Dining at Jams: A Sustainable Culinary Experience at 1 Hotel Central Park

Nestled in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, 1 Hotel Central Park stands as a vanguard of eco-savvy luxury. Here, environmentalism and opulence unite in a haven of biophilic design inspired by the beauty of nature. Balance is at its core as rest and adventure, nature and urbanity, and well-being and indulgence converge.

Among the hundreds of glowing adjectives I could use to describe the heaving metropolis, some less charitable options could be gritty and overwhelming. It’s scarce and welcomed to find an oasis away from the commotion, especially one that brings nature to the forefront. In fact, no matter where you are in the world, luxury hotels that are genuinely committed to responsible practices are hard to come by.

American magnate Barry Sternlicht debuted the property in 2015, wanting to curate a mission-driven luxury lifestyle hotel brand with an emphasis on sustainability, and it has since become a go-to destination for the eco-conscious traveller.

Heavily weathered reclaimed wood, industrial-style windows, and dense vegetation climbing green walls - these are not exactly commonplace sights on 58th Street, between Billionaires’ Row and Central Park. So the exterior makes sense as a gesture toward sustainability. And once you’re inside, it’s clear that it’s more than a gesture. Of course all these eco-friendly trappings mean little if guests prefer to stay at the traditional luxury hotel down the street.

Fortunately this seems not to be the case. Along with its socially responsible ethos comes plenty of attention to creating a desirable product. The rooms are visually stylish quite apart from their construction, and the textured, organic look of the hotel’s public spaces stamps an immediate identity on the place.

The hotel’s LEED Silver Certification is a testament to its commitment to the environment, underscored by its energy-efficient systems. The team clearly has sustainability at the forefront of their minds, and they encourage guests to follow suit.

The hotel’s philosophy extends to its culinary offerings. Led by restauranteur icon Chef Jonathan Waxman, the on-site restaurant, Jams, offers a menu that highlights locally sourced ingredients from neighboring farms and purveyors. Supporting local farmers and growers is essential to our sustainability efforts.

Dine in comfort at Jams in the 1 Hotel Central Park. Its inviting interior features exposed brick walls in a casual, yet contemporary setting.

Jams is Located close to New York's Central Park. It offers in-room dining for guests of the hotel, as well as private dining for various occasions inside of the restaurant. This eatery serves breakfast daily, as well as brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

Jams owner and Executive Chef Jonathan Waxman provides guests with seasonal California-style dishes made from organic, locally-sourced ingredients. Named “Best Chef in New York City” by the James Beard Foundation, Chef Jonathan Waxman brings his seasonal cooking to Jams.

Relocating from California to New York in the early 1980s, Waxman originally established Jams Restaurant on East 79th Street in 1984. He brought with him a passion for fresh, local ingredients and a relaxed, Californian approach to the formal New York culinary world, and these sensibilities are still clear in the revived Jams. The space itself is rustic and laid-back, seemingly stripped-back in comparison to the original Jams. Stone and wood finishings provide an inviting ambiance, and, of course, 1 Hotel’s signature greenery hangs from the walls and ceiling. A combination of tables and bar seating, as well as an open kitchen, adds to its casual vibe. Staff are warm, knowledgeable and eager to share the stories behind the dishes and the practices that define the restaurant.

Dishes at Jams are characterized by inventive sides and a careful blend of natural flavors. They celebrate the ingredients’ inherent qualities and farm-to-table freshness, with some of the richer dishes approaching elevated comfort food. The wide selection of shared plates encourages an unwound, communal dining experience.

Our seasonally inspired brunch menus are always changing to reflect the market’s bounty and use only the freshest locally sourced ingredients. Inspired by nature and steps from Central Park, Jams is an ideal space for private dining and special events. Join us on select nights at Jams and discover beats from our roster of local DJs, sips from our curated listed of craft cocktails and nibble on seasonal bites.

An appetizer of corn chowder with scallions, lamb sausage with English pea hummus or pancakes made with smoked salmon and topped with paddlefish caviar will please the taste buds. Guests can feast on a main course of duck leg confit, gnocchi with squash or seared scallops with grilled eggplants.

To round off the experience, there’s an impressive wine list, informed by the late Melvyn Master, esteemed sommelier, Waxman’s former partner and the “m’ in Jams (standing for Jonathan and Melvyn).

I am always a fan of a great morning cocktail. For my main course, I opted for the STEAK & EGGS (Flank Steak, Two Fried Eggs, Red Chimichurri). However, I decided to switch out the eggs for JW POTATOES (rosemary, pecorino). The combination was solid. To round off the meal, I decided to try a CARAJILLO - a delicious mix of espresso and liquor that I had never had before.

I’d previously visited 1 Hotel Central Park few years prior. After that, I spend a few visits at The Hoxton in Brooklyn. But, for this trip, I felt drawn back to Central Park. Per usual, my room was beautifully designed with natural elements-think organic linens, live plants, and warm wood tones. This created a tranquil escape throughout my stay.

I will say - if you arrive too late for dinner at Jams restaurant, I highly suggest walking across the street to Merci Market. After walking back to the hotel after a failed attempt to get a late seating at Bourbon Steak, the gracious front desk agent suggested that I walk over. There, I was able to get a hot pastrami sandwich, chips and a drink for a midnight dinner.

After a quick recharge, I settled into the hotel’s restaurant, Jams, for a leisurely meal. A gourmet burger and a refreshing cocktail were just the thing to help me unwind.

But, after such a busy day, I was in need of my own cocktail hour. After checking with the hostess, I was guided to a seat for one at a high top table. I browsed the menu and immediately ordered the P.S. I LOVE YOU (Russel’s 10 yr Bourbon, Pumpkin Puree, Autumn Spices). It was here that I met Mensa, one of the food and beverage manager for 1 Hotel Central Park. In passing, he asked how my drink was and how I was enjoying my time at Jams. After I raved about it, we ended up getting into a conversation about live music in New York. That’s what I love about 1 Hotel Central Park. Every conversation I had with staff led itself to a deeper connection with another human. He then asked if I was interested in another cocktail. So, I ordered the EL DIABLO (Maestro Dobel Silver Tequila, Ginger, Cassis, Soda).

The moment I stepped into my room, I was completely taken aback by the stunning design-effortlessly blending nature with modern sophistication. Choosing a high-floor room overlooking Central Park was one of my best decisions. The partial view gave me a beautiful, tranquil glimpse of the park, offering a perfect contrast to the quick pace on the street below. I remember sitting in the cozy alcove of the bay window, gazing out at the peaceful expanse of Central Park. It’s rare to find a hotel room that offers not just a beautiful setting, but the perfect space to connect with yourself. That’s exactly what this room provided-a serene, thoughtfully designed sanctuary that gave me the room to do what I had hoped for on this trip: slow down and go deeper within. There I was - in New York. I’d made dining reservations for Keens Steakhouse and Per Se. I was in such a state of gratitude for my present life. I felt the possibilities that were ahead of me were guiding us towards a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment. I didn’t know then, but I was going to embark on a process of traveling the world. My stay at 1 Hotel Central Park was nothing short of a visual feast. From its breathtaking architecture to its lush, garden-like atmosphere and impeccably designed rooms, 1 Hotel Central Park delivers an experience of pure beauty and understated luxury.

Sustainable Luxury at 1 Hotel Central Park

You don’t often find ‘sustainable’ and ‘New York City’ in the same sentence. A flora-enveloped pillar amidst the bustling cityscape, 1 Hotel stands out against its urban backdrop. The staff who greet you are friendly but casual. You might find this either refreshing or disarming, depending on whether you enjoy the ceremonious service of many upscale hotels. Naturally, the decor is wood-heavy, making it feel like you’re in New York’s trendiest treehouse with antique barn wood flooring and a reclaimed oak ceiling. The informality of the staff, coupled with the size of the space and organically inspired design, creates a relaxed and lively atmosphere. A stone’s throw from the iconic Central Park, you’re in a prime location and an ideal starting point for exploring the charms of midtown, including The Museum of Modern Art, Carnegie Hall and the shops on Fifth Avenue. Overall, there’s a buzz in the vibrant communal areas of the hotel that echo the excitement and pace of the city, further establishing the private rooms as peaceful hideaways.

The ethos of 1 Hotel is infused with nature, as is the very fabric of the building. A staggering 36,000 ivy plants adorn its exterior, each living in a recycled pot and producing oxygen, absorbing greenhouse gasses, reducing the surface temperature of the building in the summer, and insulating it in the winter. Inside, there are 5,000 living plants intentionally situated to remind you of the feeling of being in Central Park.

To remind guests to be mindful of water usage, five-minute hourglass timers are installed in the showers. The wood for the timers is again reclaimed from water towers and affixed to a salvaged Bald Cypress (it’s a type of tree, I had to Google it) plinth from the Florida Wetlands. According to 1 Hotel, these shower timers can save as much as 34 liters per shower for the average guest. Throughout the room and hotel, there are prompts to keep the planet in mind, a valuable nudge while lodging in such a city of excess.

Rooms and Suites

You can choose from 234 guest rooms and suites, with 22 different options ranging from the 209-square-foot Queen Alcove Room to the palatial 1455-square-foot Two-Bedroom Elm House Suite. The City Lounge King room, where I stayed, is ideal for a solo stay or travelling in a couple. The room extends over the city streets with a window-nook daybed, offering views of the Manhattan skyline. Sustainably sourced bedding, recycled materials, and in-room greenery, create a sanctuary that brings the outside world in. When sunlight pours in through the windows, the reclaimed wood from local water towers, painted brick walls, and accents of blackened steel and copper light up, making the space feel homespun and authentically New York. The focus on wellness and responsible practices extends to all finishing touches; the in-room offerings from the “Goodthings Minibar” are health-focused and 30% locally sourced. The bath amenities, infused with the brand’s signature blend of geranium, lavender, peppermint, and tonka, are in collaboration with Certified B Corporation, Bamford. Merging the urban soul of New York with a serene, natural aesthetic, every detail is designed to provide a rejuvenating retreat.

I’d be remiss not to mention the jewel in the crown of the establishment: the Park Penthouse. Unveiled in 2023 and soaring 19 floors above the New York cityscape, it was designed as a one-of-a-kind experience that marries grandeur with the natural world. Nuanced touches showcase sustainable craftsmanship and support local artisans, while more than 3,000 thriving plants live within the indoor/outdoor space. The botanically-inspired haven has three expansive suites, two guest rooms and an outdoor terrace spanning 2,871 square feet with 1,201 square feet of outdoor space. For those wishing to significantly dial up the luxury, this is where to do it.

Wellness and Recreation

It will come as no surprise that holistic health and wellness are key tenets of 1 Hotel’s values. A quick, healthy snack is always within reach at 1 Hotel Central Park. The lobby farmstand is stocked with free fresh produce from local farmers and suppliers if you want to grab a bite on the go. Complimentary wellness classes such as yoga and high-intensity interval training are offered to guests, and there are yoga mats in each room for those who prefer to practise in private. The more unique wellness options are at-home wellness tools provided in partnership with HigherDose. These premium in-room offerings include a Sauna Blanket, which is intended to, “increase the body’s thermal energy, enhance relaxation and promote glowing skin”, and a PEMF Mat, which “grounds you in earth’s magnetic field for a full-body reset, while Infrared’s deeply penetrating heat doubles your DOSE”. I opted to try the HigherDose PEMF Mat, intrigued by its claims to ease chronic pain, recover from workouts and deepen meditations. After rolling the mat out onto the bed and plugging it in, I laid down on the textured acupressure surface. There are levels from 1 to 4, each of which is supposed to mimic healing frequencies found in nature and temperature settings as the mat heats up to your desired warmth. I can only base my assertions on a few hours of use, but PEMF (standing for Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy), was certainly a relaxing and rejuvenating way to start the day.

Price: $50 and over

Cuisines: American

Dining style: Casual Dining

Dress code: Business Casual

Parking details: None

Summary: 1 Hotel Central Park is an innovative model of how luxury and sustainability can coexist. It provides an enriching stay for eco-friendly travelers, capturing the vibrant energy of New York City with a strategic balance of nature and modernity. I especially recommend this location to those who are seeking a refined stay but who struggle to fully lean into the (occasionally ostentatious) decadence of other luxury hotels. From its ivy-clad facade to its tranquil accommodations, 1 Hotel is a pioneering, mission-driven lifestyle hotel that impresses without being overbearing. This property is included in our guide to the best hotels in New York.

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