When you think of a casual dinner at one of New York’s hottest—and priciest—spots, you probably don’t picture a full Secret Service entourage.
Yet that’s exactly how former Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, rolled into The Polo Bar in Midtown Manhattan on Sunday night.
Secret Service and NYPD Turn Midtown into a Fortress
As Kamala and Doug slipped into The Polo Bar just before 9:30 pm, they were flanked by nearly 25 Secret Service agents and a contingent of NYPD officers.
Outside, a motorcade of four bulletproof cars and three SUVs waited to whisk them away.
For city mayoral hopeful Curtis Sliwa, the NYPD’s involvement felt like overkill—he told DailyMail.com that police resources “should be protecting the people” rather than escorting a former vice president to dinner.
Mingle Over $36 Crab Cakes and $20 Salads
Despite the formidable security ring, the couple seemed happy to mix and mingle.
Diners—many of whom book this restaurant a month in advance—snapped photos with Kamala and Doug as they enjoyed two hours of dinner and conversation.
On the menu: $36 crab cakes, $20 salads, and wine that can cost more than a month’s rent.
Clearly, The Polo Bar isn’t your average neighborhood haunt.
From Polo Bar to Met Gala Prep
Word on the street is that Kamala plans to head straight from dinner to the Met Gala tonight.
But before she put on her gala gown, she used her time at the Emerge 20th Anniversary Gala in San Francisco to fire off a critique of Donald Trump’s tariffs—calling them “the greatest man-made economic crisis in modern presidential history.”
Why the Lavish Protection?
As a former vice president, Kamala Harris—and by extension her family—receives extensive federal security.
Still, critics like Sliwa argue that local forces shouldn’t have to pick up the tab.
“She’s going to a bar to enjoy herself, and she’s got an army of security paid for by us,” he lamented.
A Celebrity Hotspot with Rules You Can’t Sidestep
The Polo Bar is part of Ralph Lauren’s hospitality empire and has become a magnet for A‑listers—from Peyton Manning to Jerry Seinfeld.
Reservations open by phone exactly one month ahead at 10 am, and good luck getting through.
If you do, you’ll field detailed questions and still might be turned away.
The Final Word: Dinner, Security, and the Cost of Fame
Whether you see their night out as an essential safety measure or an extravagant display, there’s no denying Kamala and Doug enjoyed top‑tier treatment—from the bulletproof cars to the exclusive dinner menu.
And as they toast the evening’s end, New Yorkers will be left wondering: was it worth the price in both dollars and police presence?
