The Man With The Voice Behind The Shades & Hat

Last evening I had a meeting at The Betsy Hotel on South Beach. Go 'n Groove's FROLIC...in Miami trip is being planned there for next March. It is a lovely small boutique hotel with a wonderful restaurant (BLT Steak), a private beach area, a quiet pool, a spectacular roof top spa and sitting areas with an amazing view of the Atlantic.

While waiting for Betzy, (yes, her real name!) the Sales Manager for the hotel, to get me some brochures, I wandered over to the restaurant which is an open area adjacent to the front desk. Standing near the host/hostess stand, I glanced about at the tables, unaware of the man who had just come in to make a reservation. I quickly took notice of him, but he was hidden behind a pair of sunglasses and a baseball cap and obviously had just enjoyed time at the beach. His voice stood out to me...strong and confident. I then heard him say "yes, a table for 2 at 8pm for Tony Zazula". I immediately turned. Tony Zazula?!? He took off his glasses and said, "yes". My mouth dropped and I said, "Karen Leone"...or as you know me, "Karen Ansbro". 

I worked for Tony 30 years ago at the Tavern on the Green. It was the summer after my freshman year (Cornell Hotel School). Tony and the other manager, Drew Nieporent, were grads of the school and hired many of us for the summer. I used to be so nervous around Tony...I think at first was that commanding voice...but he was so much older (all of 6 years) and experienced.

Over the last 15 or so years, I have run into Tony at different Cornell Hotel School events and reunions at school. It has always been nice to see him, but last night was different. I think that finally, after 30 years, I didn't see Tony as "that boss that summer" or "the manager that made me nervous" or "the guy that graduated 6 or so years ahead of me". I saw Tony as a fellow graduate that just happens to be a few years older. We enjoyed a drink together and as he had never seen the rooftop I was delighted to share with him the spectacular view. We caught up, we gossiped and we enjoyed each others company.

I so look forward to my next visit to New York City when I will go see Tony at his own establishment, COMMERCE , 50 Commerce Street, Greenwich Village. After being in partnership with Drew for 23 years at Montrachet which "made" Tribeca, he is now on his own with Commerce, which represents the culmination of a lifetime of experience and a fondness for the city he loves.

I'm so glad I took a moment last night to peruse the BLT Steak restaurant, otherwise I might have missed "the man with the voice behind the shades and hat" that made me realize that, yes, I had grown up some since the summer of '80.