January "Thanks for the Memories" Adolphus Hotel Promotion Winner
FEB 07, 2007
Congratulations to Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Ferney of Irving, Texas. You are now in the running for the $25,000 Luxury Getaway!
The February Winning Entry:
Dear Hotel Adolphus,
Like the sound of a favorite song, the mere mention of The French Room at The Adolphus floods my thoughts with fond memories. I first visited The French Room in 1989 at the invitation of a patient, a very lucky and rare five year survivor of pancreatic cancer. To say thank you, he invited his physician team to The French Room. I initially declined, believing his survival to be all the thanks necessary. He asked his internist to call me and prevail upon me to attend. To my surprise, he was not present. Instead, he treated his physicians to the wonderful food and service of The French Room.
The next night, I brought my wife and mother-in-law. The night after that, I brought my mother. We have been regulars ever since. The French Room experience begins with Phillip, The Adolphus doorman, who greets us by name, gives us a smile and handshake, and holds the door. Next, Steve at the bell desk greets us by name and welcomes us back. Up the escalator, past the Guggenheim piano, we spy Maitre d' Jim Donohue at his post. He greets us by name (an endearing and pervasive trait of Adolphus' staff) and seats us in the lounge for a pre-dinner libation. Marcos not only recognizes us, but remembers our preferred drinks and brings them to the table without need to take our order. Jim always remembers our favorite tables and wait staff. Besides our wait staff "du jour", the rest of the dining room staff also unobtrusively says hello during the course of the meal.
My youngest daughter grew up at The French Room, learning her table etiquette under the tutelage of the famous Simone. While Brooke was learning which fork was proper, Dad learned most of what he knows about wines from the sommeliers. With so many memories over the years, which stands out the most? On our tenth wedding anniversary, we renewed our vows. We planned a post convalidation celebratory dinner for 30 of our closest friends and family. Naturally, we chose our beloved French Room.
A few months before the event, we dined at The French Room. Chef William Koval came by our table, and asked about menu choices for our event. He suggested we try his three best selling appetizers, three best selling entrees, and three best selling desserts. He sat with us while we enjoyed one of the best dinners of our lives. In the midst of this feast, with the private attention of the chef, Jim Donohue came by our table. With his usual aplomb, he said "The people in the corner want to know who you are." My wonderful wife (still a bride), with her winning smile and a twinkle in her eyes, said without hesitation,” Tell them we're restaurant critics!" Needless to say, our tenth anniversary celebration was spectacular.
Our hobby is travel, and we have auditioned restaurants across the globe. While not professional restaurant critics, we firmly believe The French Room is the number one restaurant in the world!
Stephen and Sandy Ferney, MD
Irving, TX