The newest addition at Palace Gate, the outdoor lunch and cocktail venue located in the courtyard of The New York Palace, is more a feast for the eyes than the stomach. French Artist Julien Marinetti’s Doggy John “sits” atop a steel pedestal, perched eight feet in the air for diners and passer-bys to admire and enjoy. The whimsical statue is part of Mr. Marinetti’s first exhibition in the United States. The installation is on view at the hotel through the fall of 2011.

The exhibition also includes 15 smaller 15-inch dogs, also perched on top of pedestals, located throughout the lobby of the landmark hotel. These pieces, priced at $10,000 each, are available for sale.

“Doggy John” by the NumbersPrice: $500,000 Height: 8 feet Weight: 1500 pounds Time to Create: Seven Weeks“The Dogtail”In celebration of Doggy John, Palace Gate has introduced this canine-inspired cocktail that is guaranteed to become man’s new best friend: 1.5oz    Vodka 1oz        Pomegranate Juice .5oz        Raspberry Tea Syrup .5oz        Lemon Juice Served on the rocks

Palace Gate is open for lunch, cocktails and light fare from 1 to 9 pm during the week; and 4 to 10 pm on the weekends. For information, please call 891-8100.

About the ArtistArtist Julien Marinetti was only five years old when he created his first still life oil painting on a tea towel and started frenziedly distorting everyday objects into primitive polychromatic sculptures. Spending his youth in the workshops of great artists and feeding his imagination on cinema, classical music and punk rock, Marinetti also studied academic drawing and sculpture at the “Ateliers de la Grande Chaumière.” After years of oil painting, in 2004 Marinetti renewed his relationship with sculpture, creating his masterpiece, “Doggy John” which has fired imaginations worldwide.. Each “Doggy John” is a unique piece of work featuring an explosion of color and with powerful compositions. Now at 43, Marinetti has a rich and diverse body of work to his name which is sought after by the most discerning collectors.

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