HISTORY OF THE NEW LEAF
As part of their 19th century revitalization of Fort Tryon Park, the Olmsted brothers – heirs of the designer of New York City’s Central Park – envisioned a concession building that would house a public cafeteria and park administration offices. When finally constructed in the 1930s, the structure’s cobblestone exterior, slate roof and granite archways were meant to emanate the charm of a rustic, upstate inn. These features were later carried through in the main dining room – added to support an increasing number of park visitors – and enhanced by massive oak trusses to support the space’s 18-foot-high ceiling.
As time passed, the concession building became home to a series of casual restaurants run under licensing agreements with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. The structure first came to the attention of Bette Midler when, in 1995, she literally stumbled upon the somewhat dilapidated building during her and her friends’ cleanup of then-neglected Fort Tryon Park – efforts which served as the catalyst for Midler’s founding of New York Restoration Project (NYRP). For the next five years, she held fast to a vision of the site’s ultimate potential – not only as a unique and welcoming dining locale, but also as an opportunity to enliven the surrounding park and adjacent neighborhoods of Washington Heights and Inwood. And, in 2000, Midler’s dream became a reality when NYRP was awarded the honor of operating the site.
After extensive renovations, the originally named New Leaf Café – since rechristened the New Leaf Restaurant & Bar – opened in December 2001. Interior re-design was provided by Fernando Santangelo, architect and artist whose many credits include the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. Exterior re-design was provided by Armand LeGuardeur Architect, a New York City-based firm whose exquisitely detailed work is also featured in NYRP’s Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse, as well as new and renovated residences from Maine to Texas to the Caribbean. Together, Ms. Midler, NYRP and these talented individuals have transformed a park concessions operation into a celebrated fine-dining establishment, dramatically raising the quality level of food, service and design excellence in Fort Tryon Park, as well as the surrounding community.
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