Eric Yves Garcia at The Pierre

In a hopeful sign of classy resurgence, cabaret is slowly coming back to hotels. The Pierre Hotel’s Two E Lounge now features music – without a cover charge – from 6:00 to 9:00. A high-ceilinged, elegant room, originally the Gentlemen’s Library, Two E features a bar, banquettes and tables; signature cocktails and small plates. Thursdays, Eric Yves Garcia brings signature stylish entertainment to an unfortunately loud, predominantly oblivious crowd. If you sit close, however, the performer’s talent and equinimity shine through.

Tonight Garcia opens with an easy jazz rendition of “Isn’t It Romantic?” Songs are widely varied, apparently chosen on the spot and include the occasional request. (Feel free to ask.) “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm,” a swinging  “The Lady is a Tramp”- eyes down, shoulders tilting, and the wistful “There’s a Small Hotel” follow. Duke Ellington’s “I’m Just a Lucky So and So” spotlights a particular affinity for material. Facial expression enhances lyrics. “L’ame des poetes/Soul of Poets” by Charles Trenet arrives in French. Replete with “la, las”, it smiles.

Photo by Stephen Sorokoff

Intermittent holiday selections avoid bludgeoning one with the season. Gently delivered, “Winter Wonderland” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” slip in amiable and smooth. Astaire contributions fit the dapper Garcia like a good suit. “I’m Putting All My Eggs in One Basket” and “You’re All the World to Me” have just the right casually sophisticated tone.

New to me, are Hoagy Carmichael’s affectionate “Judy”: If you’re smart/Watch your heart/’Cause she’ll upset ‘most any fella’s apple cart…and Alan Jay Lerner/ John Barry’s very pretty “In the Broken Promise Land of Fifteen” apparently from a musicalization of Lolita. Cole Porter’s “One More Walk Around the Garden” evidencing gentler times is a fulfilled request. Here’s the balladeer. The set ends with ‘My Personal Property” and “A Shine on Me Shoes” sending us out in good spirits.

Opening photo courtesy of the Hotel Pierre
Eric Yves Garcia’s Facebook page

The Pierre Hotel 
2 East 61st Street

About Alix Cohen (1706 Articles)
Alix Cohen is the recipient of ten New York Press Club Awards for work published on this venue. Her writing history began with poetry, segued into lyrics and took a commercial detour while holding executive positions in product development, merchandising, and design. A cultural sponge, she now turns her diverse personal and professional background to authoring pieces about culture/the arts with particular interest in artists/performers and entrepreneurs. Theater, music, art/design are lifelong areas of study and passion. She is a voting member of Drama Desk and Drama League. Alix’s professional experience in women’s fashion fuels writing in that area. Besides Woman Around Town, the journalist writes for Cabaret Scenes, Broadway World, TheaterLife, and Theater Pizzazz. Additional pieces have been published by The New York Post, The National Observer’s Playground Magazine, Pasadena Magazine, Times Square Chronicles, and ifashionnetwork. She lives in Manhattan. Of course.