooth from the late Cretaceous period.
Displayed in a vitrine near the hostess stand at Sotheby’s restaurant, Marcel, the tooth is just one of many valuable objects and works of art showcased in the French eatery. The restaurant’s ambiance is a blend of mohair-upholstered booths, walnut-paneled walls, and original metal lamps created by the building’s architect, Marcel Breuer.
Sotheby’s, known for its annual sales of over $5 billion worldwide, has strategically incorporated art displays into Marcel’s dining space. These curated works are selected by a committee within Sotheby’s private sales division to ensure a constant rotation of interesting pieces on view.
Diners can learn more about the artworks through a QR code provided at the restaurant. The collection includes works by renowned artists such as Franz Kline, Willem de Kooning, John Chamberlain, Renoir, and Robert Indiana. The displays aim to give patrons a glimpse of living with valuable art pieces like a dinosaur tooth or a Joan Mitchell painting.
Marcel, helmed by chef Marie-Aude Rose, offers classic dishes that cater to the refined palates of its clientele. Signature dishes like endive salad, beef tartare, and Dover sole meunière are popular among guests, alongside more eclectic options like Hungarian-style chicken and Provençal-influenced orecchiette pasta.
The restaurant’s design, conceived by Robin Alesch of Roman and Williams, complements the architectural style of the building with materials like bronze, stone, and wood. The dining experience at Marcel is likened to a private club accessible to all, attracting a diverse clientele including notable figures like Michael Bloomberg, Woody Allen, Sofia Coppola, and Jodie Foster.
The impact of the art displays on the value of the artworks remains to be seen, with some pieces exceeding their estimated prices. As Marcel continues to establish itself, the influence of its artful surroundings on the art market is yet to be fully realized.
