Serendipity 3 Closed for Health Violations

Featured heavily in the news in 2007 for creating such extravagant desserts as the $1,000 Golden Opulence Sundae and the $25,000 Frozen Haute Chocolate Sundae, which made Guinness's Book of World Records as the world's most expensive dessert; eclectic four-star restaurant Serendipity 3 shut its doors on Wednesday, November 14, due to pest infestations. The closure comes a week after the announcement of its new record-holding dessert.

News of the infestations and resulting closure surely comes as a shock to many given the publicity of the now world-famous deserts and the long-standing history Serendipity 3 has with the rich and the famous. Located in New York's chichi Upper East Side, close to Bloomingdales; the Victorian décor, along with the location, give this restaurant an added air of style, grace, and opulence. Certainly not the setting in which one would imagine finding infestations of roaches, two types of flies, and mice. Health inspectors also found standing water in the two-story restaurant's basement. The landmark was closed after failing two health inspections in one month, according to a report from the Associated Press (AP).

Serendipity's website relates its history in a whimsical fashion, detailing how in 1954, three dreamers of fame and fortune named Calvin Holt, Stephen Bruce, and Patch Carradine established Serendipity 3. Patch Carradine, a crossword puzzle connoisseur, is credited with coming up with the name of the chic restaurant, which is defined on the restaurant's website as "The art of making happy discoveries, or finding the pleasantly unexpected by chance or sagacity".

They invested their combined lifesavings of $300 to start the New York coffeehouse and boutique. Serendipity 3 was a fast hit, and the need for more room and growth quickly became evident. The three owners responded accordingly.

The website also notes that among their first clients and before he was famous, Andy Warhol was allowed to pay his bill in drawings. Restaurant Nation's News writer Joe Edwards wrote that other notable faces that have frequented the establishment over the years are Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, Diana Ross, Liza Minnelli, Alice Cooper. A picture of Stephen Bruce with former president Bill Clinton is prominently displayed on the Serendipity 3 website. The restaurant itself has even achieved some fame of its own, being featured in several movies, including one titled "Serendipity".

The shopping at Serendipity 3 is notoriously eclectic with items such as a Little Red Riding Hood 365-piece puzzle which features all-red pieces. Some of the items are also for sale on Amazon.com, and help illustrate the vast selection of curious and surprising offerings which have become a hallmark of the hot spot. It is interesting to note that founder Stephen Bruce still attends to the restaurant on a daily basis.

No one can say unquestionably what the future holds for Serendipity 3, but one thing is sure: the notoriety it has achieved with its well-publicized expensive desserts and this closure will merit a closer eye being given by health inspectors and customers alike.

Though the wealthy are notoriously quick to forgive and forget, such massive pest problems may not garner the same level of sympathy they tend to show. Though spending $25,000 for a sundae may not warrant the batting of an eye to them, the possibility of mouse droppings being included with the gold leaf and chocolate may be enough to convince even the ultra-rich to draw their purse strings a little more tightly.

The owners of Serendipity 3 will have to take clear and powerful measures to show they have eliminated the problem and will ensure it does not become an issue again.

It is ironic that the restaurant named for 'finding the pleasantly unexpected' was closed due to health inspectors 'finding the unpleasantly unexpected'.

Sources:

New York's Ten Best Restaurants for Luxury Food: $120 - $1,000 Food Items. Daniella Nicole. November 14, 2007. Associated Content.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/445507/new_yorks_10_best_restaurants_for_luxury.html
Accessed November 15, 2007

Get the Star Treatment at Serendipity 3.
http://www.newyorkfirst.com/gifts/2134.html
Accessed November 15, 2007

Health Inspectors Close Popular NYC Restaurant Serendipity 3. (AP - Associated Press)
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2007-11-15-serendipity3-closed_N.htm
Accessed November 15, 2007

Serendipity 3 -History
http://www.serendipity3.com/history.htm
Accessed November 15, 2007

Serendipity 3 at Amazon.Com
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_/102-9849354-5621726?url=me%3DA1VFMEDRM0EEIX&field-keywords=&x=22&y=23
Accessed November 15, 2007

Serendipity 3 Salves Sweet Tooth of the Stars - Dessert Marketing. Nation's Joe Edwards. June 29, 1987. Restaurant News.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3190/is_v21/ai_5077329
Accessed November 15, 2007