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The Parliament brings modern American dining to midtown at The Benjamin Royal Sonesta Hotel
Set to open on November 10, The Parliament will introduce a new modern American dining experience at The Benjamin Royal Sonesta Hotel on Lexington Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. Created for power breakfasts, business lunches and afterwork cocktails, the restaurant is designed to capture the pace and style of classic New York. The menu by Executive Chef Rakmin Lee, whose background includes Morimoto NYC and Four Seasons properties in New York and San Francisco, aims to be both refined and approachable throughout the day. With its intimate scale, signature bar area and flexible spaces, The Parliament is positioned as a new address for hotel guests and locals seeking a polished yet relaxed setting.
The design of The Parliament reflects the heritage of The Benjamin, a historic landmark building originally drawn by architect Emery Roth. Interior specialists //3877 have created a sophisticated room with dark woods, stone, brass accents and references to vintage art, echoing the classic architecture while keeping the look contemporary. The venue takes its name from the group term for owls, inspired by the sculpted owls that top the corbels above the arches on the building facade. This idea of a "parliament" informs the restaurant’s focus on community, conversation and a sense of quiet urban wisdom. With around seventy seats, the layout incorporates a distinct bar for both cocktails and dining, plus "the nest", a more secluded corner suited to intimate and semi private events.
From morning onwards, the food offer is built around familiar dishes with elevated details. Breakfast will feature egg specialties, the ever present avocado toast and signatures such as Catsmo smoked salmon with capers, tomato and pickled red onion, as well as a croque madame layered with prosciutto cotto, truffled mornay and a farm egg. Locally roasted coffee completes the early service for guests starting their day in Midtown. At lunchtime, the menu shifts to a robust selection aimed at the business crowd, beginning with starters such as shrimp cocktail and a variety of salads, including The Parliament Salad with fresh and pickled apples, pistachio crumble, celery hearts and Stilton cheese. The Forestiere flatbread, topped with fennel sausage, caramelised onion and truffle mornay, joins signatures like pan roasted salmon with fall squash and citrus beurre blanc, and a vegetarian roasted fall veggie penne with squash, Brussels sprouts, snap peas and tomato sauce.
In the evening, The Parliament transitions to a more intimate dining mood, supported by a line up of small plates and composed main courses. Guests can share dishes such as warm artichoke dip, steak tartare, ricotta meatballs and oysters before moving to entrees that include herb roasted chicken and grilled branzino with roasted fennel, citrus and minted salsa verde. The classic Parliament Burger, built with grilled onions, Cooper’s aged American cheese, garlic and truffle aioli on a brioche bun, underlines the restaurant’s modern American comfort approach. Desserts lean into indulgence with options like lemon olive oil cake, bittersweet chocolate pudding and almond pot de crème, with The Parliament Sundae positioned as the signature sweet, made with vanilla gelato, toasted peanuts, Luxardo cherries and malted chocolate sauce finished tableside.
The bar at The Parliament is designed to be a focal point as the after work crowd settles in, mirroring the energy of New York City. Led by sommelier Nicolas Prieto, the beverage program offers curated cocktails and low ABV options suitable for both informal meetings and relaxed evenings. Signature drinks include The Lobbyist Spritz, The Diplomat Manhattan, The Madame Speaker and the Night Owl, combining premium spirits with nuanced flavour profiles. Together, the drinks list and food menu aim to provide a complete all day experience that ties in with the hotel’s recent investments.
The opening of The Parliament follows a broader transformation at The Benjamin Royal Sonesta Hotel, including the addition of a spa earlier in the year, and represents a final stage in a 25 million dollar renovation program. Located at 557 Lexington Avenue between 50th and 51st streets, the restaurant will open midweek for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with weekend brunch service and bar hours extending until late evening most days. By linking modern American cuisine, a strong cocktail focus and design that honours the building’s history, The Parliament seeks to establish itself as a dining destination that supports productivity by day and connection by night in the heart of Midtown.
Source: Sonesta International Hotels
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