When a Restaurant’s Ambience Is Acutally Just a Sign of Mourning

MJ and Chimp: Not part of Policy’s pop-culture decor

Last night, as I was hanging with restaurant designer Walter Gagliano, we stopped at Policy to check out the interior at this new 14th Street hotspot. Gagliano had plenty of interesting things to say about the restaurant/lounge, far more than I thought any human being could possibly have for a spot that looks, essentially, like an S&M dungeon with designer cocktails.

But as we were sitting there, dipping our toasted pita into a trio of spreads, I couldn’t help but notice the music. It was one Michael Jackson tune after another. Finally, after about the sixth song from the King of Perpetual Adolescence, I turned to Gagliano and asked, “Have you noticed the music? It’s all Michael Jackson. Do you think that’s on purpose?” It didn’t seem to fit the vibe, nor the target audience, that Policy was aiming for.

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