Inside Rolf’s Restaurant

“I was here way before those lines started,” says Robert Maisano, manager of Rolf’s German restaurant in Gramercy. He gestures toward the eager guests who are queued up on Third Avenue, waiting for a glimpse at the extravagant Christmas decorations the restaurant is known for. It’s thanks to Maisano that Rolf’s is the master at decking the halls. “I started working here in 1981, and the decor wasn’t nearly as extensive as this,” he says. “I thought we needed to be more standout-ish, make a statement.” Some 150,000 lights, yards of hanging garland and a smattering of antique dolls later, Rolf’s has made its holiday spirit loud and clear. Take an up-close look at what’s—and who’s—inside.