We had the opportunity to sit down with the incredible team behind Majorelle and Jacques Bar to discover what makes Majorelle such a memorable destination—one that both locals and travellers love to return to time and time again, and proudly call their home away from home.
What is the "hidden story" behind the name Majorelle, and how does the spirit of Marrakech’s Jardin Majorelle breathe through an
Upper East Side dining room?
Majorelle takes its name from both the famed Majorelle Garden in Marrakech and the artist who created it, Jacques Majorelle. He completed his villa in Marrakech around 1925—the very same year The Lowell was built, with its distinctive Art Deco pink façade.
Throughout the restaurant, we pay homage to the garden's iconic cobalt blue through carefully curated elements, echoing the vibrant colors that have made the Jardin Majorelle so recognizable. The spirit of the garden is also reflected in our lush floral arrangements, orange trees, trickling fountains, and tranquil atmosphere, inspired by the oasis-like beauty of the Majorelle Gardens, with its bright colors and exotic flora.
The result is a dining room that subtly blends the elegance of the Upper East Side with the romance and vibrancy of one of Morocco's most celebrated gardens.
The floral arrangements here are legendary—can you walk us through the creative process of designing these massive, seasonal
masterpieces each week?
There is a tremendous amount of work. Every Friday, our Flower Specialist, Adan, goes out to select the flowers and foliage. His inspiration is ignited by what is in season. There is never a specific pre-conceived design, he always gets inspired by whatever he sees available on the market, building a concept as he goes, finding inspired in the shapes, colors, and textures of the florals available that season.
Majorelle is famous for its "year-round garden." What is the magic formula for making a garden feel like an oasis,
even in the middle of a New York blizzard?
We are fortunate to have a completely retractable glass ceiling above the garden, which allows the space to be flooded with light, while keeping the elements out. We have orange trees between every fountain, which offers an oasis feel, particularly in the middle of the winter. Being surrounded by tall buildings in the middle of Manhattan, brings its challenges during the winter, while the sun is lower. It is during the cold winter months that we have to change the orange trees more often, in order to keep that lush feel in the garden year round.
Every regular has "their" table. Without naming names, what is the most requested corner of the restaurant for a proposal
or a high-stakes power lunch?
That is easy, the garden, near to the fireplace. It really is quite an experience to be sitting next to a fireplace, in an exotic indoor garden, right in the middle of the winter.
If a first-time guest asked you to curate their perfect "Majorelle Saturday"—from the first cocktail to the final bite—
what would that itinerary look like?
We would of course need to begin with one of our legendary martinis at Jacques bar, accompanied by a taste of Morrocco with a Mezze platter.
Proceeding to the main event; a three course dinner at Majorelle. One can never err by starting with the Terrine de Foie Gras with Rhubarb and Berries. Only a classic will do for the main course; the Grilled Dover Sole with Haricots Verts served with a Mustard Sauce. And for dessert, a staple at Majorelle, our Chocolate Soufflé!
As if the evening had not been decadent enough, there is no better way to close the evening, than with a digestif at one of the plush sofas by the fireplace in The Club Room.
The Dior Lily of the Valley Afternoon Tea is a social media sensation; what is one tiny, exquisite detail of that experience
that guests should look out for?
The beautiful stories behind all the delicacies in the dessert trolly. It is quite an experience. To give out one small detail, the shade on the Happiness Pink Cake is inspired by the shade of pink of Monsieur Dior’s childhood home by the sea in Granville.
What are the most popular signature cocktails at Jacques Bar?
The Lily of the Valley, which is light and refreshing, and the Moroccan Orange, incorporating the smokey flavors of mezcal, and bright tones of orange.