Hunt & Fish Club Presents HFC Underground is a celebration of the Great American Songbook that you can catch once a month at 7 pm (the show actually starts at 8:15 pm while dinner is served beforehand). This is part of the legendary Hunt & Fish Club’s special Broadway-themed cabaret concert series, where you can enjoy Broadway music while indulging in fine dining in a speakeasy-inspired ambiance. The room is stunning—it has elaborate ceiling lighting in a unique art deco pattern that almost resembles a spider web (and keep in mind to go upstairs to catch the stunning ceiling lighting there as well)! It is actually called the Tina Lee Room, named after a beloved Hunt & Fish Club employee who died suddenly earlier this year.
I went to a night of this special cabaret series back on Tuesday, June 13th and enjoyed every minute due to the fabulous dining, great company, unique performers and super efficient service! This particular show starred actors/musical artists Aaron Ramey (pictured above) and Lucia Giannetta and it also included a special guest appearance from David A. Patterson, former Governor of New York, a surprisingly good bluesy singer who performed “Proud Mary” and other rock classics while competently accompanying himself on guitar. Ramey is actually a veteran of films like New Amsterdam, Mr. Robot and Madam Secretary and has a commanding voice that grabs your attention immediately.
Ramey and Giannetta (whose headshot is featured above) did a great job of performing classic tunes from the songbooks legendary artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, and Tony Bennett—via both duets and solo performances! Sometimes Giannetta spiced things up by singing her parts from the bar area and even the audience! Giannetta is best-known for her stellar performances in Hercules at the Paper Mill Playhouse. The songs performed last night included “Someone To Watch Over Me,” “Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered” and “Taking A Chance On Love.”
Executive Chef Chad Brown prepared the evening’s menu which you will also be able to get on your visit, including Hunt & Fish Club’s signature dishes like the Wild Mushroom Pappardelle (pictured above), Pastrami Smoked Salmon and Fried Calamari—and don’t forget the huge, delicious popovers given out on a complimentary basis at each table. (These popovers are a best kept secret of Theater District area dining.) The ongoing menu down at the Underground features both traditional and signature cocktails, and there is a wide selection of wines that are poured very generously!
You can learn more about this unique cabaret series with amazing Modern American/Mediterranean food and even sign up to be on the mailing list here: https://www.hfcnyc.com/experiences. Just for the record, prices on the food at The Underground are super reasonable (for instance, the legendary homemade pappardelle is only $23 and it is close to a two-cup portion)!
I will be going back! The Underground is the perfect room for enjoying legendary cabaret performers, super-talented moonlighting Broadway/movie actors like the aforementioned Ramey and Giannetta, and maybe even former governors who are musicians on the down-low, LOL! The HFC Underground is located downstairs at 125 West 44th Street and reservations are recommended but not mandatory. Dress is business casual.
