Everybody likes to say, “Oh they ruined it. It’s gone now.”

Partly true. I was in the former Red Ballroom last night and while it’s not what it used to be, it’s still pretty nice. True, there’s no place for a man to check his hat anymore and that’s a shame. The Gold Ballroom is history and that’s a real tragedy but parts of the former grandeur endure. ( I just wanted to write ” grandeur endure.” ) Trader Vic’s is now just a memory of Boy George nodding off into his whipped cream and that’s sad. The Oak Room is still there and the Palm Court remains and they still give good lobby.

That’s a long way from here….