111 Deli Stop Corp
110-21 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY, 11368
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Address :
110-21 Northern Blvd
Flushing, NY, 11368 - Phone (347) 553-0108
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stephan s.
serious. just go.
(5)Yves N.
Great Burger...
(4)Anna K.
This is a traditional, expensive, high-end food place but it stands out from the others because of the food. As with many other similar places, it is filled with vendors taking out their clients as well as an older crowd that probably goes there at least a few times a week. The food here is solid and you are unlikely to ever be disappointed. It isn't over the top (like in some other places) in terms of presentation but it does blow them away in taste. Not to say the presentation lacks luster, but you might see something more creative in a place like Le Cirque . Out of all the super expensive places I have been to in this city, this is probably one of my favorite.
(5)Marck N.
This restaurant was the highlight of my trip. The food and service here was excellent. We ate in the dining room and everything was excellent. Truly an amazing place to visit and I would recommend it to all my friends. I can see why this place is a foodie staple.
(5)Joanna W.
They Are the real Deal... I had the Mushroom lasagna and it was out of control.. So tasty.. The martinis are delicious, the ambiance is very high class. Its a NY Must! It is not easy to get a seat at the bar.. VERY popular Dinner spot.
(5)Cyanne D.
My boyfriend has wanted to go to Gramercy Tavern for a while, so I decided to surprise him with reservations last weekend. We had a 10:30 reservation, but got there early intending to grab a drink at the bar while we waited. As soon as we got there, they asked to sit for a minute so they could check and see if they could get us seated earlier. Within 10 minutes we were seated at a great table near the back of the restaurant. The service staff was fantastic, and paid astute attention to my dietary restrictions. The food was perfect, and overall we just had a wonderful evening.
(5)Jeff B.
I took my girlfriend here for our second anniversary. We ate in the back section; the dinner was absolutely perfect. Very highly recommended.
(5)Edward K.
Wow. Really, that word understates this place. Remarkable atmosphere. Amazing food. Outstanding service. I can't understate it enough.
(5)C. D.
Perfection. Delicious food, beautiful fresh flowers throughout, impeccable service..my new favorite restaurant. Everything we ordered was incredibly tasty, from the calamari and carrot salad appetizer, the chilled corn soup, the prok belly sandwich on foccacia with basil aioli, or the red snapper, I was very, very happy. Then, the fresh strawberry pie with amaretti ice cream, just yes! I can't wait to go back. Go!
(5)Chris O.
Simply the best dining experience in the US! Food is delicious, presentation is great without being ostentatious, and the menu is regularly changing. The service is the best. Attentive, discreet, and friendly.
(5)Kavi P.
I believe that this place goes beyond their menu. My boyfriend and I came here to celebrate our anniversary....and i have to say that it was a perfect choice. The food was on point, the setting was romantic\intimate, the staff was super friendly and helpful, and the overall experience was awesome. We were given some little things to nibble on between meals and the table bread with chives was super yummy. We were even given some complimentary champagne to celebrate and a complimentary mini cake saying 'happy anniversary' during dessert. I give my bf major points for picking this place and I give the restaurant a solid 5 stars.
(5)Vanessa R.
Had dinner here last summer and I think I'm seriously overdue for a visit! The food is decadent, staff is courteous and knowledgeable and the overall atmosphere is amazing. Definitely a place for a special occasion or a "fancy smancy"date. Gramercy T, you get my vote!
(5)Fraser H.
Add me to the chorus of fans. I had a six course tasting menu with wine pairings last week that was one of the best meals of my life.
(5)Kat J.
I live in CA and hit the Gramercy Tavern almost every time I come to NYC (usually for lunch) and it never EVER disappoints. Wow--this place rock for service, and it totally rocks the house for food. I love that all of the fist on the menu are on the "sustainable" list....yesterday I had the warm squash salad with lentils, followed by a sublime red snapper. Great bread and desserts too. I'll be back...again, and again....
(5)J. S.
Worth every dime. Great staff, great food, great restaurant.
(5)Nazia A.
3.5 really. Exactly what I was expecting. The tasting course was playful and delicious (except the dessert-it tasted gritty and not at the level of other dishes). The environment is country cozy...sorta dated. Service was not memorable. Recommended for nice night out with the parents....especially if they are paying :P
(4)Gabriela C.
3 and a half stars. service and bartenders - 5 stars all around. we wanted to absolutely love this place because of it's reputation but the food was just OK. every dish we ordered somehow had corn in it, even though there was really no need for corn (calamari and corn?). the person i was with ordered the sea bass thinking it was a full sea bass served on top of a pool of "miso soup". our mistake for seeing soup and not thinking the obvious, but since it's august i didn't think a soup would be on the menu. it was a legit bowl of soup with chunks of sea bass in it.. and corn! i got the cavatelli pasta that had a great sauce to it but wasnt amazing. i would come back for drinks
(3)Kristin F.
Old school charm. This classy spot is a must for anyone visiting or living in New York City. While I can't recommend dinner quite yet, lunch was divine. I had the vegan lasagne dish and also tried the sausage. I felt a little silly arriving in my "Tres Jolie" sweater, leggings and flats- but alas, this was my NYC "roaming" outfit for the day. Of course there is coat check and of course everyone in the restaurant seemed to be dressed to the nines- next time I'll come with a reservation, a handsome date and one of my favorite dresses.
(5)Joe R.
Great overall experience, great waiter and food overall. Definitely a pricey meal, especially with drinks, but is an overall wonderful experience.
(4)Dan W.
Very good, but have to say I was underwhelmed after all the many years of hype. We sat in the bar area (dining room experience seems to be different). Food was fine. Oysters on half shell, check. Fluke dish with trout roe, interesting and tasty. Duck flat bread, fine. Swedish beer, excellent! $13 price tag for 12 ounces, ouch! All in all very good, but not outstanding in a city or remarkable food. (Last night I ate at Lupa--a cut above and for lunch I at at Sakagura. Wow.) If the final tab had been about 60% of what it was, I'd give this place 4 starts.
(3)Candy V.
Gramercy Tavern is a great spot, but I am surprised this is number 1 here on Yelp. Food was delicious but not mind blowing. And I am actually going to go against the grain here, and say my honest opinion that I actually thought the food was over seasoned. I had the tasting menu, and a few of the dishes were a little too salty. As others have mentioned service is wonderful. I would come back and recommend it to friends, but I am hopeful that there are better places in NYC!
(4)Adrian Robert H.
91% Great 5-course tasting lunch. ***Short Review Came here in Oct'11. I had the $58, 5-course fall lunch tasting menu. Food here is consistently excellent. The cooking is very creative & it has a distinct character of it's own. A few of the dishes were more challenging than others. The 'Cardoons' were probably my favorite dish, followed by the wonderful 'marinated sea scallop. Value is very hard to top at $58. This is my second favorite lunch tasting after Bouley's equivalent. Ambiance was good. The interior was pleasant although a bit generic. Nonetheless it was comfortable and laid back. Service is good. My waitress was attentive, friendly, an efficient. Pacing of dishes consistent and just about right. My lunch lasted a tad under 2 hours. Highly recommended. Detailed Review will go further into dishes sampled ***Detailed Review No amuse bouche served. 'Marinated Sea Scallop'. Grapes and Verjus (Dish Rating, 92%). yelp.com/user_local_phot… Great starter dish. Delicious and refreshing. This is a single raw scallop sliced into several pieces. It's served at a chilled temperature. What's most apparent at first is the scallop's texture, which is very tender & delicate. To me it resembles a more modern take on sashimi, but this is far better than any scallop sashimi I've had so far. The scallop here is much more delicate and has no harsh fishiness to it. If served by itself, it would have been very effective. Thankfully, the accompanied sauce and condiments worked great as well. Sauce used was a light chilled broth, with a prominent citrus & bitter flavors which was slightly harsh and acidic by itself. Along with the sauce, there were more sweet condiments from small grapes and slithers of fresh basil. These elements all gave the scallop a wonderfully balanced flavor profile of sweet, citrus, & bitter. Great way to progress to other dishes 'Cardoons' Toasted Hazelnuts, anchovies, olives, and feta. (Dish Rating, 93%) yelp.com/user_local_phot… Cardoons are a vegetable that resemble celery the most, but with a slightly tougher texture. Some consider it similar to artichoke, but I fail to understand that resemblance. Also in this dish were fresh thyme and a few slithers of orange peel, which I felt were integral to the dish. Hazelnuts & olives were chopped finely. The anchovies were either chopped finely and/or reduced to a part of the sauce. This was a much more interesting than delicious dish. I enjoyed it all the same, and spent probably 10-15 mins alone savoring it. The flavors at work here were really a whole lot of fun! When biting into this dish, the first thing you notice is the crunchy texture, and subtle flavor of the celery-like cardoons. It's mild and refreshing. It also pervades the entire duration when you sample the flavors of the dish. Next thing that hits you, and it does so pretty hard, is the bitter and sourness of the black olives and feta. The flavor is off-putting at first. It tend to over-power the flavor of the ingredients that come after it, but gradually this sensation subsides after another two bites or so (I recommend taking very small bites). The sour & bitterness gradually transition to the more subtle orange peel, to the saltiness of the sardines, and ends delicious nuttiness of the hazelnuts. It was an adventure, and one that made me deeply regret omitting a wine paring that could have potentially taken it to further heights! Obviously this isn't going to work for everyone. I felt it was challenging, one that encourages you think as well as enjoy with the palate. It really paid off well in the end. 'Striped Bass' Toasted green wheat, squash sauce, and trout roe. (Dish Rating, 87%) yelp.com/user_local_phot… Fish was cooked very good, although probably not my favorite type of fish. It's very flaky and sweet, but not quite as fatty as I usually like. Texture of the fish was very tender. With no sauce or condiments, it worked good, but nowhere near as good when paired with them. Flavors here, I felt, were much more straightforward. The flavors of the fish are pretty easy to brake down, and consist primarily of more sweet flavors. Biting into the dish, the tender, flaky texture of the fish is most apparent. Followed after this, is the robust sweet flavor and chewy texture from the oat grains. Next, there's a slightly more subtle, but still very strong, more fruity sweet flavor from the squash glaze. It finished well with the pleasant trout roe's juice & brine. This makes for a dish perhaps more delicious and accessible, than interesting. It's a dish I would have usually enjoyed a lot, but felt somewhat let down after the far more interesting first two. To be continued, please refer to 'earlier review'.
(5)Terry C.
One of the finest restaurants in NYC. The menu is filled with dishes that will satisfy anyone. The appetizers are spectacular, especially the fois gras. The tasting menu is terrific and not unreasonably priced. You can find a good wine that doesn't cost hundreds of dollars. On top of everything the service is wonderful not overbearing but help is there at a moment's notice. Terry C
(5)Sarah R.
One of America's great restaurants. You will have a wonderful, transporting meal here. At the same time it's all about making you feel comfortable--utterly no pretension. Scrimp and save to eat in the real dining room. The tavern area is nice enough and a bargain but it's worth it to spring for the whole experience. Since the meal is dictated by the market, you won't find the same thing offered week to week. I had an amazing fresh pea soup with fried oyster and a radish salad that were perfection.
(5)Patrick B.
The Gramercy Tavern is top-class hospitality. I could feel the difference. Relaxed and honest, our waitress did excellent work in "pacing our meal" making sure we could "figure out" the menu. Each flavor in the Brussels Sprouts, Kale, and the Cobia was pure and pronounced. Perfection! Our foursome had a tardy fifth-comer. So, the dining manager tactfully moved us to a corner table to accommodate. The two things I remember most are the blending of flavors in each dish, and the intuitive service.
(5)Gene W.
This is our favorite restaurant in NY. We are from SF and compare this to Boulevard and Gary Danko. Pricey but great food and great service.
(5)M. C.
Hands down the best meal I have ever eaten in Manhattan. Not only is the food magnificent the service was the best service I've ever had ANYWHERE! It is a pricey restaurant but worth it.
(5)Manda Bear B.
*********************** 755 ************************* Gramercy Tavern is one of Danny Meyer's hot spot. He is the CEO of Union Square Group which owned Union Square Cafe (a Michelin Starred), formerly co-owned Eleven Madison Park (3 Michelin Starred, Shake Shark, and many more. He's with chef Michael Anthony is the chef-partner at New York City's Gramercy Tavern. He received the James Beard Award for Best Chef NYC in May and have worked at many finest restos in the France and Japan. I heard so much about this chef from my friends who also chefs, have recommended me to come here. I finally did with all my friends. They live in NYC, so this is 1 of their regular spots. The place is simply beautiful, during the fall season, baby pumpkins, other squash, fresh and gigantic flowers were through out the restaurant. Later to find out, The flowers design was inspired by visions of 17th century taverns nestled in the countryside, these all-natural beauties are the work of Roberta Bendavid, Gramercy Tavern's in-house floral designer who has been with us since opening day. She's been decorated the resto for the last 15 years, she and her staff came in every morning to do the flowers, WOW! Gramercy Tavern is a big resto, with 3 separate dining rooms, a bar in the first room, and an open kitchen on the way to the last dining room. We came at the last sitting, a big group of us, and the hostess was still honored our RSVP. Our server was professional, attentive, and food came out smoothly. Everything tasted fantastic, I'm glad I finally got to come here, this is probably going to be 1 of my FAV 1 Michelin Starred restos in NYC. I waited 8 months before Yelping this because I'm that behind of my reviews, but I also wanted to come back again before I review it. Later to find out this executive chef went through an open heart surgery while signing his book at Eleven Madison Park, it got me at hello. He's an active part of the local community, giving tours to students from nearby elementary schools, trying to start a greenhouse project a local high school, and arranging visits to local farms for his staff, teaching them first-hand how and where the food they serve each day is grown. He's very health conscious, and his food always comes with vegetable first. He reminded me what chef Grant Achatz of Alinea in Chicago went through. I have so much admired for his food, and now for his passion in food, and his giving back to community. Chef Michael Anthony is such an inspirational to us all, who gives back and give more. I volunteer weekly at Red Cross and other nonprofit organizations, people always say they are too busy and don't have time. I make time for what I truly believe in. With that said, Gramercy Tavern is a must TRY resto when you are in Manhattan. Remember they are always book and busy, but the food and the wine list are WORTH to try out. 1 of the cheaper Michelin Starred in NYC, believe me on this! Overall: 5 stars For value: 5 stars For Food: 5 stars For Service: 5 stars For ambiance: 5 stars Location: Flatiron
(5)Julie G.
one of the few places that is absolutely worth it.
(5)Sarah C.
Good food, impeccable service, loved all the tiny things between courses. Pretty decor and good drinks too. Still, I am glad we had a gift certificate and (mostly) didn't spend our own money here because it is very, very expensive and there are a lot of similarly good dinners you can get a few blocks to the south and east.
(4)Nick T.
Incredible once again. Can't say enough good things about this restaurant. Great service, great drinks, outstanding food.
(5)TennisBum P.
Nothing I can add to all that is already written about this restaurant. It's a New York City must-do. Quintessential food, ambiance, and service. It isn't hype if it's true.
(5)John C.
Trust ---- the prix fixe menu with wine parings is super . Very busy but worth the wait -- try dinner at the bar , never a disappointment. Don't skip desert !
(5)Tony L.
I had the tasting menu EVERTHING was delicious !!!!!! It was worth it nice place great service A+++ Spicy Pear cocktail was yummy!!
(5)Shannon W.
Hands down my favorite restaurant in NYC. We did the food & wine pairing, The food was outstanding as was the wine. The service was spectacular too. The place itself is a bit pretentious and the hostess was slightly rude but the food is so outstanding, I quickly forgot about her mannerisms. I want to go back so bad, but it's so pricey!
(5)Lucy W.
this was a dining experience. i've been told by many good friends/foodies that gramercy is their favorite place to dine in the city. we came here for a 4 hr long 7 course tasting menu. wow was that fun!!! our waiter was amazingly attentive and explained each course to us in detail. the bread guy came around often enough and our water glasses were never empty. on top of it all, i was the only 1 of our party of 4 who didn't order a drink ( i was coming down with a cold) but was given a mocktail that was entirely delicious made of sparkling cider and orange peel i think so that i can toast with my friends. um hello?!??!? each course was obviously decadent. everything cooked medium to medium rare. we were given a complimentary palette cleanser between the appetizer and main course and topped off with a plate of mini macaroons and a a few other sweets i forgot the name of. i wouldn't take my kids here but i saw a surprising amount of children dining at tables. it was a very expensive meal but a truly enjoyable one. would recommend for birthdays, anniversaries, and all major celebration of life milestones/accomplishments.
(4)Phillip A.
I was late for my reservation by 45 minutes (I walked down from Times Square) but, they were still able to accommodate me. Food, service, and presentation were impeccable. This is a place that I want to return with my girlfriend.
(5)Tom I.
This is very traditional American style dining experience, and you may want to take someone who's republican there (haha). Menu is very standard, service is awesome (our waitress was a little too dramatic...actress-in-training). We hosted b-day party and out of towner's welcome party a few times, each times they delivered what we expected.
(4)Melinda C.
Went here for a birthday a few years ago expecting a lot after a wonderful lunch experience here a few years ago, but I have to say it didn't really meet expectations. Sure, the inside is GORGEOUS and you can't ask for a better setting, but I have to say I was disappointed by the oversalted, not quite up to par cuisine.
(3)Amber S.
I loved this restaurant. We were originally going to go to a different restaurant but my friend received a message saying a reservation had opened up and we decided to go here instead. The waiter asked what we would like to drink and after me only asking for water(because we were walking around all day and I needed to rehydrate), he brought my water out along with a complimentary sparkling rose water drink which immediately won my heart. After looking at the menu, we chose to do the seasonal tasting menu and we were also told that if there were any dietary concerns, that they would make something else for us, for example, if you cannot eat seafood, instead of the warm lobster salad, they would make something else. If you want this, everyone at the table needs to be on board for it. We had a tasting menu at the Pump Room before so we were familiar with the procedure. Everyone at the table loved the squid ink pasta and the duck. Unfortunately, at the end we were full so we couldn't fully enjoy the dessert but it was good as well. There is no dress code however almost everyone was well dressed. There were a few people who had jeans and a button down shirt but it wasn't a big deal. The meal took about 2 hours and we were the 2nd to last table but we never felt rushed. I would dine here again and probably try the tasting menu again as well.
(5)Marc N.
Reviews by Dan T and Rick B (and others like them) are spot on. The decor is lovely and warm, and the service is very attentive and technically strong (although lacking in true hospitality). The food, however, is lackluster at best. We had the Seasonal Tasting Menu, and there wasn't a single item that blew us away. Each item was just good, not great, and that's just not good enough for a restaurant with this type of reputation. Additionally, while one would expect small portions in a tasting menu, the portions were so ridiculously small that it really borders on the absurd. It appears that the Gramercy Tavern is taking advantage of its reputation, and perhaps there are enough folks out there non-discerning enough to challenge it, that they are now simply taking advantage of their customers. Such a shame.
(2)Ana K.
I went to GT for my graduation, its such a traditional restaurant in NY and as a big foodie I always wanted to go. I have to say that I was very disappointed...Its very expensive and the food was just OK. I had the duck and found it pretty bland with nothing exited in the flavor. My parents got the lamb and both of them got food poisoning. On the other hand the service was great, as expected for the price you pay. The desserts were AMAZING.
(2)Bob B.
Wonderful experience from the moment one enters until one leaves. Beautifully and tastefully decorated (no - you can't eat flower arrangements but nonetheless it sets an ambiance). I've only dined in the outside area along the bar and only a few times for lunch but the food is delightful. Duck liver mousse is out of this world. Just thinking about it is a pleasure. Service top notch. All in all, there is a reason this place is so popular - it is well deserved.
(4)Shannon H.
First off, I never take the time to write reviews for great restaurants but this is an exception. I was only in NYC for one day for an interview and decided to tried the famed Gramercy Tavern. The dining room was booked for lunch, but there was a last minute cancelation so I got lucky. I decided to go with the 5 course tasting menu because I thought it would be more of an "experience." I can't boast enough about the quality of service and food at this establishment. They brought out extra courses and wine with my meal and were always very attentive to my needs. Gramercy Tavern not only provides one with a superb meal but an ultimate dining experience. If you are in New York visiting and can't decide between the thousands and thousands of restaurants at your disposal, this restaurant will always be a great choice.
(5)Frank C.
I think the food was great, but definitely very expensive. You will be paying a lot per person.
(4)Kate W.
This meal was absolutely wonderful. Ambience was beautiful-not too crowded or stuffy. Staff was attentive and helpful. Each course got better and better. The price may seem like a lot at first but with all the "extras" they give you, it is well worth it. As soon as we mentioned we met the pastry chef previously, the kitchen brought out 2 complimentary (delicious) desserts to what we had already ordered! Excellent meal and experience overall.
(5)Todd B.
Absolutely stunning restaurant aesthetics, and the perfect place for the vegetarians in your group, Gramercy Tavern earns its acclaim. The complimentary bread basket and salted fresh butter was an addictive start to the menu, but it was the cocktail and wine list here that really soared. I loved the food, though in fairly small portions, but I think I will return again for a cocktail. A wonderful date place for sure.
(5)Rich J.
My previous review for Gramercy was for the Dining Room. This review is for the Tavern area. I actually enjoyed the tavern area more than the Dining Room. We sat at the bar, which I love doing for lunch. Though I gave them both 4 stars, the tavern is more like a 4 and a half as far as setting and food..the service brought it down to a four. The bartender was efficient, but jeez, show some emotion...a smile...a fart...anything. Not the cheery Danny Meyer service I'm used to. I really enjoyed the food, the menu is a little more to my liking than the Dining room menu. We split 4 apps...sweetbreads, vegetable plate, fish croquettes, and flatbread with goat meatballs, crispy onions, and ramps. That flatbread was my fav...really great stuff that just sings spring. Desserts were 50/50..the lemon pudding cake sucked but the peanut butter' chocolate mouse was great. They have a great beer list, for you beer lovers.
(4)Ruben Q.
My favorite restaurants, have been going occasionally for years. Just went last week after a few years was reminded of how good the food is! Try the duck sandwich and butternut squash soup if you are in for lunch.
(5)Heather E.
Beet salad Lobster salad
(4)Lynette S.
My experience here was amazing but since the reviews here are plentiful, let me just tell u the best thing was the kiwi sorbet ...amazing. most places dont like to make kiwi sorbet b/c of the seeds.... ...it was addictive (warning though, there's a nut crumble mixed in so beware not only for allergies but the crumble is like a nut shortbread and it actually can overpower the kiwi, I ate around that darn crumble though).
(5)Lindsey I.
Lovely...we went for a post Valentine's Day dinner to avoid the crowds over the weekend. It was a Monday evening, granted a holiday, and the place was relatively quiet. The service was outstanding, the food to die for. I still say you'll get a better deal at Craft, but this was right up there. The bass has an Indian flare to it...wonderful! Also, the lamb as a first course was outstanding as well. It was a nice, leisurely pace. I had the surf/turf special, which was great as well. It is a beautiful, well appointed restaurant that exudes class from the moment you walk in. It was a breath of fresh air.
(5)Laura M.
What a fantastic experience we had here. The place has been on my bucket list for a while because I'm a Danny Meyer fan, and we couldn't have been more pleased. The food was delicious, every course a standout. And the staff was so helpful and attentive; we wanted for absolutely nothing all evening. The somm Juliette was so friendly and made fabulous recommendations without a bit of pretentiousness. Our server was outstanding and pleasant; he surprised us with their best desserts at the end which really made the night even better. I can't say enough great things about this place; it lived up to every expectation and more!!
(5)Kimberly F.
Have been here several times and have to say, it never disappoints. The atmosphere is comfy & cozy. The service is perfect. The food, no matter what I order, is always phenomenal. One of my 10 top restaurants in New York!
(5)Caroline G.
We had dinner in The Tavern Room-which is a great way to enjoy the taste of chef Michael Anthony, winner of this year's James Beard Award for best chef, without breaking the bank. My only complaint was that I clearly felt the difference between The Tavern Room and Gramercy Tavern...but then again the price difference is $48 versus $116. I loved that 3 out of the 4 courses were protein based! I highly recommend the Grilled Scallop with Sungold Tomatoes, Lima Beans and Grapes--although the hanger steak with okra is a close second. @eatdrinkla
(4)John S.
Food: Very solid but not mind blowing prix fixe menu. The lamb entree was juicy but terribly small, the watermelon/lobster chilled tomato soup was muy interesante and the dessert of pineapple upside down cake was quite serviceable. I tried to go for the weirdest menu items (as espoused by noted food writer and economist Tyler Cowen) but in the end, there was very little "wow" factor though to reiterate, everything was really good. Wine: Goddamn, they have a legit list of vino. It's pretty rare that you see McKenzie & Mueller in a restaurant, least of all on the East Coast... it's not a prestige cult winery by any means, but the owners are really good people who have a strong desire to make the best product possible, so it was nice to see them getting props in NYC. Also had an amazing glass of a Super Tuscan Barolo and was surprised that they would even offer it by the glass. Service: Impeccable. Our server was on point and made sure that we got out under our time constraints. There was a whole team of bussers, food runners, servers and support guys that made the dinner flow from one course to the next. Cannot say nicer things about the service staff at the restaurant. Price/Value: I guess I can't complain too much because my buddy and I ended up drinking about $100 worth of wine, and I guess things in NYC are just more expensive... but damn man. I gotsta stop trying to ball out like these rich motherfuckers and know my place as their entertaining parasite. Overall: $330 for the two of us, which I picked up because my buddy is amazingly generous and pays for big shit like hotels, transportation and entertainment. If the food were a bit more transcendent, or a little cheaper, I would've been all about the five star rating, but as is, Grammercy Tavern is a solid 4 star rating in my book.
(4)Thomas M.
Lived up to our expectations. Excellent ambience and food. We went for the $120 and were very happy with it. Service was very good and friendly. For 2 $120 menus, 3 glasses of wine and some more alcoholic beverages at the end we paid $410 incl tip and tax. A decent deal for the experience we've had!
(5)Alexandra N.
Always a great time and meal when at Gramercy Tavern. Excellent food, service, wine list etc. My family always enjoys our time there and have gone for years
(5)Lucas B.
Went for lunch in the dining room, should have sat in the bar area! Menu is small and not exactly full of choices. Appetizer was a bit of a mess (READ: fail), but the entree was pretty good - but not worth the price tag. Would definitely go back to try dinner, but at first glance, not super impressed.
(3)Melissa C.
The food is delicious.
(4)Alex G.
Had the tasting menu and we've had dinner in the bar area; if you go, go to the bar area so you can order a la carte. I thought this place was very overrated. Everything looked nice and the presentation was great but food fell flat for us. Fish was too salty and only memorable dish was the Brussels Sprouts. All in all the value wasn't worth it at 350 for two.
(3)Cee N.
For me, this is the gold standard for any dining experience. The food is astonishingly good and fresh (thanks to the Union Square greenmarket), and the service is always impeccable - friendly, knowledgable, and attentive. I prefer eating in the Tavern rather than the dining room. The food and service are less formal in the Tavern and that just suits my taste more. Pardon the pun. The desserts, cheeses and coffee are also sublime. This is truly a restaurant that thinks about your dining experience from beginning to end. Thank you, Danny Meyer!
(5)David S.
On the cold fall day that I arrived at Gramercy Tavern, I enjoyed being in the ambience of a wooded interior decorated with autumn accoutrements, and a roaring fireplace to complement the atmosphere. The food was unique and good. Hot tea just warmed me up while waiting for lunch and during some good conversation. Thankfully this place is NOT noisy as well. The Tavern room is open to those without reservation, but get one if you want to sit in the main room.
(5)Gina M.
Best meal I've ever had! Many people have recommended this place to me and to be honest I didn't think it was going to be as good as all the hype. I was wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal. It's very pricey but worth every penny. We came here for my best friends birthday and she's a vegetarian and we were told this place is great for vegetarians and she wasn't disappointed. It was very crowded and still the service was phenomenal. I will definitely be returning.
(4)Jeff S.
One of the best Farm to Table restaurant in NYC with reasonable price (bar). Highly recommended!!
(5)Jean S.
I have been lucky enough to experience many tasting menus at fine dining restaurants. Gramercy Tavern is definitely my favorite. I went to Manhattan for a girls' weekend, and we were lucky to grab a dinner reservation. Even the foods I didn't think I would enjoy (hello, rare squab!) were outright amazing. The service was impeccable, and the ambience of the restaurant was warm and intimate.
(5)Rob S.
I ate at the bar and had a great meal. I waited for a few mintues for a spot to open at the bar and got great service from that point on. I had the special grilled octopus as an appetizer which was really good. For my entree I had the sea bass with nettles, shiitake mushrooms and almonds. This entree was fantastic!!! This was the best meal during my trip to NYC. I wanted to go back again the same trip and will go back again next time I'm in town. The wine list is really good with a lot of different offerings in many different price points.
(5)Maureen D.
Went to Gramercy for a special occasion. We made reservations several weeks in advanced, and were surprised only 6pm and 10pm reservations are possible, but learned the reason why while dining: it takes several hours to enjoy the tasting menu. I had the vegetarian tasting menu ($98). Each course was served beautifully, in seemingly custom dishes, with fresh, perfectly placed silverware. The roasted beet salad in buttermilk dressing was a real highlight; full of interesting flavor and texture combinations. Carmelized cauliflower was also delightful. I would say this menu could be improved by replacing the pole bean salad with a more concentrated protein; this is because this dish was not particularly flavorful, and I left the meal feeling much fuller than others who had the seasonal tasting menu- I think because I was inundated with vegetable fiber. The celery, mushroom and polenta was gourmet comfort food at its finest; mushrooms nicely sauteed and salted, polenta like molten butter. The deserts are not to be forgotten; starting with a decadent chocolate mousse, and then (without any decision to be made), dark chocolates, chocolate and peanut butter mousse pastries, grape macaroons and chocolate cinnamon truffles. The only strange part was our waiter's very strange lack of knowledge about wine. We asked for certain varietals (which were on the menu), and were taken in completely different (mainstream) directions, for reasons that are unclear to me. Overall an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
(5)Andrew H.
This place is amazing. My wife and I went the Sunday after Irene was supposed to wreck NYC (if there was a storm, we slept right through it...and apparently the cleanup too). Gramercy was one of the only nice restaurants open that night, so we headed over. They weren't taking reservations and only the bar area was open for dinner, so there was about an hour wait. We grabbed a cocktail and stood near the bar trying to get two seats together. First impression...the place has a great ambience and hot damn their drinks are good. One of the best Old Fashioned cocktails I've ever had. I had the meatball and my wife had the pork shoulder. Both were absolutely amazing. I finished mine and then cleaned my wife's plate. In the top 5 dining experiences of my life.
(5)Restaurantista S.
The food is sublime. The bar area is the best deal in the city. Where else can you have a flawlessly cooked entree for $19? The scallops were delicious as was the roasted tomato stew. The corn ice cream with blueberries with carmel corn is a real treat for the summer. This is wonderful place for a date or to bring friends. Thanks for another memorable evening.
(5)Deanna D.
A group of 4 of us stopped into Gramercy Tavern for lunch on Sun. afternoon and here is what we found: Impeccable service: Our server was polite, friendly, very knowledgeable, and great personality. There was never an empty glass on the table and she made some great suggestions. Lovely, artfully crafted cocktails that set the mood for a fantastic meal. The Orange Blossom & Rickshaw- very both refreshing and complemented the food perfectly. The bf had the Hop to It which he really enjoyed. For apps we had the Merguez Sausage, Housed Cured Pastrami with Pickled Cauliflower, and Chicken Liver Mousse. Every dish was delicious! The sausage was perfectly cooked, the pickled veggies were perfect, and I even enjoyed the mousse which I normally don't care for. For mains we had the Smoked Trout (amazing), Blackfish, Mushroom Lasagna (yummy), Burger (super moist & delicious), and Pulled Pork Sandwich (lovely!) We finished off with the Fresh Strawberry Pie, German Chocolate Cake, and Peach and Blueberry Tart-- All of which were amazing!! The food was fantastic; the service was wonderful, the prices were very reasonable given the quality of the food. The chef and manager also stopped by the table to say hello & see how everything was going which was very nice touch to the already stellar service. 2+ hours later we left very full and very happy. I would definitely come back & recommend GT to anyone looking for a fantastic dining experience!
(5)S S.
Great decor, service, and food. Had the spring vegetable salad with lobster and the chicken. Extremely good.
(4)John D.
I'd maybe give this place 4 stars if it wasn't ranked the best restaurant in NYC every year, but the more I think about it, probably not. I don't get it. Can someone please explain to me why year in and year out this is considered the BEST in a city of fantastic eateries? Everything we ordered was good but nothing was special. Small portions too. I guess I was expecting my mind to be blown from a top ranked restaurant in NYC and why shouldn't I? I'd never choose to go here if it wasn't on the company and I'd probably still never choose it even if it is. Mr. Zagat needs a reality check.
(3)Anthony G.
amazing venue, just short of too fancy
(5)Yelping Y.
Had the veggie tasting menu and it was the best meal I have ever eaten in my entire life. Only thing that could have been better is when one server in particular dropped off our courses he kept interrupting my conversation with my dinner guest. This was done very abruptly several times and would be helpful if they could just give us a second to put a period on the end of our sentences. None of the other food runners did this. Other than that, superior experience!
(5)Roberto P.
The food was wonderful, the staff was pleasant and our waiter was phenomenal. We had the smoked trout. It was light and smokey, not over powering. Excellent first course, but it wasn't until the second course that the Chet's culinary presence stood out. The sea bass and the lamb dinner was well made. Both dishes were well balanced. Finally, the dessert was not too sweet, which is excellent. I would recommend ordering their latte. Their coffee is quite different. Definitely not your run of the mill brew. The atmosphere was welcoming. The decor was classy and sharp. The service was properly orchestrated. There is only one thing I will complain about is the bar. Over crowded, hard to get service, but once you do...they are great from fill to last drop. But what can you expect on a busy Friday night!
(4)Sean W.
Went here at the recommendation of a friend while my g/f & I were on vacation in NYC. We left this for our last stop of the trip and went on a tuesday night after we saw the play Wicked. We didnt get there til 10pm (had reservations) and it was fully packed even at 10pm on a Tues. We were seated right away and had some tasty bread & a complimentary "bite from the chef" which was very good. We chose from the select your own style tasting menu vs the chefs tasting menu. I must say just about everything we had was extremely delicious. My g/f did get the carpachio starter & we both agreed it wasnt as good as the one we had at Craft a couple nights prior, but aside from that everything was very tasty. I also loved the atmosphere here vs our experience at Craft. This place has a good buzz/vibe, felt like good energy & so on. We even got 2 complimentary desserts after our 2 ordered desserts, so we were feeling great about our experience. Oh and the muffins they sent us home with were just the thing to snack on the next day on the plane. Would highly recommend and would go back again!
(4)Larisa S.
Perhaps it is 3.5 stars. It wasn't a bad experience but there was nothing great about it either. Having been to most high end restaurants in NYC, this one doesn't match up. Every dish from seasonal pre-fix menu was similar. Something in sweet vinegar broth. Every single dish. I probably like first course the most because that was the first time I had the broth. (Scallops). Warm lobster salad was pleasant as well. Halibut - was fishy and flavorless and I normally love Halibut. Tortellini - pretty decent. Duck was cooked well but the vinegary corn that came with it didn't work for me. Dessert was just ok. I don't think I would come back with so many better options in the city.
(3)Stephanie v.
For my money (and a lot of it at Gramercy Tavern), this restaurant is about as good as it gets. The French Country ambience is lovely; the staff is professional, unassuming and warm; and the food is off the charts. Unlike many French restaurants, Gramercy Tavern doesn't overdo any of its accoutrements and really allows the high quality and well-prepared food to stand on its own. You should definitely come to the restaurant for "an experience": expect to spend several hours if you are in the dining room and relax as you take in the roughly 10 rounds of dishes (including amuse bouche, etc.). My favourite experiences here have been with medium sized groups where everyone is a pretty adventurous eater.
(5)Sora M.
Love love loooooooove this spot. The service is always excellent and the foods are amazing.... I always bring my friends visiting New York to this place.
(5)Jessica C.
Wonderful anniversary meal. We dined with young, well-behaved children. For anyone considering the same, the staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating, and as we were dining at around 2pm it was not busy. Flawless food and service.
(5)Sean H.
As you might have noticed, I'm something of a burger fanatic. I'll go to the nicest restaurants in all the land, hear the mouthwatering specials and read the menu items, and STILL get the burger. That's just what's up. So this is precisely what I did at Gramercy Tavern. Duck toast appetizer, wonderful cheddar burger for my entree, cookie plate for dessert, and a couple cocktaiils to wash it all down. This is the way life is meant to be lived. The duck toast was a bit gamy for my tastes, but I mean, it's duck...I'm not sure what else I could have reasonably expected. The burger was fantastic, even without fries, which are another of my Achilles heels. The cocktails were also wonderful...I had the mezcaliente (mezcal, tequila, cucumber) and some bourbon-based drink that also hit the spot quite nicely. Throughout the meal, service was top-notch (though the waiter did refer to a macaron as a macaroon, which is one of my little pet peeves). I left Gramercy stuffed and with an only-partially-cocktail-induced grin on my face, which is all I can ask for in a Saturday lunch date.
(4)Corinne M.
We had a delicious meal at GT a few weeks ago. We took friends there to celebrate their wedding anniversary, and we were given free champagne to celebrate at the beginning of the meal, and we got a special dessert with a message was written (in chocolate) wishing the couple a happy aniversary. These were really nice touches. My only criticism of the experience is that the services wasn't particularly attentive. When you are spending over $1,000 on dinner, you dont want to have to wait for long periods of time to order or for the check to be brought to you AND you shouldnt have to ask for water refills.
(4)Samantha P.
Yessssss. Finally. I'm sure you already know but this place is delicious. The service is impeccable and the food perfectly prepared. I do have to say that I was surprised to enter and see that Gramercy Tavern is quite literally a tavern (once you enter into the heart of the restaurant). It's grand, with timber-framed ceilings, yet seating is sparse and intimate, with a sprinkling of romantic candlelight. It almost feels a bit stuffy inside, but what Danny Meyers does perfectly is pair this with a personable, friendly, helpful and approachable staff. I came here for the big 3-1 with my wonderful fiancee, here's what we had: Amuse bouche- duck prosciutto with pepper jam, sounds weird right? Nope! Apps #1- Ruby Red Shrimp with Tasso (ham) Corn and Peppers. This had the perfect balance of flavors, and the shrimp was poached so that it was uncannily soft in texture. Apps #2- Veal Bolognese served with a home-made "napkin" pasta with Carrots and Scallions and tomato. Holy moly! The pasta had that al dente bite only possible with a home made pasta. The veal sauce was out of this world and tasted like it had been marinating in a slow cooker for weeks- just outstanding! Entree #1- Flounder with Lima Beans, Radish and Cucumber Gazpacho. This was really interesting because the fish is prepared hot and then placed in a chilled soup. Somehow the fish was still served warm, I have no clue how. The hot and cold confused and delighted my mouth, and despite the temperature differences the cucumber flavor seeped nicely into the fish without overpowering it. Entree #2- Pork Loin & Belly with Shell Beans, Hakurei Turnips and Pickled Carrots. Man this was the most tender pork lion i have tasted. It was so pink and beautiful and juicy. My fiancee had a harder time with this one because she isn't a huge pork lover like i am, but I was impressed. Dessert- Apple Tarte Tatin with Bourbon Crème Anglaise and Butter Pecan Ice Cream. Don;t be mislead here, those pecans were hot and baked right before they were inserted in that ice cream- I swear! amazing! All-in-all a memorable experience. I see why this is continually rated one of the best restaurants in Manhattan.
(5)Haiku-Project H.
What a tasting treat! Traditional, not stuffy. Name matches its style.
(5)Michael C.
Perfection in dining is rarely acheived but every once and a while a place lives up to the hype and every dining detail exceeds your expectation, the Gramercy Taver was one fo those places. We dined in the tavern, where everything is a la carte. I was surprised by the reasonable pricing for such fine comfort food. Our server, Daniel, and the other runners that assisted were top notch. Every detail was taken care of, our glasses of water never got close to being empty. The server was happy to offer reccomendations on the expansive beer and wine list. If I even started to look around the restaurant someone was there to see what I needed. On to the food: Calamari & Carrot Salad - They were happy to split this appetizer without us even asking. My date described it perfectly, she said it was like a ceviche without any of the liquid. It was so good and the pine nuts added a very nice flavor to this dish Smoked Kielbasa - The host told us that this was one of their signature dishes as they make the kielbasa in house. You could really taste how fresh it was, some of the best ever. It came with a side of fingerling potatoes Meatball - One giant meatball covered in cheese over a potato puree, words cannot describe how good this meatball is. Cheese Plate - So, I'm not so good at describing cheeses but I can tell you that they have a great selection. I was impressed to see one of my all time favorite gourmet cheeses, Epoisses. As a side note the tavern is first come first serve and gets busy very very early. We sat pretty quickly when we got there at 5PM on a Wednesday but within 20 minutes there appeared to be a substantial wait.
(5)G R.
After all these years this place keeps dishing out great food. Great after work crowd at the bar or it you looking for a calm place swing by between lunch and dinner service, its a limited menu, but even the limited items are amazing. Most folks just eat in the tavern area but the formal dining room is where you experience the kitchen's magic. Great wine list, with some well priced gems. Yes you can order a $1000 bottle but for $50 you can be just as amazed. The menu changes seasonally so visit seasonally.
(4)Cynthia Y.
Perfect meal! I felt like I was in tastebud heaven when I had that very first bite. I ordered the three course menu which was $92+tip per person. Does it fill you? Probably not. But I would come back just for that kind of heavenly experience.
(4)Y A.
We made our reservation through OpenTable...a MONTH prior to our visit. This place is good but I don't see myself coming back because it's just too difficult to get a seat. Food was great. We did the $120 tasting menu. Most memorable dish was the duck, others were all great but not memorable. For dessert, I'd go with the cheese selection. They have some delicious selections.
(4)Stephanie M.
My family and I dined at this wonderful restaurant this past December. While in New York with our 16 year old daughter it is always a challenge to get her to dine with us (she prefers the simpler meals; cheeseburgers, any pasta, french fries, and of course ice cream). We made reservations for the 6 of us and hope for the best. The best is what we received. They allowed her to order a wonderful steak off the bar menu and even finished up with chocolate ice cream. Now with our daughter satisfied on to the rest of us. We started off with a wonderful champagne cocktail and then moved on to a nice bottle of Prosecco. I started with Brussels Sprouts with Apples, it was amazing. I then moved on to the Arctic Char, it melted in my mouth. If all this wasn't enough I ended the meal with the Toffee Fig Cake and a wonderful cup of coffee. Not only is Gramercy Tavern a delightful place to dine, the decor is homey and the staff is exceptional. A great place for two, a family, or a nice night out with friends.
(5)Bob C.
This may sound like the "country cousin comes to the big town" but on our visit in April, our dinner here was a major high point of the trip. The service was five-star-Michelin-Guide level matching e.g. Tour d'Argent. Personal yet remote - adhering to a standard of excellence that is independent of the patron's appreciation. As to the food, one family member has a gluten issue and they took a direct interest in that, ensured that choices were made that were wonderful but in keeping with the need to stay gluten free and some special preparation was needed and gladly given. I wish I could find a San Francisco restaurant that was even close. Likeable ambience, good location. Overall, this is my "WOW" restaurant in NY.
(5)Jessica W.
This is a very upscale restaurant and it is not cheap. With that said I cannot give this place less than five stars. I came here on a business dinner and had the steak. It was simply amazing and delicious. Also the service here is top notch. Our waiter was very attentive and very accomodating. I wanted my salad a specific way and he went out of his way to make sure it was created the way I had asked. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who can afford it.
(5)Jonathan Y.
The food is superb. Loved the smoked trout for appetizer and branzino for dinner. What really set the place apart was the lamb entree. Prepared with crispy hen of the woods mushrooms, this is by far the best lamb dish I have ever had. For dessert the peanut butter semifreddo was good, but I'm not picky for sweets. It is a formal atmosphere with great service. They give you breakfast muffins for the next day with the check.
(5)J D.
As good as food gets. This restaurant is very warm, inviting and comfortable. It also has a very distinct wood-smoked smell too it. One of my favorite places I have eaten in the city.
(5)KristÃna S.
Me and 2 of my co-workers came here for a work lunch. Although we felt VERY under-dressed compared to all the men wearing suit jackets and women in very office-like clothing, nobody cared once we sat down. I ordered fish and my co workers ordered pasta (sorry, can't remember the exact names of the dishes!) The food took out a long time to come - the people around us came after us and were already on the dessert. A woman that was possibly the manager came over to our tables and apologized for the wait. She said that the whole tab was on them, so we were shocked. Once the food arrived, it was delicious. Small portions, but that's what you expect from a place like this. We wanted to leave the waiter a tip but he said "it's okay, I didn't do that much." They even brought us dessert at the end to apologize for the wait. It was little tiny squares of different flavors, 3 for each person. Tasted so good! Although we weren't impressed with the long wait at first, by the end, the great staff and the tasty food won us over.
(5)Alex C.
So good. Awesome, smart cheese selection. Of course a great bar program too and the service is always on point. Love me some GT
(5)Jason H.
I had an absolutely fantastic time at Gramercy Tavern. The food was spectacular, the staff was extremely friendly and accommodating, and the atmosphere was upscale without being pompous. Listen to the staff recommendations! I let them choose my entire meal and it was incredible. This is a rare example of a truly flawless dinner. I'd absolutely recommend it if you're in the city.
(5)Vivian W.
Having heard amazing reviews about this place I had high expectations. Overall I enjoyed the experiance, service was excellent but found the food good but nothing to rave about The front is a casual tavern setting and the back is a more formal dining area. My boyfriend took me here for my birthday and we sat in the back and opted for the 2 course prix fixe ($88). The wine pairings they helped us select complimented the the dishes. The amuse bushe was unmemorable (I don't remember anymore..) For the first course we had beef carpaccio and shrimp. For the second we had Flounder and the Roasted & Braised Lamb. Personally I thought the lamb was a bit too gamey. For desert we opted for Peanut Butter Semifreddo and Apple tart. I had a hard time deciding between the peanut butter and the mint brownie desert but the server recommended the peanut butter. They ended up giving us peanut butter, apple tart, AND the mint brownie. But by that time were were already so stuffed. The portions were hearty and although I wished I could try more dishes..but I left feeling like I couldn't even eat another bite.
(4)R C.
Lunch in the front room here is one of the best values in New York. Almost every entree is around $20 and you know it will be spectacular. They have a daily soup/sandwich special that has yet to disappoint---every time the flavors just come together perfectly. Honestly, have never had anything there that was not perfectly executed. Service is beyond reproach. Even when they are slammed and making you wait a few minutes for a table, you get the feeling it's because they legitimately can't seat you, not because they are being pretentious. Beer list is expensive but at least they give you some really out-there bottles for $10-12. Better than $8 Bud Lights at other places in the hood.
(5)Han C.
My dad just sent me an email forward with a subject of "This is heartwarming," and it was about some guy who helped raise hyenas and lions in Africa and can bathe freely with them in a lake (with their paws on his bare, wet shoulders) without being mauled to death. I am not really sure whether that email thread was really forward-worthy (but thanks anyway, Dad), but that sort of ambivalence sums up my feelings about Gramercy Tavern as well. Went for a casual-chic birthday dinner here at the Tavern with a pal and ordered off the three course menu. We both were stubborn and ordered the fried oyster salad because we didn't think we would be willing to share any golden mollusks with the other (we are such openly selfish people). The oysters were okay but lacked the ocean-briny flavor that I love. There was also a weird banh mi-esque lightly pickled carrot salad at the bottom of the plate that was too sharp in taste and detracted from the oysters. I ordered the trout entree which had this ridiculously salty yet addictive mushroom panko-breadcrumby topping, a combination of earthiness and crunch in one. There were turnips and stuff too, but that mushroom mishmash was yum. The pal ordered the steak to put hair on his bare, sad Asian chest. It was tender and solid. The desserts were fine, but nothing entirely noteworthy. I had the chocolate cake, at the high recommendation of the waitress, and it was pretty - iced with rich chocolate dollops that resembled Hershey kisses, but just tasted fine. Chocolatey yes, but nothing particularly noteworthy or swoonworthy. The pal ordered the ricotta cheesecake which was served as a pale yellow cube on top of a brownie square wearing an almond toffee toupee. Cute. Okay tasting. I like the Tavern space quite a bit, and the service is good, but the food is just fine. I just don't know if I would forward this restaurant recommendation to any of my friends - there are more exceptional eats for the price, but you can't do that wrong with this $38 spread.
(3)Jonathan N.
Wow. The lunch I had at Gramercy Tavern yesterday was one of the best meals I've had in a very long time. Everything here is top class, from the friendly and attentive service to the delicious eats and the classy, understated decor. But it's really all about the food, right? I started with the calamari and carrot salad. The calamari was finely sliced, as were the carrots, and the combination of flavors was amazing. My date started with the sweetbreads, which she thankfully let me taste. Also divine. For my main course I opted for the meatball, which was sliced in half and slathered in melted cheese. It was perfectly spiced and served over the most excellent pureed potatoes I've ever had. Combining the potatoes and meatball with the red wine onions was a stroke of genius on the chef's part. The portion size was just right, as I cleaned my plate and was left feeling full. But not too full for dessert, of course! The strawberry pie was spectacular, and it was paired with sour cream ice cream. I'd never had sour cream ice cream before, but hot damn was it great. The strawberries were fresh, the graham cracker crust was perfectly crumbly, and my date's peach and blueberry tart was almost as good. Gramercy Tavern is not inexpensive, but you definitely get what you pay for here. If I could afford to go back everyday I would. Maybe when that promotion comes through...
(5)peachpie p.
This place is amazing. Their food portions are perfect, decor amazing, desserts delicate and service personalized. The servers, busers and hostess greeted us by our names from the moment we told them the time of our reservations. Everyone was extremely courteous and had perfect timing when it came to refilling drinks or inquiry about our meal. We ordered the preset courses for two- the meat was juicy, the soup to die for and the 18 yr scotch..wows I only had a sip because my head was already a bit dizzy from the cocktails. Not sure what it was called but it was minty with a citrus punch that was recommended by the server. I found my name written in prefect cursive around the edges of my dessert plate in chocolate which was specially requested by my date earlier on in the day. Then we both got a surprise when the server brought out another dessert plate to celebrate the night with us with both of our names on the plates: ) The desserts were beautiful and the color blocking that occurred on the plate with the red orange sauces were WOW. Everything about this restaurant is phenomenal. I highly recommend it :) They also provided us with a cute little goodie brown back for us to take home for tomorrows breakfast/midnight snack. this place *thumbs up*
(5)Drew Z.
Top quality across the board. Amazing service and mouth watering dishes, especially the appetizers. The feel is very classic and there isn't any theme or special feel, just really good food combined with really good service.
(5)Nhan P.
This review is only for the tavern. I came solo and enjoyed a lovely time at the bar. Not much of a drinker, so I did not try a cocktail, but all the drinks I saw prepared looked good. The first bartender was a bit inattentive (i later found out her shift was ending when I came). I ordered the crispy duck with spring veggies. Oh holy duck leg. I'm not even sure how it was prepared, but it was crispy as described and well seasoned. The veggies were so fresh and the dill was a nice surprise. I definitely want to come back for dinner in the restaurant. I was here on a Saturday night, mostly couples. Classy crowd.
(4)Jo K.
I've been here twice. Once for lunch with my mom and once for a anniversary dinner with the BF. Both times were great but for some reason I have to withhold a star. I don't know why.. I don't remember much about lunch with mom (this was 2 years back) except of course she kept commenting on the amount of silverware being changed per course ("so unnecessary! poor dishwashers! i barely used that knife! ect"). so I'll just comment on my recent anniversary dinner. GREAT service. GREAT bar nuts. They sent complimentary champagne cause they knew it was our anniversary. We both got the fall tasking menu and BF got wine pairing. Food was good, wine was good, service was impeccable.They sent the pear dessert on the house as well with a cute "happy anniversary" scribble on the plate and sent us home with pumpkin bread muffins for the morning. I really can't complain about anything. It was an awesome meal with awesome service.
(4)jon y.
One of the best meals I've had, and we didn't even eat in the formal dining room! All of the food in the tavern is apparently cooked by the two chefs at the cool little open wood fire grill area. That's your impressive piece of info for the day. The food was so good that I vowed that the next time I am in NYC I will come back and take the dining room by storm. Food-wise, we went with the tavern tasting menu with the beer pairing, plus some appetizers to try as well. The octopus was my favorite appetizer - the texture on it was amazing. I also loved the mussels, mostly because I really really enjoyed the cilantro broth. For me, though, the hands-down best thing was the flatiron steak, which was cooked to perfection, and the mushrooms that came with it had a really fun shape/texture. OK DESSERT TIME. The chocolate pudding was, for the lack of a better word in my limited vocabulary, DIVINE. The sweet croutons were THE BEST. It's kind of gross how much I savored the few croutons, making sure I pace myself so I'll have a crouton for the last bite #OCDEater. The lime tart tasted like a mojito, which was just so weird, in a good way. The cheesecake with the brownie on the bottom may sound like overkill (or not, if you are a dessert fanatic like me), but it was perfect. The creaminess + the tart currant sorbet was KILLER (for the waist-size, and also taste). Cocktail-wise, I loved the ransom note. I mean, gin (yes please), mead (YES PLEASE), honey (UNF), and lemon (ok)? How can it go wrong? (It can't, and is, in fact, amazing.) Our server, Bryce, could not have been nicer. He really took the time to explain each beer pairing, and was very patient when we had questions. Definitely made the dining experience memorable. And just to add a cherry to our amazing sunda(y/e), the day after we ate here, Michael Anthony won the James Beard award. Coincidence? I THINK YES (but it doesn't make it any less exciting).
(5)Jamie C.
Carefully orchestrated wait service, impeccable food, welcoming ambiance, can not wait to go back! We were fortunate to get a reservation for a Saturday night on such notice, many thanks go out to party who cancelled at 8:30 this weekend!! If not for you folks, I might not have experienced the best meal of my life! I had the creamiest polenta shrimp appetizer, delicious rabbit dumplings, succulent duck breast entree, pork loin/pork belly, and THE BEST LEMON PUDDING CAKE DESSERT EVER!!! Good thing I don't live in NYC, I'd be broke and overweight in no time.
(5)Pat F.
One of my favorite restaurants in NYC. I've never had a bad DISH here. Try the burger at lunch, one, if not THE best in the city. You certainly won't be disappointed no matter what time you go.
(5)Cecilia Z.
Love, love, love Gramercy Tavern! I've wanted to eat here for as long as I can remember... but my first experience in the tavern was well worth the wait. I absolutely have to thank the bf for bringing me as a surprise. The tavern menu (served both during lunch and dinner) is priced surprisingly well, with most apps in the $10-18 range and entrees around $18-26 if I remember correctly. Vast wine and cocktail list, and an amazing seasonal dessert menu by pastry chef Nancy Olsen. The fish croquette and spinach salad with an oyster sauce I tried was savory and perfectly balanced. The fresh fish croquettes were beautifully fried and very very light and subtle in flavor - complimented by the robust oyster sauce. I especially loved the pickled daikon and carrot slaw with a little bit of spice that sat underneath, which added lovely tang and acid. The smoked pork shoulder with a large cornbread crouton, salsify and bacon broth was hearty and delicious as well. I just loved how inherently homey all of the dishes on the tavern menu are, only with more modern flavor combinations and techniques. What really put my meal over the top, warranting 5 stars on here though, was the amazing service. Not only was our waiter perfectly friendly and attentive, but he even went as far as providing two plates for our ricotta cheesecake dessert when we mentioned that we would split it - so that the bf and I each got our own scoop of black currant sorbet and chocolate cookie crumbs. So with that, one order of dessert basically turned into two sizably-portioned desserts! The cheesecake itself was absolutely delightful as well, light and impossibly creamy. I cannot wait to come back for dinner in the dining room. Will surely update after that!
(5)Romita A.
Would have probably given 3 stars if it wasn't so expensive to boot. I am obviously the outlier given all the stellar reviews, but just wasn't floored. My husband and I are probably "foodies" and would happily spend the NYC price for a good meal -- I took him here to celebrate a new job and was hoping for all the bells and whistles.. I will say, the service is fantastic. The food... is just OK. I had the vegetarian and hubby had the non veg prix fixe. Nothing to write home about.. in fact it was mediocre enough that it was easily and quickly forgettable. Except the service. If only the food was a little better...
(2)Ben L.
Gramercy Tavern was without a doubt one of, if not the, best meals I've had in New York City - and that's considering I've only eaten in the Tavern, I imagine the dining room is even more "next level". A group of friends and myself started with the roasted oyster, raw oyster, pork dumplings, and fluke tartare. The pork dumplings were forgettable, honestly. The raw oyster and fluke were fantastic, very well balanced starters. The roasted oysters though, were exquisite. I cannot think of a better $3 bite of food I've had in my life. For mains we had the pork chop, arctic char, braised lamb and cavateli, and cobia. Everything was perfectly seasoned, cooked to perfect doneness, and all of the plated components improved the central protein. The standout for me was the cobia. It was far and away one of the best fish dishes I've ever had. For desert we split the apple crumble and ice cream sundae. Forewarning, the apple crumble is enough for 3-4 people, not 2. Both were really good, but the crumble could've used more ice cream - it's huge and only had 2 little scoops. The meal came out to about $50 a person before tip. The value for your money is excellent compared to so many mediocre over-priced restaurants in NYC. The interior of the restaurant is gorgeous, and very warm and welcoming. I will definitely be returning here the next time I'm in New York City.
(5)Jay C.
Went there last week. Likely one of my fave restaurants in NYC. I Outstanding staff and incredible food.
(5)Laura R.
Dined here for Eat Drink Local week, where a prix-fixe five course tasting menu was offered in the front tavern room. Chefs had to prepare the courses using ingredients from the tri-state area, and I really enjoyed it. My only complaint was that the fish plate (porgy with summer squash and fava beans) was too salty, but other dishes (spinach tart with goat cheese, cheesecake with local strawberries and balsamic) were delicious. Service was very good, though empty plates did stay on the table a long time so bussing was pretty slow--which normally I couldn't care less about but since this is GT I was thinking they'd be more on top of their game for that. But overall it was a very enjoyable dinner, and appreciate that they participated in the Eat Drink Local event to show how many lovely dishes could be made with local ingredients.
(4)Kal M.
I really liked this place! I usually do not eat pre fix menus that much but this restaurant had an extraordinary vegetable tasting menu and i had the good luck to try it ! It was 7 courses and very filling. :) The boy brought me here for a special occasion-- both my bday and my anniversary dinner with him. It was a nice place to hold it, i must admit. :) The meal started with a raw scallop and it was really tasty! Very great start to a great evening. Then i remember the bok choy with spinach puree standing out on my end along with the spinach angel hair dish. The warm vegetables that came between teh angel hair dish and the bok choy were good but not extraordinary. I really enjoyed the chocolate bread pudding dessert and also the chocolate mousse dish that the boy had which also had granola and fruit on it for a really unique, sweet and wonderful taste! I will be back! I really had a pleasant experience. Service was excellent as well as the food. Was expensive but worth it for the occasion. :)
(4)Elaine C.
I came here for lunch and did the tasting menu. All the dishes were prepared beautifully and the service was impeccable. Maybe because it was lunch, but there was a very relaxing atmosphere for a business casual environment. It was pleasant and not overly pretentious. Two dishes that stood out to me most: the arctic char that we started with and the veal loin and deckle we ended with. The arctic char was extremely fresh - it was beautifully blended with fresh, summerly vegetables that added texture and flavor to the sushi-like/rare tasting char. The veal loin and deckle was amazing. Apparently deckle is the fatty part of the brisket so it reminded me of pork belly but with more meat than fat. There's some type of mustard/horseradish sauce that gives it more flavor. We also had the shrimp and red snapper as part of our tasting menu and the ravioli which a friend had previously recommended. All the dishes were good. The combination of flavors were all bright and colorful, visually as well. The seafood itself was nicely prepared, but there was something else in these three dishes that made them too salty for me. I know in the shrimp dish it was the tasso ham that didn't do it for me. In the snapper dish, it might have been the olives. In the buckwheat ravioli, it was definitely something in the broth that made it salty. Additionally, the buckwheat skin was a little too thick for my liking. Maybe that was the intention. For the tasting dessert, I selected the chocolate and strawberries dessert which reminded me of a chocolate mousse. It was delicious. Not too sweet. Overall, I had a good experience at Gramercy Tavern.
(4)Joe C.
Place is not worth all the hype.
(2)Dozka T.
I have not been compelled to review a restaurant for a little while. The Gramercy Tavern compelled me to, with their excellent service and food. Out of all the plates that we had, I have to comment on their Mushroom Lagsane. Full of woody mushroom flavor, topped with a demi-glace and slivers of crisped garlic. I am salivating as I am writing about this. The sea bass was fresh, cooked well, with grilled asparagus that was cooked but crunchy, with mushrooms and an amazing mushroom puree. I think the chef may have forgotten to salt the seafood broth. But the moment we seasoned, the flavors popped. Unfortunately, it may have been half a bowl of broth too late. The duck salad is delicious. The fried oysters were wonderful. The pistachio brown sugar cake was ordinary after a wonderful chocolate cake with sour cream ice cream and hazelnut crumble. I am a fan.
(5)Christopher S.
Went here with a special lady friend and I must say, this place definitely lives up to it's reputation amongst the great dining destinations in the big apple. Walking in, there's definitely a sense of old-fashioned high-society class and charm minus the smugness and pretentiousness often found in more modern high-end dining establishments. We were promptly seated in a table in the formal dining room (prix fixe menus) whereas there is also a more casual tavern area where one can order a la carte. The staff situated us in the back wall where we had a panoramic view of the entire dining hall and a glimpse of the kitchen. Our server greeted us with a syncopated inflection reminiscent of the automated movie guy when you call for movie times, which initially weirded us out but eventually won us over as the night wore on. We each started out with one of their signature Tavern cocktails and they definitely had a good balance of being strong yet drinkable with multiple unique notes given the attention to detail they pay to each specific component (e.g. the Ruby Rye= Old Overholdt Rye, Campari, Ruby Grapefruit) Being unable to decide between the regular prix fix and the seasonal tasting menu (usually requiring minimum of 2), the server was kind enough to allow us to choose one of each as well as pick desserts off of each menu. Our dishes consisted of the following: 1)Fluke tartare with radish and caviar- the mild fresh sashimi paired with the saltiness of the caviar and crunch from the radish served as a brilliant start to the meal. 2)Ruby Red Shrimp with heirloom beans and brussel sprouts- did not expect shrimp could be prepared to a rarefied consistency straddling between raw and cooked, and the choice of the two vegetables provided nice contrasts in texture and color. 3)Clam Chowder with celery root and smoked trout roe- good luck finding this rendition in Boston, the fisherman's soup has never reached such heights of decadence 4)Halibut with carrot, cabbage, and calimari- beautifully cooked fish where the texture is so uniformly tender and flaky I suspect it may have been prepared sous- vide, this dish could sneak onto the menu across town at Le Bernardin and nobody would notice 5) Seabass with sherry walnut sauce atop spaghetti squash 6) Duck dumplings with turnip/black kale These two dishes were problematic for the both of us- perhaps it was our mistake to anticipate the flaky buttery chilean seabass, but this is in all likelihood the black seabass found along the east coast, regardless the texture and flavor were reminiscent of catfish, which I love deep-fried being from the south, but it seemed quite ordinary on this menu. Referencing the South once again, the duck filling inside this dumpling had a "pulled pork" consistency, which didn't seem to match up well with the dumpling format. While this easily could have been an easy deduction of one star, the staff more than made up for it since even though we merely left them unfinished without a single complaint, multiple folks came by offering to replace the dish or remove it from our bill and even asked specifically what we disliked about the dish. Despite our attempts politely declining their generosity, they nonetheless removed the drinks tab and gave us an additional discount on our final bill. 7) Desserts: Poached pear with chocolate mousse and pistachio ice cream + Coconut mousse with passion fruit sorbet and fresh passion fruit and coconut meringues- both outstanding but the latter was unbelievably refreshing and a perfect end to the meal. Bonus: a few more added small treats and a take home gift-wrapped cinnamon oatmeal muffin for each of us to enjoy as breakfast the next day. In summary, the only weak aspect of the meal became a mere afterthought since their outstanding service and attention to their customers reflected a true understanding and emphasis on providing a positively memorable experience, and in this regard, they exceeded our expectations completely. Definitely an ideal locale to experience while in NYC either with close friends or loved ones.
(5)Caitlin N.
This place is great and has a very nice ambiance. The food is awesome and the drinks are incredible. They use really fresh ingredients and provide excellent service. The decor is incredible. I stop in every time I am in New York.
(5)Joanne L.
FOOD: The food was great! We each ordered the Tasting Menu and everything was delicious! My favorites were the warm lobster salad and the roasted duck breast. For dessert, out waiter gave us the option of the chocolate pecan coconut cake that came with the Tasting Menu or something else off the dessert menu. I ended up getting a cheese plate with three different cheeses and my boyfriend for the chocolate cake. We were also offered a selection of chocolates and petit fours afterward. Everything was delicious! It was the perfect amount of food. We were full but did not feel bloated. After we paid, we were offered packaged oatmeal coffee cakes for breakfast the next morning! That was the icing on the cake! WINE: They don't have a wine pairing with the tasting menu, but the waiter offered to choose some pairings for us himself. He did, however, suggest ordering a bottle of wine if there was one we preferred. With over 600 bottles of wine how could you ever choose? We asked the waiter for a pinot noir that would go well with our Tasting Menu. He suggested one from the Finger Lakes region since Gramercy Tavern is known for its domestic wine selection. It was delicious! SERVICE: The service was great! We were promptly seated. Our waiter was attentive but not overbearing. Overall a great dining experience!
(5)Navid T.
I have not been to the main restaurant, this review is for the a la carte bistro area. They serve a burger for lunch, which is really tasty. I would recommend it for sure. They also have a new sandwich each week, they seem to be pretty tasty. I've only had one of them so far, pastrami, which was mind blowing. The service is really nice too. They took a little long to bring our salads so they made up for it with free dessert which was also very good. Things go wrong sometimes, which is ok, so long as the restaurant recognizes it and makes it up to you.
(5)Rakesh M.
My girlfriend took me here for my birthday, and it was one of the best meals I have ever had in my entire life. I got the seasonal tasting menu and she got the vegetable tasting menu. A lot of restaurants do vegetarian food poorly (my girlfriend hates how most places just do the same boring veggie medley) but this place was creative for both tasting menus. We liked everything but the best items were - halibut, roast duck, lobster salad, and I think the pesto pasta (it was the last item on the veggie tasting menu - not sure what it was called). Service was also top notch. Desserts were good (not great) but they had so many different desserts, we had to take some to go.
(5)Brandon F.
You simply don't get this service, quality or experience at 99.9% of the restaurants out there. Definitely would be in the regular rotation if I lived in Manhattan and will be certain stop on all trips to NYC.
(5)Jin Ah L.
Pros: - Food: Yes, it is a restaurant review after all, and I have to tell you that the food is the best part - Hospitality Cons: (if I have really have to denounce) - Price: it is not like I can go there everyday, but still affordable for special occasions. - the long wait: it is a good strategy to start at the bar, nibbling. - The interior: not the most hip, but classic I guess. =) Overall, put me on your fan-list now!
(5)Cydnee R.
First time here was last year for my husband's birthday, and we had a good but unremarkable dinner in the formal dining room. Save your money and eat in the Tavern, because the $38 prix fixe was such a memorable meal. We went for a friend's farewell so between 6 of us, we tasted most everything the Tavern had to offer. Appetizers - I had the open beef ravioli and switched halfway through with hubby's fish croquettes. Open ravioli is an amazing deconstructed dish, and the beef reminded me of a short rib ragu, very yummy. The croquettes were a perfect summer appetizer, alongside a fresh and bright salad. Entrees- I ordered the hangar steak and again shared hubby's ham with polenta. They delivered a perfect medium cook for me - I often seem to end up with medium rare when I order medium, and I loved the steak, although the fingerling potatoes felt a little undercooked. HOWEVER, I could not stay away from hubby's ham and polenta. I could have smeared that polenta all over my face it was so good, and the ham was just like my Dad's Boxing Day ham, so I was pretty much in heaven with that dish. Desserts - We ate them all, and they were all amazing. Strawberry pie? Woah. Peach pie? Delicious, but could have been a little sweeter. Perfect with the sweet cream ice cream. Berry crisp? Like a dessert punch in the face. I mean, this restaurant isn't doing anything wrong, so how can I not give them five stars?
(5)Michelle B.
Ok, first off - who the F*&%! did we think we were rolling in to have dinner at 10:00pm Monday night? For a moment, I guess we thought we were authentic New Yorkers.....alright. YOU MUST EAT HERE. This restaurant is a national treasure. I had a delicious "Grey Gardens" cocktail (or three). My table ordered the seasonal tasting menu. This was one of the most phenomenal meals of my life. Since we didn't know when to say when, we ordered something crazy like five desserts. There were only three of us at the table. And just for asking about how ice wine is made, our server brought us all a surprise taste. When the check came, we were each given a delightful little package containing a fresh coffee cake muffin for the next day's breakfast. My gluten free world shot to $hit.....well worth every bite.
(5)Jack H.
On Wednesday night, we had a table of six businessmen, and the food and service were fantastic. I had the beef carpaccio for an appetizer and the lamb for an entree. Everyone at our table was pleased. The service was professional and polished. The ambience is very New York. One of the best dining experiences I've had in NYC!
(5)Sara B.
This place is great. I can't say it was the best meal I ever had, but it was really great. And the cheese selection (a perfect dessert, of course) was incredible. I had a chilled watermelon and peach soup, with lobster that was delicious. Really amazing. I also ordered a fish, can't remember what type, but it was very tasty. My only real complaint is that I was a bit surprised with how they did not listen to my food allergy. I normally do not make a big deal that I don't eat gluten, because I know how to order around it. However, when I realized they were serving an amuse bouche that I did not select - I felt it was important to tell them I do not eat gluten, as I assumed the night would be filled with them bringing out unordered items. I figured this would avoid them bringing me items that contained gluten. However, they continually served me items in between meals (that I had not ordered) that contained gluten. There were 3 things they brought me that all contained gluten, including the muffin at the end of the meal for you to take home. Other than that, the place was really very good. Not sure I need to go out of my way to go back for a meal. But, I'd definitely go back for a delicious cheese plate!
(4)Darrell H.
Ok, now I have Restaurant Zoe in Seattle and the Gramercy Tavern in New York. The best two dining experiences of my life. My wife and I did the tasting menu and loved EVERYthing. The duck was as good as anything I've ever had. I could go on and on, by that's been done already in prior reviews. The service was a beautiful thing to behold. It was like a sophisticated, well choreographed dance. Plates, knives and spoons would appear, be dirtied, disappear with such fluidity and with minimal disruption that I thought I was in the middle of a play. Robert was the head waiter (he was awesome), but there must have been 4 others assigned to our table. Top notch, for sure. Kind people intent on making your experience world class. If you go to NY, do yourself a favor and go to Gramercy Tavern
(5)Ann T.
I love the atmosphere in the bar. It is the perfect place for a relaxing Saturday lunch. Had an amazing strawberry pie which I still dream about.
(5)Janet C.
Very average.
(3)Juanita G.
This place is a great please to go. I had dinner with my friends and family. I LOVE IT! Excellent experience and food.
(5)Nathan G.
Danny Meyer is the real deal. He has a lot of great restaurants. However, it's really hard to beat Gram Tav. I've been going here for over a decade. It's just as good now as it's ever been. Highlights: ~ If you don't want to part with your huge roll of cash, eat at the bar / Tavern room. ~ The service is awesome. Very knowledgeable, friendly and unpretentious. ~ The food is amazing. Try, um anything, and you will be happy. Trust me. Cons: None. Other than I don't live nearby.
(5)Angie W.
Gorgeous gorgeous space but the food was just pretty good, not great. But then, I had spent the hour and half wait time for a table munching at an awesome restaurant so maybe that's why. I think my friend's sturgeon dish was very good - the fish was beautifully rich and buttery, but my duck was just blandishly salty. My favorite part of my meal was the bread and butter. Very good bread and butter.
(4)Dmitriy K.
Pros: Smoked trout and Kale salad were good. Desserts were excellent (Strawberry and Rhubarb). Cons: second course dishes were awful. We had Red Snapper (over salted, potato's under cooked) and Roasted Lamb. Basically, they were not up to Micheline star level. Service: it was OK.
(3)M B.
We had a Christmas Party here--very loud atmosphere--chic area-- typical 3 course meal-- nothing spectacular to note in the review, other than " ...meh =P"
(2)Laura Y.
Boyfriend and I both had the tasting menu with wine pairings. WOW, what an experience. This place was on my "go to" list for some time and after a arduous reservation experience, we finally got a good reservation time. The space is beautiful. We both started out with a cocktail at the bar before heading to our table in the dining room. They've nailed the modern/country/homey feeling without being at all kitschy. Our waiter, Alvaro, was absolutely top-notch, slowing down our courses as he noticed we were really enjoying our wine pairings. He took a lot of time talking to us about each wine pairing. He was phenomenal -- exceptionally knowledgeable, warm and thoughtful. Highlights of my meal were the squab, soft shell crab and the cheese plate for dessert (i'm a savory dessert person...) What a meal...
(5)Ben H.
Really great service. Very happy with the quality of the food and the lunchtime ambiance on a weekday was good.
(4)Sam D.
On a quick weekend trip, we found this little gem in gramercy. The decor is really beautiful and has a very warm homely feel. The celery lasagna and sea bass for entrees were really done to perfection. The cream pie for dessert was good and very large in portion size. This place is worth going to if in the area.
(4)H T.
upon arriving in nyc at 10:30 am, we checked into our hotel and walked to meet our friend for lunch in front of her office. she works around madison square park, and we were looking for somewhere to eat. since we were only in nyc for one day, we had to choose wisely. we decided on gramercy tavern, even tho we had no reservation. we called as we walked over, and we were able to get a table in the tavern. the restaurant is GORGEOUS w/ fresh flowers everywhere. i got the green garlic chowder w/ seafood, and it was delicious. the chowder was not a chowder in the sense that there was no cream at all, but it came out a gorgeous bright green color, since it was just pureed veggies. since the hubby is veg, and there were essentially no veg items on the menu, we asked the server what they could do. she presented many options, including making the porchetta sandwich that was on the menu a veg sandwich. hubby was happy w/ the choice. for dessert, 4 of us shared the ricotta cheesecake and the chocolate pudding w/ salted caramel, which was fabulous. nice place to come for a power lunch or to do some people-watching!
(4)Jungmin L.
The dining room at the Gramercy Tavern kept pleasing me with each new dish that was set in front of me. The breads are amazing - chewy, crusty, just the right seasoning and clearly very well risen. There was a silky, nutty arctic char tartare that was perfectly complimented with the texture of trout roe. The kitchen is very precise with the timing of the cooking (fish, shrimp, corn, everything!) so that the texture is always a pleasure and also, the seasoning was perfect. Throughout the meal, till the end of the petits-fours, I found myself extremely satisfied. Highly recommended! Lunch tasting menu is absolutely recommended. The setting is also beautiful but not stuffy, and the service was friendly.
(5)Allie O.
WOW! I went to Gramercy Tavern with friends and had an incredible experience. It was early on a Sunday, and it was jam packed, but by the time I arrived from the post-subway trek in the wintery village, my friends had been seated. I immediately ordered an awesome local beer and we got down to planning. These people are nuts. I've never gone out to dinner like this before, and now I only want to eat like this. We took the seasonal tasting, and everyone picked a different dish. When the dishes arrived, we all took a bite, and passed to the left side (yeah, that's the crips side) and around and around again until the dishes were pretty much licked clean. By the end of the night I had had 26 courses. TWENTY SIX COURSES. All of them just as memorable as the next, but as the menu has long since changed and my brain only allows me to remember a few, I shall mention none and tell you to find out for yourself. My friend Emma used to live in the city and came here very often, so she had made friends with the chef, Michael Anthony, who is a remarkably nice man, and an extremely talented chef. He came out to the table and spoke with us for a lengthy minute while servers flitted around changing out silverware and refilling water. Service, by the by, was perfection. OH! Yeah! And we saw Danika Patrick there, that race car driver. It was her anniversary with her husband and apparently her favorite restaurant. Just sayin. Celebrity sightings always spice up a night. So does finding a boot on the tire when we finally made it back to the car. Aw, hell New York. And I was just starting to like you.
(5)Lisa C.
There is something very warm and comfy about Gramercy Tavern's ambience. We had the Tasting Menu and everything is solid and traditional. Nothing unforgettable though. I am never into bread pudding and I find their version overly rich.
(4)L. Eliza C.
The place and the food are great! This is a very classy place and it does not have a stuffy air at all. Though for a vegetarian, you might have to rely on ordering from the appetizers but I was not hungry afterwards.
(5)Joe S.
It's definitely the best Michelin one restaurant. Gramercy Tavern has always been consistent with the quality of food. The restaurant is quite big. Therefore, a big kitchen. Which usually means you can taste the "factoriness" of the food. There is a slight "factory" flavor but the creative ingredients completely overshadow it. I've been here four times and would definitely come again. It's hard in NYC when there's so many options and new restaurants.
(5)Keo S.
We had a fantastic dinner there tonight and sat at the bar. The bartenders are so attentative and just so nice. The food was amazing and so delicious. We would definitely recommend any new-timers, older timers, and anyone in the neighborhood. Great vibe, people, and most importantly impeccable food. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Dave H.
went back again for a birthday dinner, becoming a biannual tradition for me and my wife, and always worth it...vegetarian tasting menu remainsbsuperb...simply excellent on every level including the impeccable service!
(5)Artur R.
I love this place. We dined in the less formal Tavern Room, and had a great experience. We walked in without a reservation and were seated 30 minutes in. The bar served exceptional cocktails. The host and the servers were all super nice; it wasn't stuffy or pretentious at all. We had the pork chop as well as the squid pasta appetizer; the food was immaculately balanced.
(5)Yuki C.
Had an amazing dining experience there with my 5 colleagues. For the quality of food and service, the price is totally a bargain. Our waiter gave us the most honest and helpful recommendations, so don't hesitate to ask! Although we ended up ordered 3/4 of the menu, the following dishes were our favorites of the night - Appetizers: Baby Beets, Calamari & Carrot Salad Entrees: Mushroom Lasagna, Meatball, Seafood & Saffron-Fennel Chowder Dessert: Pear and fig tart, Butterscotch bread pudding I'd go back in a heart beat! Tasting menu next time...
(5)Susan W.
This was my third visit to Gramercy Tavern, my second to the Tavern room. If I had to choose a restaurant in NYC that was my neighborhood restaurant/bar, this would be it. (Too bad it isn't). I know I will get a consistently good meal at GT and the service is friendly and professional in both the more casual front room and the formal dining room in the back. The front Tavern room doesn't take reservations- it is first come, first serve- so get there early. Better yet, get there early and take a seat at the bar, either to eat dinner or wait for your table. My favorite cocktail is the Orange Blossom (sparkling wine, St. Germain, orange bitters). They also have a great, refreshing, non-alcoholic Negroni, which I tried on my most recent visit. But I wasn't prepared for the almost unnatural color- fluorescent hot pink! I have to admit, I felt a bit like I had flashed back to 4th grade, drinking a Shirley Temple, but a very grown up one. On to the food.... I think my favorite dish is the lamb pappardelle. I've had both an appetizer and an entree portion. I prefer the smaller portion: this is a very rich dish, best in a limited quantity. This visit I tried the sea bass with capers and pine nuts over swiss chard. Good flavor combination and well cooked, but I think I find much of the food at Gramercy Tavern a pinch too salty. I know a lot of that is personal preference but it seems to mask some of the other ingredients in the dishes (but not enough to make me stop eating it). Service and cocktails would earn 5 stars from me. Food earns 3.75-4 stars. For out-of-town visitors, it would probably be my first recommendation for where to eat in the city.
(4)Christopher L.
Perfect. Every time.
(5)Em G.
I'm pretty much going to echo previous reviews This is a great dinner spot, whether you're with friends in the main dining room or dining alone at the bar. I engage in the latter more often. Bartenders are friendly and make excellent wine suggestions. And because so many people dine solo at the bar, you're bound to have a good chat with a neighbour. If it's crowded, check-in with one of the bartenders rather than snatching up a seat; there may be a wait. I wonder if the roasted brussel sprouts are still on the menu....
(5)A K.
I was wowed by my experience here. My colleagues and I came here on a Wednesday night, on a mission to satiate our taste buds. We arrived around 6pm and were seated in the Tavern within 10 minutes. The service was impeccable and gracious. Our server was floored by the amount of food we ordered and had a wonderful sense of humor. It was a little noisy in the Tavern as the evening grew (at one point, we had to tell a patron to move his elbow out of our faces) but the point was to consume and enjoy. Appetizers: + Sweetbreads + Open ravioli + Grill and marinated scallops Main course: + Corvina + Meatball + Mushroom lasagna + Pork belly Dessert: + Blueberry Corn Sundae + Chocolate Blackout Cake + Raspberry and Blueberry Crisp I'm not very cultured and didn't know what sweetbreads were (they're glands of animals...bleh) but I tried them anyway. Everything was delicious, although a few dishes (the lasagna in particular) were kind of dry. Our server must have found us to be charming from the massive amounts of food we ate, because we were generously treated to the Blueberry Corn Sundae. During dessert, we all sat there in silence, happily eating. Overall, Gramercy Tavern was an experience! I can't wait to come back and try the Dining Room :)
(4)James R.
Some of my best dining experiences have been at fusty restaurants (Le Manoir Au Quat Saisons, Le Maloises, Almeida), and consequently I am always whatever the opposite of nonplussed is when a restaurant looks a little homely and lived-in; after all, I'm here to eat the food, not the cutlery. Luckily, GT delivers excellent cooking which nullifies the stodginess of the surroundings (Biggie Best drapes, overstuffed furniture, cheap-looking ceramic pots stuffed with daisies). We had the seasonal tasting menu. Each dish delivered bolder flavours than the last, starting with the smoked arctic char and pickled ramps (is there a more now ingredient?), followed by a buttery crust/wobbly interior spinach and goat cheese tartlet, thence on to a porgy (not a pig as I learnt) fillet with beautiful summer squash and assorted blanched greenery and a slick of lemon-yellow beurre blanc, then a punchy goat curry with one spinach lasagne handkerchief, an ethereally light curry sauce and wonderfully fresh summer veg (question: why swiss chard and not callaloo, in keeping with the Jamaican theme?), and dessert. Mine, the berry sorbet with verbena granite, was the meal's only misstep - too much granite, looking like a puddle of piss-yellow snow, and taste wearysome after the first couple of exploratory bites. My wife had a cheese plate, which was delicious, although a little chutney/herbage/fruit wouldn't have gone amiss. Good service, lengthy wine/spirit list an additional plus.
(4)Jill L.
Last year, when Botanical Garden had Edible Garden, I had the privilege to watch Chef Anthony Michael talk about food as he prepared one of his dishes. I found him to be humble and modest and possessed this real genuine love for local produce. Last night, I treated my boyfriend for a lovely birthday dinner at Gramercy and we selected the summer tasting menu. The service there was outstanding - tiny attention to details made us feel well taken care of but without feeling like being hawked on. Marinated Sea Scallops was smoothing and what a way to awaken your palate! The texture is tender and then you have the tiny crunch stem and the cucumber but none of the ingredients overpower each other. The freshness is evident in each and every bite. Ah, I knew from that first bite that it was going to be a heavenly meal. Crab Soup - again, delicious. Didn't realize crab and corn would go together but the corn being in season added the natural sweetness, as well as the crunch. Smoked trout was the best out of all the dishes. I love fish but I did not know smoke trout can taste like this. It was lightly cooked on the outside - so tender and moist - melts in your mouth. The puree and the pickled onions...yum...i can eat these by themselves. Of course, you have the onions to provide that crunch...oh yum and yum. The waiter said the trout is the ultimate favorite and most popular dish. No questions there. Hen was delicious and full of flavor but I think the trout overshadowed everything else. It was cook so well - juicy, tender, on a bed of vegetable. Yum...! The unfortunate mistake we made was replacing the veal with the rib eye steak - dish of the day. We were disappointed by the steak - it was boring and bland although the braised piece was delicious. So there you have it. The place is expensive but you forget it all once you are there. They know how to treat you well and I love the fact that they know the food - in detail as with all the wine.
(5)Stephen C.
I anticipate some things from a restaurant of this reputation and found all of them to have been fulfilled when I had my dinner. First, Gramercy Tavern is a power place to see and be seen. Sit at the bar or in the dining room but this place is all business: the staff, the artwork, the space itself, and of course the diners. I had dinner reservations for two: the perfect romantic spot. The noise level is high enough to keep you conversation private without yelling. I always gravitate toward the tasting menu and since it is a requirement for the table my date selected the same. The tasting was tiered with flavor and intensity moving upward. The choices for the tasting were conservative with finesse. The seasoning and degree of doneness were fine. And of course the plating and presentation were beautiful. It is my habit not to critique a chef's choices. I think if you are a diner then you should accept and enjoy the chef's construction, especially for a tasting. Now if you choose a la carte, then more conservative styles are best; this is only my opinion. The chef and staff created a wonderful tasting that night: the desserts a welcome finale. The staff and overall dining experience were wonderful and I must add it was elegant without being stuffy. I relaxed during my meal and felt welcome to ask questions and be curious about flavor or ingredients. Gramercy Tavern was a good value for my dollar. A great business or romantic dinner spot. I have been told it is always busy, so reservations are recommended. The staff friendly but professional and I had a great memorable meal.
(5)Nicole C.
I actually ate brussel sprouts, and liked it! That is how good this place is. And their olive bread is THE BEST! Beautiful decor, extremely friendly staff, great service. Everything you would expect from one of NY's landmark restaurants. Came with a friend and we didn't have to ask each other twice if we were up for the tasting menu. You either get 3 courses for around $85 or tasting menu for around $112 (they also have a vegetarian tasting menu!) . We decided we'd "go big or go home", so we inquired if they could do a wine pairing as well (my friend's idea- it was actually genius idea in the end!). Our waiter told us we were in good hands and that he knew his wines so he'd take care of us. Turns out he was right. I wish I could remember all the names of the wines he served us because they were all paired so perfectly with the food. It all complimented each other wonderfully. EVERY SINGLE wine we drank that night was delicious. Our menu was as follows: 1. Marinated Sea Scallops - Pickled Swiss Chard Stems and Aji Dulce Peppers 2. Lobster Soup - Winter Vegetables and Pancetta 3. Smoked Trout - Cippollini Purée and Pickled Onions 4. Rabbit - Cabbage, Spaetzle and Black Trumpet Mushrooms 5. Rack of Veal & Deckle - Cabbage, Carrots and Turnips I can't actually decide which one of the above dishes was my favorite because they were all absolutely delicious, but the rabbit was certainly up there (DELICIOUS spaetzle!), then the trout (SO delicate!), the veal (wonderful sear and STRONG flavor!), the lobster soup (with the brussel sprouts!!!), then the scallops (again, delicate, and fresh). For dessert we had option of either of the following two; and we naturally got one of each: 1. Blood Orange Cheesecake 2. Chocolate Mousse Cake The blood orange cheesecake was the best dessert I've ever had, and the wine it was paired with made it even more spectacular than it already was (and it already was AMAZING!). We got some beautiful fresh slices of blood oranges in it as well. The chocolate cake was also delicious and again paired perfectly with the wine. And just when we thought we couldn't possibly fit any more food into our stomachs, after finishing every last crumb of the desserts, our waiter told us that he agreed they were delicious but not even his favorite dessert. So we ordered our waiter's favorite dessert and ended up eating the entire thing as well: 3. Peanut Butter Semifreddo - Chocolate Macaroon Can't actually say I've ever ordered an additional dessert before in my life, this was a first. But it was really pretty damn delicious. We really loved everything about Gramercy Tavern, from the food, to the ambiance, the service, the entire experience was just perfection.
(4)Matt J.
I have been here twice now, and I wish I were writing this review sooner after having eaten here, because I've forgotten some of the amazing details, but it is safe to say this is my favorite restaurant in NYC. The service is always bespoke. The host staff is friendly and efficient. The wait staff acts as one harmonious organism, ready to serve your every need. The last time I went, it was my mother's birthday and off the cuff, I asked our server to do something small with desert, and he happily obliged with a subtle message in my mother's desert. The decorum is warm and homey. It reminds me of a Hudson Valley farmhouse, and during the winter, the open oven on the right hand side of the tavern is quite welcome. The wine list is great. The first time we ordered here, I choose an Oregon viognier, and it was great. The second time, my girlfriend's father ordered a vintage from Long Island, of which I am normally skeptical, but it was really good! The food. What can I see about the food. It's incredible. The first time I went I had the lamb ragu appetizer, and I could have eaten it by the pound. The first main course I had was a Spanish mackerel covered in a melted foie gras butter. It was sublime. The second time I went I had a venison medallion and sausage medley. I love venison, and this was cooked to perfection. It couldn't get any better. Dessert however helps. I could eat the chocolate bread pudding, and the peanut butter cookie desert every day, for the rest of my life. Do yourself a favor. Go here at least once a year. It does get kind of pricey.
(5)Andrew Y.
Over-rated, over-priced food. Service and ambience are great, but the food, including deserts, is nothing to rave over. Considering all the hype surrounding this place, I wasn't particularly impressed.
(2)Felicia M.
Simply amazing! My sister and I had the tasting menu for lunch. She said it was one of the best meals she's ever had. I also loved the fact that GT allows you to puchase half-glasses of wine so that you have the opportunity to try different wines. I cannot wait for my next meal at GT.
(5)Mel B.
Excellent food. We had the tasting menu and an entree. I came here on a Friday and there was a bit of a wait so I would recommend booking ahead. I took two stars off because of our waitress. Our waitress kept dissuading us from ordering one tasting menu and an entree because it is too difficult for the kitchen and herself to serve things at different times. Otherwise it was great. I asked to be seated in a quiet area so the staff accommodated us by placing us in the far inside corner of the restaurant. We had a pleasant afternoon out and I would probably come back here again.
(3)T M.
Sure, this place is extremely expensive. But we knew the food here was amazing when we walked out feeling every minute of our experience here was worth it. It's been quite some time now since we've come here and we miss it constantly. There's really no point in recommending any particular dish for three reasons. One, their menu is constantly changing. Two, it's one of those rare places where there's really no such thing as even a mediocre dish. Every dish ranges from good (at the lowest end) to spectacular. We've tasted food here with flavors so complex, that we were at a loss of words when we tried to explain why it was so good to each other. And three, it's been so long that we can't recall the names of any particular dish we tried. But this is the first place we will book, as soon as we plan our next trip back to NY again.
(5)Sydney K.
I was lucky enough to go here with my parents and my husband last night. It was incredible. There's not much else to say! We all did the tasting menu (my mother did the vegetarian menu, the rest of us did the autumn one) and every single dish was outstanding. I think that my mother's vegetarian menu was actually even better than ours! The pear puree that I had with my venison was a revelation, one of the most delicious things that I have ever tasted in my entire life. The food was great, but the best thing about Gramercy Tavern, in my opinion, was the outstanding service. I have never been treated so well or felt so welcomed at a restaurant in my entire life. Our server was outstanding. My father, at first, felt that the tasting portions were not big enough (believe me, they were, but dad will always find something he doesn't like). Without even having to ask, a server came by and gave my father a second helping of one of the courses. From that point on, he was given double portions of all of the courses, with no added cost. The sommelier was lovely and attentive, always ready with a new bottle or a new suggestion, and the rest of the staff was constantly smiling and eager to help. I can absolutely see why this restaurant is so highly rated. Not only is the food absolutely delicious and perfectly prepared, but the service really sets it apart from any other establishment in the city.
(5)James S.
I go here at least once a year but always just before Christmas. What can I say this is one of my favorite places to go. The food is out of this world. The wine always excellent. The hospitality unparalleled. The atmosphere exquisite. The cappuccino the best in town.
(5)Michael A.
I went with a group of friends (one with a generous gift card) and we all enjoyed the tasting menu in the main dining room. The decor was slightly old-fashioned and nothing jaw-dropping, but it was perfect atmosphere for a delicious meal and friendly conversation. The waitstaff was extremely friendly and even allowed to do a mix and match of some of the menu items on the vegetarian side This is a late review and the menu has changed since then, but one of the highlights were the rabbit dumplings. Overall, delicious food, unique decor, dedicated staff, I would definitely come back again.
(5)Kathy H.
Walked into Gramercy Tavern and felt like we had stepped into Fall. Gorgeous atmosphere of Fall flowers and beautiful arrangements everywhere...even in the ladies restroom. The bar was busy with a great vibe. Reserve a table away from the activity if you're hoping to enjoy conversation. We were in the middle of the dining room, off from the bar and we could still talk and hear each other, however, there are two other rooms farther away from the bar energy. Our server was accommodating and the wait staff attentive. Just the right tone and time between courses. Food and service spot on. Delicious sword fish, lamb and pork. Scrumptious desserts, mini-cookies and chocolates and complimentary muffins that I ate three days later (hungry at midnight and no room svc.) that were still fresh and tasty. My husband loves atmosphere. This would be a great place for drinks if they are booked for dining, however, they do try and work you into a table. Walking distance to Union Sq. and the 14 St. subway stop. Gramercy Tavern would definitely be on our return list when visiting NY. Received several very positive confirmation phone calls in advance of our evening. By the way, you will see men in jackets, however the younger crowd are dressed country-club casual. Meaning, leave the torn jeans and flip flops at the hotel or home.
(5)Barbara D.
Classy place. Boyfriend took me here for my birthday and everything was AMAZING. It ended up being a near blizzard outside... but inside was cozy and the staff made you feel like you were the only table there... although the dining room was full! Specialized treatment... excellent cuisine... and personal touches (a lovely bday dessert) made the night memorable. I'd recommend anything and everything on the menu... I'm pretty sure we ate our way through most of it! Hope to return soon!
(5)kathleen c.
I have yearned a long time to find an occasion special enough, a job that pays enough, time enough to eat at Gramercy Tavern. I somehow was not informed of the Tavern part of the restaurant, where the $35 tasting menu was just the right size (and the right price), and I could dress down a little (but still dress up a little too!). Everything else has already been said: the service is beyond impeccable, the food is amazing (I had the celery root soup and grilled hangar steak with the pumpkin whoopie pies), and the dining experience as a whole is fantastic. Will be back in two weeks!
(5)Clara H.
As far as good food goes, this place is definitely good. But why I love Gramercy Tavern is not just because of the food but also because of the experience. In NYC, there aren't a lot of restaurants that can double as a both a walk-in smart-casual tavern and also a fine dining restaurant that have both customers walk out the door happy and well-satisfied. With Gramercy Tavern, they do this so enormously well that it has for years been my go-to restaurant for special occasions and last minute smart-casual dinners (no reservations taken for the Tavern-side). Among the many times I've been there and before moving away from New York, service has always been consistent and the maitre'd also quite gracious. However, for first time diners, you may be asking how is the food? The food is always satisfying. Partly because the core of their menu does not change frequently, so what they offer has been tried and approved by New Yorkers many times over. So it's definitely good food they are serving. Personally, I love the heartier poultry & meat dishes they serve because Gramercy Tavern is known for their gourmet yet very New American menus. Which leads me to the other part of why food here is satisfying. In my opinion, the ingredients are not always used in the most innovative ways, but they are fresh, supposedly-organic and prepared in a way that bring out the best of their flavor(s). I really believe the gourmet quality is such a plus for this restaurant because it allows itself to be accompanied by a range of great wines. And the second question a typical foodie or any restaurant guest would ask would be regarding affordability & value...At Gramercy Tavern, the prices are in a moderate range for New York's standard. Considering the number of awards and accolades this restaurant has received over the years, the prices are reasonable and you will not go home starving unless you are on a $30 dollar budget. At the very least, prepare to shell out $50++ pp for smart-casual dinner with a date on the tavern side. While on the dining room side, prepare to spend at least double that. If you're not from Manhattan, this might seem a little pricey--but it's quite the norm to spend as much as you do on the tavern side for a good meal. Again, this restaurant is truly a good one (fresh quality ingredients, consistency of service and versatile atmosphere) and should be jotted down in every foodie's black book...
(4)Anna L.
One of the best dining experiences I have ever had. The restaurant was not too noisy; seats were not too close together and you could hear the person next to you without having to yell. service was fabulous. everything was timed nicely so you had enough time between courses. our waiter was nice and not overbearing. they ask you if you want seconds on bread. they give you free little treats before each course. deeeelicious. we ordered a bottle of wine which ended up being corked and our waiter graciously took it back and gave us a new one. every course was delicious. our waiter was very knowledgeable and gave us an honest opinion on everything we asked about. i ended up wanting to take a dessert home for a friend and he gave it to us complimentary. how nice! they also gave us little coffee cakes to take home which were just wonderful. no one is snooty, the atmosphere is great, and the food is wonderful. i would definitely recommend eating here!
(5)Shelly P.
Wow. This place is incredible. Not only is the food superb but the service is impeccable, so good in fact, I asked to speak to the manager to let them know about our fantastic experience. I was there with my brother and after we placed our order, 20 min passed before our waitress came over to apologize for it taking so long for our meal to come. My brother and I was surprised, 20 minutes is nothing especially at a nice restaurant where you had drinks to keep you busy, but it was sweet they said so. Ten minutes later, she came over again to apologize and brought with her a deep bowl of spiced nuts from the bar which were ah-may-zing! Waiting 25 min for a meal just doesn't seem like a huge deal but the nuts were a great touch! Our meal came almost minutes later and yum!! I had the Arctic char with black eyed peas which was incredibly well flavored and scrumptious and my brother had the pork chops which was out of this world. For dessert we had the pumpkin whoopsie pies (amazing!). Aaaand they gave us a free dessert to make up for how long the meal took (which as I stated before, it didn't!)
(5)Rob C.
they use sullivan bread, so glad to know they approve -- Sullivan bakery is amazing. artisan bread crust so good! came for lunch, just for a sample. tried: Sea Bass Spaghetti Squash, Walnuts and Sherry Sauce -- felt like trying a little too hard, the complex mixing of pumpkin seeds, squash bits, walnuts, bed of tangy spaghetti squash, etc a lot going on. Pasture Raised Chicken Hen of the Woods Mushrooms, Butternut Squash and Almonds -- the skin the chicken was crispy, the meat soft and moist, only problem was a little heavy on the salt. otherwise the brussel sprouts, mushrooms, little bits of squash, good. guess would have to try a tasting to really see.
(4)Alex K.
The best restaurant in NYC after about 25 years eating around. Had lunch over there, food, service, atmosphere , I just cannot find what I can complain about!
(5)Becca R.
Love this place. I went here for my 21st Birthday, and what a treat it was! I didn't sit in the main dining room (honestly because we were a bunch of 21 year olds who couldn't afford the food in the dining room!) We sat in the tavern and my gosh, from the service to the impeccable food, I am a fan! I can't wait to go back!
(4)Coriander L.
Major let down, was looking forward to this place. Bf and I agreed, food was overrated. The only dish i can remember is his rabbit pasta because one animal i don't want on my plate is a rabbit. Aside from his extremely chocolatey dessert (it seemed like one giant kit kat bar), food was pretty blah. Perhaps it was an off night for them?
(1)Lance R.
The ambiance of Christmas in this institution of NY dining was breathtaking. The service, impeccable. The food, divine.
(5)Nils H.
My review is for the tavern menu. Two of us casually walked in on a Tuesday evening, and unfortunately could not score seats to the main event. Next time (assuming I'm still gainfully employed)... Despite the drastic differences in price, I think there is some overlap between the dining room menu and the tavern menu. Two of us ate for $100 combined, and were very pleased with the quality of the food and service.They have a three course option for $38 that is a steal. Specific comments. The duck mousse is extremely rich, decadent and... plentiful. I made the mistake of eating the entire appetizer by myself, and easily lost 7-9 years of my life. We also ordered the sunchoke and duck salad, and were surprised by how much duck they actually give you. The red snapper with leeks was delightful. I'm not a huge fan of heirloom beans, but was actually inhaling them towards the tail end of the meal. All in all, don't be intimidated by priciness - the tavern menu is less expensive, but still a nice treat.
(4)Chasitiy P.
Pleasantly Surprised! I actually never heard of this place and it's tucked away in the middle of 20th street-therefore, I probably would have never been there if it wasnt for a recommendation. I started with a Laisco Pear Cocktail and finished with 5-I'm not an alcoholic-I just drink alot. The drink was divine. I would have been content with just having that. However, I decide to have the Flounder dish-which was alarmingly delectable. Great place to go and meet a client or a muse that economically stable. Now you officially have "The Supreme Touch"
(4)M N.
Pros: Food and service were outstanding. Great wine selection. You can pair lunch here with a walk through Union Square farmers market after. Cons: Expensive. You really should dress up. I looked out of place in shorts and a polo, even for lunch.
(4)Tania C.
Great bar area and people watching. The Duck Liver Mousse is delicious!
(5)Jay N.
Amazing. Had the buckwheat ravioli with duck. Shared the smoked char (so good I can't believe it's not butter) and sautéed chicken. Followed by a choc bread pudding that was so light and fluffy and tasty that I'm pretty sure little elves and fairies made it. Go directly to gramercy tavern. Stop by Go on the way cause you'll need some money but it's worth it.
(5)Hungry Brooklyn Mike C.
While I've eaten at Gramercy around a dozen times, this review is not for the food, but rather the terrible experience with front of the house. We confirmed a reservation for a friend's birthday last night and arrived promptly at 830. At that point, our party was told it would be "a few minutes". No problem at all, of course we had no problem waiting. About 15-20 minutes later, we checked back to see the status at which point the front said "well, your table has been here for three hours and they are just ordering dessert. Wait, what? Almost thirty minutes past our reservation you are only now telling us they haven't even ordered dessert. Even that news I could have taken, but there was no apology, no concern for our group, no care in the world. Just a shrug and a look that said "too bad for you". I would have waited given that sometimes situations arise that are beyond the restaurants control. What is always within the front of the houses' control is the HOW they react to a situation. By not telling us the real story, not managing expectations properly and not even showing a shred of concern that they would not be able to sit us until at least an hour after our reservation time, not to mention even offer to buy a round of drinks or at the very least just say "I'm sorry". I expect that from car service or a diner, not from Gramercy Tavern. Based on some other similar reviews I sincerely hope they get the front of the house in order.
(2)Sara A.
Romantic, excellent service, tip-top presentation. Amazingly delicious food. I had the vegetable tasting menu, and my boyfriend had the autumn tasting menu. Go easy on the bread! The tasting menu will fill you up! Try the concord crush drink. Really good!
(5)Linda G.
I called for reservations weeks ahead of time, the earliest we could get in was for a 10PM seating... we went early and enjoyed some tasty Belgian beers at the bar. The place was packed. You need to tell the bartender to put your name on the seating list (be polite) don't just grab a seat -- we were entertained by watching the eviction of pissed-off seat grabbers. The food was superb, service impeccable. The waitstaff very knowledgeable. We were advised on good choices. It was a perfect New York night of foodie heaven.
(5)Jeff D.
Spent NYE here. Wow. Great room, service to the max, great winelist, cool cocktails. Oh yeah, the food is off the hook. My wife and I ate the NYE tasting menu. Too many highlights to list them all: Pheasant foie gras Scallops and sea urchin Flounder with lobster sauce (full of lobster) Quail Beef short ribs(cuttem with a fork) 2 cocktails 2 bottles 2 New Year's tasting menus $550 plus tip and worth every freakin' penny. If that gives you sticker shock, go for lunch, and eat in the bar. You could spend a lot more on a meal in NYC, you don't need to.
(5)Deborah H.
Excellent place for dinner. We ate in the 'front' of the house for a less complicated meal, a bit less pricey. While we had reservations the wait was long so they offered us a seat at the bar -the drinks were unique and good and since they lost our part of our order they ended up giving us a free desert and an offer for a future discount. So the service was not great but once the problem was recognized they worked to correct it.
(3)Angelique B.
Food and service were outstanding. I went here for lunch with a friend of mine. This is my go-to restaurant when I come to NYC. Appetizers Zucchini soup with fried oysters- Perfectly cooked and flavorful. I do think that the oysters would have been better suited with a warm soup, but I did like it anyways. Entrees Lamb Pappardelle- This was also good. Pasta with a hint of lemon was fresh, sauce was delicious, and lamb (shredded) was good. Probably not their best dish, decent. Lamb Shoulder- Absolutely fantastic. It was slow cooked to be very tender yet with crispy skin for a nice texture contrast. The flavors were amazing. Dessert Chocolate bread pudding- Good. I do admit, I've had better but I don't think in general I'm a chocolate bread putting kinda gal. Pear upside down cake with hazelnut ice cream- best restaurant dessert I've had in a long time. Simply wonderful. The waitress was nice enough to bring it out for free. We were both pretty full, so we told her we would start with the bread pudding and would let her know if we had room left for a second dessert. She brought out the pear upside down cake anyways and said it was on the house. Cocktails Rickshaw- Good cocktail. My only complaint is that it has a lot of ice. It's like a Mojito, I don't like cocktails with a bunch of ice. Service This is 5-star service.
(4)William H.
My wife and I loved our meal here last night. Same attentive service as 11 Madison, but a little more relaxed feel. We did the 3 course prix fix. The appetizer we thought outshone the entrees we selected. Warm Crab Crepe and Lobster Salad were delicious. Tasty chunks of crab in a great sauce and interesting presentation. Big chunks of lobster in the fresh salad. We ordered the Lamb and Pork belly entrees. They were good, but not as memorable. Desserts made the meal totally worth it. We got the Peanut Butter Semifreddo on a chocolate macaron and sprinkled with carmelized peanuts. It is super sweet, but so good. We also go the Blueberry nectarine tart with almond icecream. Very good icecream. The little appetizers and petit fours at the end of the meal are always a pleasant surprise. Advice: Make reservations early (DAYS in advance) if you want an regular 7:30-8:30 dinner time. We tried to make one the day before and they only had a 5:30 time slot. Early, but the meal did last 2 hours. Extensive wine list- ask your waiter for advice choosing one. They seem to be very well versed.
(5)Natalie H.
I came here for a very late lunch/very early dinner at the Tavern Room as part of a day pretending I'm a lady of leisure. I arrived to a bustling room at what would be an off hour in most establishments and sat at the bar to enjoy a book and what would be a delicious solo meal. The holiday decorations were lovely and contributed to the festive vibe in the room. I started off with the Fall Classic cocktail, which I really enjoyed. I'm a fan of dark liquor cocktails and this had the right blend of depth and tartness. My appetizer was the fish croquette, which had great flavor and texture and sat on a bed of greens and perfectly cooked white beans. My entree was the pork shoulder. The meat was falling apart, the broth was flavorful, and the veggies were a good accompaniment for the meat. They paired a red wine with the pork for me and though I don't remember what it was, it worked beautifully. I was too full for dessert, which I'm sure is a shame, but I have a suspicion I'll be back.
(5)Reginald B.
For the price? I've had my fair share of $75 - $150 Pri Fixe menus. For $88, the Gramercy Tavern 3 course meal was on the low end for price/value. I went there for a work outing, and along with 5 others had the Trout appetizer (good, nothing special) and the lamb entree. I know I'm a bit more in the camp of leaving a place moderately full, so when I asked the waiter what was the larger portioned food, I was happy to see the other guys in my work party as interested as I was in getting something that was relatively substantive. Lamb was the clear order favorite, as he said "If you're hungry". Well, I'll put it this way. It was my colleague Marc who wondered allowed where he was going to eat afterward. The jokes about the size of the puck of lamb abounded. It was a tender cut, but if stretching things I'll give it 1 3/4" inch around. I like a long dinner, but for Pri Fixe and Tasting Menu type affairs, they feed you throughout so even though in total you might not get that much it feels that way and you leave satisfied. In a 2+ hour dinner session, we got that 90 mins in. I saw 5 of those things practically inhaled. The food was good. The trout was good, lamb was good, and cheese for desert was nice (I noticed there were nice looking desserts that other colleagues got as well), but the price/value is where the 2 stars come from. Embarrasingly small portions that weren't of the quality that justified it. As I've said, I've had great tasting menus. This wasn't one of them.
(2)Debbie F.
Elegant ambiance. Loved every bite I had! (arctic char + desserts)
(5)yabad a.
I've been here once, but it wasn't all that, especially for the money. I forgot what I had. Not like Eleven Madison Park. I'll give 3.5.
(3)R E.
As good as everyone says. Fantastic wine menu by the glass, very accommodating staff , great food.
(5)Byron W.
This place is so good, I've been back 3 times in 2 weeks... I'm just going to rattle off all the things you need to tray, everything that blew my mind! Duck liver mousse - you don't even have to like pate and you'll love this. Comes with toasted buttered baquettes. A MUST DISH TO ORDER Seabass - Sherry sauce, sherry sauce, sherry sauce!!! Smoked Kielbasa - Possibly the best Kielbasa I've ever had. Juicy and explodes with flavor. Meatball - served over pureed potatoes and carmelized red onions. Tons of meaty flavor, if you like meat loaf this is a requirement. House cured Pastrami - I'm not sure if I can eat deli pastrami again. This damn restaurant as ruined me... Chocolate pudding - I'm not a sweets person but I recommend this to finish off ever meal you eat here. Oh yeah, the atmosphere is warm and laid back. Don't come here if you need to rush through your meal. This is a dining experience to be savored. The entire staff is top notch, bartenders, Maitre D, managers, & cooks deserve to be applauded.
(4)Christina D.
It was a celebratory occasion and Gramercy Tavern certainly helped us celebrate. Upon arrival, we notified the host of our 9pm reservations and we promptly received a Congratulations. Not to mention that once we got to our seats, they treated us to a celebratory champagne toast. Love it! Now before I re-live my delicious Gramercy Tavern dinner, I want to say that I highly recommend this place. The portions were perfect, the ambiance was lively and the service was attentive without feeling intrusive. First course! It wasn't on the menu but I ordered the scallops special. They were so good, they literally melted in my mouth. If your server offers you the scallops special, order it! You won't regret it. As for my boyfriend, I'll be honest. My scallops were so good that I don't even remember what he got! Okay, just kidding. He got the Warm Maine Crab with Egg Crêpe and Carrots. While the crab was good, he probably wouldn't order it again. He should've ordered the scallops special. On to the second course! I had the Spanish Mackerel with Foie Gras, Savoy Cabbage, Mussels and Sunchokes. It was moist, nicely prepared and very tasty. He had the Venison Loin and Sausage with Potato Pancake and Bourbon Sauce. He was very pleased. I enjoyed the flavor of the sausage more than the venison. With an affinity for potatoes, I thought his potato pancake was the best 'gourmet' hash brown I've ever had. Amazing. On to dessert! I had the deliciously Slow Roasted Apples with Pecan Crumble and Vanilla Ice Cream. The warm, the cold, the crispy and creamy. It was delightful. He had the Butterscotch Sundae with Pear Sorbet and Chocolate Chip Meringues. I had a few bites and while it was very good (thankfully I got my bites before he finished it), I liked the Slow Roasted Apples better. With three courses under our more-than-satisfied belts, Gramercy Tavern continued to impress. Our dinner was topped off with a complimentary, celebratory Pineapple Upside Down Cake with Frozen Yogurt that read "Congratulations" in chocolate. Awesome! Thank you Gramercy Tavern for a superb meal!
(5)John T.
Goods: As good as advertised--had the lunch tasting menus and was blown away by the high execution of food and impeccable service. I generally like heavier tasting food, so the balance in the dishes that is both light and concentrated in flavor is a true revelation. Very impressed with the service and atmosphere of the restaurant. I much prefer it to Union Square Cafe, no matter what the Zagat says.
(5)Marleigh M.
Birthdays come but once a year (still far too frequent in my opinion). As I prepared to enter my quarter life crisis, my partner-in-food did his best to help me forget my woes of growing older with a surprise dinner at Gramercy Tavern. What a dinner it was! We both ordered the Vegetarian Tasting Menu consisting of the following: -Radish & Kohlrabi Salad -Country Egg -Sugar Snap Peas & Cucumber -Barley Risotto -Baby Carrots, Shiitake & Spiced Almonds -Warm Salad of Vegetables & Black Lentils -Spinach Fettuccine -Green Garlic & Mushrooms It took us a while to settle on a wine. The waiter suggested a Riesling Austrian called Stift Göttweig, a compromise to my dry, crisp preference and my partner's sweet tooth. One sip and I could not have been more pleased with the choice. As for the dishes (starting with my least favorite), the amuse bouche served at the start was odd in flavor and unimpressive. Everything else, however, was spectacular. From the initial radish salad to the barley risotto, the food was a feast for my eyes and mouth. The final entree of spinach fettuccine served with whole garlic cloves tasted especially unique yet not overpowering as one might expect with garlic. We also ordered a plate of five cheeses. Despite the fact I no longer recall our various selections months later as I write this, I do recall the taste--perfection. Murray Greenberg, former owner of the infamous Murray's Cheese in West Village, would be hard pressed to find a more delicious serving of coagulated milk (besides his own of course). The plates were perfectly proportioned allowing for fullness without the feeling of being stuffed. The waiter was very accompanying and patient, even as we discussed the pros and cons of the meal using him as a mediator. For dessert, we had the peanut butter-wafer-chocolate-toffee and the rhubarb shortcake. Both were amazing, but not near as good as the main courses. Friends and colleagues have always raved about the upscale eatery located off E 20th between Broadway and Park. Following my quarter life crisis birthday dinner, I understand why. With its innovative menu, impressive interior, superb service, and amazing food, Gramercy Tavern is a place I recommend often. It's perfect for special occasions, get-togethers, Monday nights, Tuesday evenings, Wednesday afternoons--well, you get the idea. I have dined at countless restaurants since Gramercy Tavern. It still ranks as my number 1, personal favorite restaurant in New York City. Danny Meyer, you done good.
(5)Billie C.
I remember coming here years ago and always just loving the vibe in the bar area. I recently started going back on a regular basis over the holidays and it confirmed why this will always be a NY'ers favorite. The drinks are always made perfect in the cozy bar area. I love a good southern comfort old fashion and in living in the days of fruity martinis it was nice to have my favorite made to my liking! The menu never let's you down. The kielbasa, Lamb Pappardelle was in a hearty gravy that made a cold night feel so much better, the lobster was juicy. You really cannot go wrong on the menu and be daring go for the tasting menu, experience it all. Definitely top it off with the warm chocolate bread pudding. The service will keep you coming back for more.
(5)Nicholas B.
This place is as good as it gets when it comes to dining in NYC. Food is great, drinks are great, service is best ever. Dont get me wrong you are going to pay for it, but its worth every dime. Dont want to spend big bucks, the Bar dining menu is great also for a fraction of the price.
(5)Josh W.
I have heard so many great things about Gramercy Tavern and when I found out my friend was going to take me here for my birthday I was excited. I have to say that the restaurant itself is very nice and the service here was excellent. The food though, didn't live up to my expectations, maybe in part because I've heard/read so many amazing reviews. That said, I had a great meal, just not the amazing meal I was expecting. We each got the tasting menu and there were some hits and misses. Amuse: Cheese puff . It was a nice airy cheese puff that was very much like the one I had at EMP. Very delicious and a great way to start the meal Fluke Tartare, Radish, Citrus and Trout Roe: - This was probably my favorite dish of the night. It was delicious and wonderfully balanced. I'm not a huge fan of fish tartare dishes, but this one was excellent. Chilled Asparagus soup - I enjoyed this dish, though I have to say, it seems that everything we had that night was over salted. My soup I thought was fine, but my friend's was very salty and we sent it back. The one we got back was much better and even less salty. I have to say I was surprised that they did not season all of the plates uniformly. Smoked Trout Cippollini Purée and Pickled Onions - Another great dish. The smoked trout is delicate and delicious. I would eat this dish again and again. Green Garlic Broth with Rabbit Dumplings - This dish was miss for me. I enjoy dumplings and the ones here were not good. The skin was way too thick and chewy to be enjoyable and the rabbit meat just didn't stand out. Not a great dish. Piedmontese Beef Sugar Snap Peas, Fennel and Morel Sauce - This was another very good dish. The meat was perfect and I just loved the plate. A nice way to end the savory courses. Dessert: The desserts were very good, though there was a sesame ice cream dish that was just underwhelming. I love black sesame ice cream (especially the one at Chinatown Ice Cream Factory) and this one was underwhelming. Overall, I had a wonderful dining experience. The food had mostly hits and some misses as well. Whenever I come back, I will probably avoid all of the Asian inspired dishes. I will definitely check out the Tavern menu next time I stop by.
(4)Jesse F.
Fantastic all around. Great food, service and ambiance!
(4)Cesar A.
What can I say about this place that hasn't already been said? Consistently rated as one of the best restaurants in NYC and for good reason. I came here for lunch since dinner is crazy expensive. Everything was top notch! Can't wait to return!
(5)Foodie L.
SPeeCHleSS....that good!!
(5)Lorri H.
I still think about the mushroom lasagna.
(5)Steph C.
Rustic but elegant - this is how Gramercy Tavern was described to me, and these are the words that resonated in my headwalls throughout a lovely leisurely lunch. The decor was pleasant and understated, with wide open windows and the feel of a well-lit, well-kept, well, tavern. Service was gracious and prompt and never over-bearing. The food was good, but maybe an eighth-pitch short of ringing. The bread - both the olive and the roll - was addictive. I reached for that butter and salt more times than I care to admit. For my meal, I went with the calamari and carrot salad, the sea bass, and the peanut butter semifreddo. The calamari and carrot salad came with toasted pine nuts and a preserved lemon vinaigrette. It was a bright, lovely dish with contrasting textures and an overall slipperiness that was interesting and rather nice. The sea bass was well cooked but maybe a little boring. Served with asparagus, bacon, and spring onions, it was enjoyable without a whole lot of pop - the bacon was finely cubed and lacked crunch, thereby losing a whole lot of bacon-ness that might have boldened the plate. I was a tiny bit disappointed in the peanut butter semifreddo. Not that I didn't consider licking the plate, but I enjoyed it much on the same level that I might enjoy anything with peanut butter and chocolate, that sinful marriage of sugar and fat to sugar and fat. I suppose I was hoping for something with a little more salt contrast. After the initial let-down, though, it was a great dessert, with a tasty chocolate macaron and candied peanuts to boot. At the end of the meal came a sweet trio of mignardises - a wee raspberry macaron, an earl grey chocolate tartlette, and a lemon chocolate. Cute and yummy. Though Tom Colicchio has apparently left the building, I like to pretend that I ate at his house because I love that guy. I adore Thinking Like a Chef and admire his belief in quality ingredients and seasonal cooking. Gramercy Tavern reflects Colicchio's core chef values - what are a few years and a total lack of residual affiliation next to that?
(4)Annabel A.
Gramercy Tavern is definitely my go-to restaurant whenever someone asks me to recommend a top-rated NYC restaurant. What I love most is that the restaurant has a conservative and homey ambiance- not like other top restaurants that have a snooty, "i'm dining like a princess" air to it. The food is top-notch, as can be expected from any highly rated NYC restaurant. Flavours are unique, but not over-done. From my experience, every dish from the mouche-bouche to the complimentary baked goods at the end made me feel warm and delightful. If anything at all, I think they could improve on the bread basket- I love it when restaurants serve "melt-in-your mouth" bread. The bread at Gramercy Tavern is quite ordinary. But other than that, everything else is wonderful. I hardly ever award 5 stars to a restaurant, but this is well-deserved.
(5)Doug S.
Superb in every way, and one of my favorite restaurants. Extraordinary ambience; quiet, friendly service; and top notch food. Also an exceptional and decently priced wine list. If there is any drawback it's that there seems to be some recycling between seasonal tasting menus. Really they should begin anew each season. But this is only an issue for those who want to return.
(5)Joe K.
Impeccable food and service. You really can't go wrong here. It's certainly not cheap, but I'm coming back..as much as possible.
(5)MJ B.
I first went to Gramercy Tavern back in 2004 and remember that it was a great experience. From the food to the service, it was all excellent. I went back two weeks ago and it was still great food and service. My friends and I ordered the prefix menu and it started with a coconut-based soup with shrimps and mussels. It was a light version of tom yam soup and very refreshing with the shrimps cooked to perfection as it melts in your mouth. The second course was smoked sweetbreads where I cannot find the words to describe. The main course was grilled lamb shoulder steak, seasoned and cooked perfectly. The dessert was a chocolate layered cake with sour cream ice cream. All for $90!!!
(4)Rachael H.
Chill spot for great food. Pricey. My dad & I went for lunch. $100. Great service & drinks. Also, gluten free friendly. Awesome location.
(5)Tiffany T.
Dinner at Gramercy is amazing! The dishes and service are top notch. Me and my friend shared the regular and vegetarian tasting. I must admit we were both surprisingly more impressed with the vegetarian dishes than the meat ones. But don't get me wrong, all the food was great. The dish that stood out the most for us was definitely the grenadine dessert. I can't recall the actual name but it was basically lemongrass flavored shaved ice with organic strawberries. I know the idea of lemongrass in a dessert may sound weird but this dish was the perfect mix of fresh and sweet. If you're feeling adventurous and they have this on the menu, be sure to order it!
(5)August M.
Okay. I get the hype. Well, perhaps hype's not the right word. Merit may be better. Gramercy is A GEM. A grand and fittingly polished gem. This place moves like a seasoned skater. But it doesn't lack soul or breed pretentiousness. For a five-star meal, go here. For a five-star cocktail, go here. For five-star service, go here. For five-star ambience, sensory experience....you get the point. Gramercy makes a lot of money. This is apparent down to its seasonal decor. So beautiful, opulent--yet understated--and refined it makes me delighted just to be there. I won't bore you with the details of our meal--it's been a few weeks since the last so my memory isn't as vivid--but I will assure you that you will have one of the best meals in the city you have ever had here... Or if you're a hard-to-impresser, at least one of the best you've had in a while. The cocktails are all outstanding (especially the one with Patron), the wine list stellar. Desserts, check. Everything, all the way. Gramercy, you deserve all the accolades. Bravo.
(5)Veronique M.
This is the perfect place for a winter meal. It is warm and inviting with a great menu and fantastic service.
(4)Chris K.
My wife and I went to the Gramercy Tavern for our 15th anniversary Friday night. Originally the only reservation I could get was for 10:30. I had heard so many good things I was willing to take it. I added in the reservation that if they had any earlier cancellations, I'd be glad to take the spot. They called me two times on Friday, first to move me to 10:00, and then to the perfect 8:00 spot! The food and service were top notch. We loved everything we ate. My wife was allergic to shellfish, so the chef made a replacement dish for that course just for her! When we started out dinner, I causally said to our server we were celebrating "15 years of bliss". When out dessert came out, there was custom writing that said "Happy anniversary, hope for another 15 years of bliss" It was so great that she picked up on such a minor comment and made it special! We have been to two other NYC high end restaurants: Per Se and Le Bernardin. While they are both also great, the quality of the food and service, compared to the cost, Gramercy Tavern blows them both away. If considering either of these, I recommend passing, saving a few bucks, and heading to Gramercy. Trust me, you will be thankful you did!
(5)Jocelyn L.
I finally got the chance to check out Gramercy Tavern for lunch on Saturday before leaving NYC. - Duck Confit with curried lentils- Very succulent and flavorful duck with crispy skin. Best lentils i've ever had! Subtle curried lentils...who knew they could taste so good?! - Chocolate Pudding with toasted brioche- I really wanted to try the Warm Choc Bread Pudding, but it wasn't on the menu! I was STUFFED from the duck, so i don't think i enjoyed this as much as i should/could have. It was rich and creamy, but it was a little too much for lunch, i think All in all, a great experience. Would love to come back for the dinner tasting menu
(4)Philip E.
No need to get into the details but this is the best restaurant in New York City and has been for years. It's great for an upscale business dinner or small family gathering. Excellent chef and wine selection.
(5)Scott R.
I was pretty psyched up to come and check this place out. I've heard amazing things like people waiting for 2 hours and proclaiming it was worth it. Unfortunately, this was not my experience. We showed up early for dinner on a Friday night, around 7. The wait was about 90 minutes before we were able to be sat and the vestibule area was consistently crowded while the bar area was rammed. We had a drink at a total brobar down the street, No Idea, not bad if you're down with lots of high fives and backwards orange frayed hats, anyways, back to Gramercy. When we were sat, we were placed by the main walkway from the kitchen out to the prep kitchen, so there was a lot of foot traffic. The atmosphere seemed good, so I just went with it. The appetizer, shrimp on polenta, was perfect, delicious, but after that, the rest was downhill. Dinner we had gotten pork shoulder, which was overly salty and basically not all that spectacular, and a sea bass, which was overcooked and under seasoned. It was very disappointing to realize this amazing place that people can't stop talking about, can't even serve pork shoulder or sea bass properly. The place is good, not great, overall I personally feel it's way overhyped, there are so many restaurants around the city that, in my mind, can offer a higher quality dining experience all around. I won't be back
(3)Jesse K.
Wow. This was the very last restaurant that the family went to on our 3 day trip to New York and we went out in style. The restaurant was warm with the smell of cinnamon as you enter and that just piqued my senses. Mom in law ordered 3 first courses and they were all wonderful, the butternut squash was rich, creamy and had texture with brussel sprouts and almonds mixed in. We shared the warm winter salad and enjoyed the most wonderful raw beets, spanish black radishes, pickled joy and other tastiness. Fish was of course cooked perfectly. And the deserts were classic. But the best part was the service. You know how much it sucks to get bad service, but when you're paying a lot for that service, it's even worse. Everyone at Gramercy is a class-act.
(5)Chimena C.
Well worth the wait! The atmosphere is great with nice decor. I had the calamari carrot appetizer and would highly recommend it. Also we had the Fennel seafood chowder which was very nice. A little heavy for me but lovely flavors. My friend had the trout which was nice. The tasting menu is nicely priced at $38. My favorite was the dessert! OMG it was a lucious chocolate almond tart thing. Truly amazing! I would recommend everyone come here!!
(4)Paul B.
Danny Meyer understands what it means to be the best. At GT, he shows how it is done. There is no component of this restaurant that is lacking. Food, service, hospitality... all 3 are flawless. What I like most is his ability to deliver all of this in a warm and comfortable setting. Fun, cozy, and lively are typically not words associated with this level of dining.
(5)Carmen Y.
5 solid stars! GT is definitely a NYC staple. My friend and I opted to sit at the bar one Friday evening for a girls night out and waited about 45 minutes for an opening. We ordered and shared the smoked pork shoulder (delicious!) and the $48 tasting menu. Paired off with a nice bottle of red wine. The bar and tavern is PACKED and we got a swarm of people hovering over us while we were trying to enjoy our meal at the bar. The bartender was super friendly (it's a shame, cause I totally forgot his name now) and we all had some awesome convos. He even made sure to kindly ask people to give us some personal space when trying to enjoy our meal. Classy spot. Superb service. Amazing and tasty cuisine. Totally worth the wait and I'd most definitely come back. Next time, I'm making rezzies in advance for the actual dining room! Well done, GT.
(5)Paul B.
The best advice I can possibly give to anyone about anything in life is this: Go to Gramercy Tavern on a sunday afternoon. Sit in the tavern. Order the Omakase. It may take a little bit of explaining to the waiter, but you will be so happy you did it. Not sure how to order Omakase at an American restaurant? When the server arrives first, be friendly, next say "can we ask a favor", and finally explain "we want whatever two mains you like the most on the menu as well as the appetizers you think go best with those mains and corresponding deserts. We complete trust you and are excited to be surprised. We are in your hands" That might not be exactly what Omakase means, but its close enough. Order it. When each item comes out, be amazed. Then when the bill comes out and its not that expensive even though you just got an incredible meal be amazed again at what a great deal lunch in the tavern is.
(5)Flora S.
My husband brought me here for my birthday and overall it was a really great experience. I'd been wanting to come here for years, starting when we lived in the neighborhood but just never got around to it. The interior is really warm and inviting. The decor is pretty traditional with candles and copper sconces. Since it was after Thanksgiving, there was some holiday touches that made the place feel really homey and comfortable. We were seated right away in the dining area (there is a bar/tavern area when you first walk in that's more casual). The website says dress code is business casual but most people were dressed down. I wore a dressy top with high-waisted black pants and I was probably one of the most dressed up diners there. Our server was a friendly guy and did a good job of regularly checking in with us. My husband pointed out that they didn't acknowledge my birthday even though he mentioned it when he made the reservation. I'm not one for the extra attention except the table next to us was congratulated on their anniversary and got complimentary glasses of wine... We opted for the seasonal tasting menu, which gets you 7 courses including two amuse and desert. With the exception of one course that had too many flavors going on on one plate, everything was really delicious and the presentation was nice. The waitstaff who actually brought the food to us were awkward though..they tried to explain what the dish was but stumbled a lot and never made eye contact so it was kind of odd. They would also speak to each other in their native language which seemed out of place for this type of place. We got a bottle of cava which was amazing and went well with our courses. When we got our deserts, they ended up bringing me an extra dessert with a candle and wished me a happy birthday...so i guess they figured it out later? Just weird that it wasn't acknowledged up front. Then after we cleared three desserts between the two of us, they brought out a plate of petite fours. After THAT they brought out two muffins for us to take home and eat for breakfast...really nice touch! At that point we were stuffed to the max. It's not a cheap meal, but I was surprised that it was quite "affordable" given that it's 7 courses plus extra sweets..places like Per Se or Daniel will charge more than double. Overall we had a great night and a lovely meal. We'd come back again and maybe check out the tavern part to see if there is a big difference.
(4)David K.
A truly incredible meal, and certainly among the best I've ever had. Everything about the experience was great. The food, the service, the ambiance, etc. Angela was our server, and she was incredibly kind and attentive, gave us great recommendations, and knew the menu top to bottom. She made the experience very special for us. I've been to some fancy restaurants where the staff is cold or stuffy toward the guests. Definitely not the case here. Its evident in all the little details of how they treat you, with everyone pitching in to make it a great experience. The food was very good. I beef tartare as a first course, and striped sea bass as my main course, and both were excellent. The fish in particular was delicious. The desserts were also particularly good. I ordered the bread pudding and my girlfriend ordered the almond butter cake. They also include a few extra goodies such as a little panna cotta before the main dessert, and a coffee cake that is wrapped to take home. Its obviously not the kind of place you go to on a regular basis (unless you have the money to do so), but for a special occasion, this is as good as it gets.
(5)Maya F.
I've only been here once for lunch at the bar. I forgot how cheap it can be to eat out when you don't order any booze! (Yes, we sat at the bar and didn't drink. We were Those People.) The space is comfy yet classy; the servers wear those vests and ties that flatter the men on the floor while making the women look vaguely like flight attendants; the murals along the walls (by Robert Kushner) and seasonal flower arrangements (by Roberta Bendavid) are beautiful and colorful. The lunch bartender was very handsome, with elegant and apt tattoos, and he was very strict. He would not allow me to substitute the soup that came with my sandwich for the salad on the menu (yes, I was That Girl). However, as he was setting us up with napkins and flatware, he proceeded to spill my glass of water on me. Naturally he had to make amends, and he already knew exactly what I wanted. There is nothing quite like having a comely barman make your lap all wet and then comp you an heirloom tomato salad. It certainly made my afternoon. I seldom skip dessert, even at lunch, and I am glad we didn't this time. The ice cream sundae was unique and vibrant, with popped corn mingling with sweet cream and blueberries, and a small savory corn muffin on the side. (Note that this was some weeks ago; berries and corn -- and the aforementioned tomatoes -- are not so much in season anymore, alas. Still, I imagine there are equally divine treats in store for late fall, both savory and sweet.)
(4)Jean Y.
Great atmosphere, food, and service. I showed up here to meet a friend. I was pretty underdressed since I was in tourist mode, but the staff were not at all snotty. The chilled corn soup, not on the menu we were given but recommended by the friendly waiter, was light and refreshing. The sea bass was soft and delicious. My friend had the daily special, an open faced sandwich with heirloom tomatoes and pork belly. The one bite I tried was pretty delicious. For dessert my friend couldn't decide between the peach and blueberry tart with almond ice cream and the chocolate pudding with salted caramel sauce. The server recommended the tart but surprised us with a complimentary order of the pudding so we could try it in addition to the tart. Now that's good service! Both desserts were delicious. Pretty trendy interior with a gigantic bouquet of sunflowers by the bar and wall murals with a food/floral theme painted in bold colors. The menus matched the walls too. All in all a good experience!
(4)Mel C.
Gramercy Tavern is certainly within the top 2 or 3 restaurant experiences I've had. First time, went for a late afternoon lunch with an old college friend and we lucked into a table in the main dining room without a wait! We spent the next 3 hours sampling the seasonal menu, drinking a run of Austrian wines (we consider ourselves experts, because we both lived there; yeah, I know I'm not really, but the sommelier judiciously didn't point that out), and for some unknown reason trying 5 or 6 eau de vie varieties. Service seemed psychic; it was that amazing experience of knowing when we needed something, never lingering, but also offering every assistance with wine, cheese, liquor, and especially the food. Yes, we were pretty much incapable of walking straight by the end, but it was over three hours, in our feeble defense. The food was all taken from a fall harvest menu (we ordered specials), but I am certain that everything available would have reached the same exquisite level. I vaguely remember a roasted vegetable platter and delectable pork (thanks to the Gruener Veltliner, I'm sure), but I vividly remember the cheese sampler at the end of the meal with a small bottle of amazing port. Every detail of the meal was amazing. I've since returned twice: once in the bar and once with a reservation in the main dining room. Both times met the high expectations. What a beautiful, vibrant, exciting place. I always want to go back...every meal...every time.
(5)Norma A.
First dinner we ate while visiting and off to a great start! Were seated within 10 minutes of our reservation and promptly greeted by our server who paid attention to us precisely when needed. The food was outstanding- best lamb dish I've ever eaten. Stole a bite of the ravioli and loved it too! Dessert included the fudge brownie with a hefty scoop of salted caramel ice cream-yum! We left fat and sassy and would recommend this place hands down!
(5)Lucy Z.
This review is for Gramercy Tavern in August 2011. We had the tasting here. High points: artic char crudo with amazing cippolini onion puree. It was amazing and brought me back to my childhood. Low points: weird and pretty much nasty rabbit dumplings. The actual two slices of rabbit were great but the dumplings were gross. I don't say this often but the texture was truly terrible. Another weird point was the tenderloin dish which came with tiny cubes of stewed meat. After my boyfriend said it was like cat food, I couldn't eat another bite. It really did remind me of something you would feed a cat. At the end, you're given petit fours and a muffin for the next day. The desserts were really good; I especially like this sweet seltzer and sorbet they gave you as the pre-dessert. I was completely stuffed at the end. I would say save you money and do a tasting somewhere else. The tasting here is 125 dollars and I wish I had gone to EMP instead for the price. Service, however was great.
(4)Aaron P.
Ate at the Tavern for lunch, the menu was fresh and drinks paired with every item. Casual lunch atmosphere, fresh food, no reservation needed for saturday at 12. Slow, local food is the way to go.
(5)Jenny C.
Lovely food and atmosphere. The service was great too! And there's free mini macarons for dessert! :D
(4)Cannelle T.
Unpretentious, delicious flavors, and excellent service. I wish I could try the tasting menu.
(5)Megan C.
Smooth Execution There is a reason why so many people have reviewed this place. Every time I come here it only confirms my belief that they cannot mess up a dish. Delicious food, great atmosphere for any occasion, nice staff. Definitely a place you can feel comfortable dining in as a destination restaurant. Date Rating: 8 Pick up Scale: 3 (7 if you're charming and you sit at the bar) Strong Suggestion: Make a reservation they're pretty busy.
(5)Travis M.
Brilliant, every which way around. Food is amazing, the best waitstaff I've had in any restaurant, ever (sorry eleven madison), inventive food, great presentation, and ... Weirdly enough, affordable. I literally spent more at a pizzeria in the bay area than here (did go a little wild at the pizzeria). But honestly, tell me any other place in New York where you can have such fantastic food, way to many glasses if wine (i love wine pairings, but we even had them with the amuse buche - about eight glasses each), and come out for around three bills. I'll tell you where, nowhere! Warm lobster salad and artic char were out of this world, even the foie gras (a palate cleanser foie gras!) was just brilliant. My only regret is I didn't make it back the next day, in the tavern part of the bar, they had four course meals with hard apple cider pairings for - get this - 40 bucks. Go ahead, go to the store, buy the ingredients and the craft apple cider... See what it comes out to. That's what I thought.
(5)Josh F.
Absolutely as good as you've read. The service is always impeccable. The food is very good, varying from 3 stars to 5 stars depending on the dish. The drinks are exceptional.
(5)Lauren K.
I was SO excited to go to Gramercy Tavern for a friend's birthday but was deeply dismayed at my meal. I have been told that this place is far and away the best restaurant in New York City. I have to disagree respectfully. Don't get me wrong, the decor and ambiance of this place is just lovely. You walk in and immediately see bouquets of fresh flowers everywhere. The paintings and decorations in the main dining area make you feel like you are in someone's elegant home. It is intimate but also bustling, which is a difficult balance to strike. The service was superb, friendly, and accommodating... the waiters knew everything about their dishes and were happy to share their expertise with us. That being said, the quality of food simply did not align with the service and atmosphere. Everything was oversalted. Even the bread. When you pay this much for a meal (especially with so many cheap places to eat in the city), you expect excellence. I had the tasting menu and only liked one of my appetizers. Everything else was too salty to bear. In fact, some of it was so salty, I couldn't taste any of the other flavors. This was a true disappointment. It's possible I went on an off day, but with a reputation like theirs, that really shouldn't happen.
(3)Yvonne W.
It's amazing how you can read the description of an item on a menu, and think "meh." And then when it comes to the table, you still think, "meh." But finally, when you take a forkful of it and place it in your mouth, you are so blown away that you just have this look of shock on your face and think, wow, that was probably the most amazing forkful of ANYTHING I've eaten in my life. That's what happened when some coworkers and I came here for a vendor outing. My food snob coworker and I both thought, meh. And when we both took a bite, we both looked at each other thinking how wrong we were to pre-judge. This is in reference to the calamari and carrot salad. Who ever thought something that sounded so plain could be one of the most amazing salads in my life. The entire dining experience was amazing, but this dish is what I remember the most. Excellent service, too, and pretty decor.
(5)Amie F.
I'm not going to shed some as of yet unseen light on this place - it's fantastic, and the service is incredible. The little things like clearing all of the plates at one time, and anticipating your need before you even know you have it, make this a can't miss spot. Of course the food is incredible, though I'd recommend this place as a treat more than a haunt. I'd hate to spoil the special environment by becoming too familiar.
(4)Julia H.
I showed up half hour before the rest of my party and notified the maitre d' that my party was running about 20 - 30 min late. And surprisingly, she said I should sit at a table to save my seat. So I ordered a glass of wine as the restaurant started filling up with the usually nicely-dressed customers. The wait staff was cordial and kind. I was surprised how unpretentious the place was (I hadn't noticed this the time I came here before). The full experience here is consistently wonderful -- from the wine, to the meal to the dessert. Next time my mom's in town, I'm taking her here.
(5)Adrienne A.
For all its hype and fame, Gramercy Tavern is like someone with Old Money - -classy, relaxed, gracious with a "been-there, done-that" attitude in a very self-effacing, secure way. Not snobby or pretentious, with a warm, friendly staff, easy-going bartenders and some really great chow and shockingly reasonable prices, I see Gramercy Tavern as a place where you could comfortably come alone and feel right at home. Later in the evening, there was a "wait" for a seat at the bar, but that's only because our group was hogging up like 1/2 the place (sorry, people waiting). One guy seemed to be visibly annoyed that one of us was in what he considered "his" seat. Clearly, a regular who sees Gramercy Tavern as an extention of his own home, and I can see from being there just one night how you could easily get that feeling. My husband and I had an assorted cheees plate, which had a very thoughtful and interesting cheese selection and a pork shoulder soup/stew something-er-other which had a mega-tender pork shoulder bathing in a fragrant and fantastic broth, happily cavorting with a some of the most unsung heros of the winter vegetable world (sweet potato, brussel spouts, leeks). We're going back. Hope no one is in my seat.
(4)WInston F.
Always accommodating to our groups and always a fair price. Fun cocktails and great apps make this a great happy hour spot.
(4)Anita S.
Absolutely fantastic dining experience. We were on the waitlist for a seat, and made ourselves at home near the bar to wait and see where we'd end up eating, at a table or at the bar. The bartender was a gem. I enjoyed my Cranberry Daiquiri and the boyfriend enjoyed a figgy cocktail. We got in some good people watching before the gracious host and hostess informed us that a table had indeed opened up in the Tavern for us. Thus began a fantastic dinner. The boyfriend found an aged beer for $20 that he was a big fan of, and I'm a cider-lover, so I chose what turned out to be a delicious pear cider to go with dinner. Never before have I had a server who cheered me on by saying "do it" and "yeah!" while ordering-- we felt like we had chosen the best items on the menu judging from her enthusiasm for our selections! We started with a half dozen oysters and one of the specials for the night, cheddar and bacon biscuits. Next came round two of apps, the Merguez Sausage which was so tender and lamb-luscious and the best duck liver mousse I have ever had. We joked that if we just ate that mousse all night, we'd be happy campers. We also ordered some Sweetbreads that the bf savored. We felt that we had to order an entree to round things out, so we went with the Red Snapper. The accompanying veggies and sauce were delicious. And obviously, room had to be made for dessert! We figured that ice cream would melt around the food in our full bellies, so we got the trio of sorbets-- Concord Grape was our favorite, Pear and Quince. Highly recommend this place for the service, ambiance (I loved the holiday decorations!! Christmas balls!!) and the food.
(5)Lisa G.
I have been to Gramercy Tavern with my husband on two separate special occasions and chose the tasting menu. We were not disappointed, from the service to the food, the whole dining experience was next to none. I absolutely love this place and can't wait to have another special occasion to go again! We also bought the new cookbook since we are fans of Gramercy and Danny Meyers, great book!
(5)Dave K.
Gramercy Tavern was already a New York institution under founding chef Tom Colicchio. But Colicchio's replacement, Michael Anthony, took the restaurant's vision of classical American cookery and commitment to local seasonal ingredients to another level. The service is still the very definition of unforced, relaxed hospitality and the cooking understated, masterful and imaginative in every way. But it's the way that everyone in the restaurant seems to share a sense of mission--of consecrating themselves to creating a perfect three-star restaurant--that sets Gramercy Tavern apart. That and the outrageously effective, utterly primitive wood stove that is the place's culinary secret weapon.
(5)Jean C.
Came here a couple of times but I just love the versatility of this place. One day I came here dressed up for dinner, another day I literally stumbled in with shorts and a tshirt on. They were most accommodating and both times the service never changed , only where I sat. Everything here reminds me of food served in California wine country or Vermont because of how wholesome and hearty the food is. Go for the scallops(so soft and fresh) and the roasted chicken-it's delicious, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The wine list here is pretty massive but so is their beer list-that always makes me smile.
(5)EatOutKid E.
Ok so I went here on a Sunday for a late brunch. Only the Tavern section (front) was open and we were seated in nicely enough for me to look out the window at the renovations across the street and my girl got the better view of the restaurant. I'm a Asian Jew who enjoys business development so this worked out for both of us. They only offer a la carte during the day, FYI. I ordered the Marguez sausage appetizer which was kindly split for both of us. Nice presentation. I noticed just a slight synthetic taste which was probably coming from the casing...but was less noticeable once i smothered it in the sherry reduction and combined it w/ the chick peas. Pretty good as it was the only thing that stood out from the appetizer section. For drinks, I ordered the Orange Blossom. It's pretty much champagne w/ orange bitters presented w/ an orange peel and sugar cube to keep it fizzing. Not bad. I think I got a slight head change since it was my first drink of the day. $12 a pop for any signature cocktail. For the main course, my girl ordered the pulled pork sandwich w/ fingerling potatoes instead of coleslaw ($18) and I had the Sea Bass ($22). Nice presentation on both dishes but the standout was the Sea Bass. HOT DAMN!! I've never tasted fish prepared this way. Not the best filet of fish but It had some kind of curry sauce w/ 3 kinds of nuts sprinkled over the top while lying on a bed of spaghetti squash. Squash shredded like spaghetti!! WTF.. how creative and the texture was similar to enoki mushrooms. I bit into it and almost ejaculated under the table. The group of older ladies next to me must have heard my reaction b/c they ended up ordering the exact same thing we had at ours. Now it wasn't the most filing of dishes but I did stuff three slices of their wheat bread before hand in anticipation of filling the void. As I always do, I snuck in a couple bites of my girls sandwich and thought it wasn't bad. Sauce was sloppy joe-esque but light enough to let the meat shine. The fingerling potatoes, was their version of mashed potatoes that had a pearl like texture. Not bad. @ $2 more, my girl liked it better than a sandwich at Cafe Habana in soho. I thought so too. For desert we had the pumpkin whoopie pie which was cute, light and tasty and plate of cookies. @ $ 9 a pop I thought the plate of cookies was a rip off b/c it was exactly just that and the cookies sucked. A $4 box of girl scout cookies taste way better. Tab came out to just over $100 w/ tip. Service was nice and proper. Decor was classic, tasteful and not pretentiously overdone. Nice oval tables that gave you a lot of surface area w/o being to far from your date and it had hooks on the side for purses which was a clever idea. Overall not a bad experience, I may want to try their prefix dinner one of these days. ---damn this was one of the longest reviews i've done in a while.. I must be bored out of my mind.
(4)Bradley C.
This place is definately one of my favorites... I've been here only three times in the last 10 years, but it is definately all that you would expect from a a top NYC restaurant. Food, drink and service are perfect. The place itself is elegant, but not intimidating. This is definately fine dining... Worth every cent!
(5)Andrew B.
I skipped four meals--two before, two after--as part of my Gramercy experience. When you're going to Gramercy with Heather H, you do NOT eff around. Of course we sat at a center table, so that we get to see the little silverware dance they do. I'm having trouble remembering all the food we ate because it was so mind-blowingly awesome that my mind is trying to PROTECT itself from getting blown again simply by recalling the experience. Though I thoroughly enjoyed the venison, I think my favorite might have been the squab. I mean some people in our group were singing "I don't want no squab" beforehand because they were afraid of pigeons or whatever, but they tried it anyway and were totally impressed. Let's talk about the dessert situation. We each got six full desserts, and did a timed switcheroo tasting. But before that started, we had the pear sorbet madness. I really liked the peanut butter semifreddo, but my fav was this thing with this red sorbet, help me out here, I don't remember exactly what it was but it was TRANSCENDENT. To Michael Anthony: Normally I don't trust people with two first names, but my hat goes off to you sir for a truly amazing experience. To Heather H: (on knees, arms raised) I am not worthy! I am not worthy! I'm dumb! I suck!
(5)Jenni C.
Loved this place from start to finish. We had the most wonderful dining experience. We opted to dine at the tavern, instead of the restaurant for the $35 tasting menu. I was truly amazed to find the service to be top-notch (even in the tavern area), as every staff member took measurable strides to make our experience both pleasant and enjoyable. Our bartender/server was especially courteous and helpful in every way. When we couldn't decide on the third cheese for our platter, he took the liberty of including the fourth option free of charge. We truly enjoyed the Michelin star quality food. Everything from our appetizers, entrees, dessert and the cheese platter were utterly amazing. We plan to return to Gramercy Tavern in the future, and will definitely try the full tasting menu at the restaurant.
(5)Neha S.
Oh how you disappointed me Gramercy Tavern!! Went here on New Years Eve for my birthday. Got seated next to a group of 4 people who were totally wasted (at 7:30 pm). They were dropping their chairs, taking pictures with flashes and constantly going in and out of the restaurant to smoke. So much for atmosphere! Decided to do the 3 course tasting. Started with a squash soup, which was OK. Not a whole lot of flavor. Next I ordered a carrot/barley dish, which the server said was like a risotto. It came out as a plate of sauteed carrots! Seriously - carrots as my main dish? The waitress replaced this with a pasta, which was just OK. Desserts were the best, but at this point I was too disappointed to enjoy them. And in case my review didn't turn you off from going there - check this quote out from an article in the NYTimes: Both Le Cirque and Gramercy Tavern were found to have flies and "conditions conducive to attracting vermin," and inspectors also found roaches at Gramercy Tavern.
(1)Srini V.
I was raised on a steady diet of kung-fu movies. The lead character, say Bruce Lee, would be gunning for revenge, for example, for his Master having been killed unfairly. He would go through several rounds of fights before getting to the kingpin in the rival hierarchy: Round Result --------------------------------------------------Â-------------------------------------------- 1) o o o o With a few nifty forearm movements, --|-- --|-- --|-- --|-- and some fancy footwork, Bruce Lee /\ /\ /\ /\ makes short work of these amateurs 2) o o o A small number of skilled fighters. --|-- --|-- --|-- Again, no match for Bruce, who adds ../\.. ../\.. ../\.. freaky sounds to scare them away! 3) o o A couple of advanced Shaolins who '--|--' '--|--' force Bruce Lee to resort to nunchaku ../\.. ../\.. skills to demolish the opposition 4) ,,, o The mastermind. Often Bruce would '--|--' have to summon extreme Jeet Kune ../\.. Do techniques to overcome the leader As I entered the portals of Gramercy Tavern each of the four times I dined here, I was expecting a 'Round 4' opponent. And each time I would encounter a Round 3 or even a Round 2 on steroids (good wine). Not that I am Bruce Lee. But I am disappointed. A Zagat favorite, and clearly one of the best options in the Union Square and Flatiron area, I have been here on two business lunches, and two dinners, including one for a friend's birthday. And there will doubtless be more visits to follow in my natural course of living in New York. The tavern is a great option if you are looking for a lighter meal. The main dining room has a warm Tudor style feel, that only serves to raise the level of expection from the food and service. Full marks to Danny Meyer for designing a very "New York" menu, complemented by an excellent selection of wines--take it from a wine expert and colleague, who was once my dining company. Now here are items that I would gladly endorse: the arugula and squash salad, the mushroom risotto (the best risotto I have ever eaten), and the steamed veggie plate (love the asparagus). My discerning companions loved the grouper and halibut. Five stars for the wine selection and dessert options. The Apricot Pistachio Frangipani Tart--a masterpiece that combines great texture with taste. Or the Chocolate Coconut Tart. Delightful combination. But when you add it all up, you are still looking at a 3.5 to 4 star rating at this price. You would expect a ringleader, of the caliber of Daniel or Per Se. Tsk, tsk. I have seen better values for money. Bruce Lee is ready for a superior fighter.
(4)Sam G.
I've been wanting to go to Gramercy Tavern for the past couple of years ever since I moved to New York, but never actually made it there. I finally made it when my wife just took me there for my birthday! And it lived up to my expectations fully! We were seated in a wonderful area of the restaurant towards the back corner of the main dining room. The waitress we had was both extremely friendly and very knowledgeable about both the food menu and the drink menu and how to pair them together. We ordered the Open Ravioli with Meat and I wasn't really sure what to expect, but it was amazingly tasty - I could've had seconds of it! We also got the Corn Pudding to start which also was good, but not as good. For entrees, it was the halibut which was cooked so perfectly, it was silky smooth, and the lamb which was very good as well. My favorite dessert we had was the Peanut Butter Semifreddo. Everything this night couldn't have been better and if you haven't been to Gramercy Tavern yet, you should definitely give it a try at least once. I'm sure I'll be back there a second time soon!
(5)Ju J.
Had a tasting menu, in the back. There were good amount of choices, and there were some delectables chosen by the chef sent from the kitchen to distract us while waiting for rest of the food to come out. Tried, for the first time, Foie Gras. It was good experience overall, but expect a hefty bill. They serve more affordable meals outside near the bar, but they don't take reservation so have to wait for a while, depending on the date and time
(4)Michael V.
The meatball plate for lunch and cheesecake with brownie and strawberry sorbet for desert is the best way to go
(5)Gabrielle K.
This place was amazing! We were in NYC for 2 weeks during Christmas and came here twice, the first time wasn't planned. We were in the neighborhood and asked for a recommendation for a good drink. Once we sat down and tried the food we were hooked, the day before we left to come home we came back for a late lunch. During the first visit we tried the mussels with chorizo, kidney beans and a cilantro broth (tasty!) We also had the meatball, yes, one meatball... this thing was the size of a softball, cut in half and served on top of the creamiest potato puree ever. I would have licked the plate if it wouldn't have been totally inappropriate. The second time we came here for lunch. I started out with the orange blossom cocktail, champagne poured over a sugar cube with a big slice of orange rind (delicious, I had 2!) We shared the mussels (again) and the sweetbreads which were to die for! The husband had the meatball for a second time and I had the kielbasa with speatzle, both were excellent. The service was good, not the best I have had but with the food being as good as it was I can forgive. Plus I think NYC service is just completely different from the service you receive in Texas, people are just friendlier down here.
(5)Liz C.
Work, family, and romance plummeted and trisected at a single point of deep despair - one amendable, I hoped, through a mild splurge at the festive and famous Gramercy Tavern. GT, as it turned out, is a bit crunchy. There's a vegetarian tasting menu for $98. I'll also deign to label it "family friendly" - it's big, patchworky, unpretentious and full of chatter and cheer on the interior. It's the type of establishment where the waitstaff and fellow patrons would happily chorus in for a birthday song, and merrily applaud and toast an engagement - functionally suitable, I concluded, for all occasions, provided that the diner is an extrovert. That's not to say that the meal was inelegant - just that elegance isn't GT's schtick. We opted for the 5-course, $116, non-vegetarian autumn tasting menu, which opened with a fluke tartare topped with a colorful trout roe - a warmly-hued dish, at the expense of a little excess fishiness. The secondary Nantucket Bay scallops (those really small ones) and tertiary smoked trout, each served with a vegetable puree, were both commendably rendered, and together the high points of the savory dishes. The low point was, disappointingly, the menu item I'd most looked forward to sampling: fettuccine with a (too-gamy) rabbit and (overpoweringly bitter) brussels. The ensuing venison was a palatable, if not outstanding peace offering. I will note that the dessert - I chose chocolate bread pudding - and the cocktails - I chose more than I was sober enough to recall later - were excellent, and the service was cheerful and warm. I left feeling much better.
(4)Lissa V.
And for my 100th review... let me present to you GRAMERCY TAVERN! One of the best all around dining experiences I've had in NYC!! FFF, T and I came here on a snowy Saturday evening and it was the definition of perfection. Those two had actually already been here once without me, can you believe it??!! I couldn't either, needless to say I was beyond excited to finally experience Gramercy Tavern for myself. As others have mentioned the service is top notch, I mean these guys really have it down. The could teach the course to all other area restaurants. The Tavern Menu is one of the best deals in the city, hands down. You still get exquisite food for a price that is really reasonable. Plus, the Tavern itself has such a great feel to it. It's warm and classy, friendly and upscale all at the same time. Their cocktail list is really on point and I highly, highly recommend the Fall Classic with Bourbon, Cider, Calvados, Thyme and Lemon. This is a drink you will find yourself craving weeks if not months later, and perfect for any chilly evening. The wine list is also great, and amazingly reasonable. Also, they sell a "taste" of wine ie: half glass. Let me explain to you how perfect this is, say you are going to share a nice bottle of Pinot to accompany your meal but you're like me and can't fathom the idea of not starting with the oysters. Now you're thinking well a crisp white would be better with the oysters now wouldn't it.... well Gramercy Tavern has the solution already figured out for you: half glass! Damn, these guys have thought of everything... The food... oh the food! When FFF are together it's a sharefest of food. I know what you're thinking... we're not mean to T, we'd share with her too but she's allergic to shellfish and I prefer my dinners not ending with a trip to the E.R.!! So anyway we split some oysters, pate, the seafood tagliatelle off the tasting menu (umm yea they don't even flinch at substitutions and special requests at GT). T had the sweetbreads and even though I'm not really a fan she said they were fantastic. I had the flounder which was amazing and done over spaghetti squash and a lovely sherry sauce, it was really just divine. FFF had the smoked pork shoulder, which I got a couple of bites of and was also amazing but a bit rich. For dessert we did the chocolate pudding and the banana creme tart, which reminded us of a banana pudding. Both were equally fabulous. The entire bill- cocktails, wine, all that food (yea we went a tad overboard) and dessert came to about $100 per person - AND WE ATE LIKE KINGS! Thank you Gramercy Tavern for joining my Top 5!
(5)Jess L.
Wow! This place is wonderful. I recently stayed in New York with my boyfriend. Maybe because I'm from LA and we are bit more laid back but up until this restaurant I had been really underwhelmed and irritated with New York restaurants. Every place we ate at seemed to busy and too cool to have decent customer service, not because they were busy but because their wait staff didn't understand how to quickly turn a table without being an asshole. Anyways, rant over because this place really changed my opinion on NYC, this is a quality resturant where they really care about their customers. Yes they are expensive but it's worth it. We booked a table, which I recommend as the main dinning room is lovely, just a day before. I'm sure we lucked out and go in on a cancelation so I suggest booking a few weeks ahead. When we booked we mentioned it was our anniversary. After being seated in a cozy booth/table we were given a complimentary glass of champagne to start off the celebratory dinner. We choose the set menu. I got the open faced ravioli and pork. My man got shrimp and the sea bass, which I wish I had ordered..but mine was still delish. For our desserts my boyfriend got the apple pie and I had peanutbutter dessert. The staff really made sure our meal was special. They brought out an extra dessert which read happy anniversary on it! All together the meal was great! I felt so pampered and we plan to make this a must every time we are in NYC!!!
(5)Barrett S.
The lovely girlfriend gets major points for taking me here for my birthday. For years I have referred to GT as "my favorite restaurant I've never been to." I'd walk past the crystalline 10-foot windows and stare in at the beautiful people with their beautiful food and impeccable lighting, feeling like an orphan child hiding in the shrubs of a Dickensian mansion while a warm Christmas-day turkey dinner unfolds inside. But last week I became a member of the mansion-dwelling elite. The food. Oh goodness the food. I had the trout appetizer. The trout was smoked and existed at this luscious midpoint between cooked and raw, where the flesh melts in your mouth. It sat on a bed of cippollini onions prepared three ways, one as a vinaigrette, one as a creamy puree, and one pickled with beet juice. The sheer creativity was amazing and, of course it was delicious to boot. The gf had the heirloom tomato tart with pickled watermelon (yes, you read that right) which was pretty much a perfect tart. My main was the rack of pork + belly, which was perfectly succulent and very rich. I kind of wish I had tried something a little more adventurous, or at least something I don't eat often, but on the other hand this was a known quantity done impeccably. The gf had the striped bass which tasted very good but I'm not generally a capable judge of fish. For dessert, I had the ice cream sundae with blueberry compote and toffee popcorn, which gave it a very pleasing crunch. I thought I wasn't going to like the decor of the backroom but it was actually very pleasant. There are many semi-partitions between the quadrants of the room so pretty much every table feels like a corner table, and you have little glimpses into the tavern and other rooms which makes it feel like you're spying from a secret corner and not just in one, loud room. The service was extremely capable without being overbearing, and Michael Anthony came out at the end of the meal to say goodnight, which was a great touch. A fantastic, five-star dining experience. Oh, I almost forgot! My cocktail, the New Deal was amazing -- rye with pickled greenmarket cherries. It was strong enough that the taste of the liquor still came through, but not at all difficult to drink.
(5)Mags P.
I am not sure what everyone is talking about. Maybe it was an off night for the restaurant but I don't think the food was that great. This review is for the Tavern side as we could not get reservations for the dining room. I've been to plenty of great restaurants in San Francisco so I know what excellent food is. At Gramercy everything was kind of bland and not the most exciting of recipes. To tell you the truth, I was so unimpressed I can't even remember what I ate. I remember liking the atmosphere a lot and the service was fantastic both at the bar and at the Tavern, but other than that even the dessert was not memorable. Maybe we will try it again in the summer but the winter menu was not amazing. :-(
(3)Aaron R.
I've been here on more than one occasion and can only say 'Wow, what a place!' The entire staff has always been great, the decor is wonderful and the food...plating and taste are wonderful. If dinner is a bit much for the budget, then make sure you treat yourself to lunch. I've also gotten the downstairs tour where all the magic happens. The staff were friendly and humorous. Looking forward to my next visit!
(5)Jenny S.
one of my favorite Michelin Star restaurants in NYC & one of the TOP meals i've had in NYC!! highly recommended for a special occasion since the staff is so professional & pleasant we went w/ the seasonal tasting menu ($120 per person).. it's 6 courses but they give you TONS of additional treats throughout the meal! PLUS they let you swap out the dessert if you're craving something else ---jalisco pear cocktail: so refreshing, definitely the right choice for me! ---fall cocktail: the boyfriend loved this cocktail but i'm not a dark liquor lover ---complimentary bread: tasty chive roll! & loved the flaky crust on the other white bread option ---amuse bouche: pickled veggies, nothing special ---marinated scallops: fresh scallops tossed in a salad with pole beans, great texture contrast ---warm lobster salad w/ cauliflower & lardo: lobster was cooked well & i loved the cauliflower ---halibut: so flavorful w/o being salty.. mM ---ricotta tortellini: our least favorite dish of the night ---roasted duck breast: it wasn't better than the duck i had at eleven madison park, but it was still delish ---complimentary palette cleanser: mandarin orange panna cotta w/ marscapone, not bad ---chocolate espresso semifreddo: amazing!!! loved the chew on the macaron cookies & the macadamia nuts... they were sweet enough to write Happy Birthday Jenny on the plate in chocolate & top it w/ a candle ---golden raisin bread pudding w/ chamomille ice cream: i wasn't a huge fan of the bread pudding but i loved the ice cream ---complimentary petit fours: peanut rocher, chocolate toffee, caramel truffle, butter cookie, & macaron.. everything was delish except the overly sweet macaron ---to TAKE home: awww cute afterthought, i love when restaurants send you home with a treat! we got an oatmeal cinnamon coffee cake, that was moist, but nothing amazing NOTE: dinner seating begins at 5:30 pm but the tavern for drinks & food is open earlier!
(5)Blue G.
They have great dish of duck liver. Beautiful decoration of flowers, good service. It will be great place to visit for a date to make it a fancy night.
(4)Mike P.
Exceptional food! Exceptional service! Very small portions! Given their price point, you shouldn't leave hungry. That being said, you won't get a more delicious meal or more attentive service. There are very few places producing food on their level. Appetizers, entrees and dessert, they don't miss a beat. Even their cocktails are done to perfection. Just don't skip lunch the day you're going here for dinner.
(4)John-Paul P.
I dropped in a few weeks ago for lunch, having a few hours to kill before meeting up with my girlfriend. Gramercy Tavern opens at noon and as I drove by shortly before noon, in my search for parking, the masses had already begun congregating out front. My journey here today had one purpose - to try the secret, off menu hamburger. I finally found parking and hoofed it back to the restaurant. The tavern room was bustling, but they had plenty of open seats, both in the tavern, at the bar and in the dining room. I told the hostess I didn't have a reservation, but could they take one - yes, of course they could. She also explained they had a few different dining rooms and menus, but I said the tavern room was fine. After talking to the hostess and making sure the burger was available, I sat at the bar. Now, for those of you who don't know about their burger... heck, even I didn't until someone told me, it is an off menu item. I don't know if it's a secret mixture of Pat LaFrieda meat, but whatever it is, it's ground daily in house. The buns are made fresh as well and only a certain amount of patties and buns are made each day. So, when the patties and buns are out, the burger is no longer served. This could be at 1pm or it could be at 5pm. I've heard only 20 burgers are available each day, but who really knows. If they don't sell out at lunch, then they'll be available for dinner as well. Moving on, when I sat at the bar, the bartender was very nice and friendly. She handed me food and drink menus. She went over the daily specials, which included the burger, which I ordered, medium rare. I opted to stick with water and while I waited for my meal, I was brought a nice hearty piece of bread with a good sized chunk of butter. Soft and delicious bread with a good crust and creamy butter. Yum... The burger arrived shortly thereafter and looked like heaven. It was simply prepared, with cheese on top and lettuce and onions on the side. The plate also came with purple potato chips, which were some of the best potato chips I've ever had. The burger was also served with three condiment sauces, which came on the side. At the time, each sauce was explained and which I tasted each, I didn't put any on the burger and can't remember what each sauce was. When I finally bit into the burger, it was immensely satisfying, with each bite being better than the last. On the inside, it was perfectly cooked to medium rare and was hot, red, juicy and delicious. In fact, after seeing my burger, the guy sitting next to me ordered the same thing. I took a look at the dessert menu, but took my check instead. At $18, the burger is absolutely worth it. In fact, it's better than some of the other gourmet burgers served around the city. I'd take the burger at Gramercy Tavern over the burger at Minetta Tavern, 21 Club and Five Napkin Burger any day.
(5)Hookin S.
wow~! really good~! taste~ really gooooooooooooooooooood!! i will go again~! see ya!!!
(5)L H.
Must say the Seabass was well cooked and the lime meringue tart was excellent. I would recommend this place as a nice second or third date as the atmosphere is very inviting, beverages are on par, and the food is quite delicious.
(4)KC B.
This place is the tits plain and simple. Go there for the Seasonal Tasting Menu. Eat. Blow your Mind. See the bill. Have a heart attack. Pay the bill. Save up and come up back on special occasions. The bar menu is recommended as well and doesn't provide quite the same kick to the groin when the bill arrives. Boom boom shake the room.
(5)Johanna T.
Loved the atmosphere of this place! A lovely place to go for an intimate setting or a well-sized group. I gave them forewarning that I wanted to go there that evening to celebrate something and was pleasantly surprised with a small cake on the house with "Congratulations" written on it in chocolate. In terms of the meal itself, the beef tartare was fantastic and something I would definitely go back for. The striped bass I had was great, but not the best I've ever had. Great experience overall.
(5)Karen S.
So it might have been the recent freedom from our medical boards that made this place even better, but I doubt it. We sat in the tavern area. Got there at 6 and sat down right away. They said that after 6:30 the bar tables fill up and it becomes a 45 minute wait (on an average day). Everything that was put on our table was worthy of 5 stars. We started with the Pate and it was lovely. Rich in flavor yet smooth and creamy. Enough to share that is for sure. For my entree I got the pork shoulder. Amazing flavors that worked so well together and the broth that is was it ... out of this world. Long story short, great place and prices that won't kill your pocket. Worth a shot.
(5)Hideki K.
Dining Experience # 2 - Winter RW Lunch in the Bar Room Me and the gf dined here at the front Bar Room during Winter RW two weeks ago. As you should know by now, the bar room does not take reservations (that's strictly for the dining room) and requires a wait. However, it was THE BEST RW meal, better than the deal at The Modern inside MOMA. Squabbie's grilled octopus appetizer was SO DAMN good. Her chicken entree was superbly done (very cannibalistic of her to order it). For the first time ever, the white meat out excelled the dark in juiciness and tenderness. Nicely done. The duck pate with pistachios and a fig was good. My baseball-sized meatball entree was surprisingly good. Our meal wasn't quite yet done. For $24.07, we were also served a dessert. I opted for the "Selection of Ice Cream" - Vanilla Bean Bourbon, Cinnamon Sour Cream, and Milk Chocolate Coconut. Each selection started off tasting like its first description (vanilla, cinnamon, and chocolate), but moments later the second flavor (bourbon, sour cream, and coconut, respectively of course) would kick in for a nice surprise and excellent complimentary taste to the original. Of the three, the vanilla bean bourbon was the best. The amazing dessert did nothing to disappoint. The Squabert ordred a pear tart. As part of this year's Winter RW promotion at GT, all diners received a complimentary $24.07 gift certificate good for lunch or dinner (i.e. anytime @ GT) and in the front bar room or rear dining room (i.e. anyplace @ GT). We knew about this beforehand, but this gift just added to the superbness of the meal, and directly led to last night's... Dining Experience # 3 - Dinner in the Dining Room The dining room was really good! For $86, you are served one one app, one entree, and one dessert. The chef also gives an amuse bouche, breakfast coffee cake (which I'm about to have), chocolates, and also a potato puff with olive tapenade inside (also chef's compliments). The wine list was extensive, and we enjoyed a vintage 1998 La Gramolere red Manzone from Italy's Barolo (Piedmont) region. DDOC baby! That's Denominazione di Origine Controllata for ya ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De… ). The appetizer was quite substantial in size. I had a squid ink Tagliatelle with calamari and mussels in a spicy lobster reduction (good), Squab had paparedelle with lamb (great), & our friend had the recommended smoked trout (great). For entreés, I had a cooked to medium-rare rack of lamb with a broccoli sauce (wow, best lamb steak I've had, so tender and an excellent balance of gamey flavor, not strong at all), Squabbie and my buddy both opted for the pork loin + fatty pork belly (pork loin was not so great, the fatty pork was good as usual). For desserts, I selected a chocolate / maple pecan tart with vanilla bourbon ice cream (the double staggered taste ice cream is excellent, initially tasting of vanilla, then hitting you with the bourbon flavor, same ice cream I had for lunch two weeks ago), Squabbie chose a tapiocca dessert (we all agreed it was the best tapiocca we've ever had), person #3 picked a semifredo peanut custard (similar to a custard) on choclate macaroon (French-style, not Jewish). They loved it; it was too peanuty for my liking though. Though the pork loin was sub-GT standard, GT is still amazing, still a SOLID 5, and still our fav NYC resto (considering price and quality)! The bar room has different offerings than the dining room, but the level of service is top notch in the dining room. The food for both are excellent, though you'll easily top 3 digits in the dining room (whereas you can get by with paying ~$50 in the bar room), but you have the luxury of being able to reserve a spot rather than having to wait 1hr+ for bar room seating. I guess that's the trade off b/c the food is just as good in the bar room.
(5)Wylie P.
Was totally looking forward to my visit to GT to celebrate my girlfriend's BD. Aside from the bread and the service, the food left quite a bit to be desired. We both ordered sea bass per the server's recommendation. Overly salted, and both pieces were half as thick as normally received in other establishments. If not for the good bread we would have been left starving. So, after coming in from Dallas, and choosing GT over 1000's of other restaurants in the city, I was totally disappointed and out $200. Maybe we should stick with hamburgers from the Shack.
(2)Monk G.
Menu selection in the bar area allows a fantastic array of choices, and with a great cocktail list and wine list, you can really tailor a fantastic casual meal with the same great service experienced in the main dining room. The BEST upscale casual in the city.
(4)Q A.
I got the Tasting Menu....$112 pp and a bottle of wine from the hamptons...I'm a San Franciscan and maybe i have different tastebuds compared to a New Yorker but my rating is based on the food. Service was great, ambiance was nice....I liked the fact that ppl actually dressed up to the nines---unlike in San Francisco...where no matter what you will always see someone in jeans and a fleece sweater--while next to them is someone dressed in a tux---but hey--That's what makes SF SF :) OK here is the breakdown: (I took a picture of each item--I have no shame) 1) Amuse Bouche---ehhh Dry 2) Tuna tartare deal ---very very good melts in your mouth good :) 3) Chilled Corn soup (hmmm---not good, flavors were creative but to difficult to manuever) 4) Trout--(definitly melt sin your mouth like seabass but taste like trout--Its made with pickled pureed onions with vinegar giving it that distinct taste and great combination) 5) the Pork (that was not good at all---it was dry, hard and I did not even eat half) 6) the dessert (it's ok nothing special 7) gramercy tavern bread pastry to go--cute conecpt but bread was dry and I ended up giving it to the housekeeping in the hotel) Overall Experience....3 Stars :)
(3)Ryan M.
My taste buds and tummy are happy. Excellent service, Excellent food, EXCELLENT pastry chef. A 4.5 overall. 4 for food, 5 for overall experience.
(5)Jennifer S.
I took my Mom here this week during our visit to NYC and again, I was not disappointed! I had the chicken and my Mom tried the kielbasa. Both were fresh, flavorful and just downright delicious! The fresh flowers are impressive and such a nice touch. Our server was great - friendly, efficient and very helpful in describing several of the dishes to us.
(5)Christopher G.
Gramercy Tavern is to New York what the French Laundry is to Napa Valley.. a landmark and a restaurant New York is extremely proud of and after my recent meal I fell in love just like everyone else. I was hesitate to even come here due to it being Restaurant Week because I'm personally not of fan of Restaurant Weeks but to my surprise the menu consisted of many dishes from the regular menu. While be escorted to my table in the main dining room, I took in the restaurant because it has a beautiful relaxed atmosphere that really just makes you feel calm and almost like your dining at home. For my meal I went with the Lamb Pappardelle with Olives, Lemon Confit and Beet Greens. This dish really took me back when I was a kid and reminded me of a pimped out Hamburger Helper. With generous chunks of Lamb cooked to perfection on top of perfectly cooked pasta with a wonderful brown gravy that had a slight yellow tint to it that really brighten up the dish. The smell was just wonderful like a nice hearty soup with a zesty lemon smell and was the perfect dish for a cold winter day. Next I went with the Sea Bass with Spaghetti Squash, Walnuts and Sherry Sauce. A beautifully cooked piece of Sea Bass that literally cut like butter with a bright yellow sherry sauce with little chunks of walnuts and squash all on top of a bed of spaghetti squash. The dish was just a knock out. For desert I went with the Warm Chocolate Bread Pudding with Cacao Nib Ice Cream. It was a very rich bread pudding in the shape of a muffin with gooey chocolate in the center and a dollop with Chocolate Chip Ice cream that even Blue Bell can't touch. Every single dish tasted amazing, fresh, and I just loved the bright colors Chef Anthony uses in his cooking. Overall, one of the best meals I've had. Everything was simple and you could really see, taste, and smell each ingredient which I loved. The service was stellar. After dining at another Danny Meyer restaurant, Eleven Madison Park, you can really see that he cares about his guests as well as his staff. Chef Anthony came out at the end of my meal and had a menu for me that was signed by the entire kitchen staff as well as him and thanked me for dining there. The funny thing is was he wasn't even in the kitchen while I was eating but coming in during desert so its obvious they have well trained and talented chefs working in the kitchen. I can't wait to return!!!
(5)Danielle J.
Went for lunch. We came exactly at 12:00 and sat in the Tavern section. The table we were sitting at in this section was a bit on the uncomfortable side - to eat at; but it was all secondary when the food arrived. The desert was amazing too. The service was very good as well. Good place to take your parents when they come into town...
(5)Lindsay H.
I'm not one to hate on a restaurant just because it has rave reviews. I was actually really excited to try Gramercy Tavern when my boyfriend said we were going there for our 5-year anniversary. Unfortunately, it was only so-so. We did the prix-fixe menu, not the tasting menu, so maybe that was the problem. My appetizer was very good, but my entrée was pretty average (neither are still on the menu). On top of my entrée being pretty average, it took forever to get. Something must have been going on in the kitchen because the manager came out and apologized to us for the wait and assured us that our food would be coming out shortly. To make up for the long wait, they gave us a free dessert. Unfortunately, we each already had a dessert as part of the prix-fixe, so having a third dessert was really unnecessary. They also give you petit fours after dessert, so it was just too much at the end of the meal. Everyone in the restaurant was really nice, and despite the slow service, I don't think there was anyone in particular to blame. For the price, I've definitely had better meals elsewhere in the city, but it still felt very special. I don't think my experience was the norm, so I would still recommend the restaurant to others.
(3)Ed W.
By most accounts this is one of the better restaurants in New York. There is a more casual (and affordable) tavern area in the front, and a more formal (although not at all stuffy) restaurant behind a curtain. This is a review of the restaurant, and the winter tasting menu that we had there. At $115 a person, we settled on a reasonably priced bottle of pinot noir to keep the bill from escalating too rapidly. The wine was quite nice. Service was prompt and efficient, and nothing more. The fluke tartar was good although unremarkable. The scallops with cauliflower and almond were delicious - could have used a bigger portion of these. The smoked trout with onion puree was absolutely perfect, and one of the best fish dishes I have ever had. Unfortunately, the final two meat dishes were a little of a let down. The rabbit fettucine stew was forgettable, with the exception of a couple nice brussel sprouts. The venison loin was perfectly tender, but was lacking in game flavor - I have had far more enjoyable venison elsewhere, but perhaps it is a matter of personal taste. If you don't like venison you might very well like this venison. For dessert we opted for a cheese plate, after a small sorbet-meringue serving. The cheeses were excellent. On another night, i'm sure I would give this place five stars, but I can't help but think that March isn't the best time to go a restaurant with such a local-seasonal focus. Root vegetable purees artistically presented are getting a bit old...
(4)Thomas D.
One of my favorite restaurants in the city. I have dined a number of times in the dining room but I love going to the tavern area for lunch. The service is always top notch and on weekends, they offer an off the menu burger as well as a house made sandwich. Both the beers on tap and the wines by the glass change frequently so there is always something new to try. They also have the best ice cream that I ever tasted. You must try a scoop of the butter pecan.
(5)steph d.
Ok so this is listed as a restaurant to go to in NY from Zagat and was rated quite highly, but for me it didn't live up to par. Don't get me wrong the atmosphere was so unique, woodsy aroma and large ceiling with wood beams and had a very rustic feel to it, while still remaining conservative and inviting. Our waiter was funny, knowledgeable, however we lost him along the way and he denounced the bottle of wine we had picked out as being cheap and a bit off. The appetizers and desserts were the hit of the night, I had the butternut squash tortellini with a squash puree and pumpkin seed garnish. So good, and you were giving a good amount of six tasty tortellini's. They were prepared al dente and the puree underneath really accented them perfectly. Everyone else also ordered the tortellini, but they also got the roasted oysters, which were divine. You did not get a lot of them but they had such a great flavor and make your mouth thank you. For dinner I had the duck with lentils, the other guests had the suckling pig stuffed with spinach and venison with pomegranate and beans. I switched my duck for the venison, which was a better choice since the duck was kinda bland and hard to cut. The venison was prepared nicely and the sweetness of the pomegranate sauce was a nice accompanist. However the pig was just ok, nothing special. The dessert I ordered the coconut tapioca which was a huge as my main course. It was creamy, delicious with cookies that were crisp and sweet and included coconut sorbets and orange sorbets that were the size of a tiny melon ball. So cute, the coconut sorbet was good, but the orange was a bit overpowering. If you like a creamsicles with orange and vanilla then you would have loved the orange sorbet mixed with the tapioca. The other guests had the frozen milk and peanut butter chocolate cake, it was ok, very rich. The mousse looked good, but I did not get to taste and the Bread Pudding tasted like an orange cranberry muffin. The wine we had was a Red Malbac from Spain. It was good. They did give us complimentary fluke with apples and lime sauce...so good and desserts that were a meringue sesame seed that was airy and nasty. The chocolates weren't worth the calories and the orange jelly tasted like a candy jelly that you had when you were a kid. My experience was the atmosphere was nice, probably would be a great place to go for lunch and I think I would rather had sat in the front area and had a burger that they prepare on an open grill. Go once, but remember there are tons more restaurants to try that are a lot better.
(3)Peter H.
went here at around 9:30 without reservations . The tavern was full, so I wanted to take first table available which turned out to be in the dining room. The bar was also full but it wasn't congested in feel by any means. after a wait of approx 10-15 minutes, we were seated in the dining room. we ordered from the regular menu and we got the scallop special and the warm crab on egg crepe appetizers. Both portions were small, but very tasty. The crab was really fresh and both dishes well presented. The bread was average and came with butter and salt to dip in. We had a glass of wine from a good menu selection with alot available by glass or "taste?" Our entrees were the steak and poached lobster which were both awesome. Service was friendly, and attentive but not intrusive. The desserts were also great. The only reason i gave this place four stars is the small portion sizes. I'm not looking for cheesecake factory, but I needed a bit more. The price was also pretty high but ballpark for an eating experience like this in new york. The tasting menu was 86 per person.
(4)Diana L.
The smoked trout appetizer was so good I almost fell out of my chair. And then after I finished eating it, I was angry it was all gone and wanted to throw the empty plate on the floor. It may sound dramatic, but judge me AFTER you try the smoked trout. Incredibly tender, the perfect amount of smokiness, not too salty, melts in your mouth... with tangy little pickled onions for balance. I got the roasted chicken for my entree-- it was sous vide(d?) before it was thrown into the oven, so it was extra juicy and flavorful. A tad salty for my taste, but probably ideal for most. The lamb papperdelle was very good (the sauce is amazing and perfect for soaking bread), but the shrimp salad appetizer was not my favorite. A little too shrimpy and paled in comparison to the other dishes we had. A special shout-out to our server whose wine pairing suggestions were right on the money. We didn't go for the prix fixe this time, but it's on my to-do for next time. Now I just have to find something to celebrate...
(5)Matt F.
I went here for my anniversary with my wife. Although you would think we would want the atmosphere of the "restaurant" side (white table cloth, etc.) we're young and enjoy the casual atmosphere of the bar. The food was AMAZING! I'm super picky and haven't historically ventured outside of the "safe" options, but when I'm at a restaurant that I know is suppose to have an amazing chef and great food, I will try anything. So we ordered the sweet bread having no clue what this would be. I still can't tell you what all was in it, except that there were some pieces of meat (update: turns out sweet bread is a delicacy that is otherwise known as the thymus gland or pancreas of the animal) and some veggies, and a sauce ... It was incredible! We ignorantly thought that we were ordering some sort of bread, you know, wheat or starch based product with yeast, baked in an oven ;) ... but this was way better than what we could have imagined. For dinner I went safe. Why, I don't know. But I did. I got the pork sandwich, which was excellent, but I wasn't surprised by anything. I guess I was hoping to find out there was something outrageous on there that would blow my taste buds away ... nothing, but it was very good none the less. My wife ordered the mushroom lasagna, which both parties to our right and left ordered and were both raving about. Again she was afraid at first that it wouldn't be exciting enough (it's lasagna), but wow, it was truly amazing. Flavors you don't normally find on lasagna, and perfectly made. We'd both highly recommend this dish to anyone. I hate mushrooms, and I loved it. So there is no excuse unless you're allergic to something in the dish ;)
(5)Jennie P.
I'm still thinking and talking about the dinner we had at Gramercy Tavern. We were headed to NY for a short visit and decided we would celebrate Valentine's Day with a nice dinner while there. My husband let me know this was the restaurant we were going to and after I went online the prices made me nervous. I was thinking it would be an over the top stuffy/fancy restaurant and I'm proud to say - I was wrong. The atmosphere in the restaurant is very cool, not super fancy, just cool, kind of modern but kind of traditional. The art is great, the vibe is great - I think you get it...I liked it. We enjoyed a few cocktails at the bar before they grabbed us to lead us to our table. We sat down and the waiter was incredibly helpful and friendly in going through the menu and the best options. The food was worth the price, the experience was worth the price, the staff was worth the price...it's not swanky although you're paying swanky prices. It truly was and is one of the best restaurants I have eaten at. My suggestions on a few dishes...the smoked trout was out.of.this.world ...I cannot get over how amazing this dish was and I don't even like smoked fish of any sort. The chocolate bread pudding was also out of this world...GO...try it out! It's worth it - I promise.
(5)Candice A.
I've been hearing about this soup and sandwich special for a while now and if I can just say, its one of the best deals around. Their soup is usually the same, I forgot what type of soup it was. I think the bartender said that it is usually the same soup but it was AWESOMELY good! And their sandwiches were so delicious and huge. There are apparently three kinds of sandwiches that go on rotation: turkey, pastrami and I think it was roast beef(?) One can always call to check which one. I had the turkey that day but I cant wait to come back! That 14 dollar lunch special is the best. I was so full, I was even thinking of taking home the other half of the sandwich, but I realized it wouldnt be as good if it waited.
(5)Jina K.
Went there for lunch... Absolutely perfect. Service--5 stars Food--5+ stars Atmosphere-- 5 stars 1) Calamari Salad--Perfect. So tasty. 2) Foie Gras Torchon with strawberrie... nothing would have made it better. 3) grilled octopus-- so tender so flavourful!!!! 4) Panna cotta dessert was the Best!!!!!
(5)Paul Z.
My favorite place to eat and hang when in the city. Can't add much to what's already been said. You have to order the mashed potatoes.
(5)Michael S.
I'm sure this place doesn't need another 5 star review, but I thought I might as well get in line with the rest of the lemmings. This place is awesome and I really have no friggin' excuse for not coming here earlier. Somewhat interesting story though... My girlfriend got us reservations here for my bday and during the work day, she reminded me to go to their website and take a look at the menu. When I went to the website I noticed that they have a regular Dinner menu and a "Tavern" menu. I understood that the reservation was for the more coveted and more difficult to obtain main dinner seating and the Tavern was more a walk-in only scenario with a slightly B version of the menu... Well, I took a look at both menus and while there was SOME overlap, the Tavern menu was definitely different. Some might even say a little less "sophisticated" than the table we had reservations for. SO OBVIOUSLY, I suggested that we say F*** to the reservations and go for the Tavern instead. I saw Meatballs on that menu and that basically decided it for me (impressive isn't it). Well, since it was my birthday we did just that. And it was NOT a mistake. For appetizers, we had the Shrimp Salad which was fresh and lite, and the Lamb Paparradelle (SP) which was AWESOME. We also had one of the specials, MINI-Cheese & BUTTER Biscuits, which were as you would expect them to be... totally mouth watering. For the entrees, my girlfriend had the sea bass, which was 5 stars in itself. However, as a previous yelper mentioned, had a curry flavor which they don't really articulate that well on the menu (absolutely not a bad thing for me, but I could see how it would catch others off guard). I had the meatballs, which was.... Can't really choose a word for it, so I will just say that I was glad we were sitting at the bar and not the main part of the restaurant because I literally said "OH SHIT" after I took my first bite. I slid the plate over to my girlfriend who, no joke, said the same thing after her first bite. It was that good. Thus, this place moves up in the rankings to one of my Top 5 places in the city. With the caveat, that I will ONLY dine in the Tavern portion of the restaurant. Even if someone offers me a no-effort walk-in reservation to the main part of the restaurant, I will deny it and dine in the Tavern until the day I die. You may say: Ignorant or Stubborn. I say: MEATBALLS!
(5)Dru C.
Just an all-around pristine dining experience. After several days of pizzas, burgers and fries in NY, I was clamoring for something a bit more refined. How about food served on white dishes placed on white tablecloth, accompanied by shiny silverware, and a glass of wine to go along with it? Gramercy Tavern was the perfect selection. I almost booked a table online for the pricier dining room, but thanks to Yelp, I knew to directly head to the bar and tavern area at the front without requiring any reservations. Plus, I didn't think we were up for a gargantuan tasting menu. The atmosphere and ambiance was more casual, although we definitely stood out as one of the more younger-looking patrons in the crowd. All of the appetizers looked good, but we settled on the house cured pastrami with pickled cauliflower, and the calamari and carrot salad. Thinly sliced, the pastrami packed an walloping punch. Whatever curing salt, brine, or spices that they used for the pastrami, you could definitely taste every bit of it. The calamari just about melted in my mouth, and nicely complimented the lemon vinaigrette. For the entrees, the food was simple, classic, and elegant, but with a sophisticated touch. More often than not, chefs these days get all crazy by using too many ingredients with fancy purees, drizzles, and flavored foam. My sister ordered the meatball, with fontina, potato puree, and red wine onions. I had a taste, it was a delicious. My wife had the halibut. Again, delicious. I wanted to take a huge bite, but my wife knew better. She carefully gave me a small sample, and closely guarded her plate. I had the sea bass with marinated cucumbers and yogurt sauce. Tender, flaky, as perfectly cooked a fish as I have tasted. The cucumbers were thinly sliced and served as the foundation at the bottom of the sea bass, along with the white yogurt sauce. Together, the flavors were clean and vibrant. I wanted to order another filet. For dessert, the chocolate pudding with salted caramel and brioche croutons really stood out. It wasn't too sweet, and I found myself reaching for the crispy texture of the croutons to offset the saltiness of the caramel. We also shared the strawberry pie with ginger ice cream. I'm not the biggest fan of ginger, but the subtle flavor just worked well with the tartness of the fresh strawberries. As expected, service throughout the meal was flawless. There was something about our waitress, as she just exuded the most confident and pleasant vibe ever. The rest of the waiting staff was also on point, like they were mind readers in changing plates and refilling waters. After dining here, you can't help but wonder, why can't every restaurant have service like this. Absolutely 5 stars, a fantastic dinner to cap off our NY trip.
(5)Tunyaluck P.
I have been here twice, both on Restaurant Week. I loved everything. Food, atmosphere and wait staff, all good. I want to go again and again and again.
(5)Laurel J.
Gramercy Tavern is hands-down one of the top 5 dining experiences I've had. I'm 40. And I eat a lot of food. Impeccable tasting menu and service. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Liz F.
My second five star review! While the Gramercy Tavern has been around for a bit, they can still knock it out of the park. Walked in and was greeted by a lovely fresh faced young woman who didn't possess an ounce of pretentiousness or attitude which was a really nice way to start. She was gracious and friendly without being snooty or stuck up. Bartender was accommodating and also quite friendly without being pushy. - couldn't have been better. Hostess came promptly at 729 pm and asked if we would prefer sitting at our table now or waiting at the bar. Again, all done in such an unassuming manner that we were happy to do whatever made it easier for them. She smiled and said you're our guests and it's always your choice. Dang! So many restaurants in NYC could learn from the professionalism and courtesy this staff showed all night long - there's a reason this place continues to be in the top of so many lists. As for the food, aces again all the way around. Starter was a perfect beef carpaccio with a light flavor followed by a sea bass served over spaghetti squash in a sauce that was flavorful but didn't overwhelm the fish. Both were perfect! Dessert was a peanut butter semifreddo that was like a mousse and it was one of the best desserts I've had in a long time. And since the waiters noticed it was a celebration and some indecision for our last dessert choice, they were kind enough to bring us one on the house - lovely,kind gesture and another reason why this place has such devoted fans. It's certainly not an inexpensive evening but wonderful for a special occasion. And the rooms were warmly decorated, with an acceptable noise level and flowers that really radiated the lovely spring day. Gramercy Tavern - I salute you!
(5)Catherine A.
clearly everything was delicious. service was very elegant and on point. i had the warm lobster salad. was that a little bit of carrot puree drizzled on it? I couldn't get past the 3 pieces of lobster on the plate...3...3...3...i'm starvingggggg....3...t h r e e .... moving forward, lobster bisque, beef tartare, cavetelli with ricotta/tomato sauce all so tasty. I had the chicken entree served with bacon, sausage, potatoes and caramelized onions. Oh it was delicious, but I had to get past that minor detail of the chicken. It is a rare moment when I have to actually ask the waiter what's up with the texture of this chicken? OHhhhhh,,,they sous vide it...and it's so pink. and soft. is it squishy? that liver texture was weird, I still enjoyed it, but for a moment I wondered if I would be one of those people who orders their chicken well done at a restaurant. french girl inner conflict. all five desserts were so so impressive. def order the cookie plate.
(4)Jason F.
Forget the meaning of money, embrace the power of money and you're gonna be just fine. It's fn historic too so seriously, don't even or forget it. It's too kewl for joo.
(4)Ron S.
Went for Valentine's Day dinner last night - fantastic. We are veteran NYCers that have been to nearly every great restaurant spot in the city, but this was for whatever reason we'd never checked off the list. After making a reservation a month in advance (amazing it can still pull off that kind of demand 16 years in...) We arrived and were prompt seated - the menu was nice and varied. There was a standard 3 course prix fixed for a pretty reasonable $86 given the caliber of the food. There was also a Winter Tasting and a Vegetable Tasting (impressive range) in case you wanted to stray a bit. I had the crab in egg crepe (deliciously savory) and the rack of lamb (this is lamb as it should be done...) and my girlfriend had the lamb paperdelle (one of my favorite dishes anywhere - these guys nailed it) and the sea bass (wonderfully prepared). All in all, everything was just right for the crisp, cold evening outside - very savory, warm and deeply satisfying. The service was exactly as it should be at a restaurant of this reputation and price range - very helpful, but unobtrusive. Desert was ridiculous - I had peanut butter semifreddo (whatever the hell that is - hats off to them) and my girlfriend had warm bread pudding (mmmmm) all over a few glasses of well-recommended port. Then they sent us on our way with some packaged pastries - bravo to them for making this a great Valentine's Day.
(5)Raven F.
I've only had the opportunity to dine in the tavern (bar) area, but it's still as good as it gets. Everything from the reception at the door to the perfectly prepared sweetbreads were top notch. I particularly loved watching the open kitchen area that's in view from the tavern... the chefs take such care with each plate. Gramercy's main dining room is really only in my "special occasion" budget, but the Tavern menu is delightful and easily accessible price-wise so I can make a random Monday night feel like a special occasion!
(5)Emily C.
Amazing, amazing, amazing! Starting from the bread to the dessert each thing put in front of me was "my favorite thing ever!!" I can't believe how delicious the food was here. I can't wait to go back!
(5)James W.
Last time I came to New York, I had the privilege of experiencing the tasting menu at Gramercy Tavern! It was one of the most memorable meals of my life! We were able to make a last minute reservation, and it was a terrific culinary adventure. We had the tasting menu with 5 courses, and 2 palate cleansers ( i think the technical term is entremet or intermezzo?? haha thanks rachel..) The service is by far the BEST I've ever encountered. Between servings, the waiters walked around our table and laid the next set of silverware down in unison!!! They are highly knowledgeable about the food, and explained pretty much every ingredient that went into the dish. I highly recommend this restaurant for anybody who gets the opportunity to try it. Here's a secret: If you don't like an item on the tasting menu, ask your waiter if you can switch it out for something on the regular menu. We switched out a beef dish for the melt in your mouth pork belly. MmMMmM it was worth it! Total bill was about $170 per person including two wines.
(5)Mat P.
Superb. It's not too fancy, it's just fabulous. Everything is great on the menu and the bartenders are both knowledgeable and friendly. I'd recommend the kielbasa. The specialty drink list can be a little sweet at times, but is always yummy.
(5)Nic B.
I liked Gramercy Tavern a lot. The service was phenomenal and the decor had the old New York charm to it. For me, the menu wasn't my favorite ever. I'm a traditional gal when it comes to my meat...the only thing I could choose here that didn't freak me out was the chicken. It was delicious as to be expected. In fact I believe that everything here will not dissapoint. Very romantic, yummy food, a teensy bit boring, super expensive - an older crowd (and maybe "old money") might like it more than I did.
(4)Jaehee H.
I quit my job the past Friday and I chose Gramercy Tavern to have a celebratory meal. I was able to get a table for one, for lunch on a Friday - probably the only way to get a reservation without waiting at Gramercy Tavern. For appetizer, i had the squid ink pasta - thin and squiggly almost like chao mien, with a soupy seafood base. It was solid. The waiter told me that the order of main dishes goes from the lightest to the heaviest, so I picked what was on the top of the list, red snapper. The snapper was absolutely mind-blowing. I have never had a snapper so juicy and flavorful so I almost thought that it was another fish. Michelin star well deserved!
(5)M H.
The reasons for 3 stars instead of 4 or 5: 1) The menu in the tavern room is not as good as one would expect. While I understand the main dining room should have the more extensive and exclusive menu, I don't understand why the food going into the tavern room is the more ho-hum of the items. (deduct 1 star) 2) Service is not that great for the money, especially in the tavern room. While it tries to be non-pretentious, there is pretension in that very effort. I've experienced wrong menus given to me, servers coming by every 5 minutes asking if I needed another drink as soon as my drink was more ice than drink (1/3 full), wrong plates going to wrong party even after verification (the fish is mine; the meat is his, you know, left of where you put the steak knife 15 minutes ago when you last asked), and what is that about the bread bearer coming over every once in a while to put another roll on my bread plate. That may work in the main dining room or a larger setting, but again, in the casual intimate tavern setting, it's a bit contrived and contrary to the rest of the sub-par service. The bearer walking around with the basket has too huge a presence for such a small room. Unfortunately, this service may still be the best of the lot; there is the overall trend of bad service everywhere, internationally. Lastly, I don't like to be addressed repeatedly as "You guys." I don't like to be addressed as ma'am either, but how about the direct collective "You" or "we", or simply nothing at all. "..Another drink?" with eye contact is fine. (deduct 1 star) But, it is THE Gramercy Tavern, so I'm thinking I'm just missing its finer points, like the desserts. I will continue to go there either until I get the hype, or until I throw in the towel with my empty wallet. That the place still has game to rope me in repeatedly earns it 4 stars.
(4)Dustin C.
Dessert menu is incredible.
(5)Paul C.
I came here for lunch and had the tasting menu. The food was all good, but when you poach lobster in butter, can you really expect anything else? Overall nothing stood out to me as exceptional. The dessert was quite large, and though it was very good, I would have preferred more of the savory food instead. Service was very good, my water was always full. I would give this 4 stars, but for the price I expect more.
(3)Bruce F.
Me thinks anyone crazy for not considering this in the top 3-5 restaurants in NYC. In my opinion, Danny Myer's best. A long time fan of everything Myer's (Tabla, 11 Madison Park, The Modern, Union Square Cafe, Shake Shack, among them), Gramercy Tavern deserves all the accolades it receives. Had the fall tasting menu and wine pairings and cannot think of a better time I've ever had in a restaurant. The seared foie gras and the fat back pork were extremely memorable. Be warned: It is necessary and worth having to plan in advance for your reservations, so don't complain that you can't get in when, on a spontaneous whim, you feel like dropping in and you're turned away. And dining in the Tavern just isn't the same as the dining room.
(5)Alex W.
As with every Danny Meyer restaurant, service was pretty much perfect throughout the meal. The dinner was for my parents' anniversary and they were kind enough to offer complementary glasses of champagne to start the evening. We ended up getting the tasting menu and they were very flexible as we wanted to sub out one of the fish dishes. The server let us basically pick almost anything off of the regular menu to replace it with. The more memorable dishes were the soft shell crab, the open ravioli of beef and carrots (which we subbed in), and the rabbit dumplings. The soft shell crab was fried perfectly and really tasty. For some reason, there was a woman who kept complaining about it to the server (with ridiculous comments) and I give the server a lot of credit for putting up with that diner with patience and grace. This, among many other reasons, is why I wouldn't last one service as a server...The open ravioli was also quite tasty, albeit on the salty side. There were sheets of pasta underneath ridiculously tender and moist chunks of beef and carrots in a rich brown sauce. The rabbit dumplings were interesting, but not extraordinary. The filling of the dumplings was a mush, and the flavor of the rabbit disappeared in the broth. As for dessert, since the tasting menu options didn't really appeal to us, the server offered us anything on the regular menu. Desserts were good, but not spectacular enough to completely remember. While, in my opinion, the food lags behind Maialino and Eleven Madison Park, Gramercy Tavern makes up for this in service. While the tasting menu was decent, I think I'd prefer to order off the regular menu and just add on dishes for the table (including a reorder of the ravioli).
(4)Scilla M.
Food was good, some plates yummier than others, but overall I was a little under-impressed. I guess I was expecting a lot more considering how long it takes to get a reservation here. The kale and cabbage salad was very delicious, but for my main course, I had the sea bass, and I was actually disappointed with the meal. The fish itself was great, but the pinto beans were way undercooked. Our server was nice, but as soon as it got busy we saw very little of him, particularly at the end.
(3)Tiffany D.
5 stars for the excellent customer service! Especially the hosts. We didn't have reservations in the dining room, so we expected a long wait for a spot in the tavern. They told us 1.5 hr was the expected wait time. We waited 20 minutes. TWENTY minutes. Amazing. I had the chicken and potato dumpling soup appetizer, which was tasty, but not what I was expecting. It's more broth-y, I was expecting creamy, but I'm not faulting them for this at all. The chicken and fingerling potatoes for my entree was nicely prepared. Hubs got the tasting menu, which I would definitely recommend. First course was stuffed clams, followed by gulf shrimp with pasta, then suckling pig. Pumpkin butterscotch pudding for dessert. I also ordered the chocolate hazelnut layer cake with sweet cream ice cream. Overall, this place was great. Definitely making reservations for the dining room next time. Looking forward to seeing the menu served there!
(5)Tram J.
This place was excellent. My boyfriend took me here for my birthday and we did the pre-fix dinner, along with paired wines. Each dish was beautifully prepared. The scallops were amazing! Service was really good, and our waiter was very nice as well as knowledgable. He introduced me to the best Chardonnay I've ever had, and I'm not even a fan of Chardonnay! If there was a complaint it was that I was overstuffed when I was done. Kind of amazing that it happened, but they were very nice to bring us complimentary dishes from the chef...so that put me over the top. I would happily come here again. The ambiance is very nice and romantic. I enjoyed the openness of the restaurant and of course, the food was fantastic!
(5)Andrew C.
Overall, the food was good. But the cost and atmosphere (a lot louder than comparable restaurants) would make me think twice about going again.
(3)Helen W.
Not a fan of the pork belly entree. Everything else was great and worth it.
(4)M C.
Danny Danny Danny Meyer.. another heart for you. Besides the hearts I would give him for Eleven Madison Park, Union Square Cafe, Shake Shack.. Gramercy gets another. There are two dining areas to this restaurant.. the "main" dining room and the less fancy "tavern" area. We tried going to the tavern for my sister's birthday back in '09 but there was a 3 hours wait on a Friday night. The tavern only does walk-ins so try to get there early. We gave it another shot for my birthday in '10. We got in within 30 minutes on a Tuesday night. Meyer did not disappoint us. There was a prix fixed menu with just two chefs cooking and expediting the food in an open kitchen (did I mention how much I LOVE open kitchens?). We ordered Sweet breads and Lamb Pappardelle for our appetizer. The Lamb was SO tasty. The noodles were the perfect texture and the lamb melted in your mouth. Lamb usually has a gamey taste for me but this was cooked to perfection. This was the first time trying sweet breads and the Portobello mushrooms with the tangy salad mixed in very well. We then ordered the Sea Bass and the steak for our entrees. We were stuffed and felt like the happiest two little Korean girls in the world. HEART.
(4)Mary L.
Just had lunch here while in NYC a few days ago with my son and a good friend and it was amazing! Was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this restaurant. I expected it to be more tavern/bar like, but the main dining room is not that at all. Very pretty and comfortable. A little bit old style, but great. I had the beet salad with warm buttermilk dressing & it was truly wonderful. As a main dish, I had a steak dish which was once again amazing. The portions for lunch were not huge, but just right. The bread basket that the waiter comes around with had several types of bread which were warm & wonderful. The service was good at first, but then got a bit slow as the restaurant filled, but it was not that disappointing. The complimentary little desert tray they brought after lunch was to die for. Didn't have any other desert though as this plate was just enough. Would def go back here again in a heart beat! So glad to have dined here!
(5)Clark G.
"Opened in 1994, Gramercy Tavern is a renewal of the classic American Tavern offering refined, contemporary American cuisine, warm hospitality and unparalleled service in an historic landmark building." I was lucky enough to be brought along with V's family for an amazing dinner at Gramercy Tavern. I was more than impressed by my dining experience: the food was spectacular with service to match. We were lucky enough to get a dining room reservation at the last minute due to someone else's cancellation. Before we arrived I didn't realize the "Tavern" is separate from the "Dining Room" each offering a different menu. The Tavern menu is more typical with several appetizers and entree options, where the dining room offers a three course prix fixe and several tasting menus. We chose from the fixed price menu. Even before the first courses were served we enjoyed an amuse bouche (tiny bite-sized morsels served before the hors d'aeuvre or first course of a meal), which I believe had onion and perhaps some kind of seafood, scallops perhaps. It was a nice light start to the meal. We were also served rolls, one of which was a unique olive bread with chunks of olives baked in. I ordered the Open Crab Ravioli with Razor Clams and Nettles, and when it arrived it looked amazing. The openness of the ravioli was interesting...it was more like a little seafood and pasta sandwich. But, I was also tempted by the Tuna & Beet Tartare with Radish and Hazelnuts, which V's brother J ordered. He typically doesn't share at dinner, but I managed to negotiate a swap. I think we both ended up happy. The tuna was mixed with beets, something I generally don't like. The beets weren't too crunchy but the combination of the textures was well balanced. From what J said, the ravioli was very good too. The nettles, a fresh herb, added a nice flavor. The second course was even better. I ordered the Hanger Steak & Braised Short Rib with Snap Peas, Runner Beans and Puffed Potatoes. The steak was cooked perfectly, and the short rib was flavorful and tender, easy to eat with only a fork. The puffed potatoes were a bit of a surprise, they were lightly fried balls of mashed potato, that actually were a very light addition to the meal which contrasted nicely with the heavier steak and ribs. Thinking of steak and potatoes...the portions were just right, not huge, but very satisfying in the scheme of the entire meal. V had the Monkfish with Spring Onion, Swiss Chard and Mussel Broth, something new for her, and I think she was satisfied. I tried a bite and found the texture a little grainy or stringy, not flaky like most fish. But it was tender and light, not too rich or buttery, which was nice for a summer meal. Before talking about desserts, I want to mention the decor. I liked the Tavern area a little better than the dining room, in terms of decor, but then again the dining room really is about the food. The dining room had an authentic home-style feel to it with weathered walls, light stained wood paneling, curtains and exposed beams. There were quilts and paintings on the walls and beautiful flower bouquets all around the dining room. My first impression though was of something more like a "Country Kitchen" restaurant from back in Minnesota. But what Gramercy did was to really evoke that home feel and bring it up to a very classy level. I'm sure the bouquets were real flowers and the space, though large, was well divided to provide some intimacy. Additionally the service was amazing. Every detail was accounted for: from having the right fork for my appetizer, to the way they cleared the table after each course quietly and discreetly - I don't think we ever heard a clink of dishes, in fact we noticed that each piece of dinner wear was picked up individually and neatly stacked so as not to disrupt our conversation. Now for dessert. Which was preceded by another amuse (which was good, but I can't remember at the moment). I had Milk Chocolate Praline Mousse with Mocha-Grand Marnier Ice Cream. It was the coolest presentation I've seen in a long time. The mousse was served in almost a candy-bar form, a long bar shape, it was light but chocolatey, kind of like a mousse Kit-Kat. The ice cream was on the side with a candy sugar droplet made by the pastry chef. V had Warm Chocolate Bread Pudding with Cacao Nib Ice Cream. I will admit that I was a little jealous of her dessert, which was rich and delicious. The warm bread pudding helped to melt the ice cream a bit, which is just they way I like it. I only got one bite! Gramercy Tavern really shows a lot of respect for the food they serve and for the customers enjoying it. The service shows it, ans does the level of cuisine that comes out of the kitchen. I am really grateful that I got to experience such a great dinner! When another special occasion arises, I know I have a good place to go.
(5)J K.
I took my girlfriend to the dining room of Gramercy Tavern for her birthday and we had a great evening that truly impressed and lived up to the hype. The dining room offers pre fixe and tasting menus and the food is incredibly delicious. I enjoyed the ruby red shrimp appetizer and the duck breast and confit entree. The shrimp came on a bed of warm buttery corn with bits of deep fried pork for texture; the duck breast was well-seasoned and perfectly cooked to medium. However, what impressed me the most about GT was the high level of service; from every member of the staff greeting you as you are shown to your seat to them remembering throughout the evening that my girlfriend had a dairy allergy -- e.g., bringing her fresh fruit instead of the complimentary panna cotta. If you're celebrating a special occasion, they'll also write a "happy birthday" or "happy anniversary" message on your dessert. It is truly a great NYC dining experience that I highly recommend.
(5)Talia R.
Lifetime average still batting like a .700 but my last few experiences have just been so mediocre. Last night when I left, albeit pretty intoxicated, I actually started tearing up a little outside I was so disappointed that my favorite place in NY is just... not... the... same. When I first moved to the City & ate a bagel at around 3pm as my daily sustenance under $4, I was so lucky to be taken by my boss to GT to sit at the bar for dinner at least once a month. I would look forward to it all week. And every bite was always amazing. Every pour of wine. Every smile from the host. My experiences over the past 18 months have been underwhelming. Now that I can afford to take myself here, I don't think I will any more. Nothing bad happens, but nothing stellar. Service is still friendly, smiling & pleasant but not in the same way where I used to feel like the bartender anticipated my every need. The other day I had to ask for a water refill 5 times. The request was always obliged with a smile, but why am I asking? My Dad kept having to refill our wine glasses - why wasn't someone taking charge of the bottle for us? And the food has just become rather blah. General theme is oversauced, undersalted & no wow factor of great seasonally inspired combinations. Space is still warm, inviting & great for a fall evening to cut the chill. But the love is gone.
(3)Richard H.
5 stars all the way - fantastic experience. Setting is exceptional and the service is good not over pampering but knowledgeable. It was my wife and I's anniversary and they welcomed us with a tasty glass of sparkling wine. (remember when Sparkling Wine was not the going thing to say or drink??) We chose the prixe fixe menu. I won the battle of the courses but that's not to say that my wife's food was off in any way shape or form. I had the Lamb Pappardelle for first course which might have been the dish of the night. Slow cooked lamb (pulled off the bone and served with superb flat noodles, swiss chard and small olives and lemon confit - one of those dishes where every mouthful was exquisite and you didn't want it to end. Chris had the Rabbit fettuccine with parsnips and Brussels sprouts - very tasty and the meat was tender if a little gamey. For second course I had the Pork Belly with Red Rice and Beans and Chris had the Sea Bass - I wanted to see what a great chef would do with simple ingredients like pork belly, rice and beans and he did not disappoint. The Pork Belly was sweet and tasty without disgarding the fact that you're eating raw fat in your face, served with two slices of pork shoulder cooked to perfection and the rice and beans were fantastic - not what you would expect at all I highly recommend this dish. So you order something ordinary sounding like Toffee pudding and Chocolate bread pudding with ice creams but man what a way to finish a meal. Top notch all the way! Then Chris met Michael Anthony on the way out - we're starting a trend of actually meeting these artists at their places of work. Oh yeah the extra star was because they had a superb beer selection - I had the Allegashy Tripel from Maine and it was divine - like angels dancing on your tongue - you can keep your overpriced crushed grapes!
(5)nic f.
the hulafam used to live in a fifth floor walk up in beautiful brooklyn heights. though we no longer miss new york every day, the thought of gramercy always makes my heart hurt a little. so the food is literally divine. everyone knows that. but the ambiance is equally delicious: the restaurant feels intimate but not stuffy and there seems to be an emphasis on comfortable coziness. the NY state fall tasting menu i had a few years ago still has a place in my top 3 meals ever. sorry, thomas keller. and no matter what you do, save room for dessert. oh and no reservation? no worries. sitting at the bar is always a delight and the full menu is available. plus, their bartenders are universally unafraid to make a stiff drink. loooooove that.
(5)Joy N.
What a beautiful restaurant and incredible staff! We celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary weekend in NYC and The Gramercy Tavern was highly recommended. It was not only exceptional food, but the manner in which we were treated was spectacular. We were welcomed with a glass of champagne. The Foie Gras and Duck Fettuccine starters were delicious. My Roasted Duck was excellent, my husband's fish dish was average and a bit plain. The desserts were...incredible! Try the Semi-Fredo Peanut Butter Mousse and the Chocolate Bread Pudding! Our evening was so beautiful and so memorable that we will definitely be back the next time we are in NYC.
(4)Jackie B.
This review is for the Tavern not the main dining room. Came here with a friend for a dinner out. We came on a Thursday night. Came in and put our names in as we knew they didn't take reservations for this room (reservations are only for the formal dining room). We went shopping for a hour or so and returned and only waiting about 15 minutes until they sat us (not bad). Everyone was very accommodating and pleasant. We were seated at a table close to the bar (which is the only reason they get 4, not 5 stars). There was a group of women who thought they were at the pub and were a few to many drinks in and kept bumping into our table as we tried to enjoy our meal. The food was outstanding and so was the service! They were so friendly and we never felt rushed. He was very helpful but I never felt like he was "too much". All-in-all it was a great dinner, I would go back but Ill be sure to go on a Monday-Wed...not Thursday or weekend evenings.
(4)Neil V.
Talking to friends this sounded like the type of restaurant I would fall in love with. Amazing service, great cocktails, a tavern like atmosphere and good use of seasonal/local ingredients. All of this proved to be dead on. I loved the cocktails, the service was the best I have had in Manhattan, the use of seasonal ingredients was impressive, and the atmosphere was just what I was hoping for. Sadly the food didn't quite live up. Let me first stress that the food was excellent but when comparing this restaurant to its peers it fell short. What I'm saying is it's hard to find much to complain about but it's easy to find a better meal in Manhattan for a similar price (refer to my Gotham Bar and Grill review). Chef Anthony Michael seems to excel with vegetables and fall short with the proteins. The guy really does amazing things with any vegetable that touches the plate but I found the meats to be lack luster for the most part. My biggest complaint is the texture of the meats...mushy is the best way to describe many of the proteins I tried. Im not positive but maybe it's the result of an over reliance on suis vide. Overall this was a place I really enjoyed and can easily recommend to a friend. The atmosphere, service and bar really carry this place. Speaking of the bar, I hardly ever order cocktails unless it's a Manhattan with Rye whisky but this is a place definitely worth exploring the cocktail menu. Simply amazing cocktails and this is coming from a beer and wine guy. I haven't been to the tavern side of things but I have a sneaking suspension that it might be the best part of the place so hopefully you will see an update here soon.
(4)David H.
I have finally had my fourth dinner at Gramercy Tavern and can talk about it. Gramercy Tavern is a icon in New York so everyone must go at least once. The place is quite comfortable, nice bar and comfortable dining room. Every time I go it reminds me of the Four Seasons where the servers and staff are very proper and correct. Gramercy is identical. You won't find your neighborhood bartender here. The food is well executed and is always good; never a bad meal here. However the menu is Pre-Fixe which makes the experience more limited and you would not be able to eat here weekly unless you wanted to eat the same things. Keep mind the portions here are never large but adequate. Do not plan on a Morton Steakhouse dinner here. Great wine list, very good cocktails. Great for a special occasion, groups.
(4)Michael I.
Phenomenal. Exceptional food. Great service. Thoroughly enjoyable. Deserts were spectacular.
(5)Michael C.
One word: expensive. Seven words: great choice when someone else is paying. This is the place you take wealthy lady friends who like furs and richly textured woods. Ideally, through feigned interest in her newest YSL handbag and DVF print dress, you've managed to turn this classy gal into your classy sugar mama. Your reward: $11 root soup and a $24 arctic char. Enjoy!
(5)JJ J.
This was my defining restaurant experience in NYC this past weekend. Went with the staple 3 course meal, instead of the summer tasting. For the FIRST COURSE, I went with the Soft Shell Crab with fingerling potatoes and pickled ramps. The crab was delicious, although I didn't find the potatoes to be a good combination with it. I got to try a little bit of two other first courses: the Ruby Red Shrimp and the Foie Gras custard. I've gotta admit that the Foie Gras custard was unlike anything i've had. It was really good. Really rich, but they definitely give you more than you would expect. The shrimp was great too; extremely(almost weirdly) soft. For the SECOND COURSE, I had the Rack of Lamb with Hen of the Woods Mushrooms, hazelnuts, and collard greens. The lamb was done medium rare, which i think is perfect. Lamb was a solid dish, not too crazy; simple. The Hen of the Woods Mushrooms were probably the all star component of the night. I've gotta say, being a huge mushroom fan, this was amazing, considering it was the best mushroom i've ever tasted. Great flavoring, smokey, and almost meat-like. I'd definitely recommend it! Also got to try a little of two other 2nd courses: the Sea Bass and the Pork belly. Both were great. We also paired a great Italian wine with our dinner as well. Dessert was wonderful as well. We had been making small talk with our waiter, and come dessert time, we had a nice discussion about what to get. We all got different ones so that we could try a little of each. We had the Blueberry Brown Butter Cake with Blueberry sorbet, the Warm Chocolate Bread Pudding, and the Peanut Butter Semifreddo (our waiter's favorite). Our waiter ended up bringing us out a 2nd Semifreddo on the house. That was really nice of him. Overall, great dining experience!
(5)Tobi L.
Overprice food(very small portions), excellent service, average ambiance, and cool cocktails.
(3)Jennifer S.
This was the best meal I've had in as long as I can remember. The cocktails were delightful and made of fresh ingredients. They make their own grenadine! Even more impressive than the food (I didn't like the over salted chocolate pudding) was the amazing service. What a treat to have such sweet, smart people bringing me food! Something classy these guys do that most people don't is tell you the price of the specials so you don't have to ask. And as for price, given how famous this restaurant I was happy to see that the prices at lunch in the tavern were the same as any trendy Brooklyn sit-down restaurant. It made me wonder why I ever eat at over-priced typical restaurants when I could be spending the same money on one of the best.
(5)sarah C.
We loved Gramercy Tavern. it is casually elegant, and everything was delicious. what a lovely cheese list, and i was surprised and delighted to get to try a Claudia Fleming dessert (she was consulting)....which i adored.
(4)Lauren O.
Went here with a great group of people and had a great time. This place is classy without trying to be. Nothing is "over-done", it's simply a nice place. The food is great of course...but there is my favorite drink ever at this place...i think its called the concord crush. It's crushed grapes w/ ketel and something...i dunno but two of those and i'm done! Me and my roommate smoked a cigar with her uncle after dinner outside...nothing to do with the restaurant just a fun memory popped into my head. :)
(5)Claudia C.
This is a review for the Tavern part of Gramercy Tavern. They now have a $35 prix-fixe 3 course meal! And no, it's not just for Restaurant Week, they've had it for a while! It is quite awesome. I love Gramercy Tavern because of the food, the wonderful presentation, the awesome service (really outstanding), and the decor. Like many others said, it's a great place for special occasions. I took my parents there when they were in town and we were all very happy with our meals. The only thing I'd say is that some desserts on the otherwise wonderful dessert menu don't seem to work that well. Some combinations are a little odd. There's a lemon breadpudding that comes with salted almonds, and with caramel ice cream. First, the salted almonds are just... too salty, and the caramel ice cream is too sweet in comparison with the rest of the dish. The combination of flavors just doesn't seem to work well; neither of us particularly liked it, while each item on its own is absolutely delicious. I also had a chocolate pudding with salted caramel, which I thought was too salty and a little disappointing. Otherwise, I highly recommend Gramercy Tavern to everyone, and especially now that the tavern has a $35 prix-fixe it's definitely worth it giving it a try. p.s if you can get a seat at the bar while you wait for your table, they serve you wonderful spicy nuts that are just sooooo delicious!!!
(5)K S.
UN-BUH-LIEV-ABLE. and yes, I know how to spell, this meal was worth creating a new word for. waited quite some time for a table--but it's my own fault. i didn't make a ressie. I ate in the Tavern on this cold December evening--the manager made it a point to stop by the tables several times during our meal to see how everything was going. I guess she overheard our party speaking of a particular beer--5 minutes later a beer course was brought out, compliments of her. The same thing happened when we were torn between two desserts. I swear they have people walking around just to eavesdrop on conversations. i honestly don't remember everything i ate, because it was a few months back and i'm just now catching up on my yelp reviews, but i remember everything being amazing. just another gem that's the part of the USHG family. New York based restaurant groups have a lot of learning to do from Mr. Meyer.
(5)Laurence H.
Gramercy definitely lives up to its reputation as one of NY's perennial finest. All the food was very fresh with precision presentation. The wait staff was very friendly and offered an attentive yet approacheable style of service. Gramercy Tavern reminded me of Boulevard's in SF. I was glad to have finally experienced this place.
(4)Junkfoodie Q.
I would give this place 4.5 stars. This was another Restaurant Week meal for me. For the $24, 3-course lunch, my appetizer was the grilled scallops with prosciutto, the entree was the rabbit loin & sausage with spaetzle and cauliflower and apples, and dessert was the coconut tapioca with passion fruit and coconut sorbet and cilantro syrup. The food was very good, but the dessert was what I appreciated the most: the cilantro syrup was a nice touch, adding the slightest bite to the sweetness of the sorbet, making it more unique We ate in the "Tavern", and the service was really one of the best I've ever had.
(4)Alvin Y.
my wife and my favorite restaurant at all time since we visited 10 years ago. every time we will order from the tasting menu and every time we felt the same, delicious and worth the money. this is a place for celebration, only that you have a reason to book one month in advance or get your powerful friend to help. but recently, with what had happened globally, i heard to get a table is easier than ever. it's sad but it's good, sigh....
(5)Sila S.
We finally made it to the infamous Gramercy Tavern yesterday (with my husband)! We didn't have a reservation but decided to walk-in for a friday lunch, hoping to get a spot in the bar area or the tavern part. We were happily surprised to learn that we could be seated right away in the main dining room! There was the autumn tasting menu available which looked very good as we watched those items delivered to the next table. But we opted to go a la carte. As first course, we had the Calamari&Carrot Salad and Smoked Trout. Both were very delicious but I absolutely loved my Smoked Trout better. For second courses, we had the Braised Lamb Shoulder and Roasted Hanger Steak, and this time I liked the tenderness of the lamb better, though my steak definitely had the best flavors going for it. In the end, we shared the Peanut Butter Semifreddo Chocolate Macaroon as dessert and accompanied it with espresso. I adored and savored every piece of that dessert, and it was just enough. Of course, we did expect the food to be all this good since everybody unanimously agrees on it. But experiencing that impeccable service was very refreshing. It was exactly as some other yelpers mentioned, that you mostlty don't even have to raise a brow to get the service you need. It was a great experience and we'll definitely return to try more of their amazing food!!
(5)Shelby S.
A really exceptional dining experience. Gramercy Tavern knows both food and good service. I had the $88 tasting menu and it was out of this world. The squash bisque was to die for. Finish dinner off with a glass of Scotch and the macaroons they bring you at the end of the meal = perfection.
(5)Peter D.
Really really good. Had the tasting menu. Loved every plate. Paired perfectly with recomended wine. Really hard to beat GT. Also appreciate the fact that it is not over the top gastonromic/FOAMy, just nice dishes done well.
(5)Michelle H.
Everybody needs to dine at this fine establishment!! If you don't want to spend a ton, dine in the Tavern room. It does not take reservations, but it is well worth the wait. The service is absolutely perfect! The cocktails, appetizers, entrees and desserts are all cooked to perfection. If you're not completely satisfied, please let your waiter know. They want to make sure every customer is happy. What are you waiting for? Go go go!
(5)Peter R.
If you're not inclined to read the whole review, know this: the food is amazing and the service is unparalleled, at least in this price range. Do yourself a favor and have the tasting menu! So after wanting to try this restaurant for ages, my boyfriend and I finally made reservations (for the dinning room). Reservations seem to be a necessity and we had to make ours a month in advance to get an 8:30 table on a Saturday. From the moment you step in, the five star service is immediately apparent. Walk in speak to your host, the response is invariably "we're o time for your seating at 8:30", wow! When does that ever happen. We arrived a few minutes early so decided to head over to the bar, the host cheerfully instructed us to give the bartender our name and they would be happy to transfer our bar tab to the table. Again, wow. The ambiance and decor of the restaurant is very nice as well. Incredibly high ceilings help the space seem much larger than it is and the decor gives off the vibe of a federalist eraNew England home. Lighting is low without actually being dim. When we sat down, a nice surprise was how well the tables were spaced. In many restaurants these days, you often feel,as off you're right on top of the next table over, but here seating feels much more private. We opted for the tasting menu and also decided to do it with a wine pairing for each course. They do a great job of picking out wine to pair with the dishes and at only about $60 or $70 extra per person, I thought it was a great deal and strongly recommend. Their wine list is quite impressive with about 24 pages of bottles and glasses. What I thought was nice was the breadth of selection, you can actually find bottles in the $40 range for most types of wine. Before they brought out the first course, they start you off with a little puff pastry filled with farmers cheese. Light and salty, already off to a good start. Their are also servers that stop by with bread (they had ciabatta and sourdough, both of which were great). The first course was red snapper (raw) with sunchoke, mushrooms and trout roe in a smoked jalapeño broth. This was a light and refreshing dish and I loved the subtle jalapeño flavor and the crunch of the sunchoke. The roe added a delicious saltiness as well. The second course was soft shell crab Ina cornmeal breading. Absolutely delicious with fingerling potatoes in a slightly spicy aioli sauce. The sauce paired very well with the crab as well. The third course was halibut in a carrot broth with cabbage and carrot. The fish was perfectly cooked and the broth was delicious. A bit salty, but I kind of like that, so I thought the dish worked quite well. The fourth course (and my favorite) were duck dumplings with turnip and black kale. This also came in a broth, which was quite nice). The duck in the dumplings was great, had that full duck flavor without being overwhelming. The final course was steak with sweet potato, beets and parsnips. The beef was perfectly cooked and incredibly flavorful. I particularly liked the parsnips and even enjoyed the beets - something I'm generally not too fond of. Before the desert course, they brought out a sampling of petit fours, all of which were delicious. There were two choices for the desert and since my boyfriend and I both chose the same selection, they actually brought out the other desert as well (on the house) so we could try it. I'm not a huge desert person so can't remember the exact details of these. They were both very good and incorporated ice cream, which I thought was a nice way to end the meal. As a parting gift, you also receive a muffin like concoction to eat for breakfast the next day - also delicious. As good as the food was, the service was just unbelievable. I think there were more servers than dinners and they worked together seamlessly taking orders, bringing out food, refilling glasses, changing out silverware between every course. At one point, a woman spilled a glass of wine on her table and her self. As she left for the bathroom, a team of servers swept in and replaced her chair, replaced her napkin, padded down the table, put a clean napkin to cover the red wine spot and refilled the glass of wine. I was half expecting them to come out with a change of clothes for her (perhaps that's the difference between one and two Michelin stars). Overall, this was one of my favorite dinning experiences in the city and with the prix fix menu at only $88, it's not such an extravagance that you need to save it for special occasions only. The tasting menu I would probably try more sparingly, but I do want to go back and taste the changing menu throughout the year.
(5)Lynn T.
Dinner at the Gramercy Tavern is totally worth trekking downtown in the middle of a blustery Noreaster... On a snowy evening, where under normal circumstances, I would prefer to stay in like most New Yorkers, I made my way to meet an old friend for a nice, relaxing holiday meal (plus a lovely bottle of red wine) at one of the city's top restaurants. Here's what the two of us shared: Duck Liver Mousse Swiss Chard Stems, Baby Turnips and Toasted Bread 12.00 Calamari & Carrot Salad Toasted Pine Nuts and Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette 12.00 Striped Bass, Delicata Squash, Asian Pears and Hazelnuts (shown in prix fixe menu but offered as a separate entree) Hanger Steak Flat Iron Chili with White Beans (shown in prix fixe menu but offered as a separate entree) Maple Pecan Tart with Mulled Cranberries and Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream [talk about service... without being prompted, dessert was plated on two separate plates] ...and a bottle of the Cahors (Malbec), Clos Triguedina, 2005, Gascony, France -- wonderful, medium-bodied, smooth [hardly any tannins] While everything was wonderful, the evening's high notes were the duck liver mousse, calamari salad and the hanger steak (which was really light). It came out to roughly $95 per person, including tip. Hands down, one of the best dining experiences I've had this year -- worth the splurge... The restaurant is gorgeous, and the service was beyond excellent. Despite it being busy, we were not rushed through our meal and were surprised that we had spent nearly three hours luxuriating. LASTLY... What most folks may not know is that after 5:30, there's a $35 prix fixe menu offered. Rumor also has it that during lunch, if you sit at the bar, you can request a $15 soup/sandwich special that's not listed on the menu.
(5)Joy D.
I'll add my voice to the chorus of love for Gramercy Tavern. It's a New York City classic. Delicious, creative dishes served by people who really seem to love food. Warm, friendly, thoughtful service; beautiful, cozy atmosphere; wonderfully appointed restrooms. We came here for lunch on MLK day, for my husband's birthday. My husband had the tasting and I ordered a la carte from the regular menu. We were given the heads up that the pacing of the service might be off, but it really wasn't an issue. The timing of everything was excellent and the wine pairings (provided by our server, at my request) were creative, interesting, and enhancing. My only quibble is perhaps a matter of taste -- I felt that the pork loin & belly dish was unbalanced. Too much of the tart pickled cabbage and not enough of the crispy salty pork belly (just one tiny little strip -- such a small serving that I wondered if it might have been a mistake!) tipped the dish too far into the sour part of the palate, and overwhelmed the tender, juicy pork loin. What matters most to me, however, is that my darling husband had an amazing, memorable birthday meal. We would love to return & try the tavern side; and I will definitely come back in the spring to see what they do with the bounty of fresh, local ingredients that our region is so blessed to enjoy.
(4)Evan L.
Incredible service and unparalleled food. Not too overly conservative or fancy as I would have expected. Rich flavors and bomb dessert.
(5)Meg N.
Went for a friend's birthday dinner to the Tavern part of the restaurant. We arrived early since we knew there were no reservations for the Tavern. They had no tables to accommodate a large group so they split us between two tables, which was kind of annoying but it is what it is. The cocktail I started with was tasty and refreshing after coming from the 90 degree heat. The cheddar/bacon biscuits special appetizer were very good little bite size biscuits. The waiter was nice enough to bring us out an extra plate since they were small and he knew we'd enjoy them. I had the meatball entree, which honestly wasn't exactly what I had expected from reading the reviews, but it was good nonetheless. Everyone enjoyed the entrees well enough but we all agree the real highlight was dessert. Only one couple at our table ordered dessert, the rest of us stuck to cappuccinos (good) and coffee (also good). The waiter brought out two complimentary desserts for our table, a berry tart with almond ice cream and the chocolate and caramel pudding. The pudding was AMAZING. Salty and sweet and so good. The almond ice cream that was with the tart was also amazing and my friends loved their strawberry pie. The service was very good. All in all I would come back again... especially to sit at the bar and have a nice glass of wine and more of that pudding!
(4)Sir M.
Just great. You actually leave feeling like you got a deal, which is amazing at these prices. The service is casual, yet perfect. The food is interesting, but fresh and simple. The wine list is interesting and fairly priced.
(5)Peter K.
Wow. Amazing food. First, let me say that I hate going to nice restaurants that are stuffy and pretentious. Gramercy Tavern was not like that at all--at least in the tavern section (haven't had a chance to eat in the dining room yet). The waitress was extremely professional yet fun at the same time. We got the grilled octopus and a special lamb sausage for appetizers. The sausage was just okay but the octopus was amazing. I've never had octopus that was so soft and juicy and not chewy at all. I would go back just for the octopus. But fortunately, the octopus was not the only great thing on the menu. I got the Arctic Char--lobster, mussels and sunchokes (?). I had never heard of Arctic Char before; I guess it's similar to salmon. In any case, it was delicious. I got the White Chocolate Macadamia Mousse for dessert with rhubarb sorbet. My mouth is watering just thinking about how good it was. Draft beer selection was a small but excellent selection of independent brews. Overall, I thought it was a great value considering the quality of food. Entrees in the upper teens, low twenties. Most appetizers and desserts under $10.
(5)Virginia T.
Lovely, classy place with amazing service. A bit pricey but definitely worth it. I suggest going for lunch because you can sit in the front dining area where no reservations are needed. They do fill up rather quickly for lunch therefore I would suggest arriving closer to opening around noon. Try their sandwich specials.
(5)Alexandra G.
Everything about this place is beautiful. The interior is beautiful, the flowers are beautiful and even the food was miniature works of art. I've only been once, and probably can't afford to go back anytime soon, but if I could, I would. This place is definitely worth the splurge. I has the vegetable tasting menu. Some of the dished didn't sound too appealing (leeks and fennel dish, and an english pea dish) but even those were delicious. In all, including the little amuse bouche they bring out, and the post desert goodies they give, I think there was about 10 courses, all great.... you definitely will not leave hungry. And, if dinner wasn't enough, they bring out a wrapped muffins to take home so you have a delicious breakfast for the morning. Amazing.
(5)Jim R.
Been a number of times ... excellent, innovative cuisine; impeccable service; atmosphere that is lively and energizing, but still maintains a sense of privacy.
(5)Maly L.
Gramercy Tavern is the kind of restaurant that makes you willing to skip brunch for lunch. From the moment we entered, we felt transported to the rustic yet classy French countryside with its arrangement of flowers and open kitchen. Although proper dress is requested on the sign at the door, we made it in with nice sneakers. We were kindly greeted and easily found two seats at the giant front bar. Bo had his usual Bloody Mary - a bit on the peppery side. I had the Mimosa with fresh orange juice. (However, I should have experimented with their specialty Orange Blossom cocktail - sparkling wine with St. Germain elderflower liquer and orange bitters. Got to live a little right?) For the meal, we had: * SUNCHOKE SALAD Apples, Walnuts and Cured Pork - it's not often you find sunchokes! * MERQUEZ SAUSAGE Chickpeas, Swiss Chard, Almonds and Harissa * PULLED PORK SANDWICH Cole Slaw and Pickled Swiss Chard * SMOKED KIELBASA Fingerling Potatoes, Sauerkraut and Grain Mustard - a surprising favorite * THREE CHEESE DESSERT Selection of Goat, Sheep and Cow's milk cheeses This is a popular yet relaxing atmosphere with just the right space and lighting. Typically, we would have preferred a more attentive bartender (they should have a sixth sense when the wine glasses are empty) but we didn't mind too much since everything else was perfect. It's the kind of place to bring your folks or have a business meal. Of course, they also had a charming vanity room. (Folks who know me well know that I always have to check out the details in the restroom.) I've had lunch there twice and am looking forward to the third time!
(4)Ryan L.
I love visiting New York City. Especially because there is so much delicious food to be had. And anybody who watches Top Chef knows who Tom Colicchio is (or as he is affectionately referred to in the blogosphere: Daddy Tom). As a food tourist and fan, I definitely wanted to try out one of the restaurants that he cofounded. Figured I'd be in for a pretty good treat. And boy was I! [edit] I've been informed DT is no longer involved in the restaurant, so the deliciousness that I had was all compliments to Chef Michael Anthony! the foursquare checkin netted me a tip list way too long to really get a good look at. One recommendation was to try the carrot soup. TAKE THE RECOMMENDATION! It was delicious. Did I mention it was delicious? The soup was light, with a nice hint of something zesty. Wakes up your taste buds and makes you eager to try more. For my entree, I ordered the braised lamb shoulder. Guhhh (drools) it was so tasty. I've never had meat that was braised quite as well as it was at Gramercy Tavern. The fava beans complimented it perfectly and it served as a wonderful addition to my stomach. And then the dessert. Ohhhh the dessert. It was a chocolate bread pudding that was almost souffle like in appearance, but still bread pudding in texture. It was also paired with a scoop of ice cream. I love hot and cold desserts. Especially done well. Of course the decor and whatnot was lovely (especially the massive bouquet of flowers everywhere) but really, you go to a restaurant for food. And service (which was also excellent). [edit] Thanks should rather go to Chef Anthony -- my apologies for my out-of-date information.
(5)Stef P.
My boyfriend and I went for our 4 year anniversary. I had been telling everyone about how I wanted the chocolate pudding with salt caramel and brioche croutons for like two months! We got there on Saturday at around 7:30. I was taken aback by the beautiful Hydrangeas and white washed furniture in the lobby-so gorgeous! We were told it would be an hour and a half wait which we expected. The bar looked crowded so we went to Flutes next door and had a drink. We were seated at 9:15. Our server was very kind and knew when to leave us alone. We had cocktails and the two appetizer specials which were cheddar and bacon biscuits and pork and fennel sausage. Outstanding! The portions were so charming and small but really pack in the flavor. They were so velvety and rich that I almost felt full. Almost. The earthy chewy bread kept coming and I felt completely relaxed even though I was sitting in the middle of a tavern. The server came at the right time every time. We moved on to a Miolo Vale dos Vinhedos, a Brazilian red. The server was explaining to my boyfriend what the sommelier had said about it and I frankly wasn't paying attention because I was too busy stuffing my face and staring at the art work. We each had the duck confit. The duck was falling off the bone and the sauce was so satisfying- I loved it. It's the closest I've come to comparing duck I've had in Paris. Then came dessert. I am a sweet junkie. I ordered the chocolate pudding and cappuccino and my boyfriend ordered the assortment of ice cream, coffee and Bailey's. The chocolate pudding was outstanding! Perfectly sweet rich chocolate with a soft layer of creamy salty caramel and toasted brioche croutons! Get out of here! The ice cream was Vanilla Bourbon, Chocolate and Cinnamon Sour Cream. Delicious. I was deliriously happy at this point and it occurred to me how special this meal had been and how I wasn't annoyed that we had to wait or what we would have to pay when it was over. I don't know if I've ever felt that way in my life. Everyone needs to come here once before they die!
(5)Tyler C.
Good food, make sure you sit in the tavern otherwise the menu is prixe fix. Great drink selection.
(3)Thomas L.
What more can be said about this beloved New York restaurant? Sophisticated--albeit unadventurous--food and impeccable service promise to make Danny Meyer's Gramercy Tavern a destination for years to come.
(5)H B.
I have to agree with most of the other reviewers. Grammercy Tavern is hands down one of the best restaurants in NYC. There are lots of places to get great food, but the service here takes it to the next level. Friendly and completely unpretentious. I hate going to "critically acclaimed" restaurants where all I feel is uncomfortable due to the their stuffy atmosphere. This is not the case here, just a great dining experience, soup to nuts.
(5)Sam B.
I went here in the summer, which I think was a mistake. I also had a reservation - which again, was probably a mistake. GT (thats an abbreviation folks) is meant for the winter, and without reservations. Here's what your going to do: come here for dinner when it is blizzard-ing outside, sit in the bar area (there's alot of tables in the bar dining area, but they're reserved for those without reservations), take off your large wintery coat (one that preferably has fur...or faux fur...I guess the authenticity of your fur jacket doesn't really change the quality of your GT experience...in which case its probably best to go with faux fur...its more animal friendly...by more animal friendly I mean waaay more animal friendly...like "I'm not gonna kill you and wear your hide around" type of friendly...ok...I'm starting to sound like PETA...i digress...), and order the meatball. The inner-cozy-ness that you will feel is remarkable. You are in a classy NYC restaurant, but you will feel like you are on your grandmother's couch, and she just gave you a bowl of soup, and its snowing outside, and your looking into her just-lit fire place, and maybe she has some Sinatra on vinyl playing in the background . Jesus I am digressing my ass off on this review. Im done. Im putting an end to this. I'm clicking "Post"...
(4)y l.
The food was excellent as usual (5 Yelp stars) and as expected. This kitchen has the balance with quality ingredients and sophisticated preparation. The surprising problem was the passive-aggressive waiter/captain, his attitude became progressively worse throughout the meal and climaxed after we opted to skip the desserts at the table and decided to bring them home (and we thought we were expediting things). After sitting down for the 6 course summer tasting menu (taking less than 2 hours to complete -- with 2 bottles of wine) the server was hovering over us during the entree (final) course like one of those plastic owls warding off pigeons. In any establishment, and especially one of this caliber, it is unprofessional and obviously desperate. Apparently he needs a refresher read of the Danny Meyer hospitality book "Setting The Table" to set him straight. The Gramercy Tavern server staff usually maintains the utmost in professional standards, to the point where they excel from the rest of the fine dining industry, but something was wrong on this night.
(2)Melissa M.
I absolutely love the front room at Gramercy Tavern (my experience in the main dining room was not nearly as memorable). The room is just cozy and comfortable to me and the staff is always really friendly and accommodating. There was a bit of a wait for a table so we started off at the bar with drinks (a glass of delicious Rose for me) and the addictive bar nuts (spicy coated almonds and cashews). There was a minor mishap when the bartender sprayed Lambrusco on my friend, but he apologized and all was forgiven. We were seated much sooner than expected which was a pleasant surprise and started with the calamari, carrot and lemon salad - light, tender and really tasty! I had the chicken (I don't normally order chicken but it was recommended so I thought I'd give it a go) and it was delicious! The chicken was moist and the brussel sprouts and butternut squash that came with the dish was awesome. I tried the arctic char as well which was equally excellent. The pulled pork looked pretty tasty too. Eating at Gramercy Tavern is a great experience and also a great value - there are many options to choose from for under $20 and great wine options!
(5)al m.
I had a nice business lunch here the other day. The food, service and pace was all fine. However, I ate a few times the previous week at the bar in teh front room and that was a fantastic experience. One regular I went with asked the bartender if they had the soup and sandwich combo, which wasn't on the menu. They did and it was fabulous. So, I have found a new cozy place to get a drink a small meal.
(4)Elizabeth H.
Gramercy Tavern is by far one of the best restaurants in Manhattan. I've sat in the main dining room and the tavern, and both experiences have been amazing. The food is excellent and the service is always top-notch. From the moment you walk in, people are friendly. The hosts/hostesses are not pretentious like there are in some restaurants. Instead they are approachable and warm. Five stars all the way!
(5)John N.
******************700 hundred reviews****************** I decided to choose Gramercy Tavern to write for my 700th reviews because I was surprisely happy with the food and the service here. I been trying to go thru all of the Michelin Star here in NYC and somehow I never can image myself coming here because I was looking at the menu online. The food look way too simple but after eating at Tamdrind(1 michelin star) down the street, I decided to come here for dessert only but somehow I order the sweetbeard to share with my friend. OMG when it came it look tasty and my 1st bite was DELICIOUS!!! It was so tender inside and the broth that came in it was delicious. I have to say this is the BEST sweetbread that I ever had in my life. So I decided on getting their burger too. I order it raw and when it came out, it was perfectly rare and the cheese that came with was almost perfect. The only fault that I can have is the bread which was some type of multi gain which I hate and it didn't hold up to the burger at all. Afterward we order 2 dessert and the bartender asked us if we were in the business and somehow the manager came over and greet us. He got us a extra dessert and espresso which was awesome. I barely touch our dessert because I was full but their dessert doesn't measure up to the food. Overall I really enjoy this place and I think I will come back here to try their dining area in the near future. The food and service were good. It was one memorable day because I ate at 2 Michelin star in 1 day!!! I have to say I am pretty dam luck!
(4)Matthew P.
Why five stars instead of four? GT's not the fanciest, not the cosiest, not even necessarily the best food I've ever had. But its reputation as one of the best overall restaurants in NYC is well deserved. I've been here three times over the past ten years and it keeps on getting better. They do a good job at presenting an impressive restaurant that's fun and strikes a good balance between casual and formal. If you're going to do the tavern in front, as opposed to the formal sit down area in the back with a separate menu, there's no reservations taken, so assume you'll have a brief wait at the bar, which is a combination of regulars from the nabe with a smart looking crowd from elsewhere that appreciates fine food and drink. Unlike some other restaurants, there's a good vibe at the bar. The mixologists keep a waiting list for bar chairs, which makes it a bit more civilized and less haphazard and competitive for scoring a seat. Patrons talk to each other, and the bartenders are pleasant. The wine list is extensive and most are available by the glass. The cocktails are well crafted and I'll recommend the Mantalban, which is two shots of Hedadura with a few juices that's a lovely drink. The service is impeccable, intelligent and friendly. Even though the restaurant is full, the maitre d's staff will remember you by name, find you at the crowded bar, and seamlessly move the experience to your table, where the waiter's staff continues the welcome feeling. Fabulous bread and butter, a terrific standard menu standard, and the three course prix-fixe is a deal. I had the shrimp salad and sea bass. My sweetheart had the squab. All highly recommended. For dessert we skipped the sweets and had the chef selection of cheeses. Impressive and delicious. Also, great coffee. The room is a bit on the loud side, but on the NYC restaurant noise spectrum, not bad at all. It comes across as lively.
(5)Todd D.
The food was superb, but the service set Gramercy Tavern apart. Our waiter, Jason, was attentive and candid and funny. We went with his picks each time, even against our better judgment, and he nailed it for us with each course. Best of all was the Random Act of Kindness. Jason knew I'd been wavering on his dessert pick, so he brought us my original dessert choice, gratis... He didn't want me to leave, "wondering what I'd missed." Oh - I was so sated I forgot my iPhone there. The restaurant tracked me down via my colleague's OpenTable reservation and had it waiting for me at the hostess station. Like I said: the SERVICE sets Gramercy Tavern apart. But the food is terrific too.
(5)Anne E.
I took my hubby here for his birthday dinner and we had a great time here. The service at Gramercy Tavern was impeccable. Everyone was professional. The person that I confirmed the reservations with on the phone was very nice and personable. He made sure to jot down important information (i.e. if this dinner was for a birthday dinner, then he would like the name, etc). My glass was never empty - the waitress was always there to fill our wine glass. The waitress was friendly and answered all of our questions. Something that I noticed was that the person that took us to our table, walked very slowly and stopped every so often. At first I wondered why because there was no one in his way, but I believe it is to make sure that we got a good view of the place and let the atmosphere settle in. **SERVICE: 5 STARS** We decided to have the traditional three course menu. For our first course, my husband had the special rabbit dumplings consomme and I had the beef tartare. The consomme was a bit on the salty side. While the beef tartare had a nice spicy kick to it. It's not the best beef tartare that we've ever had. For our second course, I had the duck breast & confit while my hubby had the rack & shoulder of lamb. The dishes are served in the perfect serving size portion however, for the price, I expected more food than what we received. (There were only three pieces of duck and three pieces of lamb - not served in the way we pictured a rack of lamb to be served). Nonetheless, the food was delicious. The duck breast was cooked perfectly to a medium rare and the lamb was full of succulent juicy flavor. For our dessert course, we both got the warm chocolate bread pudding which was delicioius. And, here I will have to add that they wrote in chocolate happy birthday to my hubby and brought the dessert out with a candle. The bread pudding is one of the best that we've had and it is a good contender for the #1 spot in our book for the best bread pudding dessert. It was not too sweet and full of flavor. ~One thing that I do love about this place is that in between almost every meal, they will bring a little something to sample while waiting for our food to arrive. Overall: **FOOD: 4 STARS** Even though each course was the perfect serving size portion, we felt that they could have given us a bit more food for $88pp we spent. We've been to other places where the food was just as amazing for a lower price and served with a bigger portion of food. **PRICE: 3 STARS** Just as a tip: we dined in the dining room. This is the part of the restaurant where you will need a reservation. The dress code here is dressy - skip the jeans and put on nice slacks. It adheres more to the business casual dress code. At the tavern section, they do not accept reservations and you will have to wait for a table. The dress code there is more relaxed and jeans are ok. ** Also the menu & prices for the dining room and the tavern section are different.**
(4)L. E.
Great food, great ambiance. The dining space is divided into several rooms so it has a small feel, yet they haven't crowded the tables in there so it has a relaxed feel. Service is reasonably prompt, the menu is diverse, and everyone at my table enjoyed what they got for lunch. It wasn't too busy, for lunch on a Friday anyway.
(5)Meredith K.
My absolute favorite restaurant in New York. The food here is to die for. OMG that cheese cart.... I don't even know what to say is better? The Service, the decor or the food? All are perfect.The first time I dined here many years ago, they sent me a thank you letter. A thank you letter!? Who does that? The second time I ate there - they said welcome back. That kind of service will keep me coming back. But then there's the food. oh the delicious food. You may have to be rolled out of here and go on a liquid diet for a week to lose the weight, but it is SO worth it. Reservations are hard to come by - so book way ahead of time, but they also do a wait list for cancellations etc and often I've called the day before and gotten a great reservation that way.The bar is a great place as well to stop by and try the wonderful food. Definitely a must go to place in the city.
(5)Joanna G.
happy birthday to me! the place is modern farmhouse chic. It feels fancy but not pretentious. (how can that actually be true?) I love the colorful food mural in the tavern and the service was amazing. Perfectly indetectably attentive. They must have an amazing training program. highlights: (we order drinks at the bar. the BF gets ready to pay) barman: And will you be dining with us tonite? us: yes. barman: 9:30? you must be mr. w---. We'll transfer your tab over. us: (stunned by good service) yes. (!) I LOVED our waiter, who swooped in and apologized when we refilled our own wine. and I felt special when they swooped out of the way when we were walking to the table, restroom, anywhere! we did the 3 course dinner: amuse bouche: a lil stick with some veggies slices artfully folded. FIRST Smoked Trout w/Cippollini Purée and Pickled Onions - melt away. is this fish? Ruby Red Shrimp w/Black Kale, Polenta and Salsa Verde - somehow not raw, but amazing. wait! they're not overcooked! SECOND Sea Bass w/Spaghetti Squash, Walnuts and Sherry Sauce Venison loin - does not seem to be listed online right now, but was amazing, too. palate cleanser: mandarin jelly, mascarpone, meringue - so teeny and yummy DESSERT Sorbets: Blood Orange, Mango Mint and Coconut - came w/ some mini cookies. Blood Orange cheese cake with pistacios and phyllo - not on the menu right now.
(5)Grace B.
I felt the urge to write a review on this place, because of the amazing experience I had here over the weekend. I'm from North Carolina, and was in the city visiting a good friend. He told me it was a MUST to have dinner at The Gramercy Tavern, and without a doubt, he was right. From the mesmerizing decor, to the outstanding service, the incredible food ... everything was absolute perfection. We normally prefer dining at the bar, and I love how this place is set up so patrons can be put on a 'wait list' at the bar versus standing around waiting to pounce on the next person that might be leaving. We enjoyed a drink while waiting for our seats, and I must say, it was an enjoyable wait! There's such a quaint, calming ambiance about the place ... Once seated, the service was outstanding. We 'split' The Meatball, the Mushroom Lasagna and the Pulled Pork Sandwich. [because he said I had to try all three!!] They brought each course to us on our own plates and you'd never know it was a split dish. The Meatball was the best I have ever had in my life. Ever. I felt I had died and gone to heaven! The other dishes were incredibly delicious as well, but that Meatball ... oh, I'll dream of it until I'm able to visit again and enjoy it once more. We split the Butterscotch Bread Pudding for dessert, it was outstanding. I just can't praise The Gramercy enough, it was a place I wanted to sit and spend my entire evening! This restaurant completely made my trip to NYC. Kudos to the chefs and bartenders, and everyone who makes this restaurant the place it is. I can't wait to return and enjoy the sights, sounds, and impeccable taste of Gramercy again. By far, the best dining experience of my life!
(5)Lainy C.
Tried the Tavern room again after a long hiatus and had a delicious meal. One more trip and I may bump this again. They have good cocktails but ran out of one of them before 7 which seemed rather early. My friend ordered the sweetbreads and the seafood stew. The sweetbreads were delicious but the stew I found a little too fishy. My friend enjoyed it though. I tried the prix fixe. The celery root soup came with perfectly fried oysters - just the right amount of breading without being greasy. I would have preferred more delicate mushrooms than shitake though. I also got the pork chop which was small but juicy, and came with a surprise portion of pork belly. The pork belly was amazing - meltingly fatty and the meat portion had delicious porkiness to it. The dish was served over a huge portion of beans but I find that nice restaurants always serve them very firm so I didn't really like it. For dessert you can pick anything so I got hte pumpkin whoopie pies - a generous portion but not that pumpkin-y or special. The desserts looked a little boring to me but I'm not really a dessert person.
(4)Gabrielle K.
I always order a veggie plate (not on menu) and it's always seasonal, fresh and outstanding!
(4)Veronica M.
I've been to several of the city's best restaurants and Gramercy Tavern still is up there with the very best. The service was impeccable and welcoming. The food was delicious and expertly prepared. The decor was warm, romantic, and upscale without being uncomfortable. The tasting menu was a great value. We had a small problem with one of the dishes and they were overly kind in replacing it and making up for it. I am a big fan of Danny Meyer's and would recommend any of his restaurants to anyone who really enjoys being treated well. The entire staff makes hospitality their mission.
(5)Shuo Y.
Despite the three stars, I really like Gramercy Tavern, I really do. I've been here three times within the last 6 months, and every time I walk out feeling really good about the meal. I've tried the tasting menu and ordering a la carte, and both have left me feeling impressed with regards to the breadth of food. The wine is good, and the people are friendly, and I always get treated with respect here. Sigh Gramercy Tavern is like the girl (or guy) you were really close friends with in HS, and you sort of had the sense that she (or he) had a crush on you, and that you could date them and be pretty happy, but never did. The reason you don't date them is because while their positive qualities are through the roof, there isn't that extra spark, the extra chemistry that makes it exciting and scary at times. And thus while everything at Gramercy Tavern is fantastic, I always think of it as my faithful standby. Are my future in-laws coming to town, but I can't get a table at Jean Georges? Gramercy Tavern to the rescue. It saddens me a bit to say this because it's a great place that faithfully delivers time after time, but I can't help feeling the way I do. In closing, Gramercy Tavern, i think we should just be friends. Please continue to be there for me, but know that I think you're pretty awesome but that's it. Let's now stand looking at each other awkwardly for a minute, and instead of kissing you, i touch your arm awkwardly and walk away
(3)Kid A.
Snap pea cucumber soup with lobster was deliciously succulent. It sounds boring but when each ingredient is perfect it became something very special. Makes a perfect warm weather starter. Striped bass was flaky and sweet, delicately flavored. Blueberry brown butter cake was served warm with just enough of sweetness from the blueberries. Sour cream gelato was a nice pairing for the cake. My taste buds prefer clean and subtle complexity so I felt that all the dishes I ordered were exactly what I wanted. But if you are looking for a punch of flavor then these are probably too light to make the statement. Rest of my table couldn't stop complimenting the lamb entree. I tried the clam pasta and peanut butter tart and wasn't a fan. They were both too heavy and the pasta was more like an aldante ramen noodle texture. I prefer my pasta meaty. Mussels were over powering the clams. My table also complained that the beef tartar had too much seasoning. All in all, the food quality is very good and reliable. Amuse bouche were delightful. Nice selection of wine. Wait time in between courses took a bit long. Some hiccups with timing.
(4)Molly M.
One of the my favorite dining experiences of all time. We took our time eating dinner, and every course was a seasonal delight. I went in autumn; the restaurant's atmosphere was the perfect antidote for a chilly fall evening.
(5)Liz E.
Never before have I had to wait on a line a few minutes before a restaurant opens for lunch, but after my experience at this "tavern" of sorts I could understand camping out for a considerably longer period of time. We were kindly seated immediately while the restaurant was quickly filling up, and were presented with a hockey puck of butter, a smattering of salt, and a big piece of thick bread. Cocktails would soon follow. I decided to have the Peach Basil Fizz, a delightful concoction of Wild Turkey Bourbon (eh?), peach nectar, soda and a huge, fat piece of basil. It was none too sweet and very light and refreshing-a perfect aperitif that ended up lasting me the entire meal. My friend's cocktail, with elderflower liqueur and orange blossom, didn't last nearly as long, but was still clean, sparkly and aromatic. For appetizers, we went with the chilled zucchini soup and the cauliflower. The soup, dark green and topped with little rounds of yellow squash, was smooth and creamy but without the slightest hint of cream. It was cold and...unfortunately I can't think of a synonym for "refreshing." The cauliflower, presented on a plate like gargantuan white brains, were covered in almonds and looked and smelled particularly delicious. For entrees, I had the pulled pork sandwich while my friend had the surprisingly light and yellow seafood chowder, which she loved. My sandwich was tremendous, allowing me to only consume half of it before getting ready to explode. A pile of pork is nestled between two crusty, chewy buns, staring down its eater while taunting it with its juicy fattiness. Luckily, a plate of pickled swiss chard, carrots, red onions and searingly hot jalapeno peppers cut into it like ice; the accompanying coleslaw was unlike any you'd find in a deli: crisp and light, it too balanced the heap of pig between bread. Naturally, dessert had to be consumed. My friend had the lemon cheesecake, which came on a plate in a small, cylindrical form topped with a gelee suspending blueberries. Whole, surprisingly big blueberries, and a sprinkle of pinenuts, came alongside, with a scoop of blueberry sorbet to cool things down even further. Though delicious, her only complaint was the lack of more pinenut flavor. Because I am me, I HAD to get the chocolate bacon tart because it sounded too good to be true. It was good, yes, but not as spectacularly weird as I had hoped. About the size of a teeny cupcake, it had a nice crust and a smooth, rich chocolate filling topped with a tangy creme fraiche and bacon bits which, unfortunately, added absolutely no flavor to the ensemble. The swirl of chocolate caramel on the side however, now that was nice. Overall, pleasant service, slightly disappointing dessert, but an otherwise fantastic meal will require multiple visitation rights.
(4)Julia L.
Best meal ever. Everything was great Appetizers: Risotto with corn and ricotta cheese (off menu) Red shrimp (so tender) Main courses: Halibut (so tender) Lamb (cooked so many ways) Dessert: Chocolate bread pudding White chocolate and blackberry tart (the chocolate was better) As my dinner companion said "I can taste the Benjamin in the food." Ingredients were fresh and everything was cooked perfectly. I have never had more perfectly cooked food. I need to come back soon. Portions are generous so don't stuff yourself before you come.
(5)P J.
It certainly lived up to its' reputation. 5 stars across the board! The service, the food, cannot beat it! This place should be experienced at least once, or twice for that matter. Pricey, oh yes! Worth it, OH YES!! We cannot wait to return!
(5)Rachel P.
Yup. Exactly what one would expect, pretty much perfection. Utilizing the best, freshest foods available. Vibrant colors, flavors, and ugh it's all just mouthwateringly delicious! The snap pea salad was bursting with tons of bright green crunch and clean crisp happiness for my mouth. Then the braised lamb with fava beans, barley and dandelion greens shot me off into another universe. Oh and the wine, the wine...we had some hard to find, perfect wines. Then the cheese the cheese, and oh man the desserts, whoa. Something about a meal that feels like it's coming straight out of a farmhouse is so homey, quaint and lovely. It's hard to say that while sitting in the heart of NYC but it's true. Those veggies just blew me away, all the while maintaining their integrity and flavor. I didn't even mention the service. Engaging, kind, helpful and knowledgeable this is what you pay for on top of it all. I had an amazing time at Gramercy. I now know why it's such a classic.
(5)Derek C.
great dining experience. make sure to have reservations and try the tasting menu. Service was impeccable and food was great. Not as visually aesthetic as eleven madison park, it is really nice and cozy. A great date spot if you want to impress a lady. They let you switch out items on the tasting if you don't want it which is a nice touch. My date didn't want rabbit so she switched it out and they gladly obliged.
(5)Silvia C.
Dined here on Monday night. Both me and my husband had the $116 seven-course tasting menu. Except the first course, some cold plate has salmon roe on top, wasn't good, the rest courses were great. I didn't like my apple tart desert as it came with bitter brandi sauce. Our waitress took it back right away and let me choose a replacement desert off their menu. I had the pear upside down cake. It was absolutely delicious! The place is more on the casual side. You don't really have to dress up. Highly recommend.
(4)Renee C.
How do you celebrate a belated b-day for 2 special friends who love to wine and dine and be accommodated to the fullest by the wait staff? ....you take them to Gramercy Tavern! :) After a month's long wait...we finally made it to our reservation on a Thurs evening @ 9pm! I can tell you that this was seriously the LENGTHIEST dinner out I've EVER had! And it was MAGNIFICENT! @_@ I loved everything and I had high expectations, I mean it is a legendary place afterall! It exceeded every expectation I had and I couldn't get enough of that rustic warm elegant Autumn decor! The ambiance they created just wrapped me in its arms and gave me a hug when I walked through the front door! ...and trust me, I NEEDED IT! #_#.. The waitress with her cute haircut and her red framed glasses was the BEST! We ordered 3 Autumn tasting menus and 1 three course menu...well not just that we basically substituted every other item on the tasting menu among all of us and she greeted us with a smile! ...I can say that I've tasted about 15 different dishes and my portion just consisted of 5 courses...with 2 amuse bouches...MMMmmmm! She was also knowledgeable with the winelist and the pairings, I was very impressed....We decided on a Rioja, which was splendid! She even went through the trouble to pour me a glass of Voignier that she originally recommended to go beautifully with the mackerel, which automatically gave her a thumbs up! Savory highlights: the lamb parpadelle (fresh, flavorful and juicy), the smoked trout (butter!), the lobster soup with a portion of lobster and a shaving of pancetta on top (delicate and rich), the mackerel with a little shaving of foie gras (I didn't know a little bit of foie could go such a long way), and the duck (so well prepared -tender, juicy and flavorful, I cannot not love it). Dessert highlights: OMG! so we ordered 4 and 5 showed up...each uniquely presented and I just almost died and went to heaven...actually I really did fall semi-asleep right before due to lack of sleep (3hrs) and high stress! ...you can't blame me....by this time it was already midnight on a weekday with 4 glasses of wine in my body! ....with that said...dessert woke me up! ^_^ I remembered the peanut butter one, the bread pudding, the chocolate cake with MINT icecream, the goat cheese cheesecake with a berry ice cream (too much like goat cheese to me...too savory and heavy), and the ginger cake! I literally almost felt my belt buckle click...but then there was more! ...the petit fours were so wonderfully Autumn :) There were macaroons with pumpkin in the middle, pumpkin truffles (OMG I would be happy if I ate that along all night!) and the passionfruit tarte (the perfect balance of tangyiness and sweetnes!)...OK please drag me out of here! OK after the bill was paid and everything settle, it wasn't over yet! We all received a little muffin to take home @_^ I just can't take it anymore, YOU HAD ME AT HELLO ! :)...and now I never wanted to say goodbye....It was already 1am in the morning, I could've just made myself comfortable and slept there all night!
(5)Nicole W.
Had dinner at the bar last night. Had two glasses of the sauvignon blanc excellent! I had the chicken liver mousse and the sweetbreads amazing!!
(5)Christine P.
My girlfriends and I decided to check out the Tavern and we ordered the following: Sea Bass w/ Swiss Chard, Capers, Pine Nuts and Sweet Onion Sauce, Meatball w/ Fontina, Potato Purée and Red Wine Onions and the 3 Course Menu: Ruby Red Shrimp, Hanger Steak w/ Fingerling Potatoes and Chocolate Ice Cream. Dinner was amazing and our server was great! I would definitely recommend the Tavern.
(5)stacy k.
We were instantly greeted with a smile. So relieved because this was our first nice restaurant we were eating at in NYC. I had some preconceptions, but when I saw the smile of the host, all preconceived assumptions went away. We did have to wait about 10 minutes before we were seated for our 10 pm reservations, but that was okay. We had their menu's to look over to keep us occupied. We were seated by the most friendliest waitress who started us off by giving us a card to which we found our our friends and siblings bought us a bottle of white wine there as a congratulatory gift for our wedding. So sweet! I ordered the smoked trout and smoked lobster upon recommendation of the waitress because heck I was on vacation and didn't want too much thinking. Boy, was her recommendation right on the spot! Loved the trout as it wasn't too smokey and it was very tender. The lobster was good especially with the broth it was in. Very creamy and buttery and oh so sinfully delicious. We shared a pineapple upside down cake and the chocolate bread pudding. Supposedly, the bread pudding is what most people order. It was good, but the pineapple upside down cake was even better! We loved the pineapple ice cream with the slices of fresh pineapple surrounding it and the cake was moist and just right in the sweetness department. Perhaps we enjoyed the pineapple cake much more as it was a bit of a palette cleanser for us. It was very refreshing to the taste buds. Our waitress was so kind enough to give us complimentary glasses of a dessert wine in celebration of our minimoon. It was unfortunate that I was so stuffed at this point that I couldn't enjoy it. I had but all of one sip of it. I know...what a waste, right? We were also given some chef's surprises of chocolate and peanut butter truffle, jellied candies and mini cookies. Oh yeah, we were given a couple of coffee cake muffins on our way out that we enjoyed on our way back home. They were still good and moist. Highly recommend this place. The service is impeccable and the food is great!
(4)Christina M.
I really like the atmosphere of this place. The food is very good as well and not super pricey!
(4)Joe F.
Everything my date and I ordered was very tasty. It's expensive, but we think that we will definitely come back again for a special occasion. The service and the drinks were excellent.
(4)Sara F.
This restaurant definitely lives up to its hype. It is amazingly beautiful, decorated for the holidays, complete with live trees and holly bushes. The food that we had was amazing, they are wonderfully adaptive to even the most difficult pallet. Portion sizes were perfect, and we were very glad to have left room for desert, a sampling of gourmet ice creams and miniature cookies. The service staff is amazingly cordial and attentive. Can't wait to go back and dine again soon!
(5)shadi m.
Beautiful restaurant, much bigger than I had expected, great meal overall. Last time I dined here was for lunch - I had the vegetable salad and chicken and they were both great. The service was a little spotty because they were so busy but it's still one of my favorites in nyc.
(4)Marje T.
Had dinner with girlfriends before we sped off to our Broadway show. The main dining room was elegantly casual, perfect for a nice night out with friends. Some restos are more appropriate for dates, but Gramercy fits for both romantic dinners, and enjoying company with your best gals. We chose the prix fixe dinner... Our amuse bouche was a potato dish, that made me wish it was a full starter since it was divine. My smoked trout starter was excellent, it literally melted in your mouth. I chose the rack of pork belly and porkloin as my entree, and I wish I had more of the belly, since it was more flavorful than the pork loin. My peanut butter semifreddo dessert was a perfect ending to a most excellent dinner. The wine list is also excellent, we chose a moderately priced Vinho Verde from Portugal which was a great pair to everyone's meal selections. Gramercy is definitely a must-go to anyone visiting New York. Fine cuisine well made, fresh ingredients and never understated.
(5)C. M.
One of the City's best. Unquestionably a five-star experience.
(5)Maryanne N.
It's good. It's really good. It's not perfect though which is why it got 4 stars and not 5. The service is attentive but just a tad frosty at times for my tastes. I've enjoyed everything I've had there. From the little amuse bouche to get you started to the muffin you get at the end of your meal. (At that price it damn well better cover two meals!). I have had friends show signs of disappointment on beef dishes in the past, but I've always had wonderful experiences with their lamb and seafood preparation. Portions are perfectly sized, not small but not overly large. Wine list is extensive and has options that won't break the bank (the food bill will already take care of that....). And that coffee...I'll probably never be able to pronounce it but its delish. Overall, its a wonderful dining experience.
(4)Mimi V.
The wonderful atmosphere - their Christmas decorations and their tree are amazing - the delicious food, and the professional staff make this a must-go kind of place. We had brunch here and every plate was scrumptious. Try the cauliflower starter - you'd never think cauliflower could be yummy. This is a great place to bring the parents, a date, or friends visiting the city - trust me, they'll be impressed with your choice.
(4)Chris F.
The BEST service I have ever had! our waitress was amazing. she knew exactly what I wanted even before I knew I wanted. we ordered a salad and they brought an extra plate (ok, not that extraordinary, but that was only the beginning). My girlfriend ordered a drink that was a little too strong, so she (without us asking) brought simple syrup and a stir stick, she held the stir-stick with a paper napkin. For the desert, we were looking between the rhubarb crisp and white chocolate mousse; we decided on the Rhubarb crisp in th end, however since we were struggling to decide, our waitress gave us both - again without us asking! she was so nice and helpful that my gf wished they were sisters. service was impeccable and was the perfect toper to my gf's birthday (which did not tell them until after we paid and wanted to show our graditude to our waitress) Now to the food, which was very good. I had the pork chop. perfectly cooked thoroughly but still juicy with a crispy outside. The desert was a rhubarb crisp, tart with a crunchy top and a scope of vanilla ice cream and one scope of pistachio ice cream. the other desert was a white chocolate moose, with rhubarb sorbet and a macadamia crisp. They food was great..the service was even better. AMAZING
(5)Chitphol S.
good food, good service, great wine what more can i say?
(5)Lauren A.
I'm from Canada and specifically come to NYC just to eat here. I've done the chefs tasting twice and the set menu is just as amazing. They change their menu every season so I can't say exactly what I love because it's all so amazing every time! The service is absolutely the best in the world! I honestly can't rave enough about Gramercy. If you're looking to treat yourself be sure to check this place out and make your reservation 28 days before you want to go!! Enjoy!!
(5)T D.
Have I ever told you that I like Danny Meyer restaurants? Well, this is also a NYC fave of mine. The food isn't that creative, but it's still exceptional. As a naive 23 year old at the time, I was in awe of the synchronized serving! :) But good fois, duck, wine, and dessert. What more can a girl ask for?
(5)Kristin L.
Was in NYC for work and went to the tavern for dinner. Service was great, wine list was fabulous (worldwide choices and some modestly priced too) food was great. I had the calamari salad (delicious, tender and beautiful) and the halibut (also tender, perfectly cooked, slightly crispy on the outside and a subtle smoky flavor). Would love to go back! And also not super expensive, moderately priced for NYC cuisine.
(5)Arlene C.
With classic elegance, this New York restaurant gives you a relaxing experience. The service is attentive without being annoying. Seated next to us was the beautiful, but hungry model with the older man. Poor thing, she would take a bite or two, then say that she can't eat it, and look over at our plates. You almost had to roll her tongue back into her mouth. Speaking of lunch, you should always make a reservation here, where you will be seated in the main dining room. I had the 3 course Market lunch for $36, which included a smoked duck breast salad topped with the crispy skin cracklings, the Black Grouper with leeks and mushrooms and finished with Kalamansi sorbet. Kalamansi is a hybrid fruit from the Philippines, that has hints of Mandarin orange and Kumquat....it had the perfect tang to it. The Grouper was cooked perfectly. All three combined to make a perfect lunch at that price. My cousin had the Lobster Entree, Parsnip soup and Tapioca pudding. The pudding was very good and had a nice texture. I will return.
(5)Irene W.
impeccable food without the pretentious attitude; although in this case they'd be allowed the sassiness (they're food is THAT good.) i'd like to say i was carbing up for the marathon the next day, alas, t'was not. rather, i was going for that serotonin overload that only the gt pasta with chanterelles, sweet cream, and even sweeter corn can give one. this was after a date with the bread basket mind you. i started with the arugula salad; which illustrates how dreamy the gt staff is: i abhor when diners make alterations to menus. i totally understand chef has a vision, and one should not monkey around with that vision no matter what your aversions.....if you don't like something in a dish, order something else. well leave it to me, whom has a propensity toward the dramatics, to voice my utter sadness when finding out, as i read the menu, that the arugula salad was tainted by the absurd TURNIP for the evening? root vegetables, in my opinion, are wrong and taste like dirty, old library books. i wish people would quit trying to put them in my food. nevertheless, i wouldn't dare ask them to change the salad. our waiter though heard my tirade and quickly (like a mother trying the shut her bratty baby up) told me they'd be happy to make a salad without turnips for me. it was outstanding with a saffron dressing, and the perfect little currants to dance with the lettuce. For dessert they made a most heavenly cheese plate, where i was still trying to lick my fingertips after we paid the bill.
(5)michael g.
really, what can you say that others haven't already said? everything from first walking through the door, to finally walking out the door, was impeccable. the service by everyone who worked there, our waiters amazing knowledge and friendliness (chatty and helpful enough w/o being intrusive), and of course the food.
(5)Elisa W.
I have now been to Gramercy Tavern 3 times and each time has been a wonderful and unique experience, but this last time was AMAZING. My friends and I came, $24.07 gift certificates from our restaurant week excursion in hand, and were told the wait would be 1-1.5 hours long (this was our first attempt at eating in the Tavern, where there are no reservations). A little over an hour into our wait, we were offered a free round of drinks from the staff! They were so lovely and that definitely made the rest of the wait fly by. Our waitress was wonderful. The food was delicious. I got the $35 pre-fixe (a great deal with or without a gift certificate): Creamy Cauliflower soup with tender pieces of lobster and other surprises in every bite. A deliciously prepared bass with a tangy and lovely yogurt sauce. Other standouts at the table: the octopus appetizer (not chewy at all - I'm still thinking about the taste I was allowed), and the duck confit (maybe the best duck we've had at a restaurant, certainly in recent memory). Finally dessert. I never order sorbet, but after tasting a friend's on a previous visit, I HAD to get the sorbet sampler. They are DELICIOUS. Everyone seems to have a favorite flavor. I'm a coconut fan myself, but my friends couldn't get enough of the passionfruit. The German Chocolate Cake was also wonderfully, uniquely layered with different flavors. And then they brought out a free dessert because my friend had been deliberating between two options! You just can't go wrong with dessert (or anything) here. The food is always incredible, but the wait staff just really made our night this last time.
(5)Joe I.
This restaurant has been known as one of the best in NYC and with good reason. My wife and I have gone to Gramercy Tavern for Valentine's Day now for three years straight and it never dissapointed. Despite being an upscale restaurant, Gramercy Tavern always felt like "home." This compares favorably to the likes of Per Se and Jean Georges... two wonderful, highly rated restaurants - neither of which convey the "homey" feeling that Gramercy Tavern does. From the moment you enter, you see just how beautiful the bar area is. If you're lucky enough to be seated for an actual tasting, this is where the experience truly begins. My wife and I have always sprung for the seasonal tasting menus (winter). From the foie gras pate, to the trout, to the pork... everything melted in our mouths. When it comes to tasting menus, there's always a pre-conceived notion that one never walks away full. I beg to differ. While the plates are small (what would you expect from a tasting?), they certainly add up to one filling meal that also makes for an aesthetically pleasing experience. By the time we got to dessert, we were stuffed... and the chocolates and petit fours never stopped coming! Beyond this, you'll be hard-pressed to find a restaurant with better service. Everyone goes above and beyond here and makes you feel like a million bucks. Gramercy Tavern has always been a great experience for me and my wife.
(5)Luca L.
No need to have a reservation in front - great bar control - attentive service wonderfully fresh ingredients. Tasty seasonal beverages. I have been here a few times and the food is always impressive and tasty. Normally I prefer privacy and elbow room but oddly enough seating in the back felt very much "on display".
(3)Kelly A.
I had been to the bar many times, but recently had dinner in the dining room for the first time. I have no idea what took me so long. (probably the $200 per person bill!) The service was extremely attentive, perfectly orchestrated and not at all obtrusive. The food was incredible, amazing, perfect, delicious. I was craving meat that night and I couldn't have gone to a better place. I had the venison and had no idea venison could be so sublime! It literally melted in my mouth. My husband gave up meat years ago and couldn't resist taking a bite and then another, and a few more. The only thing I didn't like about the place was the stuffy clientele. Though I really only noticed them on my way to and from the table. While seated, I was too mesmerized by the food and service to pay attention to the other diners. Expensive and worth every penny!
(5)Blake W.
I went here for my birthday and had the tasting menu. Every dish was spectacular. I was surprised that there was such a heavy fish focus but it was not a disappointment by any stretch of the imagination. The service was attentive without being distracting and the recommend wine was a perfect compliment. The price was very reasonable for the quality of the food and overall experience. $400 for two. A very special experience!
(5)Kate F.
Love taking the parent here or coming here with a group for a special occasion. Not as airy or sophisticated at EMP, but the space is beautiful and the food is fantastic. I love the little cakes they give you at the end of the night to take home. 2 thumbs up!
(5)Krista J.
I had one of the most enjoyable and indulgent dining experiences at the Gramercy Tavern. We truly celebrated in style here! This place is all about service, and about really enjoying your company and your meal. The waiters do not rush you at all, which is almost difficult to get used to in a city that's so rush-rush-rush all the time. We started the evening off with incredible cocktails before ordering a bottle of wine to go with our meals. We each had a different and delicious appetizer. Everyone seemed to love their main course, and I especially loved the tasty salt-baked sea bass that I ordered. I'm not used to three hour dinners, but somehow the hours just flew by as we ate and talked and celebrated. This was a very romantic old-New York kind of restaurant, and I had a lovely time.
(4)Armando T.
This place blew me away! I had the lunch tasting menu. I never have liked calamari; but the carrot and calamari salad was awesome. It just got better after that. The highlight was the hot smoked sturgeon with leeks, potatoes and roe. the fish was so flavorful, and the sauce complimented everything beautifully. The chocolate tasting dessert at the end just put the meal over the top. Beside the service was great. I am not used to having new utensils after every course: but I got used to it. I spilled a little of one of the sauces on the table and the waiter came back with some linen to cover the spot LOL. What a great place.
(5)Kymberli C.
Gramercy Tavern is a place you will never forget. We had dinner here on our last night in NYC and it was wonderful! I had reservations for dinner at 10pm and we were seated immediately. We were served bread and their house sparkling water. They served an amuse bouche of a chicken sausage with a celery cucumber mint topping on a cracker. For our first courses, I had the Tuna and Beets Tartare and my friend had A liver or a pate I believe with a poached pear and a different kind of pear chutney, which I believe was served with bread from Balthazar. For our second courses, I had the Sirloin and Braised Short Rib and she had the Duck Leg Confit. Both were cooked to perfection. I'm not that big of a fan of duck but that duck was so tender and so good! The short rib melted in my mouth and it had mini brussel sprouts which were so good!! After our second courses we opted to have dessert. Before we were served the desserts, we were served a palette cleanser of a lemony mousse like tart. For dessert, I had the Chocolate mousse swirled with Mint Bavarian Cream and she had the cheese plate. My chocolate mousse was so yummy and the perfect consistency. The cheese plate was also very cool. The waiter brought in the biggest cheeseboard and explained each type of cheese. The whole dining experience was awesome.
(5)Dave L.
My personal favorite restaurant in all of New York City. Tom Colicchio is truly the top chef for creating this amazing restaurant with Danny Meyer. Everything is done well here from great service to impeccable food. I have never had a bad dish or experience here. I've eaten several times in the back room ($$$$) which although was slightly stuffy with an older crowd and many times in the tavern (front room) which has the more moderately priced menu. Not many of my friends know about the tavern which doesn't take reservations and is by first come first serve basis (best to get there between 5:30-6:30 or if you're bold at around 8 when some of the first cycle finishes up). But the tavern is one of my greatest finds in all of New York. The best filet mignon you'll ever have for under $20 ($19). The menu is still fantastic but the prices are phenomenal for the quality of food. Sure you don't get the tablecloths, but you still get the kitchen. The pastry chef is also the same so you get to enjoy the amazing desserts of Gramercy Tavern as well. A little known secret is that if you eat at the bar in the tavern section they actually have a special that you can ONLY get when you eat at the bar. You can easily stay under $100 for two eating in the tavern while the back will easily cost you $100 per not to mention having to get a reservation months in advance. Either way, I highly recommend you making a reservation to Gramercy Tavern.
(5)Mark S.
Hands down my favorite place to dine. I have been here many times and never had a bad (or average) experience. The food, service and vibe is sublime.
(5)Lani M.
A lovely, comfortable place at which I am always happy to be. Almost everything I've had was delicious, a statement which is only qualified by the dishes which were merely very good. Great beer selection with seasonal taps paired to the menu. It's so home.
(4)Raphael a.
after all the hype i gotta say that some of it is true. the service, atmosphere, and attention this place shows for detail is huge. the traditional amuse coming forth, was off the hook. i had a great time here. there was excellent wine to choose from, cheeses that an frenchman would envy, and you get what you expect. the monkfish was tender,but the shredded veg it came with was mottled together, and ther was no taste difference. the sweetbreads were crisp, while maintaining thier moist, tender inside. the steak was perfect, and untampered with, salt and pepper only complimented it wonderfully. the food is unpretentious and cooked to perfection.all in all a wonderful experience and it almost lived up to the hype.
(3)Annie y.
Amazing service, atmosphere. nothing beats the whole experience! i have never been so well serviced in my whole life. it was seamless...i had no idea when they filled my water, but they did throughout the night. service was impeccable and is a perfect place to bring someone you want to impress. The food is good, not the best, but still good enough such that the food combined with the service and atmosphere make it an amazing experience. also if you don't want to spend much money go to the bar - it's a tad bit cheaper!
(4)Tracy T.
old school restaurant with old school service. professional, and a bit over the top. the decor is floral, park avenue money. the cheese tasting menu is excellent the filet mignon was great lobster was overcooked good for business dinner
(4)Pinky And The B.
We have been to Gramercy several times. Each time the menu and food were really inventive not the usual. Many of the upscale restaurants now serve practically the same thing especially for dessert. Gramercy is one of the few places that is still inventive.
(5)KJ L.
Always wanted to go here, since they opened. I was never really in the neighborhood, a couple of Saturday nights ago, I was! We just wanted to have a couple of drinks and maybe an app or two at the bar. Nothing doing. As we made our way to the bar and looked at a drink menu, two seats opened up. We grabbed them, sat down and were told that we couldn't sit there since there was a waiting list, and that it would be about 40 minutes. Really? Let's see, the staff who asked us where we were headed on the way in didn't mention that, and the people that we held the door for on the way in were already sitting at the bar! This area, called the "Tavern" is listed on the website as "first come, first served" basis. The women who came for our seats said.....and I quote: "that's just the way we do it here". Well, Danny I didn't like the vibe here....like we weren't in the club, so we won't be back. Maybe the website should be changed to reflect that the bar has a waiting list! Unprofessional.
(1)Anjali M.
Maybe it was the food, the attentive service, or the fact that my baby was with me...or maybe it was all three...but I had a fabulous time at Gramercy Tavern. T. took me there for our 1-year anniversary. To start off (as usual), we stuffed our faces with the selection of bread that seemed to continuously be filled on our table. The amuse bouche was a small shot of chilled corn soup that had so much flavor packed into a tiny little slurp. For our first actual course, T. ordered the tagliolini neri allo scoglio (squid ink noodles with seafood) and I ordered the lamb ragu linguini that we both thoroughly enjoyed. The portions were quite large, so I was pretty full at this point...but I still had two more courses to go. Following that, T. ordered the lamb shank and I got the sirloin and filet. I felt like the man. haha. I paired that with a nice merlot and man, I was in heaven! Finally the best part -- dessert! Not realizing that we would get a bunch of additional goodies (dessert amouse bouche of a sorbet with a creme foam and a plate of truffles), we decided to splurge and order three desserts: chocolate bread pudding, a peanut butter-wafer-chocolate-toffee dessert, and the cheesecake. Those were listed in the order of our liking. Though every dessert was fabulous, we definitely agreed that the chocolate bread pudding was the ultimate -- creamy and moist, rich and chocolatey. The service, ambience, food presentation and quality of food definitely allows Gramercy Tavern to live up to the hype!
(5)Ahu S.
Excellent, excellent, excellent. Went here for dinner on a Friday night, without reservations, and were seated (in the tavern) within the hour. (Tip: go to Flute next door for a glass of champagne if you need to kill time) I was thoroughly impressed. The food was delicious - the "purple potatoes" were divine, the chicken was very good (not the best I've ever had), and the cheese plate was extraordinary. The drink was perfect (some sort of vodka concotion) - smooth and silky. The waiter was omnipresent - always there when we needed him yet not hovering, and very knowledgeable. When the cheese plate was brought out, we got a thorough description of each cheese. There's nothing better than a well-educated, astute staff. If I lived in NY, I would be planning my next meal here, but it will have to be saved for the occasional cross-coastal jaunt. Excellent value for the price.
(5)Pam G.
We had a fabulous dinner at Gramercy Tavern on a recent visit to New York. We decided to go for the seasonal tasting menu which i believe was 7 courses. It sounds like a ton of food, but each course was very small and we didn't end up feeling stuffed at all. It actually ended up being more like 10 courses though because we had an amuse and even a dessert amuse, then they brought us little pre-wrapped coffee cakes for breakfast the next morning! I can't even begin to remember what all of the courses were so I'm just going to hit on some of the highlights. We had a seafood chowder that was out of this world. The shrimp in it were cooked rare and they were the most delicious shrimp I have ever had. The fluke tartare also just melted in your mouth. Our amuse dessert was an individual pineapple upside down cake that was to die for. I don't even like pineapple upside down cake and I ate every crumb! The service was top notch which is to be expected at a place like this. We had to laugh at the fact that we got all new place settings for every course, even after the amuse which was a finger food. Every plate and piece of silver ware was whisked away and replaced between courses. My only 'complaint', if i could even call it that was that it was advertised as being a great spot for a romantic dinner, which we were looking forward to. i would have to disagree with that though, the tables are very close together and we could hear every word of conversation at the tables on each side of us. Other than that, this was a top notch dining experience!
(4)David C.
Gramercy Tavern is one of the most highly rated restaurants in America and they have shown they deserve it every time I have been there over the course of many years. We recently celebrated our anniversary there and the food and service could not have been better. No detail is overlooked by the staff here in order to make the dining experience as enjoyable as possible. We had tasting the menus-seasonal for me and vegetarian for my wife--and each individual dish was delicious, and the order of service made it a gastronomic crescendo. I brought along a couple of special bottles of wine, which were expertly decanted and served. After discussing the best wine pairing for the dessert, the waiter brought us both some of each--for free! This is truly one of the greatest dining experiences I have had every time I go there.
(5)John F.
When an out-of-towner wants to go to a relatively pricey dinner in Manhattan, I always feel extra pressure that everyone is happy. Expectations run as high as the prices, and restaurants can fall flat. Gramercy Tavern does not fall flat. My parents came into town and wanted to treat me for my birthday. We originally had reservations to eat in the Dining Room with the pre-set tasting menu, but instead decided to chance it with a walk-in in the Tavern which uses a regular a la carte menu. This was a good choice for us. The Tavern is just gorgeous, always filled with beautiful art and flowers and totally comfortable. We came early, around 6 on a Saturday night, put our name in, and went around the corner to Barbounia for cocktails. We called over to Gramery Tavern about a half hour later to check in and one of their always great hosts told us to come right back as our table would be ready soon. The meal itself: Food and drink were excellent across the board. I loved the smokey Mezcal/tequila cocktail. Had the meatball for my main course - awesome, so flavorful. Finished things off with the trio of ice creams (the toasted almond, and coconut milk chocolate... oh yeah) and the trio of sorbets. Danny Meyer restaurants always have the best ice creams! The spill: Even when the waiter knocked a glass of water on the table all over my mother, it was handled with competence and humor. He was apologetic, and she didn't make a big deal about it and no one was embarrassed. About as well as that kind of thing can go. Gramercy Tavern is a New York restaurant where you can expect a flawless experience, with no surprises, that feels worth the price tag. My dad left saying it was "one of the best meals he had ever had" though that could have been the wine talking by then. Very, very good through and through. Already looking forward to my next visit.
(5)Sami C.
Just had a fabulous afternoon at Gramercy Tavern. We have been meaning to come here for several months, at the recommendation of a good friend. I'm so glad we did, and didn't relegate it to a "next time we're in New York" type of place. We arrived after 1.30pm and had no reservation, so I was expecting a long wait (with a good book!). But actually, we were seated within 10 minutes. It's a beautiful restaurant and great for lunch/brunch - our table had a two person sofa and two extra chairs, which just encourages you to take your time and really chill out. I love the paintings on the wall - really vibrant colours depicting lots of fruit and vegetables. Maybe I'm a sucker for subliminal messages, but it definitely made me think all the food would be really fresh! I also really love the bar here - I have never seen so many bottles lined up against the walls! Now to the food, which was definitely the main event. This is one of the few places in New York, where we ordered appetizers, entrees and had a dessert (though, I note that I didn't order a dessert out of hunger, but more because everything on the menu sounded great and I wanted to try everything!). Anyhow, I had a calamari and carrot salad to start - the first bite, was just, wow... there are no words to describe! Calamari was cut into thin strips and cooked just right (not too chewy). The dressing is amazing, and the carrots and, what I assumed to be, some kind of fish eggs, gave the dish a nice balanced texture. (Plus, I had never seen green fish eggs before). Seriously, this was a truly amazing salad. My entree was the halibut and came with some vegetables and mussels. On first glance it looked a bit small (which made me very happy I'd had an appetizer), but I soon realized that size isn't everything. The fish was soft and flaky, with the right amount of grilled flavour. Every bite was just yummy. I won't spoil it anymore with my inadequate descriptions. Just try it! I was intrigued by the dessert menu - items like pumpkin whoopie pie (OK, so I am still giggling at the name) just sounded really tasty. Eventually, we settled on the chocolate pudding (sounds a little dull in comparison, but wait for it) with salted caramel and brioche (yes, brioche) croutons. It was great (shame I was really rather full at this point). Definitely a must try place if you're visiting New York. I may even visit again before leaving (and certainly will make a point of visiting next time I'm in town). Now, off to learn to make brioche croutons!
(5)Sandra M.
Their pulled pork sandwich is amazing. Last time I came here I had the plate of cookies afterwards with my beau and some coffee. I was in heaven. :) What makes me a great fan is that they get many of their ingredients from local farms. I first came here for lunch and a movie for the theather around the corner when SITC came out...this last time I referenced above was a repeat offense for the sequel. I would come back here any time. THe dining room I believe requires more dressier attire than the bar.
(5)Christina U.
This place was so wonderful, I don't even know where to begin. My boyfriend surprised me with a dinner here for our one-year anniversary as a couple, and the whole experience was perfect, from the moment we entered. When we gave our name to the hostess, she pulled up our reservation on the computer, looked up, and said, "Happy Anniversary!" with a smile, in the most genuine way. After leading us to our table in the dining room, our waiter arrived with two complementary glasses of Proseco, and again wished us a happy anniversary with a smile. I'm kicking myself for not remembering his name, but he was charming, attentive, and incredibly helpful with the menu. He described each dish perfectly, and gave us his personal favorites and recommendations. Of course, he didn't steer us wrong-- my boyfriend's scallops were amazing, and my lamb was fantastic as an appetizer. The amuse bouche was adorable (aren't they always?), flavorful, and inventive. Our entrees were equally wonderful-- he had the venison, I had the sea bass. Both were perfectly portioned, cooked, and flavored. For dessert, I ordered the peanut butter semifreddo and my guy had the butterscotch sundae. Both were heavenly. Amazing. Delicate, intricate. Just perfect, and perfectly portioned. So imagine our surprise when they also brought out a complimentary order of the pineapple upside down cake (which was the third option that we had considered with the waiter when ordering). Not only was it fantastic, but they had carefully and beautifully scrolled "Happy Anniversary" in chocolate across the plate as an added touch. It was as perfect as a meal can be, really. We shut the restaurant down, but not once did our waiter try to rush us. Throughout the meal, he was helpful, attentive without being hovering, and knowledgeable. Oh, and just before we left, he came out with two small pre-packaged coffee cakes for us to enjoy the next morning! As if we hadn't eaten enough already. I realize that none of this was special treatment; I could tell that they do that for anybody. But I have to believe at at a place with service and cuisine that outstanding, each customer probably leaves feeling as though they were somehow special. We've already decided: whether we're living in NY or not, Gramercy Tavern will be our anniversary tradition.
(5)Richie H.
4.5 stars I've been here for lunch many times and have never had anything less than an awesome meal. I've tried a lot of items on the lunch menu but some standouts include the Foie Gras, Pulled Pork Sandwich, and Smoked Kielbasa. I've gotten the soup and sandwich deal a few times and each time both the soup and the sandwich have been amazing. It's incredible how consistently good the food is here. Also, the service is almost as good if not as good as the Michelin 3-star restaurants I've been to.
(4)Sean B.
Ate off the bar menu and had a spectacular meal at a surprisingly reasonable price ($125 for 4 people). HIGHLY recommend!
(5)Holden W.
Amazing service, superb american cuisine, top notch wine list... but worn/rusty setting, meh looking guests in casually looking attire make for a very unlikely repeat visit. There are better integrated upscale places to spend $200/person No regrets though, worth to check out once
(3)Bobby D.
This was my first visit to Gramercy Tavern as I live in Philadelphia and don't make it to Manhattan too often. I dined on Sunday 1/16 at 9:30 and the restaurant was full when my date and I sat down. We had a lovely corner table in the back of the restaurant that was somewhat private. The entire dining room and bar was understated elegance. We brought a bottle of Parusso Bussia Barolo and took advantage of the $35 corkage fee. My date started with a glass of Malbec and I had a glass of 06 White Burgundy. We sipped on the glasses while the Barolo was decanted We both opted for the Tasting Menu. I chose the Winter Tasting and my date had the Winter Vegetable Tasting, not exclusively vegetarian but can be. Every item that was brought to our table was perfection. Every member from the front of the house that touched our table was perfect also. We opted for the cheese course in addition to our dessert and the 3 cheeses they brought were divine. The meal was expensive but I am a believer in "you get what you pay for" and I certainly thought my meal was worth every penny spent. I scheduled another reservation for Feb.
(5)Lisa P.
My favorite restaurant in the city, and i've only been here once. i think that speaks for itself. i've always meant to go back.. but it's hard when there's so many new places i have yet to try. we got the tasting menu, and every single course was absolutely amazing. my favorite was the quail. my first time having quail and i was totally apprehensive (i kept picturing those cute little birds) but loved it! the dessert was also fantastic! some kind of passion fruit sorbet over a bed of foam with tapioca bead. again, i hate tapioca but ate every since bead AND got extra! service was out of this world. it probably helped that my friend knew one of the servers... and got us a few extra courses, but regardless it was exceptional. We were a rowdy group of 6, chatty girls, but the server was nice all the way through the dinner and even after the check. we finally noticed that we were the last ones in the entire place, and yet we had felt no pressure what-so-ever from the staff. Best dining experience in my 5 years livin in NYC. hands down. but as a disclaimer, food and service of this caliber does not come cheap.
(5)Thom H.
Dinner for two in the dining room, Tuesday night, 7 pm. Along with Blue Hill at Stone Barns, and Masa, this is one of the the best meals I have ever had. Wife and I arrived about 15 minutes early, so we had to wait a bit, but it could not have been five minutes before we were set. Sat in the back - Tiffany Y is right, the place is quite big. Nonetheless, there were beautiful flowers everywhere - nicer than La Grenouille, which is famous for its flowers. We were welcomed by our server, who wished us a happy anniversary (celebrating five years), and offered a glass of sparking wine on the house. Nice touch. But here's the kicker - he had two bottles, one of which was non-alcoholic (a nice cider). Someone noticed that my wife was pregnant, and acted accordingly - a -very- nice touch. We opted for the prix fixe over the tasting menus, so that we could try different dishes. The meal started with a delightful cheese puff amuse. I started with a steak special, that featured sliced heart, and ramps (first of the season!) Man, it tasted like the ramps jumped out of the ground and into my mouth, which sounds horrible, but I assure you it was the opposite of horrible. The heart tasted somewhat like a thicker-cut bresaola (always under-represented in charcuterie, but I digress). Wife had the ruby-red shrimp to begin, which were also delicious (but I'm glad I got the special). To drink, I chose the Goodfellow (those who scowl at Scotch whisky cocktails are missing out on life). I enjoyed it enough that our server offered me the recipe from the barkeep. No, you can't have it. Sorry. For mains, my wife had the lamb, done which seemed like three ways (I think some Merguez sausage snuck in there - always welcome). I had the striped bass - if only I could have struck up the courage to take a photo - it was gorgeous in its beet broth. It really did pain me a little (not too much) to disturb what was clearly artwork. All food was delectable, but not the best I have ever had - damn close, but not tunnel-vision-inducing, mind-boggling taste. Like I said above, -one- of the best meals I have ever had, not -the- best. To finish, I had the bread pudding, and my wife had the carrot cake. Both were very good, but not the highlight of the meal. My Blue Bottle (!) cortado (!!) -was- a highlight. (Blue Bottle!!!) Well. Look, obviously Gramercy Tavern doesn't need yet another gushing review, but I had to. I liken it to my students - some approach me for a college recommendation, something nice to say. But some - some are so special, that -I- approach -them- to offer a letter. Gramercy Tavern, this is my letter.
(5)K P.
Walked in, seated within 20 minutes in the Tavern (not the main room). Service: Very good. Attentive but not intrusive. Cocktails: Ruby Rye- Great mix of bitter and sweet. FYI to insecure XY's, tinted an emasculating shade of pink and served in a martini glass. Appetizers: Bacon and cheese biscuits- Bite-sized, cheesy, bacony. Delicious. Pastrami and cauliflower - Moist, not overly salty, marbled to perfection. Cauliflower not particularly memorable. Porchetta salad- Crisp greens, delicious pork, balanced with a little acid in the dressing. Entrees: Sea bass with spaghetti squash- sauce a little overwhelming, probably a great piece of fish but a little hard to appreciate. Still a great dish. Mushroom lasagna- cooked perfectly, mushrooms really aromatic. Dessert: Bread pudding- I've had better. Lemon sauce a little strong. Caramel ice cream was a better, more subtle companion.
(4)Kevin L.
Fantastic place, had a burger well done and it was delicious. The basketed bread was great too.
(4)Rick K.
What does "tavern" connote to you? The tavern was really a predecessor of the restaurant whose quality depended on the sophistication of the town and the owner. For me, it also connotes hearty rather than dainty meals. Gramercy is sophisticated and fashionable. The dining room is large and airy and much attention has been paid to the decor. Service staff is very attentive and exceptionally well-trained and patient as my date was late. We started with the Ruby Red shrimp- essentially, sauteed shrimp that was followed by a main course of Monkfish, served with a crawfish vinaigrette and nettles. The focus on food preparation is to be ornate and elaborate rather than to placate hunger. At $88 per person, the diminutive serving of a few miserly morsels smacked of extortion in my view. There is no question that Gramercy is high quality in food, service, and atmosphere. But should you be able to leave a tavern with an empty wallet and still have the munchies??
(2)Tiffany R.
Love Gramery Tavern! I got the pork dish and it just melted in my mouth! Love the decor too! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Iva N.
Went here last Sunday for dinner with a friend. Our reservation was at 10pm.. but we got there at 930pm and got seated immediately. Both of us had the autumn tasting menu. ($112 per person) and ordered wine by the glass. We had 1. Fluke - Avocado, Radish and Cucumber soo light.. and refreshing 2. Crab Soup - Sungold Tomatoes and Sorrel - SOOOOO Good.. this is my favorite part of the meal. I would have lick the bowl if noone's there 3. Smoked Trout - Cippollini Purée and Pickled Onions 4. Fettuccine - Rabbit, String Beans and Hen of the Woods Mushrooms 5. Venison Loin & Sausage- Pears, Peppers and Smoked Marrow I don't like this one. The meat is cooked medium rare.. so it'smoist and has that red color to it. It's my first time eating deer meat. and it had this weird smell/taste. My friend told me it's actually very light smell compare to the ones he had before. The homemade sausages that came with it are really good. 6. Tasting Dessert There are 2 choices.. blueberry tart and chocolate with caramel. I like the chocolate dessert ones better.. very chocolaty!! They also gave us 4 kinds of chocolate.. the peanut butter chocolate is the best one! yumm... oh they also gave us coffee cake muffins to take home for breakfast! Overall, the food was very good.. and the service was fantastic!
(5)Diana A.
Best restaurant I've been to in NYC yet. Words can not even describe the service. Everyone was beyond professional. My aunt ordered a fish dish, and upon biting into it she thought it was a little salty (but she wasn't sure if that was supposed to be the taste). She simply asked the waitress if the dish was meant to be very salty (no problem at all if the waitress would have said yes. my aunt would have just eaten right up because she did like the dish) The waitress said she would check and be right back, within five minutes the chef himself came out to apologize. No the dish isn't mean to be very salty, he told the truth and explained that it might have been possible that the dish got salted twice. He immediately took the dish back and said he'd bring a new dish out. Meanwhile the restaurant manager comes over and takes my dish away explaining that they don't want my dish to get cold while we wait for my aunts new dish. Within ten minutes the chef, waitress, and manager return with mine and my aunt's new dish and ask her to try it. She gives her stamp of approval and all is right with the world. Mind you, Gramercy Tavern staff went out of their way to that extent and it wasn't even a complaint! Just a simple question. I can not recommend this restaurant enough to people! Just fantastic!!
(5)Paul S.
I love this place...not only is the food fresh, but it is elegant and upscale. Totally worth the price for the unique experience. Only gripe was the waiter, but I generally don't like people, and I used to wait tables for years. Awesome place.
(4)J C.
Came here for my graduation dinner with my parents and my boyfriend. We did the regular dinner menu and everything was absolutely delicious. I won't go into the specific items because between us we had four different first courses and four different second courses. Each and every one was amazing. The only reason I give 4 rather than 5 stars is that I felt the service came with a bit of an attitude and an arrogance that I have not experienced at other restaurants of this caliber. I felt this from more than one staff member. That is why I'm not sure I'll ever dine here again. On the one hand I would love to experience the food again, but why would I opt for GT over other places with equally amazing food AND proven impeccable service? I really want to like it so I may give it one more chance in case it was just a fluke experience. More likely, we will end up down the street at Craft instead.
(4)Sam P.
Waited at the bar with my friend for at least 10 minutes. There were 4 bar tenders and no one acknowledged us. We were going to have dinner but ended up leaving and going to Barbounia on the corner which was brilliant.
(1)Madhuri I.
You know, those people with two left feet, two left hands, four left eyes and a large nose? That's me. I'm the reason restaurants have carpeted floors - so all the silverware I generously drop on to the floor doesn't go clinkety-clonk through dinner. Well, I owe it to Gramercy Tavern for making me feel like a lady when I ate there last fall, unobtrusively picking up after the trail of napkins and forks and knives. Maybe they even arranged the napkin on my lap - I didn't even realize it. The ambience is beautiful and they arranged a lovely vegetarian tasting menu for us. The butternut squash ravioli, bursting with fall colours and flavour, stood out the most. Overall, it was a satifying meal. Not fantabulous, but satisfying. I also owe it to pastry chef Nancy Olsen for her top 15 cupcake picks of NYC - would've never tried Chika's amazing banana cupcake without you!
(4)Diana H.
Really really good. I came here for a celebratory dinner with my family and before we even put anything in our mouths to eat and drink I was pleasantly surprised by the hospitality by all (hostess, waiter, water server...) Very good service through out the whole night. Then there is the food which was very good. It was not the best food I have had in Manhattan for similar prices I prefer Gotham Bar and Grill but it was worth its price and the atmosphere/service would bring me back again. I must say their cocktails ARE the best I have had in Manhattan they are very innovative and delicious. I got the Rickshaw which is a Basil infused Vodka and Lime drink. AMAZING. In fact I am going to try and recreate it very soon. The cocktails were $12.50 which is really not bad considering its a high end restaurant. For my meal I did the chefs tasting menu which is 6 courses all which are very good. I got to try rabbit for the first time and it was delicious. The other people I was with ordered from the regular pre-fixe and they were all happy. The restaurant recommends everyone in the table gets the pre-fixe if one person wants it just so that the flow is better and no one is stuck eating alone but since no one else wanted the regular pre-fixe they ended up with a complimentary third course and the waiter made it so I was never to feel awkward eating a course solo. I recommend you get the tasting menu to really grow an understanding for Michael Anthony the head chef. The deserts were very good even though we were almost too full to accept but don't worry we pulled through. And last but not least we each got a coffee cake muffin to take home in case we get hungry on the long ride back to Long Island :)
(5)K C.
Came here for a family dinner and our table tried the summer tasting menu. At $113 per person, it was anything but affordable, but when Mom & Dad are paying, it's all good. The food and service was impeccable, despite some weirdness in the very beginning when the hostess told me a member of my party had arrived and was in the bathroom, which she clearly was not (after calling her name at the filled stalls). The sea scallops were tender, the soup (I forget what it was exactly) was delicious, and I don't usually like soup, and the fettucini w/hare was good. The steak was amazing (another thing I don't usually eat). As for the desserts... chocolicious! So GOOD! We also received some confections from the baker after dessert (which were unnecessary as everyone was full to exploding) that were among the best candies I've ever tasted in my life. There was this peanut butter ball... enough said!
(5)Heather L.
Classy and elegant atmosphere, melt in your mouth food, and crazy prices. But, what else would you expect? If you have the money to splurge, try gramercy tavern!
(5)Wenky W.
I was here 5-6 months ago so I'm reviewing based on memory. It's a nice spacious and serene restaurant with great service and polite waiters. My gf ordered the lamb which was really good, better than the fish I had ordered (which was pretty good too). I had a nice relaxing experience there, it could've also been the great company that I was with.
(4)Jasmine T.
Amazing meal was enjoyed by me and my hubbie here on sunday night. we sat at the bar and loved the ambience as we could see the entire restaurant from our little corner. I liked my cocktails, stuck to a few Apropos, yummy. i then switched to beer and was extremely impressed with their beer selection, the pumpkin ale was fabulous. Husband got the tasting menu and thoroughly enjoyed it. i got the scallop stuffed grilled calamari (it was a special app) and did not enjoy it,a tad heavy for my liking. got the corvina for my entree and it was delicious. very generous serving. dessert was choco cake, asi asi. loved the experience and the entrees in particular.
(4)Stephen N.
With Warren's mother in town for the Westminster Dog Show, and always presenting an interest in this place, we thought that it was the perfect time to check out Gramercy Tavern. It was a Saturday night, and after a couple of drinks at The Maritime Hotel's La Bottega Caffe, we jumped into a cab and booked it over to the Tavern at a time we thought would be reasonable to get a seat - we opted for the Tavern, instead of the dining room (where reservations are required). Once we entered, I was met by a very nice hostess who said that our table would be about two hours. Not to be perturbed (usually the wait times are much less), I saddled up to the bar to get us a couple of drinks that I was able to take back to the foyer and the one, lone table that we quickly snatched up. I noticed that the bar was packed, and after having some difficulty getting an arm in, a bartender immediately noticed me and took my order. I noticed that a lot of couples were eating at the bar - something that would probably be for the best if you were just a party of two. After about an hour of waiting, our table opened up and we were escorted into the Tavern. The Tavern (I did not see the dining room, so this is really only for the front part of the restaurant) was large with sweeping murals, flower arrangements overflowing their pots, water cans, and old, antique barrels, and bronze, candlelit scones that hung from all the walls and ceilings. It was dark, cozy, and immediately American. The service was fast, attentive, and the server easy to answer any questions that we may have had about the menu. I started with 5 oysters on the half shell. While I am not sure what variety of the oyster was I had, I knew it had to be from the East Coast - the flavor was both brine-y and smooth. It felt like I was eating the ocean. For my entree, I ordered the Red Snapper with braised squid, leaks and heirloom beans. The Snapper was cooked to perfection and the squid was sliced into long, tiny strings that almost acted as noodles in the white wine broth. The broth was so amazing, that I could have had that for a soup and have been satisfied. To finish off the meal, I had a glass of amaretto, on the rocks, that came in the most precious miniature wine goblet. If you are ever in the mood for a most wondrous and excessively delicious meal, than I highly suggest the Gramercy Tavern.
(5)Carolyn T.
I have loved Gramercy Tavern as long as I've lived in NY. It is an institution that never fails and always impresses. I went recently for late lunch at the bar (I don't often enjoy sitting for a length tasting menu, so this is just a lunch review) and ordered a la carte. We had an amazing bottle of wine from the Jura - its always worth the splurge to order a bottle as the list is extensive but impressive. We ordered pate, tomato chowder, chicken with peaches and tomatoes, and splurged on the chef's selection of cheeses and ricotta cheesecake. I was a little surprised to see items on the menu that have been there for since early spring, as it prides itself on seasonal selections. I would have prefer the pate with a smear of mustard but it was still tasty. My smoky chowder was delicious, even though I'm not a fan of monkfish. My favorite part of the meal was dessert, so much so that I wanted to know the name of the pastry chef (Nancy Olsen). Interesting but not weird, classic and still packed full of flavor. I may go back for wine and desserts at the bar in the very near future. As always the service is spot on, friendly, while not bothersome, informed without being arrogant. If you have an hour or two to spare, this is the best option in Manhattan for a leisure yet remarkable lunch experience.
(5)Winnie T.
SURPRISE! Happy birthday, babe. : ] So this year, I decided to treat the boyfriend to Gramercy for dinner. I was a bit apprehensive about it because of our experience at Per Se last year but there was nothing to worry about! The atmosphere is completely different; much more relaxed, warm, welcoming and lively. Glancing at the menu, we leaned toward the tasting menu but I was thinking "eh? warm CABBAGE salad? idk..." I asked the server how the salad was, his reply? "It's AMAZING" And so, we went for it, with the boyfriend substituting the veal for the very aged rare steak. I'm very picky with wines because I still don't like how they taste. The server's wine recommendation was great though. I loved the Leitz Riesling! Food was de-li-cious. The scallops and veal were very good. Boyfriend loved his aged steak. The smoked trout was by far the best thing I've ever tasted in my life. Perfect presentation, all the flavors worked very well together. The lobster soup was just okay though. That cabbage salad I was worried about? Love, love, loved it. Chocolate dessert, very sweet, and came with "Happy Birthday, William" written on it. I didn't want the cheesecake really, because they tend to be so sweet. Their cheesecake is perfect; light, creamy, not too sweet and just the right portion. Service was excellent; water glasses never less than half full, attentive but not overly so, and very helpful. Everyone was wonderful and they flowed as if they were performing a dance. Best part of all, I never felt as if I was out of place. It was a perfect experience and well worth the money. We'll definitely be back. See you soon, smoked trout! I miss you.
(5)Joey J.
One of my favorite NYC restaurants!!!!!!!! I'm not RICH, so this is reserved for special occasions (unless I want a drink, and for $13 you will only need one and it will be made to perfection). I have dined in both the front area (Tavern), and the fancy sit down tasting section in the back (generally reserve this in advance). The Tavern has excellent food, my favorite is the mushroom lasagna. Not your typical lasagna, very little pasta and lots of mushrooms. If there is something on the tasting menu that you really want they might even bring it to you here if you ask nicely. I've noticed that this is a restaurant that will accommodate you. They've sent over extra appetizers or a second dessert if we mentioned that we had a tough time deciding between two things, or if the waitress highly recommends something. For two people you can have drinks, an appetizer (necessary, mains are too small), 2 mains, and split a dessert (I love when they do the crisps for 2 people) for under $100 including 20% tip. The tasting room is wonderful. Excellent, fancier food. Best thing about this place, decor and SERVICE!!! Probably the best service I've had in NYC consistently (too bad I had a bad server at Danny Meyer's Union Square restaurant, otherwise I'd be able to say that Meyer has this DOWN). If you have a special occasion and don't want to spend $500 for 2, this is the place. *Hostess generally tells me that the wait is 45 minutes even though only 1 other couple is waiting and then we are seated within 10 minutes. Keep this in mind, and you can always wait at the bar which is truly superb.
(5)Karin G.
Its hard to write a review of a place where I have had so many great experiences. The quality of the food gets mixed up with the quality of the company and it is difficult to be objective. For years, I would visit GT with friends late in the evening and there would almost always be these two adorable and quite elderly sisters sitting on a couch happily downing their nightly drinks, drinks that looked pretty damned strong. It was delightful to watch both of them enjoy themselves and, then, finally calling it a night, with canes assisting their bent over figures,make their way home. I have had some amazing first dates here: such a perfect place to meet someone after work also. There is, however, no way to be confused about how good the food is at GT. Ive been here for a drink while shopping, extended girls cosmo nights, and for dinner on dates, for business and with a crowd. Everything from those cursedly addictive candied walnuts at the bar, to the wild game, to the flaky tart au pommes is perfect. Service is what you would expect here: rarely a missed moment. This place has spoiled me and GT is the reason I have no patience with empty water glasses. GT, dont ever change
(5)Jeannie C.
Our last night in NYC, I wanted to go eat at a fancier place and since Gramercy Tavern was on the list of restaurants to try, we decided to eat there for dinner. We already mentioned we will sit at the Tavern area rather than the dining area since it cost less. At first, we were worried we would not be able to get in with our sticky sweat on our faces from the humidity, and wearing shorts and tank/tshirt but to my surprised, they seated us. Even though the waitress gave us a look, she still had a smile on her face. The decor is contemporary with fresh flowers around the tavern. It is definitely a cozy place to sit, relax and enjoy a nice meal. We started out with the calamari salad and pickled cauliflower with pastrami. The calamari was tender and full of flavored from the dressing. The pastrami was thinly sliced and complimented the pickled cauliflower perfectly. For my entree, I ordered the Halibut. It was moist and flaky. The dish was nicely presented. I have to mention, I think their ice tea is one of the best I have ever had. It was light and didn't taste like it was from a Lipton tea bag. It even came with simple syrup that you can add to the tea besides basic sugar. I have never gotten simple syrup with my ice tea before and I loved it. We ordered the chocolate pudding and strawberry pie to share. They were both really good and a great way to end a the meal and night. The service was excellent considering we weren't dress nice. Our waitress treated us with the same respect as all the other patrons. This was definitely a great last meal in NYC.
(5)Sasha N.
Gramercy Tavern is the quintessential NYC dining experience, in this girl's humble (and somewhat experienced) opinion. This is my third experience with Gramercy. I had the pleasure of dining at Gramercy when Tom Colicchio was still co-founder and executive chef (and before he became a culinary reality-show judge and Heimlich maneuver hero.) My last visit was a few years ago, and Gramercy seemed to be a bit adrift in the kitchen. It was still a great place to dine, but it didn't have the lustre of my previous visit. But after this week's experience, I'm pleased to announce that Gramercy is back to it's former splendor thanks to Chef Michael Anthony. I did the dining room and prix fixe, with some additional appetizers and dessert. We started with the smoked trout Cippollini Purée and a some very delicious little vegetarian appetizers that the waiter brought out special for us. The trout purée was silky and rich -- everything that I expected when I ordered it. Next up: The Lobster and Green Bean Salad which was simply sublime and made my toes curl up in my Louboutins. Yes, it was that good. I'm thinking that it might be one of the only salads that I would seriously consider as a suitable substitute for sex. Maybe. On to the entree: This was tough. I debated between the Crispy Duck Breast with confit and the Beef Sirloin with Flat Iron and the cow won out. I was in a red meat mood, and it certainly satisfied that, but it was probably the least impressive course of the evening. That's not saying that it wasn't fabulous ... just that I'm still wondering what the duck was like. I'll need to figure out a way to get back to NYC to resolve that one. Only so much time and you have to choose. So I did. I have NO regrets. For dessert: We each ordered something different. I was in a Cheesecake state of mind and my dining companion was all about the chocolate. So I ordered the Goats Cheesecake with Concord Grape Sorbet and my companion had the Warm Chocolate Bread Pudding. Since by this point I had had two glasses of Crement du Jura Brut before dinner; a glass of Riesling with the salad course and a Barbaresco with the steak, Sasha was in love with the entire dining room (funny combination of wines I know, especially considering that all three countries of origin have fought incessantly with each other for centuries.) The downside is that with all of the wine, I forgot what the sorbet was made from, and this initiated a ridiculous 20 minute conversation with my dining companion about whether it was grape or raspberry. As if any normal person not juiced up on good wine couldn't tell the difference. One thing we did agree on was that each dessert was equally as good as the other. So order either with confidence. You won't be disappointed. We kissed and made up with a glass of absinthe (BAD idea) and complimentary petit four and then made our way into the street to catch a cab to carouse until 4 am. This city truly never sleeps. Thanks Gramercy: Sasha is now one million liver cells short of a transplant, I've gained two pounds and due to the absinthe, I've earned a "reputation" in NYC. The nice thing is that I don't live there, so I don't have to deal every day with my indiscretions. The Midwest does have it's perks, even if it's not as much fun as Manhattan. But I did adore the food. So ... my summary. Fantastic food, fantastic service (and never overbearing -- it was just right), lux ambiance without being overdone or overly hip, and a Green Bean Salad that blew my heels off. How often does that happen? Dress recommendation: Whatever you want to wear as long as it doesn't violate the rules of New York fashion. Whatever those rules are. You can never go wrong in black ... especially after drinking absinthe. I know. Trust me. Highly recommended.
(5)Sharon H.
I came here for business so I guess when someone else is footing the bill you base the review on everything but price. I was absolutely not disappointed with the food. We all had the three course meal, for me I had the Beef Carpaccio, a Side Salad, the Roasted Lamb and for desserts a spoonful of about 4-5 desserts. The food was just great - very flavorful and nice textured and perfect portions - just enough and not too much. The food was paired with a couple of wines which also were good. There was a group of us - 12 - so we had a private room in the back for just our group. This meant of course that we got dedicated service and there was no problem with the noise levels at all. All in all the experience, but more importantly the food, was great and I'd certainly come here again.
(5)Lana M.
Loved the casual atmosphere and great service, was not very impressed with food. Sat in the dinning room and not in the tavern. A little noisy, but still able to keep a conversation. Did not realize that the menus are different when made the reservation, the dinning room has a prefix menu. We had a two-course dinner, for the first course smoked trout and open ravioli. The trout was amazing, the texture and flavor... melted in my mouth. But the ravioli was just okay, while the portion was generous and presentation colorful, the meat was a little tough and sauce overpoweringly sour. For the second course: lamb chop - perfect on every level and fluke(?) - very mediocre, sad mix of flavors and very bland appearance, with bigger than necessary portion. For desert, chocolate bread pudding - OMG - amazing!!! and I am not a dessert person. And something lemony, dried, cute looking, but oh-so-average, did not even bother to remember the name. To summarize, ITEMS ON THE MENU ARE NOT ALL MADE EQUAL...
(4)lesi w.
Lore of Gramercy tavern does not disappoint. I only wish it was cheaper... I went for restaurant week with several friends I tried several of the dishes and they were all delicious. Restaurant week at Gramercy for lunch is a great deal. Reservations may be hard to get but there is a large bar seating area that is first come first serve so you can always try to come early which is what we did. For those who don't plan early :(
(5)Jan Y.
So apparently the restaurant is split into 2 separate area's, a formal dining room and the tavern at gramercy. The tavern serves more rustic dishes a la carte and the dining room serves more sophisticated, thought out dishes that show's off the chefs muscle definition. The dining room only serves prefixed menu or the tasting menu, no a la carte here. I of course had to try the dining room the very first time at this restaurant, I am a sophisticated, muscle watching woman after all... :) Re: The food --IS it weird that I say everything I ate here literally melted in my mouth? I had the spring tasting menu and each dish was carefully prepared. The meal stared off with complimentary spring vegetables that was on a toothpick, small, refreshing, crunchy. Then followed a sweet raw scallop that was juicy and delicious. (It was actually one scallop sliced into 4 thin pieces). then lobster soup... YUM!!! The 2 fishes that followed melted in my mouth! yummy goodness! The finale was pink, mouth watering beef cut. What a great meal! The wine list was plentiful and the service was good only (we had to pour our own wine 2 times.. bad! I am paying top dollar darn it, I'm allowed to behave in this manor!) I can't wait to try the tavern! Oh and yes, this place is expensive, esp if you like wine with your meal (and in my case, a lot of wine with my meal).
(5)Charles H.
Gramercy Tavern came out as a top spot in response to my Talk posting "Expense account lunch spot around Union Square". Thanks to the Yelp members who responded with suggestions. I usually think of GT for dinner/drinks on a cold winter night so I probably wouldn't have ended up here. Lunch in the front room tavern turned out to be a pleasant alternative to stand-bys like Blue Water Grill. Like the main dinning room, service in the tavern was excellent but not overbearing. The lunch crowd was upscale but also included customers with "nice" shorts and t-shirts. I went all out with game meat: venison sausage appetizer and stuffed rabbit saddle with rabbit sausage as an entre. Both dishes were prepared simply without extra sauces so the flavor of the meat stood out. The spaetzle with the rabbit provided just the right amount of contrast for the meat. It was a refined lunch that in the end with a couple drinks wasn't so expensive especially when someone else is picking up the tab - $100 including tip for 2. I'll still think of GT as a spot for a drink at the bar on a snowy winter eve with friends but it also works very nicely for a deliciously special lunch. (photos: venison sausage, rabbit saddle, interior tavern and exterior window)
(4)Natalie M.
This is by far the best restaurant I've been to in New York so far. It's difficult to get a reservation so it's perfect for special occasions. The service is impeccable and the food is simply perfect. The wine menu is the size of a novel, so there are many choices available for any budget. The food is obviously pricey but it is definitely worth it!
(5)Eva L.
One of the best restaurants in the city. Anyone you ask, will agree. I had the price fixed menu $85 per person. The waiter kept bringing us Amuse-bouche so make sure you go with an empty stomach. I tasted foods and spices I've never tasted (ie: Foie gras). We were pampered all evening ... the service was impeccable. Will go back again for a special occasion!
(5)Christian A.
This was quite possibly one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. I started off with the Merguez Sausage. It consists of chickpeas, swiss chard, almonds, and harissa. The sausage as told to me by Jennifer, our brilliant waitress is made right at the Tavern and was delicious and complex. It had strong bold meaty flavors and the broth which accompanied the sausage was soy based with some spice to it which complimented it really well. The broth was in fact so good that I described it to my guests as being so good I could eat it as a soup. As an entree I had the duck confit. This is everything you would expect from a confit. Crispy, golden, tender, and very juicy. It was served with Bok Choy and Kohlrabi. Delicious and the execution was as close to perfect as you can get. However, I felt that it could use with a bit more inspiration and creativity. Unfortunately, I do not have a suggestion. For dessert I had the german chocolate cake. It was a very rich and bold cake that was the perfect serving size. Enough for me to love it but not enough for me to become sick of it. Along side of it was the chocolate coconut ice cream with chocolate dirt which was brilliant. I'm looking forward to my next visit as I feel that there might be some stronger items on this menu.
(4)Tiffany L.
Hubby and I got taken out by a sales lady for an awesome dinner here. The menu is always changing, but everything (appetizers, entree, desserts, cocktails, wine, dessert wine, etc) we had was impeccably presented and happily consumed. Thrilled that I got to come here NOT during restaurant week, haha. Hope I get to come again!
(5)Mike S.
Always among the top NYC restaurants. The seasonal tasting menu was very satisfying. Food served promptly, never felt rushed. My only complaint is that the servers had very thick South American accents and it was difficult to comprehend most of them.
(4)Lucie R.
I grew up in a restaurant in France and I love food. Check my review of gramercy Tavern on my blog: l-homme.us/lhomme/thegra…
(4)David C.
The prix fixe menu at the bar included an appetizer of raw snapper, a small sandwich of softshell crab, flatiron steak and a banana cream tart for dessert. With a beverage and tip it came to $75. I really wanted to be blown away, and it was very, very good. But elements were weak like the softshell crab sandwich, which was indistinguishable from good fried bar food. It was even slightly oily. Elements were very good, including the raw snapper opener in citrus marinade and a few pickled vegetables. The salted cashew ice cream was also fantastic. But the rest was just average. Service at the bar was great, and for four courses and a beverage, $75 total isn't that bad. I'd try the dining room next.
(4)Frida C.
Love almost every single dish during the whole meal! Went for regular lunch and ordered the $58 tasting menu. -The Arctic Char was so fresh and ramps added a little spicy kick to the dish. Very interesting combination. -Ruby Red Shrimp was seasoned very well. A little under-cooked to my friend's taste, but totally fine with me. The only disappointment is that the fried okra was over-cooked. -Striped Bass was good. I don't like the texture of striped bass in general, but Gramercy Tavern managed to make it as delicious as possible. Not to mention the lobster sauce... Yum! -Pork lion & belly was under-performed by other dishes. The meat was tender but the sauce is a little too salty for me. However, the grilled oyster mushroom was very delicious~ The two dessert dishes we had was AMAZING! We had the raspberry sorbet with lemon verbena granité. It was so refreshing, a perfect dessert for summer! The butter pecan ice cream with chocolate chips was good too, especially those little strawberry meringue~ Overall, we were very impressed and satisfied. I would totally come back for dinner and recommend Gramercy Tavern to anyone!
(5)Stephen S.
I hit several of the most popular "foodie" spots during my recent trip to the Big Apple. I have to admit: this is the only spot that I'm still thinking about. It was FABULOUS FOOD. Simply delicious. I would definitely go back. We sat at the bar because it was so packed. The bartender (not the sexy Asian guy) left a lot to be desired on the personality front. But, the food SO OVERSHADOWED everything else that I've quickly forgotten about all that. The baby beets with the oranges and spiced nuts are not to be missed (especially if you are as WILD about beets as I am). The pork loin with the pork belly was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. But, what I'm CRAVING most is that calamari salad with the carrots. Not at all what I expected ... but so MEMORABLE that I can close my eyes and still conjure up the taste. YUM. YUM. YUM. If you find yourself in New York and are a true FOODIE, THIS PLACE IS NOT TO BE MISSED on your NY culinary tour!!!!
(5)Jeremy G.
DISAPPOINTING!!! Go to Del Posto, Per Se, Le Bernardin, or just save your money. If you enjoy tiny portions of bland food, this is your place. Best part by far was the dessert. Wine list was decent. I would go for dessert that is it. Entire party was disappointed by the food, appeared creative on the menu until the food actually came. Appearance was greater than the Taste. Had to go out to dinner AGAIN after the tasting menu (and I am not a big eater!) Would NOT go back. Money was not a concern, but I feel as if I got half of what I paid for.
(2)Michele G.
This is just for the Tavern. So I love bread and I love butter, right? Gramercy Tavern has awesome bread while you wait, right? Well we went there for our anniversary on the 18th and I lovingly slathered soft butter all over a piece of bread. I sprinkled a pinch of sea salt they provided and then I began to devour this piece. Moments later I had that feeling. Y'know, the feeling you get when you're allergic to something and you get nauseated? The feeling of saliva rushing from the depths of your mouth to flush it clean of the offending item. The feeling I hadn't had since I ate a raw almond offered at a Hindu temple in high school.... yeah that one. It hit me full force and nothing on the table could cure me of the feeling. And I still don't know what it was. I refused to experiment lest I get sick and not be able to eat anything. After I ran to the bathroom to rinse my mouth out with water I felt much better. Now onto the food. For starters I had the special which was lamb with corn, roasted baby peppers and these cute little tomatoes I forgot the name of. He had the paparadelle with lamb ragout which looked mouthwatering, but he said had too much swiss chard. I ate what he didn't. For the main course he had the hanger steak with fingerling potatoes, red Russian kale and bourbon sauce. Lots of kale, not too many potatoes. I ate the kale since he's not as fond of it as he thought. Now onto my main course... you're going to frown at me when you find out what I ordered because I let out a deep sigh once I saw it in front of me. I got... the meatball. It's just one huge meatball and I think I might have enjoyed the ones I got at the meatball place on the LES better. The potatoes were the best part. Actually, I started to frown before my food even came out because the couple to my right had someone order the meatball as well. Now, the woman got the kielbasa and that looked amazing. Her date looks just as disappointed as I was at the meatball and continued to do so as he ate. In fact, they swapped dishes because he was so upset at what was set before him. I'm going to chalk this up to my bad choice of entree and still keep my rating at 4 stars. I made up for it with dessert. He got the chocolate pudding with salted caramel brioche croûtons. I got the apricot bread pudding with sour cream ice cream and caramelized white chocolate. I also got one of the croûtons as garnish cause he's cute. I wasn't too enamored of the ice cream but the pudding and caramelized white chocolate combined with it to make something amazing happen in my mouth. It almost completely erased the memory of my nausea earlier.... until I crunched down on one too many hazelnuts.
(4)Camille M.
Is the bar one of the best in the Gramercy area? Yes. Is the food just off the charts? No. What I do love about this place is the large windows, rustic furniture, cherry blossoms towering the bar, beautiful lush foliage and the bar area where you can have a nice little cocktail and some spicy nuts! The nuts are warm and they are sprinkled with ginger, Nutmeg, cinnamon and spices. My friend and I split the meatball dish (mash potato side) and the chicken with peas- both entrees were fair. I love the beet salad.
(3)Monica B.
I've dined here several times now, and every time we come we have a great experience. Food is always presented impeccably, service is good, and we have a special evening out. We did eat in the lounge area once however, and the food did not impress us, so save this for a nice occasion, and dine in the restaurant instead.
(5)Shelly A.
I was so happy when I got the opportunity to have the chef's tasting menu here a while back. These guys can really do no wrong. Everything from their cocktails to their complimentary bread and butter are held to the highest standard, and it shows. The restaurant itself is beautiful - including the bar area up front - and we got to dine in one of the nice big booths in the back. The service was perfect and they were extremely accommodating with some of my dietary restrictions. Every course was delicious, but then they decided to really WOW me with their dessert. I swear, I was in dessert heaven unlike anything I've experienced before. I really didn't expect their dessert to blow me away the way it did, but it really was a great way to end the meal and send me off with an amazing impression of the restaurant. If you are planning on dining here, don't skip the dessert course! Even for those without an extreme sweet tooth, you will be really missing out if you skip it. Just try everything, and you won't regret it! :)
(4)Van B.
Great atmosphere, delightful food :)
(5)May Z.
Nice restaurant, great service, attentive wait staff. We ordered the seven course tasting menu. After our perfect dining experience at Annisa the night before, we were a little disappointed that the food at Gramercy Tavern did not live up to its hype. Most of the dishes were good, but not amazing. The duck was great, however. And the desserts were very amazing. Chocolate Pecan Coconut Cake with Butter Pecan Ice Cream: Wow!
(4)MJ H.
My friend and I decided to go there last minute. We were seated by the door, which is not the best place to be. I consequently recommend to make a reservation. The restaurant is very classy so you should dress accordingly. The food is amazing. We loved the place.
(4)Hugo P.
My favorite restaurant in New York. The quality of the food and the knowledge and professionalism of the staff is unmatched by any other place I've dined. I've been numerous times and will continue to do so. I try to go year round as their menus change with the season. The drink menu is superb (changes with the seasons also, my favorite drink is the "Fall Classic" served over ice) and the ambiance is great. If you're a foodie, as my girlfriend and I are, you will definitely enjoy Gramercy Tavern.
(5)Greg L.
Went there on a Thursday night. We had the Menu along with the wine pairing. Had a good time with a good food and good service. Check came for $200 for a party of 2. Seems pricey but was a good experience though. Nice spot.
(4)D D.
Gramercy Tavern is a classic. It's been in business for almost 20 years and is run by the same folks who do great food ranging from $5 meals at Shake Shack to $500 meals at Eleven Madison Park. It's elegant yet rustic, and while not the most romantic, it is an institution and is good for business meals, out-of-town visitors or visiting parents. We dined in the formal dining room, which isn't formal in the way that women need pearl necklaces and white gloves and men need jackets and white hair. Rather, it's formal in that the menus are sprinkled with words like "Caviar", "Lobster" and "Verjus". (Verj-what?) The menus are also not a la carte, so you choose between a 3-course pre-fixe or a 6-course tasting menu. The dish that blew our socks off was the first: marinated scallops with grapes and verjus: lightly acidic; gentle yet flavorful; and extremely silky. It was kinda ridiculous. The other dish that made us say "wow" was the Piedmontese Beef -- steak sliced French-style. So good. The service was great as to be expected, but they weren't at all pretentious which isn't always to be expected. They were simply professional. And friendly. So friendly in fact that they gave me a free dessert. I'd asked if I could substitute my tasting menu dessert for their chocolate bread pudding. Rather than substitute it, they brought me both desserts. How nice is that?
(4)Jean L.
You want to put the bowl of cauliflower soup w/ truffle oil to the lips and lick the insides of the chocolate bread pudding dish. Artic char is so tender, the duck breast just a bit sweet and salty. Every dish is prepared perfectly and served with the attentive service appropriate for the occasion.
(5)Charlotte G.
If you're in search of a top-notch meal in a relaxed but tasteful environment, this is your place. The service at Gramercy was above and beyond and the gentleman who took care of us was right on with every suggestion. The ambiance is sort of rustic-elegant; the type of restaurant where you can have an equally great casual dinner with friends or an intimate, romantic night out. And most importantly - the food was superb. Given the exceptional quality of everything we ate, the fixed price menu of $88 seemed totally reasonable and worth every penny. We started with the celery root soup and the open ravioli - both were excellent. My boyfriend then ordered the duck, but was intrigued by an amazing burger he had seen someone else eating when we walked to our table... So he ordered both to sample, and nearly ate all of both - they were just THAT good! I asked for our server's suggestion for my entree and he raved about the sea bass (which I don't normally like), but I went for it and I am sooo glad I did! It may have been the best fish dish I've ever eaten in my life. The sauce was indescribable but amazing, and all the ingredients together made each bite a little bundle of culinary bliss. I literally cleaned the plate, thanks to the delicious bread they offer, which I used to soak up every remaining drop of miraculous Sherry sauce. As a sweet finish, we opted for the Peanut Butter Semifreddo and it was awesome. If you're a peanut butter fan, do NOT miss this dessert! I'm also a lover of all things pumpkin, but I wasn't as impressed with the tart - there was a little too much crust and I'm a traditionalist with pumpkin so I didn't love the lime sorbet. Still, the meal overall was so wonderful I can guarantee we'll be regulars on every future trip to New York.
(5)David C.
Pretty nice place. Saw some celebrities there. Food is pretty good and would give more rating if not for the price.
(4)R F.
Every dish was good and the ingredients, very fresh. That being said... to be honest, nothing blew me out of the water. For the price my boyfriend and I paid, I was hoping for a bit more.
(3)Dania S.
What can I say about Gramercy Tavern that hasn't already been said... I've been here 3 times and every experience has been better than the last. Danny Meyer, you are a genius! From the food to the service to the ambiance, Gramercy Tavern doesn't miss a beat. The tasting menu is definitely the way to go here. I also love when the servers are knowledgeable and can describe a dish so vividly you feel like you can taste it. Probably the greatest thing Gramercy Tavern has done for me though was introduce me to Blue Bottle Coffee, a San Francisco institution that's finally made its way to New York. I tried the cold-brewed blue bottle iced coffee and was instantly hooked. Thank you Gramercy Tavern!! I will be back for a 4th time very soon!
(5)Jared L.
Best meal of my life in all facets, hands down. Went to Gramercy for my college graduation celebration and ordered the seasonal (spring) tasting menu. Everything about the meal was spot on. The service and quality/freshness of ingredients stands out the most. The duck course was one of the best things i've ever tasted. Wine pairings were excellent, too.
(5)Lindsey C.
This place is a nice relaxed yet still formal atmosphere serving very good food for a very acceptable price. The waitstaff is attentive and professional and I found reservation times to be honored rather than a sometimes anticipated shuffling to a bar. I ordered off the dinner menu and started with the "open ravioli of beets and carrots". Very nice combination of sweet and savory. For dinner I had the pork loin and belly. WHile both were tasty, the pork belly was not as tender as I knew a good pork belly can be, so it left me a bit sad. The desserts should not be skipped, a great selection and all we tried (Warm Chocolate Bread Pudding, Fudge Brownie Sundae, Peanut Butter Semifreddo )were very yummy with the only detraction being that the serving sizes can be on the obscenely big side. Would go again to take a nice date or perhaps people in from out of town.
(4)Chet K.
Let me start by saying the overall experience was a 5 star evening. Our waiter was excellent, very knowledgeable about the menu and wine list. It is a moderately loud venue, but very comfortable. The food was very good, but for the price paid I cannot give it a 5 star rating The lamb was very good and sea bass also was very good. Overall, you cannot go wrong. You should be aware there are two sections, a price fixed menu and a non-price fixed menu section depending on our mood and preference.
(4)Joseph P.
I really enjoyed my dinner at Gramercy Tavern. I began with The smoked trout with cipollini puree and pickled onions. Wonderful. Delicate. Flavorful. I could have stopped right there. My main course was a bit less successful. I chose the roasted and braised flat-iron steak, with parsnips, carrots and black beans. My idea of medium rare and their idea of medium rare were a bit different. I sent the steak back for a bit more fire and was able to enjoy the meat. I also enjoy my beans more on the tender side. The chefs at Gramercy abide by the beans should have bite rule of cooking. Beans with bite taste under cooked to me. But the broth and the vegetables were delicious. For dessert I chose the chocolate apricot bread pudding with honey glazed almonds and chocolate orange ice-cream. simply wonderful! You can't beat the service. from the coat check girl to the wait staff, the service was strictly first class. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, you'll relax and want to stay for an after dinner drink. Put Gramercy on your must visit list.
(4)B K.
There is nothing new for me to say that hasn't been said already. Everything about this place is amazing!
(5)Luca C.
One of my favorite restaurants of all time. Each time I go in I find something that becomes the best version of that thing I've had in my life.
(5)Jeremy S.
The place, service, drink list (champagne + wine) and atmosphere are all top top tier. Five stars is for experience and how enjoyable a place it is to visit. The food was good, but of the 7 tasting courses we didn't finish a couple (one was quite salty, one had a heavy sauce). I've had better food in the city (it was still good), but the overall experience made it excellent.
(5)Hilda T.
For those of you who have lived in New York City for a while will understand that if any fad restaurant survives for more than 5 years and reservations are still difficult to come by, it is definitely a going to be a good one. Gramercy Tavern is exactly that. I started my meal with the Fall Classic. As suggested by the waiter, the drink that appeared very much like a "man drink" on the menu (its bourbon based) is surprisingly sweet and comes in a martini glass. Great choice - and I'm not one to get signature cocktails at a restaurant (I believe most of you will agree that they are overpriced and weak). It was not too strong but enough to give you a nice warm kick. We needed to make it quick so we didn't get apps, but for dinner my friend got the bass and I got the kielbasa. Bass is the clear winner. It perfectly cooked. The surface was ever so slightly crunchy was matched with an extremely tender center. It was placed atop a creamy mixture of shitake mushrooms, cauliflower and white beans, which gave it the perfect finishing touch that filled you up but still left enough space in your stomach for dessert. But lets get to the shining moment of our meal, which was the peanut butter semifredo and chocolate macaroon. A MUST HAVE. I am not a sweet tooth by any means so for me to rave about a desert and calling it the highlight of the meal means a lot. Placed inbetween two halves of a giant macaroon, the hamburger set up gave the whole dish the perfect combination of crunch, chewy, smooth, repeat texture. You just have to try it for yourself.
(4)Suana W.
for my last night in NYC, a coworker and i decided to go all out for the 3-course prix fixe in the dining room. i had an enjoyable time: waiter was knowledgeable and polite, service was fast, food was well-cooked and tasty. my favorite was the beef carpaccio appetizer: although i'm not a fan of celery, the dish melded together well and the light celery harmoniously offset the beef. my entree, the pork tenderloin and pork belly with leek hearts and carrots was good as well, once i got over the chewy consistency of the lean tenderloin. dessert was carrot cake and butter pecan, a little too nutty for me but well-made. i still really want to come back to the tavern part for the pate!
(4)Putty S.
After living in Gramercy for two years I was about to move back to the west coast and had to try GT before I left. I was highly skeptical of the hype and could not imagine just how good this restaurant could be. However, it definitely lived up to its reputation and exceeded expectations. After debating whether we should all order different items from the menu, we decided to order the tasting menu and i'm so glad we did. I would definitely recommend doing this, as although it limits your choices, the portions and flavor variety you get do not disappoint. It is the best way to really test the chef's ability. Had the vegetable tasting menu and it was one of the best meals I have ever eaten. Each dish had a unique combination of flavors and the pacing of the meal was delightful. Very attentive staff. The only thing i didn't love was the restaurant atmosphere. It was noisy and cluttered, but would go back if I got the chance.
(5)Danielle C.
I'm sure there's not much more praise I can add that hasn't already been written about this place, but since I went for the first time last week and this is absolutely one of my favorite restaurants right now I feel I must. Gramercy Tavern has a whimsical, cozy feel that is so inviting and instantly made me feel cheerful when I walked in. My favorite retail store of all time is Anthropologie, and I felt like the Gramercy Tavern had a similarly enchanting environment that makes you want to spends hours and hours there :) Walking in, I was pleasantly surprised by how large the restaurant was. The front area was a little more boisterous than the more formal dining area when you walk toward the back, offering a nice choice of surroundings depending on who you're going with. There seemed to be so many tables as we walked through to be seated, but with the subtle walls/curtains/decor blocking off different areas of the restaurant the setting was still quite intimate when we sat down. When our waiter came to explain the specials and answer any questions we had on the menu, our mouths all watered just listening to him describe the dishes with precision - especially the Nantucket diver scallop appetizer (which I ended up ordering and was so delicious). Two ladies at the table ordered venison, both saying that's something they would never normally order - they both LOVED their meals :) I had the duck breast which was breathtaking. The complimentary amuse-bouche at the beginning of our meal was appreciated and delighted the table. One of the women at the table ordered the lamb pappardelle appetizer and fish entree, and the waiter recommended them to be switched for a better progression - they were very accommodating. The desserts were so heavenly, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved the chocolate bread pudding! Throughout the meal, every bite each of us took was shortly followed by an "oh my God", "MMM", or "this is amazing." I can't wait to go back!!
(5)Joseph F.
With over 800 reviews on here - I probably do not have any new information that has not already been stated. That being said, the entire 4 hour experience at GT was an incredible evening. The vibe strikes the perfect balance of being elegant without being stiff. We ate in the dining room - but we started with cocktails at the bar. Great list of cocktails that were all house creations. At exactly 8:30 we were escorted to our table in the dining room. Seating is spacious and comfortable. It was our anniversary, so we were greeted at the table with 2 glasses of sparkling wine - a very nice touch. We opted for tasting menu to get the full experience. Each course was perfectly timed giving you just enough time to linger in between. Each plate was presented with new silverware and explained again - the service was a well oiled machine but with the perfect amount of personality to put you at ease. Each course was incredible in its own way . Without going through the entire meal, I would say the highlights were the Beef and Halibut. The halibut, which has a tendency to be dull and dry, was perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Overall the flavors were delicate yet refined. The flow from each course to the next was spot on. While GT is not the most adventurous cuisine, the food is so well executed, that thought will not even cross your mind. Our server was great the entire evening - when it came time for wine, we were able to sample a few before making our final decision. Certainly a spot for a special occasion and budget - but well worth the investment. An institution that every food enthusiast in NY should experience. Reserve far in advance - especially if you want to come on a weekend.
(5)Aya L.
I was so impressed with this place right from when I called to confirm my reservation. They were really friendly and casual and not snooty at all, which a lot of up-scale places can be. Same when we got there - everyone seemed to be genuinely friendly. The decor is beautiful and the atmosphere was warm - not too loud and not too quiet. All the food and drinks were perfect. They went out of their way to make our anniversary special. We will definitely be back.
(5)John S.
Ellen and I ducked in from the cold and thought that we would grab a bit of lunch. As I sipped on a nice glass of Pinot Noir, Ellen went the direction of a spicy Bloody Mary. She said that it was perfection. Ever since Justine's I'm on the hunt for Duck Confit, so I could not resist. It was perfectly prepared and served on a bed of lentils with thinly sliced vegetables, cubed butternut squash and rutabaga. It was absolutely wonderful! I have to think this is one of my new favorite foods. I allowed more wine to serve as my dessert as we watched the snow fall on our lovely New York. It was interesting to note the busy Sommelier taking notes, tasting, smelling, spitting and working had for her supposed dinner preparations. The decor was very cozy, warm and inviting. I think if we move to NYC, we may just take up residence right here!
(5)Lady O.
Finally went here a month ago. Initially, I was going to rate this place as three stars, due to the horrible service from the first hostess and the uberlong wait at the bar; we arrived a 1/2 hour early specifically to have a cocktail and 'absorb our surroundings' aka look around and ogle other people's meals/breasts. But they didn't tell us the bar was first come, first served...leaving us to stand around like drooling idiots, waiting to be seated. And by the time we finally sat at the bar, it took another 20 minutes for 1 of the 3 barbacks to even acknowledge us, let alone take our order. Now, as a grad student who had pinched her pennies for a month in order to treat her boy to a 'fancy date', I was like a cartoon character; steam was rising our of my ears, my eyebrows were twitching, and I was 5 secs way from going Wile E. Cayote, until... "Your table is ready." God bless our waiter. I forgot his name, but this man was AMAZING! He let us peruse the menu while we ate our 5-cheese plate and drank our cocktails from the bar (backwards, I know...cheese is supposed to be dessert, but damnit, if I'm paying, I'll eat WHATEVER, WHENEVER, ya dig?) We went with the tasting menu...and left in a food induced stupor. From the first amuse-bouche, to accommidating our wine budget and tastes, to actually gaining our trust enough to order our desserts and complimenting wines for us, I was floored. I can't even remember all of the delish things we ate, however I will say that for a girl who doesn't dig fish, I must had 3 different types from the tasting menu, and damn near licked the plate clean after each one. In my mind, any fxck-ups committed by the hostess or bartenders was simply dismissed Now this is how restaurant service should be. For 2 tasting menus, a nice bottle of red, 2 cocktails, 2 glasses of dessert wine (yes, we were drunk by the time we left) and a 5-cheese plate (with tip) - $530. But it was worth every lil red cent.
(5)Cory G.
For my birthday my boss wanted to send me and my partner to someplace that would dazzle us. All I can say is WOW! This has got to be one of the most pleasant dining experiences I have ever had. This is one of the most beautiful restaurants in NYC. Everything from the beautiful flowers to the art, to the clean restrooms and spotless dining room. Even the wait staff is amazingly beautiful! Though very friendly, the wait staff are pure professionals. Meaning these are professional waiters and take pride in their work. They know the menu, they know the way to treat people and they know how to serve! The food is out of this world over the top incredible! Yes, it's expensive and it was a gift but I will return to this restaurant again on special occasions. If I could, I'd eat here every week so I can't wait to come back and try the lunch tasting menu!
(5)Cranky Greg M.
We had dinner here tonight and it was wonderful. I've never seen better service anywhere. We had a party of six, and every time a course was brought to the table, each plate had its own server!! I've seen this before, but this was choreographed. The food was good, too, but I wasn't real wild about it. Don't get me wrong - it was good, but not spectacular or unusually good. But the whole experience of dining here is worth the expense if it is for a special occasion or an important business lunch. Also, the servers were well-versed in their knowledge of the dishes. You can tell that each one of them had eaten every item on the menu. I have a feeling that the people here would do anything to make your meal enjoyable. I highly recommend Gramercy Tavern, especially for special occasions.
(5)Dave P.
The lunch tasting menu at Gramercy Tavern set a very high standard for us. This was an incredible experience for our first meal in Manhattan. It was so good, we went back two days later but found out they do not serve lunch on the weekends. The Tavern was open and we were lucky to get seats at the bar. It was a different, but equally enjoyable experience. Melissa was our server in the dinner room and was, without question, the best server we have ever had. She not only explained the menu well, she had a story for each wine by the glass. We will return on our next trip and specifically ask for her.
(5)Assunta S.
The Three Kitcheneers went to Gramercy Tavern No trip to New York is complete without visiting Gramercy Tavern. It's the one place in the city that I will not skip. It's an institution. I walk in and feel right at home. I fell in love with pork shoulder at this restaurant. Now it's pretty much the only meat I want to eat. Going during off hours is ideal since there will likely be a couple of seats available at the bar (the tavern). I've fought for a table there before, then I figured out this trick and never looked back. The Tavern has the best cocktails. Inventive without being fussy or trendy. Classic. In fact, my favorite cocktail there is called the Fall Classic. It's a knock-you-on-your-ass martini made with bourbon and Calvados, an apple brandy. Oh my, it's retarded good and it makes you hungry. One must have an appetizer to go with it. By appetizer I mean a dish of Smoked Pork Shoulder with Cornbread, but I like to share, so that still counts as an appetizer. I can't leave that place without some pork. They work miracles on their pork, so flavorful, so tender, you don't need sauce or fixin's, just the meat. The Three Kitcheneers
(5)Kate M.
Spectacular experience--definitely a special occasion restaurant, as your server will make you feel like you're his or her only table, and favorite table, all night. My squid ink pasta appetizer and pork entree were the envy of my table--if I can give any advice it's to order with your heart and not your head--calories be darned!
(5)Vicky B.
Totally lives up to its reputation. Pricey but worth every cent and every calorie. I am cynical about named restaurants and their reservation back-up suggests attitude, but they deserve it.
(5)Tara W.
I love love love the front room aka tavern room of Gramercy Tavern. I've eaten on both sides and I prefer the casual ambiance and creative menu of the tavern. Last night my husband and I returned for dinner; we were seated by open kitchen on the right side of the tavern room. It was fun to be able to watch the chefs prep the dished and to smell the wood burning oven. Everything we had was spectacular, and they accommodated our requests to split every dish and eat family style. We ordered a bunch of appetizers and just one main. -The bite size cheddar biscuit "snack" was a delicious way to start the meal -Baby beet salad with fresh herbs was beautifully plated and a flavor explosion -The shrimp on polenta was wood scented and had ramps hidden in the creamy polenta -The porchetta salad was good, not great. -The duck liver mouse was creamy goodness on perfectly toasted bread -The sweetbreads were lightly fried and a nice texture but the accompanying hen-of the-woods mushroom stole the show! it was amazing - the meatball was awesome, as usual I highly recommend the tavern as a dinner date destination.
(5)Natasha B.
Gramercy has great ambiance paired with freshly prepared, unique, gourmet dishes and an excellent wine list (including wine by the glass), a rare combination as most high-end restaurants have stuffy atmospheres. I usually stay away from Arctic Char because I don't like its fishy flavor, but here it was done very well, layered on top of two large, shelled mussels, and covered with coleslaw for a perfect crunch, amazing. For an appetizer, I had crab with egg crepe, and it did not disappoint, fresh seafood should be expected at a place like this, however. I highly recommend Gramercy Tavern, you will get what you pay for - excellent quality dishes that will make your taste buds asking for more.
(5)Gina P.
This place is fantastic. In my book, a restaurant has to go above and beyond to earn 5 stars in NY and this place is it. The food, service & decor is exceptional. It's so good that it allowed my husband and I to forget about our flooded kitchen (not kidding) and enjoy a perfect night. We initially came to just have a beer, but were wooed by the free Bacon biscuits, endless free olive bread and friendly service. We shared a pre fixe dinner which was split for us when it was served! Could not have had a better night. Part 2: I wrote the above on my phone and it was saved in my account as the app doesn't let you upload reviews. We went here a 2nd time and were equally impressed! This place is fantastic!
(5)Katt L.
I have eaten many times at Gramercy Tavern and each experience was wonderful. I love being surrounded by the wooden ceilings and either sitting at the bar with friends or in a booth and having privacy (a rare occurrence in Manhattan). While the food is rated well, I would consider it more comfort food than wow food. You are guaranteed a good meal and an ice cold beer.
(4)Lara D.
By way of San Francisco, my husband and I moved to Manhattan over a year ago, and I have tried many New American style restaurants in the City. Not only have we eaten at some established restaurants in California such as Boulevard, Postrio, and Chez Panisse, but Gramercy felt like home from the moment we stepped inside. The rustic decor and well-lit bar and dining area are very elegant but without being overdone. The price fixed menu is totally worth it, and won't disappoint even a finicky eater. We have eaten in the dining area just once, so I don't recall everything on the menu. It's fun New American, and flavorful WITHOUT being over the top. Service is efficient and down to earth... our waiter, Colin, was helpful and recommended a terrific bottle of wine. Added bonus: the tapioca dessert/pudding... if it's on the menu, definitely order it for a special treat!
(5)Jimmy I.
Head to tail (or cocktail to muscat), we had an outstanding experience at Gramercy Tavern last week. We (all but one) ordered the summer tasting menu, which was superb, especially the early courses. Smooth and knowledgeable service also, without being stuffy. To split hairs, the bar was crowded (9pm on a Thursday), and without seats we didn't really have a great place to park ourselves while waiting for our table (we arrived a bit early). Overall though, I would simply say that Gramercy Tavern is much loved, and deservedly so. p.s. For any meatless Yelpers out there, one of us had the vegetarian tasting menu, which was apparently tremendous....
(5)Anna L.
Gramercy Tavern has the elegant dining portion in the back and the more casual front room that doesn't take reservations (completely different menus). The front room has small round tables (parties of no more than 4 ppl; they have a few bigger tables in the front room but they are like a 2 hour wait). The front room has a wide variety of traditional American dishes (meatball, fish, etc.) at an extremely reasonable price (entrees around 20) and a 38 dollar pre fixe option, which is an incredible deal for what you get. The portions are a good size, slightly bigger than at a normal fancy restaurant - you definitely will not go home hungry. FOOD Ravioli appetizer (part of pre fixe) - not a ravioli at all; deconstructed; a thin raviolo sheet over a beef stew. Seriously amazing. One of the best dishes of the night. Spinach and fish croquette salad (part of pre fixe) - not a salad at all; focus is on the mound of giant fish croquettes (deep-fried fish cylinders); only a few leaves of spinach; over a slightly spicy Asian-like slaw (similar to radish kimchee). Also one of the best dishes if you like croquettes. Meatball entree (not part of pre fixe) - one giant meatball split in half covered with cheese over a potato puree and some brown salty sauce. Just as good as the Meatball Shop in LES but you can tell the quality of the food is better and not as fatty-tasting (although I'm sure it is equally as unhealthy). Almost meatloaf-like. Very delicious. Waiter said it was a signature dish. Trout (part of pre-fixe) - lighter option but not as flavorful. Surprisingly large piece. Tasted like it had bacon bits on top (high quality) but there was no description of bacon, so maybe it was turnips. Def one of the best trout dishes I've had, but I would have gone w the steak or meatball. Hanger steak (part of pre-fixe) - would have been the best entree but it was way way way too salty. The steak was cooked to perfection and tender. Seriously would have been a home run if the sauce had far less salt. Desserts were to die for. Definitely some of the best I've ever had. The pre fixe menu let's you choose any dessert from the regular menu. However, unlike the apps (huge portions) and entrees (normal portions), most of the desserts are small. Probably a good thing bc they are so rich and flavorful. Pistachio brown butter cake - ridiculously delicious. Not too sweet. Tasted like some berry was mixed in it but that was prob pistachio. The outside of the lil nugget of a cake was really crispy (!) and the inside was so moist and heavenly. It was perfectly complemented by lemon ice cream. Strawberry pie - graham cracker crust and unbelievable strawberry filling; presented like a small tart and coupled with ginger ice cream (did not taste like ginger; more like sweet cream). Definitely get this if you are a berry or pie person, but note it's more of a tart than pie. I would still get the pistachio cake over it just bc it's a little more unusual. Chocolate blackout cake - super rich, definitely one of the best choco cakes I've had, but it said it was going to be coupled with salted hazelnut crumbs - that flavor did not come through as much as I had wanted it to (I was really looking forward to the sweet and salty combo, but it mostly just sweet). This slice was actually quite large. SERVICE The service was impeccable; best I've ever seen; the staff was knowledgeable, attentive, respectful. They took orders, cleared the plates and made place settings with such professionalism. Just spot on. ATMOSPHERE The back dining room has the white tableclothes and a fancier feel, but the front room has plain wooden circular tables, a giant sunflower display, and it feels like a fancy tavern. It's not like a farmhouse, but there's a slight rustic feel. Casual and comfortable but still pristine. You would feel out of place in a t-shirt or shorts, but they would still serve you b/c it's not stuffy at all. Definitely great for parents or a date, but keep in mind there are no reservations. The tables aren't too close to each other (maybe 2 ft apart) so you still hear each other with ease. Fyi, on a saturday night at 6:15 pm for 4 ppl, we only had to wait like 10 mins. For out of towners, keep in mind you can get your parking validated (would have to pay 20 bucks) - see their website. Overall, definitely a wonderful experience and a solid choice for an amazing meal.
(5)Hi S.
It just simply the best restaurant in manhattan.
(5)Gee M.
The epitome of a special occasion restaurant. The food is very good, the service is excellent, the restaurant is beautiful, and the bill is outrageous. Who could ask for anything more? It's been a while since I have been to Gramercy Tavern, but the experience was memorable. The restaurant looks inviting yet elegant from the outside and that's exactly the experience Gramercy Tavern provides it's diners. It gives off a very earthy, refined vibe. The service is very prompt. The waiters and waitresses are attentive and very friendly. The food is really the star of the show (as it should be). Everything was done almost perfectly and the desserts are also very, very good. The Gramercy Tavern is definitely a worthwhile dining experience. I would totally recommend it to anyone who is looking for a special occasion restaurant that serves very good food, and isn't over the top.
(4)Krystyne L.
My boyfriend took me here for lunch when we were in NYC. He saw this place on yelp and really wanted to go . We first go there they seated us right away and took out orders . I got the Chicken Carrots and Green Beans , and my boyfriend got the Pulled Pork Sandwich Cole Slaw and Pickled Swiss Chard . Oh My!!! The chicken was the best chicken i have ever had . It was juicy and cooked to perfection . Everything was seasoned right and my boyfriend liked his too . I would defiantly come here again and bring the parents when they go to NYC .
(5)Alex A.
How shocking: Another five-star review of Gramercy Tavern. Not much I can say that hasn't been said, except this: Danny Meyers' restaurants, down to the Shake Shack, make you wonder how other restaurants struggle to achieve even the most basic level of attentive service when a place like Gramercy Tavern makes it look effortless. From the prompt call as soon as I was off the waitlist and onto the reservation list, to the maitre d' offering to hold our 8 p.m. table while a friend joined us for drinks at the bar, to the personable and extremely knowledgable sommelier (Kimberly, you were a big hit with my family!) and fabulous, attentive and friendly waiters, we were thrilled with every aspect of the meal. And on top of that, the food was faultless (don't miss the lamb pasta and bread pudding).
(5)Solbiato S.
Whenever I stay at the GPH, I always try to make my way over to the Tavern. Great staff, service, food and drinks.....if close by do it!!
(5)WhatsEating U.
We came for lunch and were extremely disappointed. Upon arrival we thought the service was welcoming and the dining room beautiful. We each ordered an appetizer and a fish entree. My friend had the flounder and it came out raw, would not flake and could not cut it. We informed our waitress who apologized and returned with another plate that was properly cooked; however as I waited my meal got cold. After the meal we were full and somewhat put off and declined dessert. Then our waitress brings out a very heavy peanut butter dessert and says 'please accept this dessert as an apology for the fish'. Later when we got the bill the fish had not been taken off. Either the fish should have been taken off or we should have been informed that they wanted to give us complimentary dessert and let us choose. Aside from this issue (even though it tainted the whole meal) the food was not impressive. This was such a disappointment considering that we usually do not eat out nyc and the high expectations that we had. Not worth it!
(2)Aliza A.
incredible experience - they even had a 5 course vegetarian meal
(5)ben -.
I went for a late 2pm lunch on saturday and it was some of the best food I've ever had. I got the filet and it was better than any of those overpriced wood-panneled 'steakhouses' (I'm talking to you Capital Grille!). The ambiance was relaxed and pleasant. The waitress checked in regularly to make sure everything was perfect. And it was. And for the quality we got, the bill wasn't bad at all. From now on, I go to Gramercy Tavern as much as possible.
(5)Gina C.
I've never had a bad meal. The dining room is lovely, but the tavern is great too. I've enjoyed the hanger steak, the sea bass, the lamb, and a couple of chicken dishes. It is pricely, but totally worth it. If you ever have the opportunity to hit them during resturant week...DO IT!
(5)K A.
Great atmosphere, but food was just OK. Not great food as one would expect for the price. Drinks were good and it was a fun night with friends.
(3)Noel R.
Another NYC institution ticked from my list and it didn't disappoint although it wasn't the most enjoyable dining experience I've encountered in the city, but not far off... The tavern is a slick machine but unlike my experience at Mesa Grill it seems so natural and unforced.. Everyone is polite and service is great; nothing seems contrived. And the food also lived up to the expectations. The house warm smoked trout appetizer was: moist, succulent and delicate. No need to complicate the smoker's craft. My friend had the Maine crab wrapped in a egg crepe which was also delicious although slightly less unique. Uniqueness swapped for the mains as my friend ordered the Sturgeon which I was secretly coveting but which I passed for the Sea Bass. The Sturgeon was served with a puree of leaks and parsnips, proving a light and delicate accompaniment to the strong fish. The fish was topped with roasted buckwheat which results in a little surprising crunch with every bite. It was a lovely combination. The Sea Bass was served with a light curry sauce which to me wasn't anything unique and I was a little disappointed. The sauce was served with what I thought was a pine nut which added a bit of zing to the dish. In both dishes the fish was cooked perfectly. The chocolate bread pudding was excellent.. I grew up on Bread Pudding but unfortunately nothing as light and as delicious as this fantastic creation. The 5th star is really earned from the details. Service is excellent, they serve you the additional surprise dishes with fancy names, and even send you home with a breakfast muffin. The atmosphere is warm but a little austere in the main dining room but that shouldn't put you off having a special dinner here.
(5)Maria W.
Wonderful place to take your lover for a romantic meal and special occasion. The food and service are superlative. The servers ensure that your needs are met and help to make dining an absolute pleasure. The portions were not overly small but we were thinking that they were on the smallish side. By the end of the meal, my guy almost had to do an Al Bundy and release his top pant button to get a breather. We haven't yet returned since the change in Chef, but it's on our list of things to do.
(5)Roni J.
Fantastic! All the fruits and vegetables are purchased from the farmers market four times a week at Union Square Market. Fish arrives fresh daily from the Fulton Street fish market. So everything is the freshest of ingredients, and the menu is very health conscious too. They use very little butter. Tons of stocks, including veal, chicken, vegetable. And they often use onion puree to thicken sauces to cut down on fat and calories too. Wait staff and everyone is great. if you wan to read a more in depth review, read this thethreetomatoes.com/rev…
(5)Mei-I F.
Gramercy Tavern is classic New York. The food was delicious and the service was wonderful. We ate in the Tavern (bar). Husband is picky about his beers and our server was knowledgable and helpful with choices. The pork shoulder was like eating meat butter and the flounder was like eating fish butter. We heard the chocolate bread pudding was magical and were a little bummed when we found out it was only on the tasting menu. However our saint of a server let us order it any way and yes it was magical, warm not-too-sweet chocolately goodness.
(4)Kathryn U.
A friend & I visit NYC every year to run a 1/2 Marathon - we went out to celebrate and had made reservations at Gramercy Tavern after reading some great reviews. It is now our favorite NYC restaurant. We were treated so well and the whole experience was amazing. Our server was wonderful and the food was above our expectations. We plan to make an annual visit to Gramercy Tavern from now on.
(5)Meghan D.
I've only really done cocktails here (many a time) and I love it every time. The concord crush is A-Mazing and one of my favorite drinks of all time. Simple and delicious. Please try it!
(5)Michelle M.
I was hesitant in the past to do a review on Gramercy Tavern as the last time I dined there was in 2001 (well before my adventures in Yelp Land started). There has been a bit of a changing of the guard over the years since, so I really didn't feel confident in reviewing food I had eaten 8 years ago cooked by chefs that had moved on to other ventures in the time since. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to dine here again recently and am SO pleased to report that the quality I had come to expect from Gramercy Tavern has not diminished over time. The restaurant itself is lovely, filled with beautiful and eclectic pieces that don't come off over done, but still give you that elegant feel. The staff at this restaurant (as with all Danny Meyer establishments) is always above and beyond the usual expectations. They are friendly and attentive, knowledgeable and helpful. From the second you walk in they make you feel welcomed and comfortable. They are attentive without being pushy and you are provided everything you need and more than you could ask for. The food is wonderful. Nothing revolutionary, but still creative and always of the highest quality. The dishes are masterfully prepared and you can see the commitment to excellence and an eye for detail in each plate. For a real treat try a tasting menu and experience the food as the chef would intend it. This is a wonderful way to have a complete meal that is orchestrated to go together perfectly, and allows you to try something you might not have ordered on your own. Any trip to Gramercy Tavern is not complete without dessert. I was happy to see that the pastry department has remained strong in Claudia Flemming's absence. The desserts were well prepared and delicious. They were elegant, without being pretentious or over the top. This seems to be a theme for this restaurant. Not just the food is exemplary at Gramercy Tavern. They have an extensive wine selection, and the drinks are well made and delicious. It helps to round out any meal and is a welcome addition. Be prepared to spend a pretty penny on your meal, but the prices are not out of line with the type of food and service you are getting. This is a restaurant that I recommend everyone try at least once. This is the restaurant business at it's best.
(5)Diana L.
Excellent meal on all fronts. 3 courses for 86 dollars. For the first course, we had lamb pappardelle which was really tasty with a light buttery cream sauce and maine crab with a zesty lemon sauce. Our second course was a rack of pork with a caulflower sauce which was perfectly tender and a crispy duck dish that was uniquely flavorful and organic. We had a nice bottle of pinot nior from Caifornia (my fave!) that was berry sweet and complimented the meal nicely. For dessert, a delightfully warm chocolate bread pudding and cheesecake that put us over the top. Service was superb, knowledgeable staff and all around great experience. A classic establishment and worth the dime.
(4)Lauren B.
This is quintessential Danny Meyer - relaxed yet refined decor. Top tier service but friendly and approachable. High quality food prepared to their perfection. A mural of produce is painted on the walls in their own style but I felt it to be an ode to Alice Waters Chez Panisse style. I sat at the bar solo for a late lunch. There were many other of my kind and the bartender was attentive and social to us all. He could tell that I wasn't just passing by and coming in but that I had been trying to squeeze in a visit over my last 3 visits to NYC. I mentioned that I was interested in two of the appetizers and to my surprise, he gave me the one I didn't order anyway saying "I thought you would like to try it". And at the end of my meal he brought me a sampler plate of cookies to go with my cappuccino. Its the little things in dining and food that I love so much. To eat : Grilled octopus with arugula salad, ginger vinaigrette, and grilled fennel. The dressing was very mild - not ginger really. The fennel really made the dish as did the warmth of the octopus and fennel against the cold greens. Calamari Salad - ribbons of sliced calamari with shredded carrot and a citrus vinaigrette. I loved the sauce and the dish entirely. In comparing the two however, the warmth of the octopus made the dish but flavor I liked the calamari. They should make the calamari warm or something. entree: Kielbasa with fingerling potato, whole grain mustard, and house made sauerkraut. The flavors were all so big and bold, in fact, the mustard was the more mild. The 'kraut was very strong; not over cooked and wilted. It perfectly flavored the mild fingerling potatoes.
(5)Dayani M.
What! Another 5 star review!!! You can't be serious!!! That's what you are probably thinking right now, am I right? And you probably don't even care to read this review. After all, everything that needs to be said, has already been said. But if you want to read anyway, I'll try keep it short. I love this restaurant... (yeah ok, so does thousands others) I much much prefer to eat at the Tavern area (Hey someone else said that too!). But for special ocassions, the main dining room is the way to go, and I will not say no if you have a reservation and want me to join you... I find the tavern's menu way more exciting than the dining room's. Plus you get the option to do 3 course prixe fixe for $35, which is a STEAL! I always get the sweetbreads, sometimes as both apps and main, in one dinner. That should tell you how much I love this food. I thought I found the best sweetbread in Prune (and I don't even like the restaurant), but I hadn't tasted GT's then.. I love the casualness of the tavern area, the people, the decor,the wine, the staff, the service. It's truly the perfect place to stop by after work and grab dinner and drinks with friends, date(s), or someone special....I can go on and on, but I promised to keep it short. I hope I somewhat did. So that's all folks!
(5)Winston G.
Classic NYC institution that everyone should frequent for lunch or dinner. I've had the pleasure of dining in the Tavern and the Main Dining Room and have loved it every time I've been here. The Tavern serves an off the menu burger for sale during weekday lunches (only a limited amount available each day) that is one of the best burgers in New York (though rarely talked about). Everything here is top notch, from the food to service to decor. Upscale dining with amazing food but what will seem like a casual atmosphere to you.
(5)Meri S.
I thoroughly enjoyed my meal and my experience in general at Gramercy Tavern. I am afraid, however, that because I had wanted to dine there for so many years and had heard so many amazing things about the restaurant, my expectations slightly exceeded my experience. That explains the 4 stars. (I would have preferred to give 4.5.) We ate in the tavern as opposed to the main dining room and all ordered from the ale-carte menu as opposed to the price fix. I started off at the bar with an orange crush cocktail. It was really yummy and, although overpriced, I figured 'when in Rome'. (And no one forced me to drink three of them...) And the sea bass was seriously the best sea bass I have ever had. It was the recommendation of the waiter and I am glad that I listened to him. For an appetizer I had the duck liver pate. It is not something I would have ordinarily picked, but the reviews here were off the hook and so I wanted to try something different. It was accompanied by small pieces of buttered toast. The toast was amazing and, if you like pate, it was probably top notch, although I think it was a little rich for my taste. Although I had a taste of everyone else's meals, including the meatball and the lasagna, they did not knock my socks off, nor did the pizza-like appetizer we all shared. Everything tasted "good" but not out-of-this-world, melt-in-your-mouth-good which is what I had expected. I was impressed with the size of the portions as I thought they would be small. And the service was great. They were very accommodating and allowed five of us to squeeze into a four person table so that we wouldn't have to wait even longer to sit. The waiter did not even blink at any of our questions even though it was obvious that none of us were accustomed to eating at such expensive restaurants. I always appreciate when a waiter is not condescending. 4.5 stars. Next time, I'm eating in the dining room off of the tasting menu!!
(4)Nathaniel D.
Ok. Great spot. Service was amazing. The sweetbreads were beautifully prepared. The oysters were incredible. We had a half dozen and could have eaten 3 dozen. The perfect size, not too briney and the perfect amount of chew. My girl had the chicken which had a beautiful crispy skin and the vegetables were complimentary although the navy beens were a -touch- raw. You could taste a little of the undercooked starch and the texture was just short of crunchy. I had the pulled pork sandwhich which was absolutely amazing. The most savory, deep flavor in the pork with a perfect amount of moisture without dilluting the concentration of flavor. The cole slaw was mediocre but the pickled jalapeno on the side was very spicy and delicious!! Dessert was solid. The German chocolate cake was dense and had the perfect depth of chocolate. My banana cream custard was awesome. The 2 best desserts on the menu. We had trouble deciding so the waitress comped us the strawberry rhubard bread pudding. To be honest the bread pudding tasted more of cranberry than strawberry rhubarb but it was pretty moist and the crumble was decent. Did I mention the service was perfect? The bread was solid too. Definately will be back...probably on this same trip!
(4)Larry Z.
We went there for my sister's birthday. What struck me was the elegant decor and casual atmosphere of this Michelin starred restaurant. There's a very large bar/bistro area and to the rear, a section of private tables. I saw people in shorts and your typical food geek whipping out their cameras for their blogs. We were greeted warmly and seated promptly. The staff is so great here. I would highly recommend speaking to them as a normal person (not psycho foodie). In return they'll really make your experience an extremely pleasant one. For the evening, we both went with the pre fixe 3 course menu. My lobster and bean salad was awesome. The product that was used for the dish was absolutely top notch and used at the height of their seasonal ripeness. My sister's crepe was beautiful but was just ok. I then had the pork served 3 ways. Again the presentation was spectacular but the food was ok. There were these crispy things on top of the dish and i asked if it was chicharones. It was so tasty that I said that I could eat a plate of it. Our Latin waiter kind of laughed and went back into the kitchen and reappeared with a small dish of it! That's pretty cool. The third course was for desserts. The really nice staff actually brought out 3 dishes of dessert. It was ok, but the service really impressed me. Thanks GT, your food was good and service was legendary. We'll be back for more.
(5)Lee M.
One of the best dining experiences I've ever had. I took my wife here for her birthday and despite the fact it was our first time there, we were treated as if we were royalty. Upon arrival, the hostess noted that I asked for a more private table and brought my wife back to the dining room to allow her to choose which table she wanted to be seated. The service was phenomenal throughout the meal. We ordered the 3 course meal. For me, the smoked trout was the best thing that either of us had that night. I ordered halibut entree, which was tender and delicate. My wife ordered the lamb papardelle and a duck confit special, both of which were very rich, but not overpowering. We couldn't decide on our dessert courses and asked our server, Gabe, about the blueberry corn sundae, chocolate bread pudding and peanut butter semifreddo. We ultimately picked the bread pudding and corn sundae, and we were delighted when Gabe brought out the semifreddo as well. Just another little thing that made us feel special. By the way, next time I go back, I'm choosing the semifreddo, although each dessert was incredible. The personalized note from Chef Michael Anthony which I received shortly after dining there again made me feel very special, even if it is standard for this restaurant. Although this experience came with a price, about $100/person before tax and gratuity, it was worth every penny.
(5)Ann F.
Perfection. You can always expect to have exceptional food and service. It has been a classic destination for us for several years.
(5)Juan G.
Still one of the best In the Big Apple The prix fixe menu selection are great ! Not economical at all but very well prepared and executed
(4)Sonja C.
Best meal of our lives! From a terrific glass of red wine at the tavern bar to Michael's personal, friendly, efficient service to the three-course meal of amuse bush, various fish, amazing pastas, sauces to die for, mouthwatering pear dessert, and muffins for morning, we simply cannot imagine food life getting any better than this!
(5)Jessica B.
Thanks to the blizzard in NYC last week we were able to snag a last minute reservation for four. The service was the best I've ever received and the food was top notch too. We all chose to do the three course meal and all chose different items. I went with lamb, which I'm not usually a fan of but it was AMAZiNG! One of our friends couldn't decide on dessert and low and behold both of his choices were brought out at no additional charge. Dining at Gramercy Taven was a highlight of our trip. I can't remember our waiters name, but he was from AZ and he made the experience fantastic for all of us!
(5)Jim K.
Beautiful restaurant, excellent food and great service. Pricing is outrageous.
(4)Ethan H.
Loved it... gotta say I was pretty impressed. I came here one random Friday to try my luck at the Tavern; turned out there was an hour and a half wait for a table of 2, so I ended up deciding to eat at the bar. We were served by one of the bartenders Tobias, who was pretty much spot on all night. He was attentive, thoughtful, and friendly... and pushed the meal over the top for me. Had the parsnip soup (fine, but nothing crazy), veal deckle special (braised fatty veal steak, awesome), golden raisin bread pudding (great), and the chocolate pudding w/ salted caramel croutons (which we got for free just cause our server thought we could use some more sweets). Food alone wouldn't have warranted 5 stars; but the comfortable bar, warm luxurious yet relaxed environment, and service that made me feel welcome and at home, left a strong impression for the night.
(5)Lynette C.
This review is in the light of spending $250+ (no wine) on their Winter ($112) and Vegetable ($92) tasting menus, day before Valentine's Day. 2 stars ain't "bad" - as it says, "Meh, I've experienced better." I think I probably enjoyed Morimoto's Prixe Fixe lunch box better at around $35, as a 'small nibbles' experience. FOOD SUMMARY: the dishes were all delicate "nouvelle Americana" style - nods to France, Asia and everywhere in between; shaved and assembled bits of this and that, with a drizzle of sauce or ladle of soup, some things cold, some things tepid. It's not avante garde, not bold and not particularly "clean" design-wise - I found it rather delicately over-wrought. HIGHER POINTS: THE OLIVE BREAD ROLLS: The warmed olive rolls at the start and sensational - real fresh green ones, not the hard, dried black kind. Bad point was the waiter kept plying us with them like loaves and fishes. DO NOT EAT MORE THAN ONE. You will regret it later as you struggle with the volume of food from the tasting menu. SERVICE was outstanding but it would want to be. It's a revolving door of waiters and your glass constantly filled from a human faucet. The main waiter was fine, but almost over the top - his descriptions of the dishes were like an SNL parody making you feel like Caeser spending money like this while Rome crumbles in a recession. And he liked to laugh loudly at his own comments. Tone it down. Remove the arty inflection, perhaps, at least while we're in a recession. Not personal, just part of the performance... VENUE: Sumptuous in a French provincial style with a hint of rustic charm (dried flowers and fruits and candles). VALUE: There's a lot of food - 7 or 8 courses, with chocolates and a muffin "for breakfast tomorrow" at the end, which, if assembled on a plate, would intimidate and shame. Towards the end we were hoping more wasn't coming, and if it did, it needed to be really good. It wasn't necessarily. Apart from the above, nothing really made me swoon, like the red wine seitan at Blossom, or the sausage roll at Tuck Shop, or the mushroom pizza at Viva Herbal (downtown, not uptown). It's not about price, it's about execution. LOWER POINTS: There was boring barley in two dishes. I know it's winter and I like barley, but as prepared, it was just pedestrian, like a ladle of barley vege soup dumped out on the plate. I think pumpkin and parsnip soups should be served first. They are also a bit of an easy out and really demonstrate little more than what a good Vita Mix the kitchen owns. An imaginative chowder might have been more luxe for the Winter menu or a masterful borscht. The least successful dish just didn't know what it wanted to be - five or six denuded ricotta ravioli, i.e. the frilly pasta part incised off making them look like like little martian landing ships or abandoned egg yolks. Served over a bed of wilted lettuce, which I am told was 'escarole' but just looked like dead soggy lettuce. With two thin toasts? Come on, there's already carb in that there ravioli, and we already stupidly gorged ourselves on the olive bread rolls. I just couldn't eat it. They would be better popping the lobster chunk from the pumpkin soup into the ravioli - the lobster was lost in pumpkin puree. Funny, a different kind of server was suddenly at my side enquiring about my obvious rejection of the dish. I laughed it off but she seemed to want feedback. Now there are a lot of restaurants where the celeb chef is patently disinterested in feedback, but perhaps at this $level$ chef really is open to input. So I told her the above. She asked if I wanted something else several times. Are you kidding? I was already feeling like Monty Python's Mr Creosote before that final fateful cracker. So no, no MORE food, just revisit that recipe... Interestingly, when the main waiter at the end asked about my rejecting the martian ravioli, he became a teeny bit defensive with "that's how the kitchen prepares it." DO NOT EVER CORRECT the diner's opinion. She knows that that's how the kitchen prepares it and is not interested beyond that. She's paying $100+. Consider it feedback. When will servers learn you are not a rockstar because you work in a top eatery and that the person in that chair enables you to be paid? I know of what I speak! escapeartist.com/efam22/… The Carrot Sorbet is a welcome refresher - just lose the Graham Cracker, at this point in the menu we need pure refreshment, please. I was astounded that they only had Dole bottled pineapple juice - a fresh pineapple and a blender isn't a hard thing to do in a $200+ restaurant. It's my favorite digestive. If I go again I'd order the cheaper $82 prix fixe.
(2)James S.
We dropped by during a down time and had an early dinner/late lunch. We expected nothing less then perfection and were not let down. I can see how Danny Meyers rose to such fame as one of the worlds greatest restauranteurs. This place is a diamond. Simple and unbelievably delicious. It is extremely hard to do food from simple humble beginnings. Needless to say they pull it off time and time again. Enjoy!
(5)Kyle T.
Roaches and flies. Sanitation grade C.
(1)Jinny S.
Cross this one off my list, I have finally been (at least to the Tavern part). I am really in the mindset of 3.5 stars, but to be nice, I rounded up. My reasons are numerous, so feel free to skip to The Food if you'd like. The crowd - Sooo not my thing. Granted, it was a weeknight, but does that make it okay for only the stuffiest, crassest, poorly dressed people to show up (oh, and overly botoxed)? The suit level was very high, even for the casual part of the restaurant. Made me itchy. But, on the other hand, it made for some good people watching. They probably didn't appreciate me staring, but then they really shouldn't have gone outside, should they. The food server - Let me start by saying that my date has what he calls "an internal restaurant clock" meaning that he knows when different stages of the meal should be happening. While I may not have such a clock, I would have to say that the service was minimally attentive. But, really, I can deal with that. What made it worse was that our server's demeanor was so odd - she clearly read the Gramercy Tavern employee handbook and memorized it. And then, practiced in front of a mirror... let's see, I should clasp my hands together and tilt them to the left.... oooh, and yes, I should definitely then tilt my head to the right while I say, "Excuse me for the interruption" in my cheeriest voice EVAH without seeming too anxious... A little disconcerting to say the least, but I would bet my left big toe that she can crack walnuts with those neck muscles. Finally, THE FOOD - My oysters were delicious. His portobello tart was also tasty, but I felt it was a bit messy. I appreciate height with a dish like that, but it annoys me when it then falls apart after being exposed to cutlery. But that's not a complaint about Gramercy, that's a complaint about hoity toity eating establishments. My R&R cocktail was excellent - Makers Mark, iced tea, raspberries, and rose water. I will admit, I couldn't taste much more than the bourbon and the raspberries, but honestly, that's enough to make me happy. He got the halibut special which was quite good. I, on the other hand, got the arctic char with your typical vert, mushroom, and sweet garlic sauce. It just wasn't that special. The char was cooked nicely (although, I swore she told me it was medium rare - if that's medium rare, my guess is that well done comes out like jerky). But the sauce just wasn't enough to accompany the fish. The green beans were cooked to a nice texture, but there weren't enough shiitake mushrooms, and the overabundance of red bell peppers just killed any and all tastes. One more reason to join my secret society dedicated to the elimination of all bell peppers (except perhaps for olive oil marinated ones). And, on a final note, my date was pleasantly surprised that a good sauvignon blanc can come from the North Fork. The moral? Always be willing to try. The conclusion - I know I've been wordy. I just had a lot to say. I am not against coming here again, but for the same price, I think I'd rather go to a place like Union Square Cafe where I know I'll have amazing food and just feel more comfortable overall.
(4)Anastasiya G.
this place is good. the service is amazing. honestly i have never had better service than i did at GT. they changed my fork practically every 5 min. i felt like this waiter was my personal little assistant for my dinner. the portions are small but are very unique. would recommed as a first date. it is very impressive.
(4)Justin S.
Outstanding customer service. Great ambiance and no wait time. I'm already a fan before we even ordered. I started with a bolognease and that was AMAZING. I high recommend it. I then moved on to the chicken which was good, but not great (the minus one star). Then came dessert. DAYUM. Accent on the YUM. Apple tarte with pecan ice cream. It was heaven on the plate. The ambiance was very professional, a bit of an older crowd. I would go here for a great lunch among business people. You will have a delicious and delightful time. Also, don't forget the bread. QUALITY STATUS. GET SOME.
(4)Dennis M.
Very good food. I would give this place 4.5 stars for several reasons: , 1. No wait for a seat at the bar, didn't have reservations, my buddy and I were just walking on 20th and voila! there it was. Seating immediately. 2. Friendly staff. Seriously these guys were smiling right when we walked in the door. Wow, talk about a smile assault. Refreshing. 3. 3 course prix fix, $35. Yes, you read that right. I had the gnocchi to start, the pork chop (tender, moist, perfect), and for dessert the strawberry pie. Did I mention $35? 4. A couple of glasses of bubbly, for us each and the meal was pretty much close to perfect. I'll be there for dinner another night, can't wait for the "sit down" meal. The meal was on point and yes, I'll be back.
(4)E P.
This review is just for the bar. The entire restaurant is very beautiful and classy like their drinks. A nice crowd. I have never had such a good martini and I have had tons. I don't know how he mixed that gin or prepared that lemon twist but the bartender really knows what he is doing. I had a couple martinis after sharing a couple bottles of sparkling wine and needless to say I was totally fortified! A nice place.
(5)T T.
Gramercy was a complete dining experience; the dining room was very comfortable, the service was friendly and helpful, and the food was outstanding. My friend and I went there for lunch and each ordered two dishes and a dessert. My first course, the smoked trout, was a revelation. Each mouthful was so delicious and fresh that I just wanted to keep eating it. The dish was beautifully presented with bright purple edible flowers and green and yellow purees. My lamb entree was very good and tasted strongly and purely of lamb, the way it should be. The portions were very generous, maybe too generous because I could only handle half of my lamb. My friend's halibut, though, was a bit overcooked. For dessert, I had the rhubarb brown butter cake with strawberry rhubarb sorbet, which was good, but not one of the most amazing desserts I've had. Throughout the meal, the service was outstanding. The environment was not pretentious at all and was warm and inviting. I would definitely like to try Gramercy for dinner!
(5)Jamie C.
OMG, chocolate bread pudding!!!!! Now, you may wonder why I started a 3-star review with a rave, but let's face it. If the only thing that left me remotely excited is the dessert after a 3 course tasting menu where we paid over $250 for two people... there is something terribly wrong. It was good. But, this is NEW YORK! We can definitely do better than this. Plus, the waiter was a little creepy in his attempt to seem all highfalutin. We got used to it by the end. But, overall, I left with a big womp womp. I am a little upset that I wasted a special occasion dinner on this place. I should have taken my friend's advice and gone to Eleven Mad. Live and learn.
(3)John K.
I love this place! The selection of cheeses are amazing.
(5)Annabel G.
I just got back from NYC and had the most amazing lunch there. My friend and I chose to do the summer tasting menu and it was delicious. The scallops were cooked to perfection, the turbo was delicate and the rack of lamb was like butter on the tongue. Also the service was perfection... thanks Kevin you really took care of us! I would highly recommend this place and will make sure I stop by next time I am in NYC.
(5)Christine L.
I went with the Spring Tasting Menu, since we were celebrating father's day, my birthday and since yelpers have praised it enormously. My suggestion is that you exercise before this, because this feast will fill you up. Service- was very good. The host was friendly and courteous and everyone greeted us with friendly smiles on our way to the table. There were 6-7 people attending to us throughout the meal, as expected of a Michelin starred restaurant. Everyone was very quick and efficient. Amuse bouche- goat cheese puff was tasty. Who knew goat cheese was that good. Sourdough bread and french ciabatta was decent, nothing too special. 1st course- Fluke tartare with radish, citrus and trout roe, It was soft,tender with a citrus taste. 2nd course- soft shell crab with asparagus, lily shoots, and burdock vinaigrette. very interesting asian flavors and all melded together really well. 3rd course- smoked trout, cippollini puree and pickled onion. The trout was amazingly soft. My brother thought it was salmon, but i was like no this is trout. one thing i was not crazy about was the pickled onion seemed a little too sour, I was coughing on the last one. however everyone else seemed to enjoy it. 4th course- green garlice broth with rabbit dumpling. The broth was slightly salty and but the rabbit tasted like chicken. I seriously thought it was chicken. 5th course- Piedmontese beef with sugar snap peas, fennel and morel sauce. Flavors were good, but the beef for me was a little tough to cut. Loved the sauce though. Dessert! My favorite part of the meal. I loved everyone's desserts, nothing to complain about. There was sticky toffee fig cake, pineapple upside down cake with frozen yogurt, rhubarb streusel tart with strawberry ice cream, peanut butter semifreddo with chocolate macaroon, and black sesame ice cream with nougat. Truly amazing desserts! I wanted to finish everyone's desserts! Total was 4.5 stars but rounding it up due to the yummy scrumptious desserts!
(5)Sheri E.
One of the most memorable dining experiences I've ever had and worth every penny. The staff here is incredibly professional and that is just the start of it. When I asked for the sommelier, our server offered to help with my choice so I went for it. Apparently he was intimately acquainted with the terroir (from a bike trip through the region) from which I wanted to select and even knew backstory on many of the wineries listed. For a server to have such great knowledge is really impressive and tells me that the restaurant hires not only excellent staff but people who love food and drink and live what they do. Another reviewer described this place as earthy yet refined and I totally agree. It's high class without the pretension. The ingredients are super fresh and the food arrangement is artful without being absurd. I would go here again in a heartbeat. Totally worth it for a special occasion.
(5)Kate A.
Went with my parents for a special occasion. One of the best meals I ever had. Every bite was heaven. Our server was very knowledgable especially about the wine, which was a pleasant surprise. I want to go back ASAP, any takers?
(5)K. G.
I couldn't possibly think more highly of a restaurant. Visiting NY this past weekend, I found myself wandering around and between meal times. I thought, "If I could stop in anywhere for a bite to eat, where would that be?" -- So stop into Gramercy Tavern I did. No reservations, no time to go back to the hotel to change into something more appropriate, just "this is the ideal situation for me right now" mentality. I was by myself, so I sat at the bar. Everyone who helped me was wonderful, especially Jeremy (?) the bartender with the vintage Singer tattoo who listened to what I was in the mood for and recommended the Baby Carrots, Farro and Swiss Chard appetizer. It was perfect. Very fresh and delicious, but not too filling (I had plans for dinner a bit later in the evening). I started with a glass of Syrah, and was then coerced into another glass and a half (not that it took too much arm-twisting... it was more like an offer, really). And by the time I got home, I realized that I had been treated to a glass and a half of wine. I'm thinking that I should start dining alone more often... this was truly one of the best experiences I've ever had. Thank you Jeremy, thank you Gramercy Tavern.
(5)Alden W.
I came here with my girlfriend for lunch during our trip to NYC. The atmosphere and decor was very posh. The waitstaff was very attentive as well. I had the black sea bass and she had the smoked salmon appetizer. Both dishes were delicious considering the small portion! We also had the sampler dessert and it was a perfect compliment to our meals. This was a perfect lunch after a morning full of SOHO shopping. I new NYC had good restaurants and this is definitely one of them!
(5)Tori T.
Went last night. Had reservations at 8:30 and were seated immediately in the main dining room (not the tavern).We both ordered the tasting menu. It was spectacular. Seven courses...yep. Understated elegance. I can't say enough positive things. The service is attentive but not overly stiff. Everyone should go. Period. Make a reservation for as soon as humanly possible and go!!! Stop reading this and call them now!!! YUM!!! I'm still thinking about my meal there....
(5)Ann L.
Wow. I just got back from dinner tonight, and I was totally bowled over by how great the entire experience there was. Now, I've been to my share of upscale and expensive restaurants, so I say this based on some experience, but this may well have been my favorite restaurant experience ever! It was pricey (only an $86 prix-fixe 3-course meal or $112 5-course tasting menu in the dining room), but well worth the price, as you'll see why. Anyhow, note that the key word I use here though is experience, not necessarily food. Let me explain why. We were seated right away and greeted soon after by our waiter Steven. Let me just say that Steven is, hands down, the best server I've had in a restaurant. He was funny, knowledgeable and uber helpful in his descriptions and recommendations with every question we asked. My brother had expressed some initial concern about whether there'd be enough food to "sustain" his appetite, and boy, did Steven rise to the occasion. We began with a small complimentary sample of beet wrapped in a really thin slice of proscuitto or bacon - I couldn't tell which, to be honest. Yum. Then the bread came, choice between sourdough or plain, but neither were anything exceptional. Then the appetizers - out of the 4 of us, two ordered the Black Tagliatelle (Chorizo, Mussels and Calamari on a bed of flat pasta), and two ordered the Veal Cappelletti (basically veal tortellini with cauliflower and sage). The veal appetizer was REALLY salty, so much so that I actually let Steven know when he checked up on his. He was super nice about it, apologized, and offered instead two replacement dishes of some lamb ragout pasta. Before that came out, we each received complimentary foie gras custard (one of the appetizer selections) to make up for the wait - so basically, THREE appetizers each! Not a foie gras fan, so I passed that to my husband, who said it was pretty good. So I can't really say how that tastes. But the lamb ragout ended up being definitely less salty and pretty good. We definitely appreciated it more. Steven even waited to make sure that we were okay with the salt level of the new dish. Such a nice guy. By the way, the Black Tagliatelle was also pretty good, but again, I think I've had better. Stuffed already, we then proceeded onto the main dishes, which were REALLY generous in size. I had the Sea Bass with Spaghetti Squash, Walnuts and Sherry Sauce - good, but again, pretty salty! Maybe it's just me? I don't know. The walnuts added a good touch. My brother had the Rack of Pork & Braised Belly with Baby Turnips and Fingerling Potatoes - good, smaller than the fish dishes. His girlfriend had the Halibut in Minestrone of Broccoli and Salsify - I thought it was the best of the 4 because of its light texture. And my husband had the Striped Bass with Sunchokes, Mizuna and Lobster Vinaigrette - lighter than my own Sea Bass, less sauce and salt, pretty good. After finishing our courses, Steven came by to see if my brother was "sustained enough" because if not, he was quite ready to get my brother some more food to make sure he left satisfied and full. My brother passed, but that was really generous of Steven to offer. By this point, we were busting full, but desserts were included so we weren't going to pass that up! Steven, being the awesome waiter he is, started us with a complimentary berry concord panacotta dessert (I forget what it was called exactly), which was delicious. Two of us then ordered the chocolate pecan tart (it was okay), and two of us the warm chocolate bread pudding (better), but not before two of us asked for Steven's opinion on the Peanut Butter Semifreddo Chocolate Macaroon (which turns out to be like frozen peanut butter and was by far the best dessert of the night). When desserts arrived, Steven, again being the kickass awesome waiter he is, gave us a complimentary Peanut Butter Semifreddo dish for us to split!! By the end, the seamlines of our clothes were splitting, but darn if our bellies weren't as happy as can be. Just when we thought we had all that we could fit, the petit fours came out (you must try the chocolate peanut butter bon bons) and THEN, Steven brought us out little take-home muffins for breakfast tomorrow. I mean COME ON - how awesome does our night sound? This was truly a once in a lifetime type of treat I hadn't experienced before tonight. I loved having Steven as our waiter that night, and loved Gramercy Tavern even if the food was not quite what we had hoped. If you end up going, you'd be lucky to get Steven and if you do, tell him that he rocks. Hope you enjoy your experience as much as I did mine.
(4)Ron L.
It was April Fool's Day at Gramercy Tavern. We had an early reservation, after a day of shopping, and arrived early for a drink at the bar. We were ushered to our table promptly, and welcomed by a warm and courteous server. The food was wonderful, although the portions were smaller than one would expect for a three course meal. The trout appetizer, duck and halibut entree, and the wonderful desserts were perfectly presented, and perfectly seasoned. A delight! Not so delightful was the table placement. For $350 for dinner for two, one would expect being seated in a restaurant that was one-third full, that a table for two would be easy to find, and perfect in location. We were seated at the left or far side of the main entrance to the kitchen. Just a drape separated us from the runway and the station. We decided to say nothing, because the main dining room was pleasant and the server attentive. But as the restaurant began to fill, with it, the din and rush of servers passing increased. Silverware was dropped, hushed conversations about guests kept taking place, all of this a couple of feet away behind nothing more than a curtain. Dishes clattered. Then a large party was seated in the middle of the dining room, and the wrong appetizer was served to one of us, a "computer mis-entry". The other one of us waited a long seven minutes with food left in front of him, while the other appetizer was being replaced with the actual order. Dessert orders were taken by one staff member, and then the order taken again. With the constant stream of servers, the general noise in the dining room, and the increasing lack of attention to detail, what could have been a great meal, turned average. No manager ever stopped to see if everything was up to par. As we left, I stopped at reception and registered appreciation for the warmth of service, and the excellent food, but, also, registered my concern that the restaurant would seat anyone at a five star restaurant in one star seating. She told me that they had not had any complaints, but would make certain that they would do better next time. There will probably be no next time. If you are eating at GT, then be very certain you ask for seating that is far away from the kitchen service area and the hallway leading to the main dining room. A $350.00 dinner will seem like an overcharge for a two or three star experience. The service we have experienced at a number of equivalent restaurants in the city, notably Gotham, for example, far surpasses April Fool's Day, at the Gramercy Tavern.
(3)Jeff W.
Dear Mr. Meyer [I can call you Danny, right?], I hope you take this in good spirit. I _love_ the Union Square and Gramercy Tavern, and on this trip to NY, these are our first two nights out. My fellow employees also read your book at work, and we write software, so our respect for you is high. Champ,You are God. But, I need to get your attention, Danny babes, with a 4 star review because there's some things not 5 star, The punch list: 1. Calamari and Carrot appetizer: fabulous, 5 stars, keeper, nice balance of flavors, Chief. 2. Pastrami appetizer: 4 stars, and really missing something. Incredible hand made Pastrami made over three days [server explained the whole process], but when I asked for horseradish or hot mustard, the server said, "I've been telling the Chef it lacks something." Keeper but add a third "note" to those interesting pickles and the meat. 3. Venison sausage and loin main: 4 stars. Not the tastiest. Strong, but a little disappointing. Perhaps we were the wrong market segment, Dan. 4. Stuffed Meatball main: would _never_ have ordered, but the server sold it, and it is original and awesome. I would suggest you try making your meatball a tad moister. Don't know if you ever try the Marcella Hazan white-bread-and milk trick, Danny Babes, but consider it. You get a moister meatball. 5 star plate regardless. 5. $17.50 Pinot Noir by the glass: _Remove_ this from the menu, Immedia-mento, Dan. Nice wine, but for Crissakes, we have much better Pinots in California than this, and for $17.50, I was shocked given your serious Street Cred, Champ. Perhaps someone wants this by the bottle, but if you have one Pinot Noir on the glass menu, then please, Dear God... Otherwise, experience and of course the service in every way, was 5 stars. Of equal importance, the meal was a great value. Danny, I love you Babes. We're coming back. I know you read these reviews. In fact I think I have picked up your IP address on my blog. Not sure, but if so, I'm here to help. Jeffrey Addendum: Danny, we went to Union Square the next night and it was impeccable, so stop by the Tavern and have a chat with the Chef. We went to Momofuku Ssam Bar [ tinyurl.com/yst49w] the following night which was a bitchin' 5 stars, so I know you can do it. Peace, baby.
(4)anthony c.
Best restaurant in Manhattan. My favorite in every category. I can always count on Gramercy! The best dry, shaken, three olive, grey goose martini in Manhattan?
(5)Sarah B.
A hands-down great restaurant and highly enjoyable all-around dining experience. Forget about the back seating area that requires reservations. The front dining area near the bar is more fun, more affordable, and is first-come, first-serve. The filet-mignon is excellent. Finish it off with an apple crisp with cream cheese and rasberry ice cream to share with the table. Expect to wait about an hour at the bar before getting a table. But enjoy the wait, order a few, and know that you are in one of the best restaurants in town.
(5)Berk U.
O Gramercy Tavern, You are the very best. I came to you on a snowy night And you passed my every test. Every day at 7 pm, I used to pass by the Tavern. "A tad too small" I thought. But then I saw their hidden Cavern A second restaurant - behind the first - Where the food is more expensive, The menu, more opulent, And the waiters, well versed. Our waiter was kind, helpful and unpretentious. He spoke to us in a "buttery" voice. Among their many delectable options, Softly, he guided us to the most harmonious choice. Words will never do my meal justice, Constrained with this struggling poetry, Safe to say that on a snowy day, You - Gramercy Tavern - became very dear to me.
(5)Christina S.
Everything was delicious. Duck liver mousse was probably best I've ever had...and if you know me, you know I love my liver!! Stracciatella was new to me but I prefer burrata. Clam flatbread was ok. Get the cookie plate! So fun and a great variety. Came with a cute milk in a mason jar :)
(5)Jay J.
Really good food, decent service. Took some business colleagues out to dinner here and it is fantastic food if you can get a reservation. The beef carpaccio was the best i've ever had, made the mistake of getting the chicken sadly which was just alright. We sat down at 6:30 and finished at 10:15 and had to wait 15 minutes for the check after we asked for it but other than that the place is pretty amazing.
(4)Peter P.
Service was unmatched, the people are great and food matches the atmosphere. I recommend this place for all occasions. Be open and not shy to ask questions. A lot of people have never experience great dining. They're very knowledgeable on food pairing.
(5)mi m.
I am not sure what else I can say except that on my last visit to New York I ate here three times! We would think of other places to dine and then resort to....well, let's go to Gramercy Tavern This is the kind of place I almost don't want to yelp because I would like to continue being able to find a table! The food is delicious. The service amazing. The duck is crispy and wonderful. What really draws me to yelp this place though, are the desserts. I don't even really crave most desserts, but Gramercy Tavern has probably the best, most flavorful, interesting desserts I have ever had. Some dessert chefs create unique flavors that just don't work. Other dessert chefs create beautiful, architectural pieces with no flavor. At Gramercy Park the beautiful, unusual combinations are fabulous!
(5)Andy W.
We didn't make a reservation for the Tavern and thought we'd have to wait about an hour but only sat for 20 minutes before we were led to our table. The food was delicious and very reasonably priced. They also had a huge selection of speciality beers (I had the 'Double Bastard', which was remarkably good) - in addition to its comprehensive list of wines and cocktails. Garnishing station is in plain view of the seating area, a nice touch. Overall the vibe was very warm and lively, will be coming back in the near future.
(5)Cynthia W.
The food is always sophisticated and never fails to excite my palate. The service is exemplary. I had to ask my server to double check an ingredient with the chef / kitchen in and I hate doing that but it was for health reasons. He was very kind and we joked about it throughout dinner. He was very sweet and offered me a complimentary dessert at the end of our meal even though we had ordered a dessert already. Their hospitality is impeccable and the food elegant. You can taste the freshness of the ingredients brought together beautifully by the talented chef. Its always a pleasure
(5)H H.
food & service is exactly what you expect from nice restaurant. i love being pampered at place like this. everybody at this place is well trained and sincerely nice. food is great, too.
(4)Amber A.
Business Dinner with 6 total people - 3 hours of fun and deliciousness. I don't think there is a lot left to say other than this being on a NY bucket list of restaurants to attend. Bar has great specialty cocktails, great wine list, pre-fixed dinner. All great. Service was great. We had a couple food allergies so had to switch out portions of the pre-fixed. My favorite courses - Lamb and Halibut....so delicious.
(5)Andrew S.
I have been meaning to try this restaurant out for ages after my brother recommend it to me so I took my girlfriend there for our anniversary & couldn't be more impressed the steak was cooked to perfection. I don't know when I'll come again though it was very pricey
(5)Lauren L.
I had a great dinner in the bar area here. The menu isn't huge, but everything on it is a well thought out, truly great dish and everything we tried in my group was delicious. The interior is beautiful with amazing fresh, seasonal flowers and service is top notch. This is a great special occasion place - I'm a fan.
(4)M G.
Delisshhhhhh!
(5)JD R.
Ambiance was great....food was delicious. Wait staff was wonderful!
(5)Dan D.
Had a nice evening here not too long ago with the parents and fiance........a consistent performer always in the upper echelon of restaurants in NYC. Showed up for our reservation around 9 and were seated within 5 minutes. Everyone decided to go with the Spring Tasting Menu (6 courses).....have a look at their website for the menu. From start to finish one of the better tasting menus I have tried which gave a fair range of flavors while leaving you in that nice state of satisfied when completed. Have your waiter/ress recommend a nice cocktail from the list or beer on tap as there is a nice selection if you want to venture away from the wine. Guys can get away with jeans in the dining room if you are wearing a decent pair with a collared shirt. You won't be out of place if it's dress up night and your date wants you in a suit either. Ladies here def bring their A game as many were dressed to impress.....and many did that night.....I have the bruises on my legs from kicks under the table from my fiance to prove it (Don't laugh....I don't bruise easily). ***Wheelchair accessible - ramp up to entrance***
(4)neesha d.
After living in nyc for 6 years and always wanting to go, i finally had my going away dinner there before i moved away (wah!). It was everything i wanted it to be and more- the wait staff was so friendly and accommodating. the cocktails were tasty (but nowhere near as good as raines law or death and co- but still yummy) ,and the tasting menu was just delicious. there was a soup with rabbit dumplings that was just divine! it was the perfect last meal in new york! man i miss it.
(5)Kat C.
Sat at the bar for dinner and thoroughly enjoyed the scene, food, drinks and service. Eric was our server and he definitely brings his 'A' game to work. Not only was he delightful but he was confident in directing us around the menu and matching drinks. The starter of carrots was delicious and the calamari was tender. My main of Arctic Char was cooked as I requested, medium and it was still moist and flavoursome. I rarely eat dessert but Eric did recommend I try the Peach and berry one. It was amazing. We really enjoyed our meal, service and the atmosphere. Thanks Gramercy Tavern and thank you Eric.
(4)Eric Y.
I am surprised that this 1-Michelin Star restaurant is able to maintain such a high level of service and quality of food with such a large capacity. I had the tasting menu, which was executed with few errors and conceived with balance, texture, and taste in mind. The soft shell crab salad was the most memorable dish for me, followed by the other meat dishes. The desserts were OK, although it was nice that they gave us a free muffin for breakfast the next day. Service was impeccable -- the staff were kind, available, and not bothersome at all. Overall, it was a positive experience.
(4)Trogdor B.
not bad...not bad, i say. 1. Appetizer Bread: nothing special 2. Lobster something (served cold): juicy, cold, awesome. 3. top sirloin & braised short ribs: meat, more meat, brown sauce to accentuate the meatyness...too much meatyness for my taste. 4. dessert (hazelnut mousse?): ok 5. coffee: french pressed and good bill? $130 a head with champagne.
(3)Lou T.
Short and sweet. Best meal I've ever had in my life from start to finish. Incredible food, incredible service, and it feels like it costs what it should.
(5)Andrew R.
Another great meal at Grammercy Tavern! This time I had lunch on the Tavern side and was blown away. 5 Star service and food. I went with the Grassfed Burger since everyone in the vicinity to our table ordered it and it was insane. The inside of this restaurant continues to amaze me every time I enter it. The attention to detail with all the flowers, trees, plants, paintings just pop with all of the dark wood and natural light that comes in from the windows.
(5)Gemma C.
Absolute perfection. Probably the best meal I've had in NYC to date. Came here for lunch on a Sunday and didn't have to queue which was fab. The food was so well presented and full of flavor. The sea bass was amazing and the strawberry tart for two was to die for!!
(5)Jennie Z.
Had the Pre-fix tasting menu $35 for three courses: Chilled soup was delicious, sea bass was waaaay too sour- too many mixed flavors that just didn't mix too well. Dessert was OK- (although I'm pretty snooty when it comes to my desserts) food was mediocre. prices were good for new york- only in the tavern section though... make sure you know that when you make reservations- it's for the restaurant (not tavern) which is a minimum $85 set menu. Same kitchen- so not sure if it's worth the $50 premium
(3)Joe P.
Exceptional as always. Service is wonderful. Food is very tasty and alway unique. Atmosphere is upbeat and eclectic. A must if you are in NYC for the weekend. The muffin on your way out is a nice touch
(5)Ari H.
I have eaten here on two separate occasions and both times proved to be just okay. Nothing worthy of the hype. I would talk specifics, but the menu constantly changes and the only thing that was truly memorable from either visit was the muffin they give you to take home for the morning after. Easily the best part of the meal.
(3)Prince H.
My favorite place to eat in NY. Incredibly crafted seasonal foods and the best and most unusual cocktails I have had the pleasure to drink, all served up in a warm and homey atmosphere. A pleasure to dine at!
(5)Deborah F.
A little fogeyish, but good, old fashioned New York service, with a touch of snobbery and a lot of polite attentiveness. Solid bar service, great for a large group of people, as everyone there seems to be mostly talking business. Not ideal for an intimate dinner.
(3)farnoosh f.
Amazing dishes and over the top hospitality.
(5)Craig Z.
I have been here at a rate of probably once a year since 2005, maybe slightly more, and have had an exceptional experience almost every time. The one thing you get at Gramercy Tavern more than anywhere else is a luxurious yet comfortable experience, mainly due to the service, but also, if you are a beverage fan, because of the expansive drink program, which evokes to me an experience of opulence that is tough to match. Also, all of this can be had at very reasonable prices in the front room.
(5)Damon D.
Michelin 1-Star rated restaurant in NYC which has a vibe that is a mix between fine dining and casual...but the food is definitely fine dining! Very hard to go wrong with anything here, but I'm telling you, the lamb was dynamite! If you get the opportunity, give it a shot!
(5)Liv S.
Go here if you want a fancy but fun NY dinner experience. The food is truly divine (but be sure to read what's in each choice if you're particular about meats). You can't really go wrong here. Although it is of course very overpriced.
(4)Rich G.
Experty prepared lunch. Exceptional customer service. Kudos to Gramercy Tavern. Tip: For a date, book in advance and reserve a table in the dining room where you'll have more room and a quieter dining experience.
(5)Valerie A.
mmm this place is practically a new york institution. it's big on power lunches as you can gather from the businessmen around you but the service never falters. the food is great and the dessert is even better, although I must say I'm a little biased because my friend is a pastry chef there but I swear it's inventive and some of the best I've ever had.
(5)Nicole K.
another perfect meal at gramercy. they never seem to disappoint. we enjoyed a beautiful and delicious meal especially loved the smoked oysters and fish dish although everything was top notch!!
(5)Matt D.
It's good, yo. We made reservations maybe 3-4 WEEKS in advance. Our seating was for 8:30. The tavern in the front part of the restaurant does not take reservations and serves a different, a-la-carte menu, with most of the items grilled. Everything up there looked incredible, too. So, our reservation was in the main dining room. Expect a long, drawn-out, European-style meal. Come for your company; do not come to play on your phone. Our service started a little bumpy, but one waitress sensed our distress, swooped in, and completely coddled us and took care of us. I wore a blazer and slacks. My companion wore heels and black pants and a nice top. Now to the food. The prix fixe is 92 bucks per person. This is quite reasonable, as this may be the best meal you will ever eat in your measly existence. Also, the entrees would easily go for 50 a pop and the dessert and appetizers are meals unto themselves.I had a chicken meatball soup to start with the best prepared lamb I have EVER eaten as my entree. Courses come with at least one small palate cleanser or accoutrement between them. Everything was done with perfection. I cannot explain to you how it feels as if this food was prepared solely for you, by your personal chef, as you sit sit in his nicely appointed country French home. The tasting menu looked divine. 120 per person and the whole table must join in. I can't even go into detail here. Everything looked exquisite. My date, for her part, had beef tartare appetizer and an amazing flounder for her meal. Each dish is accompanied by the most spectacular assortment of flavorful things to bring forth its perfection. Every aspect of the dish - thought, color, presentation - is executed without flaw. The desserts: bar none. The cookie plate was other-worldly. My date had a chocolate cake with ice cream on top. We also had to try their ice creams. Rosemary, hickory, and coffee chicory (?). Anyway, divine. One thing: the service was bumpy to start. Then, toward the end, they forgot to put in a small order of tea for my date. We reminded her of it. She put it in but then still put it on the bill. (Had it been me causing all that confusion, that would have been gratis). Also, I was a bit confused when they were talking about the bigger table taking original waitress's attention being a bigger investment. I frankly don't care about your business structure and Why I'm being neglected. Just fix it. Also, we were there promptly at 830 but had to wait for maybe 15 mins for our table. I mean, the service was BAD to start - we almost left - but it was all cached out at the end. And our replacement waitress was a complete doll who really took care of us. I feel it was an even trade. There aren't many restaurants I would put effort in to eat or get a table. This is one that I would. I would plan a month and advance and look forward to this place. It ranks in top 5 meals I've ever had. And I'm sure the bumpy service was simply incidental and human. In short: WORTH IT.
(5)JacksonLee K.
Excellent place! Not terribly pricy and the food is spectacular. Great service presentation and ambiance. Overall a great place to eat!
(5)Pam S.
Excellent Fall tasting menu! This place lives up to its hype... I came here for lunch with my parents on a weekday - and it was so much getting a lunch resv. than a dinner resv. Everything was delicious, service was great and the ambiance was perfect.
(5)H M.
Came to gramercy for the 3 course prixe fixe dinner. Service was amazing and the food was really good. Beef tartare had a great taste and consistency, the pork main with veggies was tender and amazing (I'm not usually a pork fan), and the dessert was to die for. It had a pear sorbet with blue cheese and some sheet candy. I could eat this for days. Gramercy also gives some complimentary desserts and a take home coffee cake. Btw, night I was there, a lady was camped outside of the restaurant asking people coming out if they either needed a ride or could give her their take home cakes--yikes.
(4)Ali W.
The first time I went to Gramercy Tavern was for lunch after my college graduation and the waitstaff had "Congratulations" written on the cookie plate at the end our meal. The spring pea soup was poured in unison by three servers. The sommelier wrote down the exact name of a dessert wine we ordered. That's the kind of place Gramercy Tavern is. It's a special occasion place. On the other hand, it's also great for business lunches if the leash on your corporate expenses haven't been tightened too much yet. Don't rush your meal here, you want to savor the kind and thoughtful service, the delicious food, and the well-chosen wine list (with a surprisingly broad range of price points).
(5)Olive P.
My absolute favorite restaurant in NY. The food, service and decor is outstanding. It's really expensive so probably only for special occasions, but I am glad a place like this exists in NY. Reminds me of the restaurants in CA wine country.
(5)Jenn S.
Much better than I expected having been disappointed previously by Danny Meyer's Union Square Cafe. They had this "bacon" thing on the menu that was outrageous -- it was basically a 3 inch block of pork that had been slow cooked for like days, served with cabbage. One star is lost, however, because the desserts and the cheese course were just ok.
(4)Jay D.
Perhaps my friends who had gone here had hyped this place up too much, but I'd say my experience here was above average, but not spectacular. Nothing was bad, but nothing knocked my socks off. Good, tasty, American food with a few assorted twists.
(4)Praxun W.
The Gramercy Tavern is one of the currently very popular Danny Meyer restaurants. It was personally highly recommended to us, and the reviews are favorable wherever one looks. However, in our humble opinion, based solely on the food, ambience, and service, it is overpriced. The interior is pleasantly and tastefully decorated and lighted. The food is picturesquely presented and tastes quite good. The wine was OK. The wait staff is young and attentive, but not without a certain air of self-importance. However, this is not, for example, the Pool Room at the Four Seasons, but the tab for four of us at dinner, with only moderate alcoholic beverage service, approached $600.00!
(5)Angel K.
Love the food. Love the service.
(5)Jennifer H.
When we came we were greeted by warm, smiling faces, which was nice. As for the space, it was pretty roomy, and had a warm feel to it. The food was really good, as was the service. I only wish I had room for dessert, because judging from the looks of the dessert at the table next to us, it was probably really delicious! P.S. No lemonade though because lemons were not in season. Huh, come again??? I thought lemons were always in season. Guess it's just something I take for granted being in California and all.
(4)Shannon F.
Went there last night with my fiance and my dad. We sat in the tavern room which was a little more laid back. The head chef Michael could not have been nicer! He came out to say hi to us and you could tell how passionate he is for food and Danny Meyers vision for restaurants. The food was great! I had the chicken and raviolo which both were amazing!!
(4)John Z.
We were a party of four on a Saturday evening to celebrate my mom's birthday. I must confess, that the 7pm reservation was not difficult to secure (the day of). Maybe I got lucky. Overall, the service was excellent, and the staff had a great attitude. HOWEVER, we did NOT like the pre fix and tasting menu options. It forces you to choose among only three subpar meal options:1) $88 2) $116 and 3) $110. The food quality was average at best. Most of the dishes were too salty! In summary, the prices were too steep relative to the quality of the food.
(2)Krate S.
Always my favorite. Food is always amazing! And the staff is always friendly and does a great job! This place rocks!
(5)Daveen T.
The food here is wonderfully flavorful and beautifully arranged. The atmosphere is also very nice. I love the country feel of the decor. Definitely save room for dessert, everything on the dessert menu is delicious! The only reason I give this 4 stars instead of 5 is because of slow service. The waiter was very impatient with us and didn't come over as often as he should have.
(4)Alison H.
What's to say about GT? I know for a fact I will return again and again. The level of service, the quality of the food and the overall feeling of satisfaction I had dining here are what will keep me coming back. Tom C. from top chef got this show on the road in the 90's and Michael Anthony keeps it sparkling. There are many ways to dine at G Tavern, You can sit 3 places. Bar, Tavern or formal dining room. You can order A La Carte or Tasting; you can have lunch or dinner. I am confident all of these options would be enjoyable and I intend to hit them all. This place it top in NY for me and I feel it will be around for years and years to come. This is how a restaurant should be run; this is how the food should taste. Here is a cool article about behind the scenes at Gramercy. Makes you appreciate the restaurant a little more. businessinsider.com/gram…
(5)Deirdre L.
It is pricey-so come for a special occasion or for a romantic date. This restaurant is an experience and they keep on feeding you until you are full. Everything is great. I would have chosen a different entree. I did not enjoy the chicken and sausage dish too much. It was good, but it was not my favorite. I think they are obsessed with sugar snap peas, as it was everywhere in their dishes. Their desserts are out of this world. They had a milk and cookie plate that was filled with fresh cookies that are baked in house! My chocolate dessert was very decadent. They also serve little surprise tries in between meals, which are fun
(5)Frederik N.
What an amazing place! We celebrated an 85th birthday here: the food and service were both top notch. We had the seasonal tasting menu. I highly recommend this place!
(5)May Y.
Gramercy Tavern has always been my favorite restaurant in the city - ever since my first visit in 2002. I love that it offers an option for both fancy or comfort. I've had lunch and dinner in the more casual tavern part of the restaurant as well as a few pre-fixes in the formal dining area and always left feeling happy and satisfied. For a weekday lunch, go for a burger or the soup and sandwich combo (both off the menu). For something a little extra, do the seasonal tasting menu for $116. Just do it and you'll be glad you did.
(5)Chris L.
Always a good standby, Gramercy Tavern is a reliable good food destination. However, despite saying that, it is a little overhyped. Service was attentive and quick and the ambiance was very comfortable. Dessert was fantastic - the lemon souffle was light and sweet and the cocktails were great! The rabbit main dish I had was very well cooked. However, not all of it was that great. The sweetbreads were too large and too rich - sweetbreads are delicate and should be served in small, well-cooked portions.. but overall a good experience, just maybe not worth all the hype.
(3)G P.
The tavern room now offers a $35 three-course prix fixe dinner.
(5)daniel g.
My fave in nyc. Amazing dinner and drinks. Octopus was amazing. Everything was delicious. And great beer selection. Did the pre fixed menu and was very happy with each course
(5)Bridget P.
This place is one of my favorites, I've been here a few times and just recently had the tasting menu, and I am just in love...the food, the wine...there's something very romantic about this place for me...the food is exquisite that's all I can say. You must go :)
(5)Daniel K.
nicest smelling restaurant in the fall. incredibly well run establishment. we sat in the tavern section so no five stars here as most of the food we ordered was pretty standard. still really nice dining experience, i'd recommend the tavern to everyone, im afraid of the coats only section.
(4)John M.
one of the best places in the city for return visits. del posto and eleven madison are great--in fact, better. but you could go to gramercy once a week and not get tired of it (though you might not be able to afford it). also one of my favorite spaces in the city.
(4)Kathleen R.
We were more than 30min late w/ plans to go somewhere after dinner & the hostess was completely accommodating. When we got there we were seated right away. Service was spotless & servers knowledgeable. Everything was so yummy & they got us out right on time to make it to our other engagement. Love this place!
(5)Dee C.
Seriously? I love my bf even more for picking this place. What an amazing experience. The ambiance was fabulous, warm and cozy (even though the space is large) Food was incredible. Split the cauliflower app and then we both had a fish dish. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. CAN'T WAIT TO GO BACK.
(5)Scrumphsus B.
Gramercy Tavern is one of those restaurants you have heard about but have never visited. Highly decorated along with its flagship sibling, Eleven Madison Park, Gramercy Tavern is known for its New American cuisine and as one of the pioneers of farm-to-table philosophies. Famed restaurateur, Danny Meyer, opened the restaurant in 1994, but you may know him more for his flourishing Shake Shack empire. Danny Meyer's establishments are known for their excellent customer service, and I had the fortune of experiencing it firsthand. Greeted by the scent of fragrant, golden-yellow bouquets, I was led to the packed bar by the hostess with a smile. I greeted my friend Ruchi who I haven't seen in forever. She is a great dining companion who is always willing to try new places with me. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted one of my food idols, David Chang, eating with his assistant, so I took a quick snap. Some people don't like tasting menus because they aren't comfortable with sacrificing input and control. I disagree - the thought of having the chef, an expert in his field, decide for me is liberating and exciting. From my experience, there are always 2 or 3 things on the tasting menu that make your mouth water, and a few things that you're indifferent about. But in this case, the tasting menu had everything I liked: scallops, lobster, halibut, sweet potato, duck breast, and butter pecan ice cream. This was like the greatest hits menu and I was psyched. The amuse bouche was a pastry with goat cheese and tarragon topped with fleur de sel flakes. The cheese was not overpowering and the touch of salt from the flakes tingled on the tongue. Both the scallops and the lobster were delicious - perfectly tender, juicy, and slightly sweet. The cilantro broth and the carrot glaze were great accompaniments to the main stars, the seafood. The halibut course was my favorite, hands down. The flesh parted easily to the gentle touch of my fork. The expression, "it melted like butter in my mouth", never rang truer. I'm pretty sure it was prepared sous-vide, but didn't confirm. The scoop of caviar slowly dissolved, leaving a faint trace of salinity. The al dente agnolotti contained a creamy sweet potato filling that coated the inside of the mouth The subtle flavor and crunch of the toasted pine nuts along with the salty Parmesan-Reggiano shavings provided balance and texture. ​ As the duck course was served, I couldn't help but notice the woody smell of the lentils and quinoa. An image of a log cabin in Jackson Hole Wyoming appeared in my mind even though I've never been to Wyoming. The skin of the duck was perfectly crisp and the meat was a perfect medium-rare. I may or may not have licked the hazelnut sauce clean from my plate. Both the vanilla bean panna cotta with passion fruit mousse and the chocolate coconut cake with butter pecan ice cream couldn't have been more different from each other: the panna cotta, airy and fruity contrasted by the heavier, sweeter, dark chocolate punctuated by the crunchy pecans lodged in the ice cream. The end of the meal was signaled by the petits fours and their signature cinnamon sugar muffin (which I promptly inhaled for breakfast the next morning). The server knew we were interested in taking a tour of the kitchen but at the end of our long meal, the kitchen was in the midst of cleaning and shutting down. The GM came by to offer apologies and promises for a kitchen tour on our next visit. While we experienced great service throughout the meal, the guests at the table next to us were getting the VIP treatment. Not one but 2 sous chefs came out throughout the night to not only check on them but to stand there and chat for 10 minutes during the height of service. Conversations ran the gamut from the inspiration behind the dishes, the ingredients and technique that were used, as well as a sneak peek on upcoming tasting menus. To hear the chefs talk so passionately about their craft was a treat. From the delicious food, tasteful decor, and passionate chefs, Gramercy Tavern delivers on all cylinders and is well-deserving of its Michelin star. For additional pictures, please visit ( scrumphsus.com/blog/gram… )
(5)Pris C.
If you're a baller and you're looking for a good cocktail to go with your delicious lunch, go here. If you're not a baller and you want your date to think you are, take him/her here and tell 'em it's your favorite neighborhood spot. Excellent cocktails, fish, and staff. They're very attentive and supportive of your culinary needs.
(5)John H.
Years ago, John H. hung out with a wise and generous construction company owner, who taught him a thing or two about travel. Since I was driving and he was paying, I learned some of his unspoken rules, such as, a.) Plan your route around at least one good restaurant, and b.) Eat there as early as possible, because one never knows what opportunity might present itself later. Subconsciously, these "rules" probably were at work when I planned my Flatiron foray around lunch at GT. It's not the newest (been around since 1994, according to its website), but it is a perennial "top ten," and Chef Michael Anthony had just been announced as a James Beard Award finalist for "Best Chef - NYC." I arrived during the noon hour, took a seat at the bar, and received a glass of water, drink menu, tavern menu, butter, and a fresh bread slice. After listening to the specials, I decided on the "soup and sandwich." But this was not just any soup and sandwich. The soup was butternut squash, with a creamy nutty herbal goodness that I cannot explain nor even imagine how to reproduce. The sandwich was shaved ham, blue cheese aioli, red cabbage, pickled green apple shavings (I think), on focaccia, cut into two triangles, and it was delicious. Accompanied by Founders Centennial IPA, it was a perfect lunch. But this experience was not over. I struck up a conversation with another tavern patron who had recently visited St. Louis, who knew about some of our fine dining options, but was only dimly aware of yelp. Thus, I decided to order dessert - apple pie a la mode - and spend some time furthering my fellow diner's education. During my 90+ minutes at GT, not only did I have a great lunch, but also managed to win another yelp convert, I believe. My work here being done, I settled my tavern tab, and left my new friend looking deeply into his yelp mobile app.
(5)Monica W.
Came here with my bf on a Saturday night. We had squid ink spaghetti and roasted duck breast and both tasted great. Quality service and food. Great experience.
(5)Steve G.
Top notch. Food, service, decor all top drawer. Crucially, it's not pretentious either. Big fan. Get the lamb.
(5)Jacqueline H.
I really wanted to give the place five stars but the michelin star aside, there is such a hype about the venue that i had very huge expectations even before i stepped in. Though the tavern is a unique place. has a rustic decorative style and the figures over the bar are such nice and colorful. Also there are the matchboxes in the entrance which is maybe not a unique idea but gives the place an idea of self. The menu is more than okay, cause all the ingredients are fresh and the combinations are creative. There is no such thing that you can say as a `unique` signature dish but they do not pretend as if they have such an offer unlike other michelin locations such as Bouley - which i will be dishing about in short, i know you are impatient to hear me moan about them. Tavern has off the menu items, and i knew that even before i started ordering. Though the waitstaff are very nice and courteous and mine did not become bored of telling me every detail about every special daily dish they had with all the ingredients and where they come from. twice. That was a plus side. The off-the-menu burger is delicious but very big. I wanted to try many other things but could not. The deserts are also very nice and creative, also light. They just crumble and melt in your ice such as the chocolate layer thing. Ice creams are also a plus side of the menu. The dining room has a squid ink pasta dish which is light and great. I love it. If you are a fan of fish, but still do not want to compose your meal entirely from the seafood section -which you are obliged to in many locations, marea included - this is the spot you can get for yourself. Location is also a plus of Tavern. Airy and spacious. Even the dark and country-inspired tavern furniture do not make you become engrossed in between the wooden tables and chairs etc. Give it a try, you won't regret it. Edit: I have given 4 stars to GT unfairly. After serious contemplation of couple other places that share the same level of recognition, i have to admit that i have to upgrade my miserly 4 star judgement to something that is accurate. After all this is my favorite restaurant.
(5)Jennifer S.
This place is absolutely impeccable. I came here with my boyfrand for a special occasion. We were greeted with free sparkling wine. We had the tasting menu for 88 bucks each, but they kind of hooked us up with a bunch of additional items. I wanted to cry or screech or high five with each bite. This is the real difference between expensive dinner and holy sh*t expensive dinner. The flavors were unique and so balanced. The science behind the food and flavors is so obvious. They brought us cauliflower custard, which I would have never ordered, but wow was it something. There was roe and truffles and it was so decadent and special. I had a scallop pasta special appetizer and he had the smoked trout. Both were excellent. You know, the kind of food you take a bite and just look at the person you are with like HELL YEAH but don't want to take the time to say it because you want another bite. No, you don't do that? Never mind, moving on... Were were brought an additional squash pasta and pork and sausage bolognese, both of which were on the house. We would not have ordered these on our own either, but they were EXCELLENT. These both sound so normal but they are not. The flavors are so intense, it is something I really have not tasted in most of my dining experiences. Our main meal, and now we are feeling a little scared of all the food left to come, was lamb for him and Artic Char for me. Both cooked perfectly. Both insanely good. I feel like we got a million desserts. We started with a small panacotta to share, then bread pudding, then chocolates and macaroons and then ...THEN!! they gave us a muffin all wrapped up to take home. Whaaat?? More tomorrow? Yes, please. The service was great. Everything is exactly in the place it should be. A small army waits on each table, making sure every part of the meal is perfect. If it is a special occasion, let them know with your reservation. They will really take care of you. You will drop a TON on dinner, especially if you feel all fancy and get a bottle of wine and other drinks. But it is worth the experience if you can swing it. Our bill was over 300 bucks so be prepared.
(5)Adam D.
Love some Grammercy Tavern. The staff is very professional, but so laid back! It's refreshing to have fine-dining food without the stuffy attitude. they have an excellent cider menu for the Fall, and the staff is quite knowledgeable about it as well. Many bottles you can't find anywhere (and I've looked). Hard to get dinner reservations, so we went for lunch, which I'd recommend. For appetizers, I had the duck fazzoletti; the Brussels sprouts were perfect. My fiancee had the corn custard. It was cold, which was a bit of a surprise (though maybe it shouldn't have been). It was good, but ultimately the least interesting dish of the day. Entrees: I had the roast lamb a delicious and perfect med rare. It was a smaller portion than I might have wished, but this was lunch after all. My lady had the grilled carrots. I thought it was a dubious choice given the amazing choices, but it was awesome. The carrots were slightly caramelized, and glazed with a hint of honey. Olives helped balance the sweetness, and the pistachios rounded out the flavor. Small portions helped save room for dessert. The semifreddo was great, and everything you'd expect from a Gremmercy dessert, but the real standout was the the cranberry butter cake. I've never gotten around to making my own ice cream, but I'm willing to give it a shot if I can make anything even remotely close to the ginger ice cream that came with it! GT is pricey of course, but as our once-a-year New York City treat, it's perfect.
(5)Angie F.
Amazing food, service and ambiance. This place lives up to the hype. The pumpkin soup was full of flavor and the chicken paired nicely with a lovely white burgundy from their awesome wine list. Our server knew so much about the wine and the food and was very attentive. My mom was a little overwhelmed by the dessert list as it is long and full of delicious options that are a little more creative than she's used to. Our server so patiently and nicely broke everything down for her so she picked the perfect thing--cookies and milk (7 different types of cookies, it was like Christmas in October).
(5)Michael M.
My wife and I visited Gramercy Tavern for a special occasion. We were astounded by the attention to detail. The decor and the art were gorgeous. The food was divine. The service was excellent. We could not recommend this restaurant more.
(5)L H.
We arrived for our four-top reservation on a Friday night 1.5h late due to horrendous traffic coming into the city -- by calling and checking in with them every 15 minutes, they kept our reservation for us. So greatly appreciated! Already started off on a good note and we hadn't even been seated yet. Prompt, attentive service. Ordered prix fixe for the table. Everything was enjoyable, from the carrot juice amuse bouche to a delightful warm lobster salad and the muffins they send you home with at the end of your meal. The only thing I didn't particularly enjoy was the dessert, which was a tapioca mango pudding - strange consistency with a crumbly topping, and no real flavor. I would definitely come back to try the a la carte menu next time we're in the city for dinner.
(4)Tina Z.
I just have higher standards! First they canceled my lunch reservation and the manager was very rude even though they put it back on not much apologetic about their obvious mistake ! Zero star for management Service was not at the level it should be -2 star at most Now for food, maybe I should have ordered tasting menus but no one in my party was up for it and I felt it will be piggish to do if while you are the only one. However I expected at least my red snapper to be awesome, but the fish was inconsistently cooked !!!! Comoooon ! It was tasty though but again I have higher standards - 2 star the most Special appetizer pasta dish was nice -4 star Dessert - dark chocolate was really mehh and I tried my friend dessert witch was mehh as well ( forgot what it was but some cake with vanilla ice cream and sumac !) -2 star So to conclude I think I might go back for dinner but I do not like inconsistent restaurants !! And there is a need that executive management have a closer look at poor performance of store level management !
(2)Leigh P.
I ate in the bar area with my dad and my girlfriend, both of whom have eaten in the main dining room. The bar area was quite lovely. They had a beautifully rustic table filled with striking white flowers. The art on the wall was understated but wonderfully colorful without distracting from the beauty of the dining area. My dish was a tad rich, I had butternut squash lasagna. My girlfriend had, what she would say was, the best fish she's ever had. She had the monk fish which was dusted with curry. My dad had pasta with lamb which he enjoyed very much. For dessert my dad had the brioche sundae and my girlfriend and I shared the peanut butter and chocolate sundae with Rice Krispies which was quite interesting indeed. The service at this restaurant was fantastic. The waiters were very attentive. Sometimes that isn't the case when you eat in the bar vs. the dining room. The prices were surprisingly reasonable. I don't feel the need to to go back to eat in the dining room, but I'll absolutely be back to the bar!
(5)C L.
We went to celebrate three family birthdays and upcoming Mother's Day. We arrived early but were seated immediately. We shared 2 spring tasting menus and 2 vegetarian tasting menus between 4 people. Excellent food! The restaurant is pricey and the decor is nothing to rave about, but it is relaxed and does not feel to stuffy which can sometimes be the case if you go for expensive food. The service is impressive and they will time everything throughout your meal to perfection. Great wine list with several options that will not break the bank. We will be back for the food and desserts, all was amazing!
(5)Max E.
I travel a lot for work, so I frequently struggle to find places where it feels ok to dine solo. This is one of those places. I ate dinner at the bar at Gramercy Tavern, and was welcomed by a very warm staff of bartenders. At some places, you get a judgmental look when you ask to eat dinner at the bar. At Gramercy, I was given a menu, bread, and place settings with a smile. The food was flavorful and the portion sizes were appropriate. While I believe the menu changes, the oysters, arctic char, and sorbet were definitely something to write home about. I now see why this place has such positive reviews - the lively atmosphere, attractive interior, delicious food, and down-to-earth staff make this place special.
(5)Keith D.
What a classic. This place is always perfect. All the employees get it. The new Chef at the Tavern Rafiq keeps things in the right direction, Every year better and better.
(5)Al C.
Invited by a business colleague. The restaurant did not disappoint. Had the fish entree--delicious. Could not stay long so they gave me a complimentary dessert to go. Service and decor were excellent. Can't wait to come back...if I can get a reservation!
(5)Adora A.
Such a great place. I called the day before going to make sure that the Tavern, Lunch, section had gluten free options. They were so accommodating and I felt great after eating here. Since I could not eat bread, the waiter gave me some gluten free pumpkin muffins that were so soft and moist, better with butter :), and I loved every moment. The food and service both deserve every star.
(5)Elle W.
I just came back from a Mother's Day dinner at Gramercy Tavern. The service, food, and ambiance was still excellent. Now that I've been to a few other restaurants on my 'bucket list,' I've moved my rating down to a 4 because the overall experience wasn't as good as it gets. Don't get me wrong... dinner was still amazing. I'm knocking them down on star because of where we were seated. We were seated all the way in the back, in the second room of the formal Dining Room. The space as rather dim and didn't have the same interior decor as the main Dining Room. I don't understand why restaurants have multiple rooms where one room is clearly much better appointed while the other is there to handle overflow. You're still paying the same price for a lower quality experience. Be sure to specify the main room when you make a reservation. * * * * * AMUSE BOUCHE Puff pastry on top of ricotta cheese - Yummy FIRST COURSE Smoked Trout - Highly recommend! This was one of my favorite dishes of the night; it's exactly as it's described. The trout was smoked well and it was balanced with a fruit spread (on the side). Ramp Custard - They take the green part of the ramp (sort of like garlic and onion but lighter and sweeter in flavor) and mix it into the custard mix, which gives it a greenish color. They top off the custard with three tiny shiitake mushrooms. SECOND COURSE Lamb - My mother liked this course, but wished she had ordered it medium (rather than medium rare like the chef recommends). She often goes to a Mediterranean restaurant by her house, and is used to having her lamb more well done. The sausage was too gamey. She cleaned up the entire dish, including all the potatoes. Red Snapper - The fish was rather rich in flavor, almost buttery. It was very soft and came apart very easily. PALATE CLEANSER Hmm, can't remember what this was called. I believe it was panna cotta with burned grapefruit(?) on top. It wasn't very sweet, smooth in texture, and a nice way to switch to dessert. DESSERT Almond Rhubarb Butter Cake - DELICIOUS! My other favorite dish of the night - the cake was hot and just tasted amazing. Almond slices were baked into the top, while there was bits of rhubarb in the middle. Lime Meringue Tart - The base was a thin slice of pastry while the the middle lime meringue had very sharp flavors. On top was some sort of burnt frosting that my mom said it looked like a crown (very artful).
(4)Margaret S.
WOW! The restaurant looks great and they have delicious menu, yum yum..I really like the cocktails here. I had the vegetable tasting menu, and it was a consistently outstanding series of distinctively flavored dishes made with the best seasonal vegetables. Our party of 3 spent 4 hours over dinner and the ambience, attentive yet unobtrusive service and fabulous food made for one of the best meals I've had in NY. If you're looking for a wonderful, royal treatment this is the place. I love NY!
(5)Gwyneth J.
The night before we had dinner at a 3 Michelin star restaurant, and we actually enjoyed our meal at Gramercy Tavern even more. The food was prepared beautifully -- no pomp and circumstance just exquisitely cooked dishes. The atmosphere is elegant and the service attentive and polished. I would say the highlight of the meal for me was the lamb. It was tender and the flavor of the wild mushrooms really stood out in the dish. For dessert we had the assorted ice creams and cookie tray and they were awesome. This is a great place to come for a special occasion, or if you just feel like spoiling yourself with a first-rate meal.
(5)Jen W.
Impromptu swing by the Tavern during lunch. We were able to score a table in 10 min and proceeded to have a wonderful meal! We popped a few oysters, had the lamb flatbread to start. My sea bass was cooked perfectly and my husband got the waygu beef burger which was juicy and delicious. Wonderful service and a warm and classic ambience. Loved the holiday decor- bar to ceiling Xmas tree was a nice touch!
(5)Mark L.
I was visiting New York on business and my friend told me that Gramercy Tavern is a must visit. I would have to agree, and I definitely want to go back during my next visit out to NY. My friend started with the smoked trout dish, and I had the black ink spaghetti which was really top-notch and I highly recommend. Our main dishes was the chicken, and pork which were both really good. We ended up getting the birthday cake with coconut which was quite amazing. It is also nice to order the flat bread to start with little pieces of lamb. It is a great dish to share. Gramercy's wine list looks very good as well with great world selections. I saw another table ordering a bottle of Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon which indeed is a great bottle of wine to enjoy. The restaurant was packed and has a wonderful setting. The staff was very attentive and the service was to our expectations. Overall, I will be back...
(5)Il P.
We ate and drank for 3 hours during lunch time. The food was amazing, and the service was superb. I highly recommend the sea food dishes. For 4 of us, it totaled almost $400 including tip.
(5)Charles B.
The food is good, a bit earthy for my palate, but that's irrelevant to my review. The attitude of the bar staff is complete crap. I had a reservation in the main dining room, arrived 10 min early to grab a drink at bar, and was told i couldn't sit at the bar because the bar seats are reserved, so that means there is no place to sit while you wait for your table. Maitre'd had no sympathy. This set up sucks, the staff was rude and just reminded me why the only time i ever come here is if I'm forced by someone who doesn't know New York well enough to pick another restaurant.
(2)Annie H.
And we're back. I must have visited on an off-day last time for lunch (which saddened me greatly that one of my absolute favorite restaurants was no more), but your incredible mushroom calamari dish (So good I bashfully ordered a second round), your amazing grilled oysters, delicious seafood chowder, incredible roasted duck, and my-oh-my that luscious chocolate pudding, last night has shown me that once again, you are one of my top favorites, of all time. This was the first time I ate at the "Tavern" part of the restaurant, and I have to say I enjoy it a bit more than sitting in the dining room - warm cozy ambiance, and I feel more relaxed to order seconds (yes... I CAN eat) of the dishes that really wowed. Our waitress Jessica was fantastic and incredibly attentive, and really made the difference between a dinner out on a Friday night and a dinner worth remembering and raving out. Thank you - I will be back, and this time, it won't be long.
(5)Dave W.
Well, I said I wanted to return for lunch or dinner and we made it here for lunch during a recent trip into the city. No reservations were being accepted because I waited too long but the host was as cordial as the last time and we waited only about 25 minutes for a table in the tavern room. Observing the waitstaff and support staff is like watching a fine ballet. No one hovers, but if you even look like you have a problem or request there is someone at your table almost immediately. We shared the Baked Clam appetizer which was served on two separate dishes, which I thought was a very nice touch - and it was delicious. Carol had the Lasagna and I had an incredible House made Kielbasa stuffed with cheese along with a very good Cole Slaw. All in all a very nice experience and now we have to come back for dinner.
(4)Leslie C.
I love this place. Have celebrated my birthdays here, and dropped into bar/front room many other times. LOVE the bar and front, bartenders are wonderful and atmosphere feels really special but not stuffy. Back room while fancier is somehow not as good in terms of overall experience. Food is good, but maybe too prissy, and service maybe too staid. Front is way to go!
(4)Kevin G.
If you've ever been to New York as a tourist, you have probably had a moment where you've uttered some version of "Damn, I wish I lived in New York City." Gramercy Tavern made me have one of those moments. Gramercy is everything I imagined a New York City lunch to be like. Nice surroundings, attentive staff, quality food, etc. We sampled their appetizers - AWESOME. We had the main course - AWESOME. We had many beers - AWESOME. And deserts - also AWESOME. I ate: Duck Liver Mousse, Pickled Vegetables & Grilled Bread Swordfish Confit Salad, Cranberry Beans, Capers & Pine Nuts Striped Bass, Brussels Sprouts, Grilled Leeks, Pickled Peppers & Bacon Pecan Tart w/spiced Pumpkin Ice Cream & Cranberries Pumpkin Whoopie Pies w/spiced Pumpkin Seeds & Rum Ice Cream Latté Beer...lots of it I was in a food coma for two days after this little NYC jaunt. In the ideal scenario where I am employed with a massive salary, Gramercy Tavern would be on my list of hangout spots.
(5)Jenny S.
Our 4th time here and each time It's more enjoyable. 3 1/2 hour meal each course more delicious than the next. Our waiter Matt was excellent helped us pair the wines with the courses My husband did the regular tasting and I did the vegetarian. He loved the scallop best and I thought the squash and fried green tomato were equally delicious. For dessert I loved the fruit plate and he tasted 3 sorbets. After the check when we were full to capacity They brought complimentary small Irresistible chocolates! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Nancy N.
I absolutely love the atmosphere. I don't know if it's the fall season or the leftover Halloween decor, but I felt like I walked into someone's kitchen/home. It has such a homey feel. The lighting is dim(mer) but not overwhelming dim that makes you uncomfortable. It was packed for a Friday night and to be expected. Tables around me seem to be celebrating an occasion. I saw a lot of anniversaries. Pre-fix menu was $88 for an appetizer, a main entree and a dessert. The Tasting menu was $118 for twice as much food (smaller portions) and a complete different menu. The pictures are from the #118. A bottle of 2010 Riesling, Germany was $90, glass was ~$15.00. Bread was not toasty but had couple of variety. Butter was soft and slightly salted (i love that). I'm not going to go into details about each dish but my favorites were the scallops and lobster salad. Both had grapes, pear or some fruit in it. I love fruits in my food and it added such a light, nice touch. The scallops were served raw but I couldn't taste the fishiness cause the sweetness of the grapes and sauce covered it nicely. Some may argue a bit too much (depending on how you like to taste you raw scallops). I ended up focusing on the texture of the scallops and not had to worry about biting into one with an "icky" fishy taste. The lobster salad had apples and some root. Super good. The root was grilled adding a charred taste to the light lobster. slightly flavored. the flavors were not overwhelming. You get to natural flavors of the individual ingredients. The tasting menu had two desserts. Both good for this class of food, but I wasn't super duper crazy for it. The dining experience ended with after dinner coffee and complimentary muffins for the next morning.
(4)David E.
Great Service, Good Choice in the wine list, beer. One thing which is stupid: beer large is 8usd, small is 4usd: depending on the beer the small for instance can be a super small glass because the beer is more expensive. So for expensive beers, taking a small one makes you get a ridiculous small glass ... That's not degrading the * I have put that s just a detail We had diner on the bistro part not the dining room. Food is very very very good (amazing like a US person would say). We took lamb and lasagna. Quantity are decent Quality is very high and the mix of ingredients is perfect. The food is very refined ! Bravo to the Gramercy team. The place is also very nice (decoration, clean ...) Book in advance, its usually packed.
(5)Mia F.
This place is simply the best. Great food, great service, great cocktails / wine and a very inspired seasonal menu. My fiancé and I celebrate our anniversary here over the summer and it felt so special and memorable that we decided to come back for my birthday. Whether you're in the dining room or the tavern room, the service and food are equally spectacular -- can't recommend Gramercy Tavern highly enough.
(5)Greta S.
3 1/2 We had the tasting lunch menu on a Tuesday in August. The service was excellent, the restaurant was attractive and the tables aren't too close, noise was fine. We were easily able to make some menu switches because of dietary restrictions. Food: what's with the mediocre bread? The sourdough was slightly better than the rolls but neither were worth eating. The highlight of the meal was an excellent lobster salad. The other courses were good except for the desert -- a peach, tapioca pudding with something that tasted like granola heavily sprinkled on top. Price seemed reasonable.
(3)Helen N.
Gramercy Tavern has been one of my favorite restaurants since the first time I went there back in 2008. But it's been a few years since last I've gone, way too long. I am glad to report that its glory has not diminished. We went with the five course tasting menu. And although portions were small, the flavor was amazing. My favorite was the duck with farro, perfectly medium rare, and the ricotta tortellini. The only disappointment was the lack of the chocolate bread pudding since Nancy Olson is no longer here. The desserts we tried were the chocolate pudding, the cookie plate, and the cranberry brown butter cake were all good, but nothing can compare to the glory of the chocolate bread pudding.
(5)Jorge C.
I always set my expectations based on reputation (reviews, chef, etc.) so my expectations were high, and Gramercy nailed them all. I loved the room itself, perfect befitting the meal that was to follow. From the initial greet through dinner, service was warm and friendly but professional throughout. That can often be a difficult balance but the staff here nailed it. I must single out the host team, as they alone would have earned a repeat visit from me. My friends and I dined on many wonderful dishes, too many to list. My highlights were the chilled tomato soup, the sweet corn custard and the duck breast. It's always a great sign when duck is cooked perfectly and this was one of the two best pieces of duck that I've enjoyed in my life. Not to be outdone, the peanut butter semifredo... Well, if you love peanut butter like I do, just order it and trust me. The last stop on my last NY trip, Gramercy Tavern was easily the highlight. I will be back again and again and again.
(5)Ron B.
This establishment has a reputation of being one of the best restaurants in the city, but I have never actually eaten here. However, me and my friends stopped in for a drink once and let me tell you this place does not take kindly to 10 people ordering lemon drops at the bar while people are eating monkfish. I am pretty sure the bartender was pressing the panic button.
(4)Anne C.
I've researched two months before arriving in NY for our 10th anniversary trip to find a great restaurant in NY. Wow, this place is amazing. I never filled out compliment cards before, but I did this time, and I received a personal thank you letter from the manager. As soon as we walked in the hostess and waitstaff made us immediately felt very welcomed (I was expecting more of a snobbish hostess working at a hot restaurant). We had dinner at the main dining room, although we're going to try the bar/tavern area next time. We had a nice quiet table and the atmosphere is very romantic. We both had the tasting menu, and in between each dish the waitstaff brought out little complimentary dishes of food (from hor d'ouvres to dessert samplings). The waistaff explained the dishes that we had questions on. The menu changes by season, and everything is very fresh and seasonal. The whole experience at Gramercy Tavern was perfect, from the food, the drinks, the atmosphere, and service. The pastry chef gave us each a large hazelnut muffin for our breakfast the next day.
(5)Lauren D.
I'm really in between 3 and 4 stars, but I'm going to go with 3. Of course the ambience is very nice, as is the waitstaff. We were seated at a table next to where the waiters put in their orders and since it was early in the night it was a little distracting. The food was good but not great. For an appetizer I ordered the beef carpaccio, it was just underwhelming in taste. As a main course I had the pork loin & belly, which was good and better than the appetizer, but I was still left hungry after these two courses. For the price of the two courses, I really don't think it was worth it at all. Now here is where Gramercy Tavern gets there stars: Dessert. By now I will admit I was a little grumpy and then when this dessert that looked like cat food was served to me I was a bit worried, but it was AMAZING. Seriously one of the best desserts I've ever had! I also tasted one of their chocolate desserts and that was excellent as well. I might go back and just sit in the tavern, order a burger, and then indulge on their desserts.
(3)Fm L.
So I just came back from out of town and decided to go around my girlfriends neighborhood and see what good. We though about checking out some of our local favorites and maybe some of our not so favorites to give them a second chance. Instead we decided to go to a well known favorite that I hadn't been to in years and she had never been to, Gramercy Tavern. The decor is pretty much the same, I honestly can't remember if its the exact same but it definitely evoked the same feeling of familiar warmth and elegance. We were sat at a table towards the back close to a private dining room by a host that was very polite and professional. Surprisingly they weren't to strict with their dress code. I was very casual. I was actually taking in the place, the service and the people. I was expecting the place to feel stuffy but in all honesty it wasn't. Me and my girlfriend felt quite at home. She had the Raw and Roasted Root vegetables to start since she is a vegetarian, and I ordered the flatbread with lamb and pickled peppers and potatoes. She loved her veggies and I really liked the flatbread. The lamb was awesome. For our second course she felt she was full enough and decided to order a dessert., the cinnamon bread pudding with the Madeira ice cream. I went for the Artic Char with the potato salad and apples and endive.That was really a treat. Really good. The whole experience was good. I would and definitely will return. The only down side was that I felt the prices were a little high. That's the only thing that keeps me from giving it 5 stars but I definitely recommend it. Whats old is new again.
(4)Carrie T.
Loved my dining experience here. I liked it here so much more than Le bernadin actually. The venue and very pretty with a touch of coziness. Their theme is very elegant with a hint of shabby chic. The good was spectacular. I highly recommend their tasting menu for lunch. Only $58! Their most amazing tasting was he lobster salad. It was not your traditional salad at all. It was a purée mixed with spinach, cavort, and lobster. Really really enjoyed it!
(5)Saad M.
To preface this review I will say I held it to a higher standard than most experiences given the setting and the price range. By all accounts the food was great, and the restaurant itself was beautiful and I did not have an average or below average time here. However, this is Gramercy Tavern and walking in you have expectations that you would like met. The service was incredible; our glasses of water were never more than half empty before they were refilled...the bread servers were watching constantly to see if we wanted more and our waittress was always around but never overbearing. Hats off to whoever is running this place from an operations and service standpoint. I did not have any of the wine that night but my guests commented on how superb the recommendations were so theres my .02 on that. The food was a bit of a letdown. I know a tasting menu is supposed to have small portions but I have dined at many restaurants in the same league as this one and I have never been hungry and wanting for more at dessert time. That was a big disappointment; after all the flair and panache a restaurant is supposed to feed you...and when you show up and spend time and money and leave only slightly satisfied and wanting more I think that leaves a bad taste in your mouth (no pun intended). The arctic char was a standout....quite incredible as was the duck. The rest of the starters left a bit to be desired especially the black squid spaghetti. Dessert was quite well executed....however, the blood orange panna cotta wasn't quite as good as I imagined. It didn't have the flavor that the cookie platter our server gave us had which I actually thought was the best part of the meal! The coffee muffin we received at the end of dinner for the next day was a nice touch. The atmosphere in the Dining Room very classy, yet upbeat and not stuffy. I've been to similar places and the people never look like they are having any real fun. Not the case here; also love the massive chandelier sitting over one of the larger tables. If you come in with a large group request this table! Overall I would say if this was a regular restaurant I'd give 4-4.5 stars however with my expectations and the food servings being as small as they were I had to downgrade my review. Also small portions only work if all the tastings are standouts, which wasn't the case in my opinion. I would be open to coming here again, but might try the Tavern Room next time.
(3)Asuka N.
Talk about getting lucky - I randomly looked on OpenTable for reservation spots for nearby dinner spots, and there was one available the day after Christmas (on a Thursday) at 8 PM. Pretty sure that doesn't happen often...so I snapped it up quickly, and my fiancee and I had dinner for the first time in 2.5 years in the dining room. The setup of Gramercy Tavern makes it feel very cozy, particularly the bar and the tavern room, which is a bustling of activity. Even the main dining room - unless you're sitting as far inside the restaurant as you can go - still has a decent amount of volume, so it feels a bit more casual than your typical upscale restaurant. This filters down a little bit to service, unfortunately, where most of the waiters will take your plates and refill your water in a bit of a brusque fashion. The gentleman who took our main order was a genial enough fellow, and his knowledge of the beer selection was quite solid - considering that (I would assume) most people don't ask about the beers on the wine list. We did the tasting menu again, and if I do have one small criticism (which was the case with the summer tasting we did a couple years back as well), it's that the kitchen very much determines what the base flavor of the dishes will be, and it becomes a bit of a running theme throughout. I don't mind it a huge amount - but I'm a fan of variety. We started out with king crab paired with kale and uni. The crab was very fresh, and it works well with the uni - but you're given such a tiny piece...they really should give a bit more sea urchin, as it pairs really well. Next was the poached lobster, which was phenomenally executed. Paired again with another winter veggie (cauliflower), the succulence of the lobster is really impressive and is probably one of the best lobster dishes I have had to date. The highlight of the meal, though, had to be the next dish - the smoked char covered in chopped hazelnuts and served with quinoa was so well-prepared. The light smokiness of the char (which was cooked perfectly - not too firm, but not overly flaky either) really works well with the firm nuttiness of the hazelnuts...definitely my favorite dish of the meal. From there, we had a celery root ravioli - a very wintery ravioli that worked well with the shiitake mushrooms. Next was the duck breast, which was exquisitely prepared - not overcooked, but not too chewy (which often is the problem, IMO), with the nice natural smokiness of the meat present. The farro adds a bit of crunch to the dish and changes up the texture as well. At this point, we were offered the choice of substituting in a cheese plate for dessert, but we went ahead with the menu choice because the layered dessert featuring quince was really well-done. You start with panna cotta on the bottom, a layer of quince jam, then tapioca (small ones, not the big ones in bubble tea), followed by a sliced fruit (perhaps pear), and topped off with pomengrante-flavored ice and candied pistachios. It's immaculately prepared, and every bite is absolutely delicious, yet filled with all sorts of different textures of sweetness. We also got a hot chocolate on the side (basically like drinking the best kind of chocolate, just in warm liquid form), and you get a few more bites of pastries at the end on the house. Oh - and a cinnamon coffee muffin to feast on the next morning (excellent as well). For your buck ($120 for the tasting menu), I think Gramercy Tavern has to be one of the best values for upscale dining in the city. Although it's only got 1 Michelin star, it definitely could go for more. I'd like to come back more frequently...perhaps I'll get lucky with reservations again. But nonetheless, a very well-executed dinner on all fronts.
(5)Sage P.
I really want to give it a 4.5, but it won't let me. Anyways I went here for my birthday with my sister. We started out at the bar (of course) and one drink turned to two...which turned to three...which was a problem when we were finally seated and I couldn't read anymore. I tried foie gras for the first time here and it was amazing paired with the strawberry chutney on toast. It's probably the most rich, delicious thing I've ever eaten. For the entree I had a pulled pork sandwich. Usually I'd go with a heavier meat dish but It was an odd hour, like 4 pm or something, so I didn't want to be weighed down for the rest of the day. It was good, but not the best I've ever eaten. While the meat was cooked perfectly, it was lacking a little something. Maybe I'm just used to it with sauce in it? I could only eat half of it (because I was really full by then). One thing I really liked was that the decor was traditional and simple, and it didn't feel pretentious at all. I will definitely be back!
(4)mary l.
so incredibly delicious - rustic, upscale comforting american food. great meat and seafood. wonderful service. casual and farmhouse atmosphere that still feels incredibly special. i love that it's not as formal as the dining room. eating in the tavern for lunch is one of the best summer weekend experiences. i loved the meatball and pork shoulder and peach pie. mmmmmm.
(5)Tim W.
hell must have had a crack in the floor today because it was an absolute furnace in the city today. i had a stolen afternoon with the BF and we planned on a c-town lunch but last minute decided on something "better" and you KNOW GT does NOT dissapoint...danny meyer RARELY ever does...so this was a perrrrrrfect long lunch in the front area of Gramercy Tavern...lovely reisling well reisling(s), chilled cucumber soup, sweetbreads, fish croquettes and seafood and mussel stew. a perfect way to get out of the heat. totally worth the $$ and the time with my man!
(4)Alex F.
I love Gramercy Tavern. I took my mother here for her birthday a few months ago in the back dining room and the service was just impeccable. The waiters were extremely helpful with selecting wines with the tasting menu and when it came time for dessert, without having asked the plate read Happy Birthday Elizabeth. I hadn't even told my waiter her name, he'd just been so attentive that he remembered it when my group was talking at the table. I went here again with my mother for lunch this past Sunday and I have to say, another great time. Though I didn't totally love my lasagna, everything else was superb. When we were leaving the restaurant it began to rain a good deal so the staff offered us complimentary umbrellas - and they weren't the rinky dink $3 variety you pick up off the street. This restaurant really goes above and beyond to create a great atmosphere. I highly reccomend!!!
(5)Anjali K.
YUM, YUM, YUM! The food was delicious, the wine was dry and full-bodied, the wait staff was spectacular and the atmosphere was loud, but not out of control. Hailbut was my main course and I soooo highly recommend ending the night with the chocolate bread pudding. Needless to say the gym was a necessity the next day and well worth it. Definitely go check this place out and at least saddle up to the bar and have a drink and try an appetizer if you aren't going to do the full-monty at a table!
(5)Thierry S.
Among the best in the City, this Flatiron/Grammercy restaurant shines in almost every category. I've had one so so experience out of six with an over cooked entree and I'm writing it off as a fluke. I feel it is one of the top 30 or so in the city and a solid 5 stars. Service and decor are helped by great table placement while the menu provides many excellent if not adventurous dishes. The quality of preparation and presentation will leave you with a feeling of appreciation for the kitchen staff.
(5)Yoni Z.
Gramercy Tavern is a classic in my book. It is the best form of fine dining, elevated food without elevated pretension. The servers are helpful and not condescending or smug as you can sometimes feel belittled or unappreciated at comparable establishments like Daniel or Jean George. I mean no slight to these other great quality restaurants but they can feel a bit stuffy. At Gramercy Tavern you will be treated to great warm severs and excellently crafted cuisine. The fall specialty cocktails are great(I am a sucker for the concord crush) and the trout if available should not be skipped.
(5)Enoch H.
Had the regular dinner menu for 3 people in the dining room. Very good service and ambiance. The courses were as follows: Started with a scallop over a slice of tomato amuse bouche. Watery and very light tasting with some japanese rice on top for added texture. A great smoked trout that was tender and juicy. The shrimp was nice with the fried okra and corn giving the dish some color. Unfortunately, we had eaten a similar shrimp dish at Jean-Georges for lunch the same day and the ones there were sweeter and bigger. The beef fazzoletti was a bit too saucy so I felt it overpowered the pasta and dish as a whole. The pasta itself was very tender and thin, not overcooked. The lamb was probably my favorite dish of the night. It was cooked perfectly and everything on the dish was well balanced. Even presentation was nice as it seemed like the lamb was in a natural green forest. Sadly, the pork loin was a bit tough and hard to cut into. But on the positive side, the pork belly was fatty and delicious (no surprise there). The arctic char was decent, but I was really impressed with the eggplant in the dish. It was nicely charred from the grill with lots of eggplant flavor; absolutely delicious. We all had lemon panna cotta dessert bite before our actual dessert courses. Trio of desserts were all pretty good. Petit fours: chocolate peanut butter squares, strawberry hazelnut macaron (delicious!), and honey chocolate. And finally, as a parting gift, everyone was given (what I thought was) a brown sugar cinnamin coffee crumb cake muffin to take home. Thanks Gramercy Tavern!
(4)Jay M.
I have gone 3 times now and found the food to be "OK". This is listed as one of the top spots, but when I was here the main course came out with the appetizers and was slightly cold on my last visit. It may be a fluke but I have not been back since. I asked them to reheat the entrees and I swear it was microwaved. I would be willing to go again but when you are spending $100+ a person(drinks, food, etc), there are many other choices. The decor is amazing though, definitely worth going in for a cocktail.
(3)Ryley P.
Like zomg Scooby the kelbasa. Like. Seriously. So I'm not really the "fine" dining type. Especially when its 3:00 in the afternoon I'm still hung over from last night, starving and have to be at work in two hours. So. In essence. I'm pouting. Union Square. Where to eat where to eat where to eat? Gramercy Tavern? Say wha? Isn't that place like you know hella expensive? Oh? You need to take me? *all I really want is a burger, fries and a freezing cold coke* Sure yeah that sounds great. *not happy, under dressed, hungover, pout face* Well I got the fuck over it when my food arrived. So. Good. She was right. Don't tell her that though.
(4)Stephanie I.
Both times I have been here I have had exquisite food and service. The atmosphere is inviting and unpretentious. The service floats around you and is extremely well choreographed. The food is outstanding with good portion sizes (not too big or too small). You leave feeling extremely satsified. Great place for business lunches or to take your parents for dinner.
(5)Yi J.
Went there last Saturday without a reservation, and we got seated right away!! Considering how everyone's been telling me that I should expect at least 1 hr's wait, I was quite happy. The Tavern was relatively low-key with a friendly and laid back atmosphere. The decoration was understated, but chic. I went for the Grilled Octpus for appetizer, and Duck Confit for main course. Can I just say the Duck Confit was DELICIOUS!!! The duck was extremely tender, in richly flavored soup, while the skin was absolutely crispy!! Overall, it was a very good experience at a modest price!!
(5)Pamela S.
I went here for lunch last weekend (no reservations, and we didn't have to wait) and was bowled over by the tastiness of the food and the impeccable service. This is one of those places where your water glass is filled before you think to ask and your straw wrapper disappears moments after you put it down. The food was beautiful and delicious. I had the meatball entree -- it was one large, glorious, perfectly-seasoned beef/pork meatball, cut in half, the inside stuffed with a little fontina cheese and surrounded by the most silken whipped potatoes. If it wasn't such a classy place, I would have been tempted to lick the plate.
(5)Sun S.
Dinning at this place was more of an experience/an adventure than just eating out. From the service to the food and the atmosphere, everything was great. We picked the 6 course seasonal meal and glad we did. Although they might look deceivingly small, you're stuffed by the time dessert comes. The Halibut & the duck breast were amazing! I can't really describe the flavor ...it was simply amazing! They had just the right amount of juicyness, texture & flavor. Also, I found interesting how they coordinated each of the plates to match one another, meaning that ex: the soup that they crafted would complement the next dish, etc. I definitely recommend this place. If the place is packed, the service might be just bit slow, but that's expected on a busy day. Do note that it is expensive but worth it!
(5)Bethany S.
The best restaurant experience I've ever had in NY! Entire staff was incredibly knowledgeable about wine and food and funny and friendly. The tasting menu with wine pairings is the way to go!
(5)Paul H.
Decor: 3.5/5 -Large and spacious, divided into the Tavern and Dining area -The ambiance got slightly warm throughout the night which may have affected my dining experience Service: 2/5 -6 courses taking 3 hours is a bit too much, especially when the seat cushion are extremely uncomfortable (which affected my dining experience) -The two drink suggestions by our server were both fails. Food: 1.5/5 -We opted for the seasonal tasting menu @ $116 each. Tonight may have been a fluke or something but I only enjoyed 2 of the 6 dishes and that was the warm lobster salad, the pre-dessert (doesn't count) and the butter pecan ice cream. -Peconic Bay Scallops were almost tasteless in a dark pink sauce that was sour -Warm Lobster Salad was decent. The lobster was definitely not frozen but this dish wasn't special. -Smoked Sturgeon...I honestly can't remember what this tasted like which means it wasn't impressive x: -Roasted Duck Breast came with four slices. The duck was heavy and tender which made me cut off the fat to prevent myself from feeling sick -Butter Pecan Ice Cream was amusingly the best part of the night.
(2)Megan G.
This is for the casual area only: We originally went to this restaurant in January. We were on a house hunting weekend, as we were going to be moving to the area. We had had a miserable day. We went to GT for a quick bite, and had the most amazing experience. Our server was Maria B and she is unbelievable. She truly made the evening. We have never had a more informative, attentive and knowledgeable server. In a nutshell, she was perfect. Ranging from recommendations on the wine all the way through the desserts, she nailed it all! She went into great detail explaining her favorites on the menu, the flavor compositions, why she liked it, etc. We ended up moving to the area in May. We couldn't wait to go back to GT. We did not have a reservation, but when we got there, we asked for Maria's section. She came to the table to introduce herself. She paused for a moment, then remembered our last trip in (there was no prompting from us). She remembered where we had sat, that we were moving here, what we had tried, etc.. Unbelievable. We had another stellar evening. The food was fantastic, the service was beyond top-notch, and the prices were very reasonable.
(5)Wendy-Lynn M.
I really like the food and service at Gramercy Tavern, but oddly I like the food I get at the bar better than the main dining room. I have to give the main dining room a try again, perhaps in the spring. I found the food in the main dining room, in the early fall, a little too heavy for my liking. And, as with all Danny Meyer restaurants, I hold it in high esteem but don't always agree with where it gets ranked in the guidebooks relative to the other Danny Meyer restaurants.
(4)Dee C.
I have come to Gramercy Tavern a couple of times now for both lunch and dinner. It is always a stellar meal. On my recent trip, I came here for a business lunch and everything went as smooth as silk. Starting off with a salad composed of ribbons of calamari and julienned carrots, toasted pine nuts provide some crunch and the kit and caboodle is tossed with a lemon vinaigrette. Next is parsnip soup with brussel sprouts and Bay scallops. This is a delight--perfectly cooked scallops bathing in a light yet whipped like creamy ganache soup that just hints at tangy. For my main, the black bass with white sweet potato and caviar. Wonderful dish, the fish is cooked superbly and the caviar adds a delicate hair-trigger of saltiness to create a nice, refined balance. For dessert, chocolate pecan tart with vanilla bean bourbon ice cream. A great ending, good tart, but even better ice cream--high quality vanilla that preserves the taste of real vanilla beans and a boozy bourbon that emerges with every lick. No wine this time since it was a work lunch. But, the wine list is classic. Lots of choices, too, among less expensive bottles that are quite good. I love the decor--understated elegance with wonderful artwork to add a touch of chic and liveliness. The brilliant murals overseeing the bar are particularly lovely. If you have a chance, check out the Cezannes. As for the service, it is first-rate--professional, gracious, and warmly attentive. I cannot count how many times they have given my party complimentary cookies with coffee and cappuccino. We did not get any on my last trip, though. It's okay. We're in a recession and my clients had 'Corporation' practically tattooed on their foreheads.
(5)Miguel D.
This is for the tavern menu. The food was very good and I would certainly go again. Our server was great and very accommodating. My group had a great time, which is not a direct result of the service or food but it certainly helped. They have some great gamay on the wine list, worth checking out.
(4)Kyle B.
Best food ever. Impeccable service. It costs an arm and a leg, but it is worth every penny. I also think they make the best cocktails. I'm ready to fly back to NYC for lunch.
(5)Erik K.
We had the tasting menu and every course was excellent; well-prepared, flavorful and interesting. The service was impeccable and the list of wines by the glass was amazing. I'd recommend this place and come here again.
(4)Krisi H.
The food is fresh and seasonal. It's quite delicious. I recommend going the whole 9 yards here! Do not hold back! ;) The staff is friendly and the service is excellent. The atmosphere is a little suity and old, typically not my scene, but the food is worth it [so look nice] :)
(5)Stephanie Y.
Highlight: Five stars, not necessarily for the food which is delicious but, for the experience. My man told me to pick a restaurant and he'd take me out for a little date night action. I dropped Gramercy Tavern. We got a 5:30 reservation! Totally fine, we wanted to check out a movie after so it worked out. (Five stars for Silver Linings Playbook as well). From the minute we entered the door, the level of service was exquisite. One almost forgets when it's been awhile without fine dining how nice it is to be promptly attended to. We start off with a few drinks and take a gander at the menu. Now the menu: you have a choice between a three course meal for $80ish or a seven course tasting at $110ish. We weren't trying to stuff ourselves to the gills so we thought the three course would be plenty. It was. I'm not going to give a complete breakdown of my meal except the highlights: the smoked trout app - get it. It literally tastes like butter that melts in your mouth; it was my favorite part of the meal. My man's sea bass was also a delight while my lamb entree though was extremely good and i found to be quite big, could not compare to the fish entree. I also ordered the special app of the evening, duck dumplings, which I did not enjoy though my man did. I just personally found the duck very overpowering and that's not my favorite flavor. They were cooked perfectly though with the skin being slight charred. The dessert was decadent. We did find that the peanut butter semi freddo was the winner in the dessert field and they do keep the sugar flowing with free petit fours and coffee cake as a take home for the next morning (what a nice touch). Ultimately, I thought to myself, for $88, a 3 course meal with extra bites here and there is a really good deal. If I went out to a local spot in Jersey City and ordered an app, entree and dessert we are hitting up $50-60 and that is without the amazing service (no bread plate or water glass went empty), the high quality of food (even if I ultimately found the meal itself 4 star worthy) and being able to check in on your Yelp app to the Gramercy Tavern. The experience is amazing and I think the price tag is worth it. So, get that special someone, head to GT, order any of the fish items and sit back and be served.
(5)Katie Anne N.
One of the best meals I have had in a very long time. I can't say anything new that hasn't been said already. We were visiting NYC and were told that we just had to eat here. I made a reservation a month in advance for the dining room. Upon arrival we waited for a bit. Apparently we were the first seating. We were seated in a very nice corner booth and were taken care of by the attentive staff all night. We went for the 5 course tasting menu which included: Red snapper Smoked Hake Salad Soft Shelled Crab Squab Beef Sirloin and Braised Flat Iron Tasting Dessert Let me tell you that the first 3 courses were outstanding. The soft shelled crab was the best I've ever tasted. The Red snapper was fresh and sashimi like. The squab was a bit off to me. Very tough piece of meat. It was prepared nicely but for personal tastes, I did not fancy it. The beef sirloin was amazing as well. Rounded of the meal just right. The dessert was great as well. We tried both of their tastings and both were sooooo good. They gave us little bites of chocolate at the end as well as a pastry for breakfast the next day. What a real treat! I loved every single bite and moment of this meal.
(5)Jackie B.
Important to know before dining here: In the Dining Room your dinner options are a 3 course menu for a set $92 per person, or a 7 course tasting menu that includes 2 desserts for $120 per person. They also have a Vegetarian tasting menu. Can't afford to dine here? Try the $58 tasting menu during lunch. The crowd here: plaid dress shirts with shorts and oxford shoes. Very Yaught Club and a bit Preppy/Yuppie. Sorry to generalize but I'm generalizing. We opted for the 3 course dinner menu and our server threw in a few other tastes. We were started with a shot glass of Chilled Melon Soup - Cucumbers and Pickled Watermelon Rind which was refreshing and delicious. We were able to taste the Corn Custard which was rich and dessert-like and so mouth watering. The Smoked trout was good but in combo with the Char entree was a bit too much fish, I should have ordered accordingly. The Smoked Arctic Char (a whitefish) served with Summer Squash, Kale and Carrot Sauce was prepared really well. Didn't love that the carrot sauce was served ice cold on the same plate though. The Pasture Raised Chicken & Sausage with Green Beans, Carrots and Smoked Onion was a bit generic for me, prepared well but generic. Next, a strawberry mousse apertif before dessert. This was Evan's favorite. I found it light and refreshing. We were given an extra Lemon Verbena Granite with Fresh Peaches and Blueberry Lime Sorbet, an icy treat that I could eat again and again. The Plum Upside Down Cake with Spiced Crème Anglaise and Vanilla Bean Plum Sorbet was warm and rich. And the Almond Blueberry Brown Butter Cake with Blueberry Compote with Ginger Ice Cream was a close third for desserts (I'm not a ginger fan so I skipped that part). Service was 5 stars all the way, and the flowers that decorate the interior of the restaurant are out of this world! I can see why this is a famous NY staple.
(4)Patrick M.
What can be said that has not already been said about this place. My wife had the rib eye from the restaurant, and it was amazing. It was an off the menu special, but by far the best entree that any of us had. Also, if you are there, be sure to get the Schlenkerla Helles Lager beer. It is extremely hard to find, but def. the best lager that I have ever had. If you order those two things there, you will leave with a smile on your face. The muffin they give you when you leave is a very nice touch and a delicious breakfast! Some have said that this place is "stuffy," but I didn't find that and really enjoyed the food and overall experience.
(5)Gio G.
Fine for lunch; a traditional coffee shop that served good food in a nice atmosphere for a fair price.
(4)Mary S.
By far one of the nicest restaurants in New York. The bar and front dining area is unique and comfortable. Floral arrangements are tastefully done. The food is very good but expensive. Great place if you are making it a special weekend in the city! Great wine list. Servers are very knowledgable about the food and pairings. I give this a 4 1/2!!!
(4)Kathy D.
1 Michelin Star.. Chef Michael Anthony Gramercy Tavern caught me off guard one night. It filled my taste buds with rich flavors in every dish that I haven't had experienced since Jean-Georges. Keep in mind that it is divided into 2 sections, The Tavern & The Dining Room when making reservations. The Tavern has the option of a la carte menus while the dining room strictly only has tasting menus. As you walk in, you are filled with chic and classy individuals that perfectly represent what NY high class life is like. Service was impeccable. Our waiter was genuinely nice and ended up recommending us a great bottle of wine, which I was very impressed with. They do not do tastings of your wines beforehand but they do let you change bottles, if you are unhappy with the one you selected. He always filled our waters and wine glasses at the right time where we were never left empty handed. Decor reminds me of a spanish Tuscan feel to the restaurant. We opted for the Seasonal Tasting Menu $120/pp. They emphasize on the whole table to pick the same menus vs. one having the 3 course & the other the 7 course. This was a bit of a bummer since I was not super hungry at first but I am glad that I decided to do the seasonal menu since it was so delicious and flavorful. ++Amuse Bouche: Cheese Puffs- heavenly cheesy pastry bite in your mouth 1. Marinated Scallops Tomatoes, Pole Beans and Trout Roe- Delicious sauce to accompany the scallops and to start off the night! 2. Warm Lobster Salad with Carrots, Fingerling Potatoes and Purslane- Ultimate favorite. the lobster was so fresh and came as a very generous portion. The warmth of the lobster added more taste to the dish for some reason. 3. Halibut with Wax Beans, Kohlrabi and Beet Dashi- Delicious! The wax beans were a tad munch for me but as a combination, it went well with the fish! 4. Ricotta Tortellini with Summer Squash, Artichokes and Cow Peas- I loved every dish but this was my least favorite one. It was light and I thought my tortellini could of been a tad softer. 5. Roasted Duck Breast Corn and Peppers- perfectly cooked at medium rare. ++Amuse Bouche: Strawberry & Creme- delicious simple as it sounds but cleans the pallet well 6. Lemon Verbena Granite with Fresh Peaches and Blueberry Lime Sorbet- I thought this was too sour for my taste but my friend loved it. 7. Plum Upside Down Cake with Spiced Crème Anglaise and Vanilla Bean Plum Sorbet: very moist cake which I enjoyed very much. 8. Complimentary Dessert from the Tavern: Chocolate Pudding Salted Caramel and Brioche Croutons- one of the tavern's favorites. light but delicious 9. Complimentary Bites: macarons, chocolates, toffees, and a take home coffee cake for breakfast! This was such a cute thought and detail to be added on to their service from the pastry chef. Topped off with a bottle of Vouvray Sec, Foreau, 2006, Loire Valley, France for $75. I wanted something different other than a Riesling that night. Our waiter was point on with this recommendation. We enjoyed every sip of the wine bottle. Definite Recommendation! Other cheaper alternatives is to go for lunch or to the tavern!
(5)Andy K.
Absolutely Outstanding in all respects. Cant say enough good things about the place.. Beautiful flower, décor and restaurant. One of the best dining experiences ever. Every bit of every dish was outstanding. We had the 90 and 105 prefix dinner. Flounder and all courses outstanding. Go here no regrets.
(5)Nisha S.
Food was really well done and tasted amazing. Only con was very limited menu. Recommend sitting in the bar since their menu has more variety.
(4)Brittany H.
yeah... not much to be said that already hasn't been said.... this place is pretty much flawless. Except the bartender that broke a bottle of WHAT?! lol..oh good, it wasn't our bottle of rose..... while, i did not dine the full tasting menu here... a gf and i just rolled up to sit at the tavern bar for some drinks and light appetizers. a whole bottle of rose, some sweetbreads, grilled octopus AND a rhubarb bread pudding dessert later.... we were full. the food was fantastic, as was the attentive service. i love the casual "tavern" dining atmosphere that separates the actual fine dining room. if this is just the amuse bouche to their tasting menu...then i am more than delighted and amp'ed to come back, tavern or the main dining room. though i am wondering if there is any difference in terms of quality & taste b/t the two?
(5)Lauren M.
Service was incredible. From the moment I made my reservation for two for my boyfriend's birthday dinner we were treated very well. The ambience of the restaurant is great. Our server Steven was very attentive at the right times. We chose the 3 course pre fixe menu. Our favorite dish was the red snapper with curry sauce but honestly the five star review is more about the service. Our server helped us choose great wine pairings which made the meal spectacular however most of the dishes weren't outstanding. For dessert they wrote a personalized message with a candle. It was a wonderful experience and would recommend to friends. If we go back we will try the tasting menu.
(5)Cheyenne C.
I can't sing my praises loudly enough about this place. We just left dinner two hours after closing time and just received the best service I've ever had in my life. Food and wine were both experimental and expensive but incredible. Our waiter Alvaro was wonderful! All of his recommendations were great. We received many complementary treats because it was our anniversary-- AND they called a cab for us without us even asking! Amazing! If you're looking for a wonderful, royal treatment this is the place. I love NY!
(5)Justin C.
I'm assuming everybody knows that Gramercy Tavern is a top restaurant, so I'm here to highlight something you may not be familiar with - their off menu lunch items. It's not the biggest secret in the world, but, when you sit for lunch at the bar or in the tavern area, your waitress will inform you of two items not on the menu - the soup and sandwich, and the Tavern burger. The burger is fantastic. Everything's made in house daily, from grinding the meat to baking the bread. There's a big slab of bacon, three types of onions, and a trio of house made sauces - ketchup, mustard, and thousand island dressing. The beef is grass-fed and full of flavor, the cloth-bound cheddar from Jasper Hills farm is a perfect compliment. One of the best (albeit pricey) burgers in the city. The soup and sandwich may be the best hidden gem in Manhattan. For a completely reasonable $16, you get a soup and salad that rotates weekly. These aren't half assed either - you can see the thoughtfulness in each bite. Over the past few weeks, I've been able to sample a pulled pork + balck bean soup, and a grilled mortadella + cauliflower soup. All four items for incredible. This is an amazing hidden gem with top class service, a beautiful bar setting, and incredible food for what amounts to an absolute steal at lunch.
(5)Jana H.
Gramercy Tavern is absolutely, positively spectacular! Gramercy Tavern is a charming yet elegant restaurant located in the Flatiron District. Gramercy Tavern stops at no costs to make sure that diners have a true five star experience. From the moment one walks in the door to the very last bite, Gramercy strives to not only fulfill but exceed diner's highest expectations. You are guaranteed to leave Gramercy feeling full, happy and satisfied! The Breakdown: -Price: Dinner is $88-$120 per person on average (excluding beverages, prices vary) -Ambiance: Clean, Dark yet well lit, classic American with beautiful floral arrangements -Perfect For: Date night and special ocassions -Menu: American menu full of seasonal, fresh and local ingredients. The menu provides a variety of options that will please any palate, diet and or picky eaters *What To Order: The Roasted & Braised Lamb, Clam Spaghetti and the Apple Tarte Tatin desert. Not to mention the cheddar biscuit amuse-bouche, it was packed with flavor and truly divine *What I Can Do Without (not bad, but not stellar): The Pasture Raised Chicken & Sausage and the Pork Loin & Belly were a-okay but forgettable. The Palate Cleanser left a bad taste in my because it reminded me of mint Tums -Service: Five stars hands down! My server was professional, friendly, knowledgeable, polite and made my family and I feel welcome. I asked where the bathrooms were and my server went out of his way to show me the location. If you get up from the table a staff member will promptly arrive, fold your napkin and place it on your chair (yeeeah) -Cool Beans: Diners are given a to-go goodie (pastry) with the prix fixe dinner menu. I'm not sure if this applies to the lunch menu -Reservations: Reservations can be made up to one month in advance -Dress Code: Business casual, no shorts or tank tops are not allowed -Parking: Validated beginning at 4 PM. $20 Validation for parking at "Unique Parking" nearby. Call or check out the website for details. For those of you unfamiliar with the area, this is a total steal Overall, I had a wonderful time and I would happily go back here anytime (lets be real; budget permitting)! Gramercy Tavern is well worth the money, time and calories! I cannot wait to get my hiney back here and try more of the menu!
(4)Liz H.
I had a cousin from out of town. We went with my toddler child. We had no reservation and showed up for lunch on a Monday. Exceptional seasonal food and the price is not as expensive as you expect. Service was great as well. Would go back there when I can.
(5)G P.
I really give GT a 4.5. The Tavern is a 5 and main dining room gets a 4 because it's just too stuffy for me. I love everything about this place from the wine list to the tables (elliptical! genius!). The bar is fantastic and I would feel totally comfortable eating alone. Danny meyer is my hero. oh, and the wait staff...impeccable! Our waitress split the dessert on two plates so we both got ice cream and she wrote down the name of the wine we had on a postcard so we could take it with us. Favorite restaurant in NY...too bad I can't afford to eat here every night.
(5)Diana S.
Happy Birthday to me! I don't know about you, but my friends and I always end up celebrating my birthday in what I call birthday week/month...aka massive amounts of celebration! On my actual birthday, my boyfriend took me to Gramercy Tavern! We've wanted to try it for awhile but never found the time/occasion. It was delicious! The "Tavern" part of it is definitely more casual and behind the curtains in the main dining room, you'll usually find more of a business casual atmosphere. We were started with a cheese puff that had a rich and creamy center with a slight crunch with the shell. I opted for the Beef Fazzoletti (I had to google image this!) which was big sheets of pasta with a ragu-y beef and carrot sauce. It packed a bunch in terms of flavor. My bf ordered the Ruby Red Shrimp with beans and kale. His dish was much lighter than mine, but the shrimp were fresh and tender. For our entrees, I ordered the Arctic Char and he the Pork Loin & Belly. My Arctic Char was amaaaaazzzinnggg. I am generally not a huge fan of non white colored fish like Salmon because they tend to be too fishy for me. However, the Arctic Char was prepared perfectly! Definitely get it medium rare because the fish will melt in your mouth like a piece of chocolate. My bf's Pork Loin & Belly was equally good, but definitely more hearty. I didn't love the pickled vegetables that came with it. I thought it had a strange after taste, but the pork was delectable. For dessert I ordered the mint ice cream. This is not your store bought mint (chocolate chip) ice cream. This tastes like you ripped of a sprig of mint and then started chewing it with a dollop of frozen cream. The little brownies and stuffed raspberries that came with it were super cute! My bf got the warm chocolate bread pudding, which kinda resembled a chocolate lava cake - just as rich but not as dense with a whole lot of dark chocolate flavor. All in all dinner was perfect! Service was attentive and the food was above par. I would definitely recommend coming here for any special occasions!
(5)Mayra C.
My friends and I decided to go on a Monday and taste the menu and wines. Everything was stellar. Service was outstanding, bread and chives, butter, pours, fish, lobster, sweets , saltys, everything was delicious. Had a tasting menu before, never as memorable as such. The staff was friendly and our server Andrew, I believe, was fantastic. Also the manager on floor was a doll. She talked to us about wine, recommendations, and treated us very well. Service, food, booze.. Five stars.
(5)Nami T.
This review is for a Tavern dining experience, since we didn't have time to do the full tasting menu. It's a gorgeous space, with clearly a lot of attention to the details of decor. The bartender was friendly, attentive and helpful. She suggested the Orange Blossom which was nice. $14 nice, I don't know, but otherwise nice. My favorite item ordered was probably the duck liver mousse with the pickled vegetables and grilled bread appetizer--every bite was perfect and the bitterness of the vegetables and crunch of the bread was a great contrast to the rich mousse. It was actually more enjoyable than my entree, the arctic char (dry) with lentils, parsnips and and brussel sprouts (all just average). Dessert was rather forgettable too...I think it was a crumble. I'll have to update this if I ever come back for the full tasting menu. I think it might be a more representative picture of why this place is so highly rated.
(3)Stephanie H.
I sat at the bar in the tavern area and it was a fantastic meal. I waited probably about 45 minutes for a seat at the bar, party of 1 as a friend had cancelled on me. Oh well, I sipped on a nice Long Island white wine while waiting for a seat and chatting with people around me. The bar area is really quite busy, but the area is so cute. There are fresh flowers all around. I was starving and so I had a number of dishes and like a true member of the clean plate club, I finished all of them. I started with some oysters and the lamb ragu. I preferred the iced oysters to the roasted ones but it was all good. The lamb ragu in my opinion would be a bit small for a main. I then had the green garlic chowder which was 5 stars. Absolutely delicious. Nice pieces of fish, shrimp, mussels in a slightly thick herbal garlic broth. Just amazing. I could eat it everyday. I finished my meal with the strawberry pie, which again I could eat everyday. Service was fine, some of the dishes were a bit pricey for the portion. The drink menu was interesting unless you're familiar with your Brooklyn beers and LI wines. But it's always nice to try something new. Will definitely return.
(4)Sara G.
Absolutely hands down one of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had. I went tonight to celebrate my graduation with a few friends and my mother. We were greeted with celebratory champagne and enjoyed some lovely amuse bouche before our dinner which gave our meal an extra special touch. The smoked trout was out of this world. There are no words for the melt in your mouth deliciousness that was this dish. My pork belly entree was delicious.. The real winners, however, came from the dessert... the peanut butter semifreddo paired with a Blanton's neat was a fantastic way to end the evening. More than anything though, the service was absolutely outstanding. It made my night -- and my friends were so delighted with each thoughtful touch that it made for one of the best meals I've ever had!
(5)Josh F.
My wife and I went for our anniversary and the entire experience was fantastic. Gramercy Tavern truly deserves it's Michelin star.
(4)Sandra L.
I love the decor, peony flowers are every where and high ceiling. its a great place for a romantic date. I tried the seasonal tasting menu and loved every single bite. I had Kale Brussels sprouts for appetizer and Flounder with mushroom for entree, food each course was Amazing!! they have awesome wine list. I had a really nice Chardonnay, love it. you get what you pay...totally worth it. I highly recommended it.
(4)keith p.
I have to give Gramercy props for being true to the seasonal thing, so maybe it was my fault I went there in the winter. Too much pickling! Also, I suppose you have certain expectations when the restaurant is named the best in the country. My steak duo entree was bland, and the chocolate peanut butter dessert I had was too rich (I expected it to be somewhat rich, but not that much so). In the end the dinner was not like the best restaurant in the country, it was like a brasserie on the better side of average. However, the service was great, as one would expect.
(3)Jenny K.
Not worth $92/person. Took my boyfriend here for his birthday. We had kale salad, smoked trout, lamb 2 ways, and black bass. Kale salad was way too sour / tasted like they just poured lemon juice all over it (and soaked some maraschino cherries in vinegar and tossed it with some slivered almonds), and my black bass with 4 pieces of fingerling potatoes was inedible because it was way too salty. Exchanged it for flounder which then was bland and on a bed of some mushy vegetables. Yes the fish was moist but this was definitely not Michelin-star worthy food. Smoked trout was OK, tasted fine, missing textural element (everything was so mushy) and lamb was nothing to write home about. Service? Just because they bring you new utensils for every course and get water refills, that doesn't mean that's superb service. That's basic. We couldn't flag down a server when we needed them and after waiting about 15 minutes for a birthday cake that didn't come (that I specifically requested ahead of time and even called about, twice), gave up and asked it to go-- the server came back with a COAT CHECK TAG saying We "can go pick it up on our way out". I've never had anyone give me a coat check tag for my food that I'm getting to-go. Received a mumbling apology from some manager and got some cookies & muffin (probably from another bakery) to go as well. Eh. There are way too many good places in NYC for me to come back here.
(2)Stephanie M.
Great, but did not change my life. Was super excited about finally going to gramercy tavern, but was somewhat disappointed bc of all the rave reviews. We had the full veggie and seasonal meals, which was an insane amount of courses - by the end I was almost tired and hoping it would stop! Not to say that the food wasn't very good. The atmosphere is great - it's a large place but its very classy and pleasant.
(4)Benjamin S.
The cheese-filled kielbasa was excellent. I also tried my guest's Arctic char and it was equally good, but very different. The kielbasa was heavy and the char was very delicate and light. Both were flavorful. The shortbreads were an excellent appetizer and the peanut butter dessert was good enough.
(4)Peter K.
Not much I can say about this place that hasn't already been said. Girlfriend and I opted for the tasting menu. The warm lobster salad was just amazing. The anise hit just the right note. The other dishes were all face-meltingly delicious. The servers and waiters are all extremely friendly. There was no air of pretentiousness. The desserts were amazing. I had the peanut butter semi fredo and the gf had bread pudding. Both were amazing. There was also petit-fours to follow. By this time, I was just being a glutton and my gf had long since passed the point of nauseating fullness. The bill for 2 tasting menus without drinks came out to $300 with tax and tip. Definitely not cheap by any means, but for a fine dining establishment in NYC, I hear it's considered a bargain. Will definitely be back in the future.
(4)Liz B.
Officially one of the best birthday dinners I've ever had. I got the tasting menu offered in the Tavern Room and it was delectable. Amuse Bouche - Roasted oysters on the half shell w/ house made spicy ketchup 5/5 Course 1 - Shrimp & Mussels with Carrots, Quinoa and Coconut Broth. Shrimp were the stars, cooked perfectly and bursting with flavor 5/5 Course 2 - homemade chicken sausage with winter beans, butternut squash, and kale. The sausage was outrageously good, but the beans were a little too tough for my liking :-( 4/5 Course 3 - Grilled flatiron steak with fingerling potatoes, mushrooms, on some sort of polenta. The steak was cooked perfectly and the polenta was so creamy. There were also these thin little caramelized onions that I LOVED. 5/5 Course 4 - Chocolate layer cake with sour cream ice cream . Nothing special about the cake - but the ice cream was great! Sort of tasted like creamy vanilla yogurt. 4/5 I also got the beer tasting. Loved every beer and totally worth it for the price. I'd love to eat in the dining room as well, but just couldn't beat the price for this kind of tasting menu - under 50 bucks. I also really liked the atmosphere of the tavern room, despite the slow-ish service.
(5)Tiffany D.
With all of the "Kim and Kourtney Take NY" and "The City" as shown by Laguna Beach.... it's easy to think that NYC is just glitz and glam, and everything gaga-riffic. And then you walk into a place like Gramercy Tavern, and you are reminded why New York City is considered the pinnacle of American high society. This is dining out as it should be, as it always has been in old NY, and as everyone should experience at least once. This was the perfect old New York night out. Luckily for me, my better half decided to surprise me with an early birthday dinner here. Top 10 NY restaurant, yes please. We couldn't get reservations, but wandered in at 9:30pm on a Saturday evening, and got a table in the dining room with NO PROBLEM, and NO WAIT. Someone had cancelled, and they had enough space. *Tip: always try the walk in, you never know if it will be your lucky day!* There are 2 dining options. The Tavern (a la carte dining) and the more formal dining room (prix fix menus and tasting menus only), which is what we went with. The 5 course $116 menu was a little daunting for me, so we opted for the traditional 3-course prix fixe at $88/pp. I started with something that everyone on yelp was raving about -- a Smoked Trout appetizer. I was really unsure about this one, because I hate smoked fish usually, and I don't love trout, but OH MY GOD, this dish silenced me. It was not smoky at all, and tasted so rich and fatty (like toro/fatty tuna if you like sushi), while still being light and perfect. I don't know what the sacues under the filet were, but they might as well have been crack they kept me licking my chops. Get this. My boyfriend had the carpaccio, which was good -- strong citrus flavors, which I like. He also had the Sea Bass entree, which was a mediterranean bass, drizzled in a walnut sauce, which was good but not life changing yet. My red snapper, on the other hand, WOW. Plated perfectly in a light reduction of bacon and beets, this was savory, salty perfection. Amazing. The fish was so soft, I'd think I was eating a Chilean Sea Bass. The sear on the fish was immaculate. Chinks of fish pulled off in little meaty chunks of perfection to pick up the flavors of the reduction. For desert, I went with the 3 cheeses picked by my server, and they were amazing. My boyfriend went for the chocolate bread pudding. When has chocolate bread pudding EVER gone wrong. All in all, I had an amazing experience, and loved everything about this place. Loved the food, and my dinner date. Would definitely come back, if only to remind myself about why NY is so magical.
(4)Tim H.
You have one night in NYC, where do you have dinner? Well I was recently in this situation and decided to go with Gramercy Tavern. And it was a great choice but I must admit I was hoping this place would be a no-brainer 5 stars...but it wasn't. The food was great but it didn't blow me away, perhaps due to unfair expectations going in. I sat at the bar, which is my favorite place to sit at a restaurant like this. Gives you an opportunity to chat to the bartenders, some other patrons and get a good lay out of the restaurant in general. They have an excellent wine list, which did not disappoint. As for the meal I had the lasagna entree and the cobbler dessert. Both delicious but not the life changing event I was expecting. Gramercy is still a solid place to eat in NYC, but with so many options in the city, the next time I'm there I'd probably go elsewhere in order to find that elusive 5 star meal.
(4)Joe S.
We chose the Gramercy Tavern to celebrate our one year anniversary. The occasion also happened to mark my first ever visit to New York City (and the United States, for that matter). Fortunately, the Gramercy Tavern was the perfect venue to toast both of these events. The restaurant has a clean, classic New York style but also manages to feel homely and intimate. The food compliments the ambiance perfectly: comforting dishes cooked and presented with elegance and refinement. My entrée, a succulent cut of roast lamb, was elevated by the incredibly flavorful mushrooms, parsnips and greens that surrounded the meat. My girlfriend's halibut, meanwhile, was dressed with the most beautiful, bright peanut sauce. The service was friendly and attentive, and a complementary anniversary cake crowned a wonderful evening. I was taken by the confidence the restaurant placed in simple American cuisine and fresh, uncomplicated ingredients: the only French in sight was on the label of our Cabernet Sauvignon. We'll defiantly be passing by again on our next visit.
(5)Janel Y.
2012; 1 Michelin star On our last evening in NY, we decided to check out Gramercy Tavern and see what all the hype is about. Here's what we ordered: -beef carpaccio: paper thin slices of carpaccio which melt in your mouth -chilled asparagus soup: delightfully smooth and refreshing -duck breast and confit: best.ever.duck -roasted lamb: not gamey and was moist and tender -carrot cake: full of carrot flavor -lemon pound cake: light and sweet The food here met my expectations. The quality and flavor of the foods were memorable and just looking at the pictures makes my mouth salivate. Service was stellar and I would definitely come back for a great tasting meal and/or to celebrate a special occasion.
(4)Smedley B.
was just ok. Bartender was terrific, but the wine at the bar was extremely overpriced. 28 for a glass of middle of the road Italian Barolo. I ordered their signature roasted oysters, which came to me luke warm, and disappointing. I also didn't really enjoy my entree, but maybe I ordered the wrong thing. My wife enjoyed her meal but nothing exciting we kept looking at each other and asking how could this be a Michelin star restaurant? Don't get me wrong everything was fine, but not a Michelin star, not worth the money, there so many much much better restaurants in the city, for example commerce in the West Village.
(3)Qi Y.
Gramercy Tavern is a contemporary American cuisine restaurant with highly recommend offers special seasonal and tasting menu in Flatiron District. The location was Gramercy Farm that produced butter and cheese originally.
(5)Willy P.
I randomly yelped this place while just grabbing a bite to eat with a friend from China during fashion week. I was fooled by the word Tavern in the name. I was thinking cheers type of pub or bar but did not think it turn out to be a pretty high class place. I was thinking bar food. I should of realize something when there was 4 $s. :) It did however had a huge menu of wine & spirit which I could not take advantage since I was driving. Service was impeccable. Friendly and fast staff that works together and was very quick. Food was very high class and on the mid to high end. Menu was decent but too slim (few items) for me. It seems to change pretty quickly. I end up picking a vegetable appetizer called barely touched vegetable and a few raw oyster as my meal course. It was actually pretty good. It came with three dipping sauce. I loved the lemon ricotta. The other two were ok. Oyster was excellent but on the smaller size. Came with two sauces. I end up with the standard cocktail sauce. My friend had the mackerel and she enjoy it very much. For dessert, I got green tea and romano cheese. It was good! Came with walnut bread. She got the strawberry pie with ginger ice cream. The place is well decorated. Has a bar area with many table for two. There are other bigger areas but I think those are for reservation or bigger party. Most people had business causal here. Overall, I had a great experience there but wasn't expecting it to be such high class place and price. It would be a great place to take a date.
(4)C. K.
Reservations are hard to come by and the wait (even to sit at the bar) is long. However, food and service is good, not great, good. If I was guaranteed a seat without waiting I would go, but it really isn't worth the wait.
(3)Sophie G.
Very good place! The atmosphere is classy and the food amazing! The vegetarian options are creative and delicious. I also loved how they gave you a muffin for your breakfast the next day. To top it off the cocktails are very tasty.
(5)Fern Thai I.
My favorite in NewYork city! Went here to celebrate my birthday. This is my favorite restaurant in NYC. I visit just one time per year. Nice and warm place. Love sitting next to the kitchen fireplace and watching all the steps of the chef cooking. Good food. Good people working there. We'll see you soon.
(5)Jenny M.
At $88 for dinner, Gramercy Tavern ranks amongst the more affordable of the event restaurants in NYC. Both the tavern room and the dining room are elegant and beautiful, but maintains a casual touch reflecting its location, which is lacking in comparison to GT's stodgier counterparts uptown. This balance is reflected again in the service, which is on point to a T, but not overbearing nor judge-y nor catering only to the gray-haired contingent. Service is on point, great recommendations and knowledgeable. Food is stellar and bursting with New American freshness. Only slight negative would be that its not as creative or fusiony as other places, but GT does what id does with gusto. Really exemplifies the Woohoo! As good as it gets! rating.
(5)Natalie S.
This place.. the things I could write about this place! What an amazing experience. The food, the service, the flowers, the atmosphere. I'm in love. First off, the atmosphere. It is a nice restaurant where you can look nice but the men don't have to feel bad about not wearing a tie. It is the perfect amount of formal without being stuffy. Then there are the most gorgeous fresh flowers everywhere. The restaurant is seriously stunning. We did the tasting menu because my dad had really wanted to try it. I am a picky eater and was nervous about some of the items on the tasting menu. Our waiter was fantastic and let me switch out items from the tasting menu with other things I had really wanted to try. The pork bolognese was my favorite! By the last few rounds, I was stuffed. The wine the waiter picked was fantastic as well - they are great at suggestions! The dessert though. OH MY HEAVENS. Get the cookie plate. I have a nut allergy so couldn't eat one and had really wanted to try the banana ice cream and once again they let me swap out. The chocolate crinkle cookie though? That isn't even a favorite cookie of mine in "the real world" but in Grammercy Tavern it is worth dying for. It is absolutely amazing. If their pastry chef is reading this - let's be best friends. The service here is fantastic. You are wonderfully cared for without feeling like you are being hovered over. They know their menu and their chefs and they do everything they can to make this a wonderful experience. Well worth the money.
(5)Ken L.
I was on the fence between 3 and 4 stars and would have loved a 3.5 option for this one. Gramercy Tavern is certainly a legendary NY dining establishment. I first went almost 10 years ago and remember it being one of my favorite restaurants in NY at the time. The casual but elegant atmosphere, the perfectly prepared food, the service, etc. Would have certainly received 5 stars from me back then. Fast forward to now. While the food and service are still very good, I feel it's a bit dated and there are SO many great options in NY, it simply doesn't make the cut anymore. Breaking down the rating a little further: Service: 4 stars Food: 4 stars Atmosphere: 3 stars Uniqueness: 3 stars Sorry GT, I'll always have great memories, but not sure that I'll be motivated to go back anytime soon with so many amazing dining options to be had in NY these days.
(3)Celine U.
It was a wonderful evening in this restaurant. We took the seasonal menue with the 7 courses. Every plate was really tasty and flavorfull. The service was really great too and the place was nice.
(5)Dustin K.
I think most people realize when you go to a Union Square Rest. you are going to get great quality food and service. I wouldn't say this is a five-star restaurant but it is definitely a high-four. I really love the Jalisco Pear (alcoholic drink). The bartender definitely has some great concoctions. This is the type of place where you can always spot some celebrities. I have tried a few things here, but my favorite was the meatball. It is stuffed with cheese and is one BIG ball. Desserts were quite good as well. Since we just got a gift certificate for Un.Sq. we will probably go back real soon!
(4)Lori W.
Everything (and I mean everything) about this restaurant was perfection. My two girlfriends and I were in NY and this was our first visit to Gramercy Tavern. Having heard/read about it for years, we wanted to go. My girlfriend was responsible for making the reservations. Upon our arrival on a busy Saturday night (Feb 4) for our 8:15 res, we were told by the hostess that we didn't have a reservation. We all blanched; I almost fell into one of the most spectacular floral arrangments I had ever seen. Ends up my gf didn't make her res properly and that explained why she never had a res confirmation. The hostess was so amazing; she actually fit us in and within 40 minutes, we were in the dining room - we must have looked like country bumpkins who can't make a NY res...it could have been the fact that we fasted all day (except for cupcakes at The Little Cupcake Bake Shop on Prince Street) and looked faint. We all did the tasting menu (the larger one of course) with wine pairings. Jahir was our server. He had been there 9 years. Since he looked 20, my age judgment was off (or the wines were that good). I had the vegetable tasting menu. Every course was outstanding and I almost cried a couple of times it was so good. I was having a serious case of soup envy when my friends had a soup that was delicious (and not meat) so I asked (begged) Jahir for a small ramekin. He brought me a bowl - how sweet. Desserts: outstanding and delicious. The hot chocolate martini made with Stoli Vanila and some other liqueur was so outstanding our table had two. We asked if the chef could come out so we could hug him. He was really nice and they knew a mutual chef in Atlanta. Danny Meyer...bless you... your team is outstanding. They are all approachable, knowledgable and proud of their abilities. I look forward to another visit, this time with a proper reservation. How could anyone have a mediocre experience here? I just have a hard time believing it !
(5)Jennifer M.
5.0 for food 4.5 for experience I put 4 stars because it definitely wasn't "Woohoo! As good as it gets!", Yelp. Had reservations for 5:30 this past Saturday night. My bf and I were running late so I called while stuck in traffic in the Lincoln Tunnel saying that we would be 15 minutes late. Generally when I do this with restaurants (traffic from Jersey in the city is unpredictable no matter what time of day), they usually get a little impatient and reply with "we'll do our best when you get here." Luckily it wasn't the case here and they were appreciative of the call. So we stroll in at 5:46, check in our coats and were immediately seated. Our initial server was really pleasant. Very informative with beer and wine options, and told us straight from the get-go how the duck and scallops were going to be cooked. So we ordered the SEASONAL TASTING MENU. Everything was delicious. We had very very mild Goat's cheese cream puff for the amuse bouche. A scallop and cabbage salad as the first course, lobster, thumbelina carrot and sweet potato dish, which I particularly LOVED, for the second. A poached halibut for third and and sweet potato ravioli and pine nuts for forth. The sweet potato ravioli was just perfect. Our last savory dish was the duck breast. Prior to our chocolate coconut and butter pecan ice cream dish, we were also given a dessert amuse bouche, or palate cleanser that tasted just like a creamsicle! Dinner ended with petit fours that consisted of chocolate truffles, toffee chocolate bark, mini macarons and cinnamon chocolate cookies. Overall I was completely satisfied with all the dishes. What I love about Gramercy is that the flavors aren't so crazy in concept. It truly was a "seasonal" tasting in choice of vegetables. My 0.5 deduction goes to the following: 1 The serve who over poured my boyfriend's glass of water, having to blot the table cloth. 2. The gentlemen who brought out the dessert amuse bouche while my boyfriend was in the bathroom (don't they usually set dishes down when everyone is seated at the table?) 3. The fact that they didn't follow up with us when we we clearly were not touching our petit fours for 15 minutes... 4. The vibe. We were fortunate enough to sit in a nice corner of the area, however, the table across way has like 8 people, all probably in their late 20's early 30's a little louder than what I would have liked. I walked by one of the ladies on my way to the bathroom and she clearly needed help walking straight. Yikes girlfriend, your club dress doesn't belong here...
(4)Linda S.
After much review, we chose Gramercy Tavern as our one special dinner while we were visiting New York last week. We were sorely disappointed. For that amount of money, I expected the meal to be outstanding, and it was not. We have dined in many fine restaurants and we have never had an experience like this, where the food for the most part seemed uninspired. Some courses were good, most were just okay, like the squid ink spaghetti. Our experience was surprising since there are so many great reviews about this restaurant. Not sure if it was an off night, but for over $300, I don't think we will take our chance on this place again.
(2)FoodForHerSoul d.
The first time I went to Gramercy Tavern, it was a magical night. The food was so unbelievable that my boyfriend and I looked at each other and said,"This is the best food we've ever had." after all the places across the east coast from Maine, to New York City and down to Miami that we have eaten at. For 6 months I dreamed about going back and having the experience again. When we went back to NYC we tried new restaurants and saved Gramercy Tavern for the last night we were there, incase all else failed at least we could fall back on this for our last dinner. What a disappointment. I even got the same appetizer as last time, and it just wasn't the same. I don't even remember what we got as entrees because all I remember it being was a thin piece of overcooked duck with weird crumbs on top that tasted like corn flakes. The best part was the dessert and luckily we tried a new one (the peanut butter semifreddo) because we also ordered our favorite one from the time we ate here before, the warm chocolate bread pudding, and it was such a miss. We both left feeling really sad about the experience, not even about the money but the fact that it was so below par. Would I go here again? Maybe just to try to salvage some of the good feelings I had about it the first time.
(3)Daryll H.
An amazing restaurant with an equally amazing beer menu. This is a find for the ages. Possibly my new favorite restaurant in NYC. There are two actual places to eat here, the tavern and the restaurant. The tavern is a la carte and a bit crowded and noisy; the restaurant is more intimate and prix fixe. We did the restaurant, but it was nice to see that there is an option for walk-ins in the tavern. Beer-wise, we had Southampton Secret (a great altbier), Sierra Nevada Schwarzbier (I didn't realize they even had a schwarzbier, but it was great), and a Sixpoint IPA. They also have plenty of great wine and dessert wine selections, of course. I had a seafood tagliatelle appetizer and striped bass for the main course, with an amazing coconut tapioca thing for dessert. All great. Love it, love it.
(5)Eric T.
A pure gem. Just sensational. The way food should be, the way it should be served, the atmosphere in which it should be served, etc., etc. Awesome.
(5)Yuh-Line N.
This is a Michelin star restaurant that has been a New York City staple for a long long time. The first time I was here, my mind was just blown by how comfortable the atmosphere was. This restaurant is talked about so much that I thought it would be stuffy and pretentious, but instead, the ambience was homey and genuine. Yes, the service is impeccable. Yes, the restaurant is fancy with everything presented perfectly...and Yes, the food...the Food! all perfectly cooked and fresh...(made so that every bite was the perfect bite...) was beautiful yet had some sense of home and almost had that farm to table feel. I won't go on and on about the perfect food, since it is very expected. Instead, I will talk about the most startling thing about the place...that despite...nono...BECAUSE of all these things...it was so comfortable and welcoming. That was the most mind blowing thing for me. I've gone to a lot of high-end restaurants recently because my boyfriend loves to sit and eat great food while having time to enjoy and talk, and in NYC that's an experience that you have to pay for. Many of these restaurants have fancy lighting, or weird furry chairs, or strange evaporating vegetables...but Gramercy Tavern really gives a different experience. They somehow make that impeccable service and food...seem simple and beautiful and easy. The experience at Gramercy is one of relaxation and being cared for...you can tell you're in good hands, that they've done this a million times, and that you're not being experimented on. It's sometimes can be a little daunting when someone brings you a steel can that pops off and you're supposed to breathe in the corn mist or catch it on a biscuit made of cheese shavings or something. It makes me anxious and stressed out a bit because I don't know if I'm enjoying it or capturing the art of it the way the chef wants me to or something in some of these other places...but Gramercy...is just right. There is nothing fake or showy or complicated about this place. It's just simple and comfortable and perfect. In essence, kind of the way I want my whole life to be. I've been back since...and I want to come back again and again every season to see what they make out of the different vegetables and fruits available. So far, every time I've gone, I've had the tasting menu. It's very filling and, to be honest, because their food is simple and uncomplicated tasting with almost a home cooking taste with the freshest of ingredients, I love it for how many new ideas I get on how to pair different tastes and vegetables that are in season for when I cook at home. Of course I can't replicate, but their kitchen really knows what is in season and uses it all artfully. I love how in one tasting menu they can use the same ingredients in different ways in different dishes paired with different meats or main veggies and everything can taste totally different. Incredible. Last but not least, Gramercy Tavern (and my getting new ideas for cooking) has my boyfriend eating and loving vegetables. Not an easy feat!!!!
(5)Alissa M.
Oh mah gawd. This was definitely one of the best meals I have had in my life. My mom and I stopped in for a late lunch during the week before I headed to the airport. We sat in the tavern area, and even though you can see the street from your table, the space is so relaxing that you feel like you're not in the city anymore. The wine list had great choices, and I was also impressed with the beer choices on tap. We started off with the kale salad. If every salad tasted this good, I would probably be a vegetarian. Or at least eat more veggies. Neither of us was too hungry, so we decided to share an entree- the butternut squash lasagna. I think I could eat this everyday and not get sick of it. The lasagna was perfectly cooked with the little crunch edges that everyone loves. It was light, but also filling and hearty. Figuring this was my last meal of vacation, I decided I had to get dessert. I like more fruity desserts compared to chocolate, so I went with the Lemon Icebox Pie. But when the waitress came out, she came out with all 3 desserts (by the way did I mention our waitress was AH-MAZING!)- the Lemon Pie, an Apple Pie, and the Cheesecake. Even though my mom and I were pretty full at this point, we still ate all 3 desserts. Even though I originally ordered the Lemon Pie, I think the Cheesecake was my favorite. It was definitely the best cheesecake I've ever had, but you really can't go wrong with any of those desserts. I would gladly eat them again. The worst part of my experience? Having to leave. I seriously want to eat here everyday for the rest of my life.
(5)Scott M.
Yes.Yes. Yes. This gem of a restaurant has been an old haunt for over a decade and still never fails to deliver. Atmosphere 85 Sophisticated and elegant Service 90 It doesn't get better Food 85 Its prepared well, presented well and its good! Value 80 What can I say - it is New York Probably slightly overpriced (its not in the class of Daniel or Le Bernardin) it is a fine eating experience so typical of New York's top restaurants. And this one has staying power. Again, if it is top 25 you looking for, this makes the list.
(4)Tom C.
Did the three course tasting menu in the dining room. Wanted to try the 7 course but the server recommended not to mix the two style of tasting menus at the table. Had the beef tar tar and rabbit. The beef tar tar had more of a nutty flavor then the beef itself which was disappointing (if your thinking it will be a french style beef tar tar you will get the same reaction as me). The rabbit still had great flavor and came out very well but it had some small surprising bones. The food was overall good and not great. Service was spectacular. Need to try it again before I can give I can give it more stars honestly. Notes: Did taste other foods at the table, recommend the custard ap, veal entree and rhubarb dessert.
(3)William L.
place was great!
(5)Alice E.
6 amazing courses and really flawless service. Nice touches like muffins to take home with you after you meal make this one of the finest restaurants in NYC. Our meal was great here, the space is warm and cozy, we were in the dining room. and everyone who worked here was nice and accommodating. The service was really 5 stars. One of our courses came out cold and they sent us an extra desert and wine pairing on them to make up for this! The wine suggested with our meal was perfect! I can't really think of anything negative to say, nothing so inventive here but nothing was needed really has great food on so many levels. nothing here felt stuffy the service was spot on. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Alex J.
After hearing many good things about the restaurant, the preparations for coming here during the restaurant week had to be quite intricate: the reservations for the first day of RW sold out within 10 minutes. We made it the second day. The service was friendly and efficient, perhaps the best I have experienced, the ambient in the dining room was very pleasant without showing off. The waiter seemed well-informed, so I trusted him with making my wine pairing. The ciapatta (which incidentally means slipper in Italian) was delicious, the sourdough was a bit burned. My appetizer was a mix of calamari, carrots, pine nuts, caviar with lemon juice: when I managed to get a pine nut along with the rest, the taste was very nicely balanced, but there were not enough pine nuts. I also tasted risotto with mushrooms, but I found the risotto a bit watery. In all, very good but it didn't make me smile. The main course was an interesting pork croquet on a bed of vegetables and cheese. Just after my first bite, our super-waiter showed up with the wine - some of the best pinot noir I've had, quite worth its $14. The croquet was very good, but it only made me smile along with the wine. I tried a bit of roast lamb, and it was very delicious. Time for deserts: the chocolate-hazelnut mousse was pure amazing perfection. I also enjoyed light airy quarkcake with blueberries (quark is the Germanic type of farmer's cheese) on a delightful light plate of pastry. In summary, for this price range (expensive but not splurgy): five plus star service, five star deserts and four star food. I was very impressed. The bill came with the dining certificates, and my smile turned to a grin (outside). Gramercy Tavern was by far my best restaurant week experience. Hoooray for them, and I'll be back soon.
(5)Alec M.
Despite what you may have read in other reviews I believe Gramercy Tavern is great. I recently ate here for lunch with my Dad and Grandparents. Without a reservation we were seated quickly, even though the restaurant looked busy. The service was friendly and the food was great. For starters I got the Grilled Octopus which was grilled to perfection the texture was not rubbery, as some places serve it. For an entree I got the Pulled Pork Sandwich with home-made cole slaw. The meal was great. No, let me rephrase that, the meal left nothing to be desired. It was perfect.
(5)Jess V.
You always remember your FIRSTS and this time is no different: MY FIRST 5 STAR RESTAURANT REVIEW ON YELP!!! We arrived on a Saturday night for my friend's 30th birthday. Service: Impeccable. We were spoiled from the moment we entered the restaurant until the second we left. Food: Delicious, beautifully arranged and mixes of flavors I NEVER thought would go well together, but did! We each got different entrees with some guidance from our waiter, and tried a little bit from each plate. Not one complaint. Desserts: Again, delightful to look at and even better to taste. Cocktails and wine: Top shelf and a wonderful accompaniment to our meal. Price: $$$$. You may only be able to afford to go for a big celebration (birthday, engagement, etc), but IT IS WELL WORTH THE MONEY. Also, if you tell the staff what the occasion is they go out of their way to make it even more special. This is no casual place, so dress appropriately.
(5)Gray F.
My girlfriend took me to Gramercy Tavern last Thursday for my birthday. Absolutely incredible. I had the Lamb Pappardelle first then the Venison for my second course. When I ordered, the waiter said, "you just turned it up to 11." He was right. It was the absolute pinnacle of an amazing birthday.
(5)Christina C.
Amazing food and amazing value for what you get and the reputation of this place. Came here for birthday lunch with my boyfriend, and while they don't take lunch reservations on the weekends, we had a la carte in the tavern area. Had a brief wait on sat afternoon (15-20 mins) and had a drink at the bar, followed by an unbelievable yet casual meal in a nationally renowned restaurant. Any type of sausage on the menu is great (made in-house!)-as was the butterscotch bread pudding. The tasting menu also looked great, and I would not hesitate going back to try it after this wonderful experience!
(5)Amy L.
Sorry to do this... I live in Gramercy Park and love the food at this reatuarant. But I just learned that Gramercy Tavern has been struggling to overcome a "C" grade in the Dept of Health sanitary standards! What the heck?! We had planned to go there last night, but decided to skip it. Don't anticipate going there again soon. Yuck!
(1)Robin W.
Reservations were made for the restaurant but upon arrival, we made a last minute decision to dine in the Tavern section of the restaurant. The warm space was inviting and we had heard a rumor about a certain hamburger. We were seated promptly at a table facing the window. Service was attentive and friendly from the get-go. We were informed that the limited time burger was on the menu today. So, $26 burger it was! We dined on the cauliflower soup (divine), beet salad (humdrum), house made sausage with spaetzel (transcendental), pork chop (best rendiiton to date) and that burger. Oh, that burger. Well worth the price tag, those wagyu beef deaths were not in vain. Dessert was something I can't recall but the server thought one dessert was not enough and brought us out a cookie plate which we devoured like a bunch of little piggies. Which was expected because the table we had was above the vent where the bakery resides and we smelled the sweet aroma of passion fruit caramel the whole time we dined. Worth a return visit and next time, I may even make it to the dining room.
(5)Fiona S.
Went for the first time over the weekend after wanting to try it for years, and I was not disappointed. Truly a wonderful meal with interesting twists on each dish that elevate beyond just being delicious. I had the carrot soup and chicken entree. My husband had the mushroom custard and black bass entree. Everything was beautifully prepared. Service was good, friendly, but lacking in dish descriptions, which would have been nice as a reminder of all of the ingredients. The muffins to go for breakfast was a nice touch.
(5)Lorie L.
Wow! This was a perfect dining experience. Great food, great service, gorgeous decor. We did the three course meal. Every item was delicious. The waiter made amazing wine selections. The steak tartare was incredible. We have been to all the top restaurants in the SF Bay Area and Napa, and the Gramercy Tavern is as good as any. The prices were actually reasonable for what it is. We plan to go back! This is our new favorite.
(5)Stephen P.
A. Décor- Very welcoming ambiance with rustic feel and also romantic setting. B. Food- Lunch tasting menu.1)Marinated scallops: Very refreshing taste but little bit salty. 2)Spinach Cappletti: Pasta dish with amazing sauce but the pasta was way salty. 3)Hake Fish: Soft and buttery with great sauce paring.4)Duck Breast: One of the best dish I ever had!! Wow!! I will come back just for this dish. 5)RIce pudding: Very nice desserts. C. Service- Ok. I only give rating for the food quality but the service here is impeccable! After the second dish, I asked for next dishes to be without salt and they did bring incredible dishes afterwards. The manager came over and kindly apologized for the salty ones and asked us if we want more foods. We were already full by then so we declined his offer but then attendant came back with amazing dessert for free of charge. On top of that, they gave us discount on the bill. This is how restaurant should be run. Whenever I go to this type of well-known restaurant in the city, I always felt little pompous attitude by the manager. I forgot the manger's name but I gave credit to him for being such a gentleman and operating in top forms. I will definitely come back!!
(5)M M.
St. Patrick's Day in NYC is usually a disaster... however insert good food, and amazing man, and some Montrachet.... I would go 4.5 start, 1/2 star deduction because desert was not handled as cautiosly as dinner for dietary restrictions. The service was fantastic (to the point of noticing we were chewing gum and bringing a paper napkin discreetly). We had a cozy romantic table in the back corner, dinner was extremely memorable!
(4)Anders B.
Best service in NYC, hands down. This paired with great food and incredible wine and apéritifs yielded a near-perfect dining experience.
(5)Emily M.
We loved the $35 three course dinner. It was so filling. The barley risotto with carrots was one of the best dishes of my life. It was gooey and rich and full of flavor. It was comfort in a bowl.
(5)Betts C.
So I wasn't really expecting Gramercy Tavern to hold up to the hype that I had heard. And reviews hadn't necessarily been altogether promising, especially when one makes a reservation for 6 to eat an 86 dollar meal. However, I have to say that it was worth it. First of all, they were delightfully accommodating and easy to deal with in a way that even the finest of NYC restaurants often are not. They sat us before our whole party was there, and when the last member couldn't make it, they pleasantly removed his plate and gave us a little more room. What was perhaps most shocking was that we didn't really need more room; in no way are the tables squashed together. It's also a much less loud restaurant than most in NYC, and the atmosphere, with cherry blossoms and candlelight, is lovely. The service was phenomenal, with mirrored servings, but also just generosity with wine tastings, advice, recommendations.... and when two more of our party had to leave prior to dessert, they gave us two extras, with Congratulations (it was my graduation, and someone slid that information to them) written in chocolate syrup. Pretty cute, and mostly just really nice. So on to the food, which did in fact top the service. We each had a variety of items, but all of them were phenomenal. The olive bread is full of whole, juicy olives, to start. And then the first courses were lovely, well-proportioned tastes. I had a lamb peppardelle that was positively phenomenal and intensely flavored. The complexity of the small dish was amazing- it was one of those that reminds a person that good food is one thing, but really amazing food is an entirely other experience. I also tasted the parsnip soup with fiddlehead ferns, which was just as delicious, and the asparagus soup with crispy oysters. Just the layering of textures and flavors in each of these dishes showed the mastery. The wine pairings, as suggested by a connoisseur friend (pretentious as that sounds) and our main server, were perfect... and also reminded me that occasionally something beyond my delightful $3 Trader Joe's wine might be a good idea. And that there actually is a difference, even if it's a difference I can afford very rarely. Then the mains. I had the soft-shell crab special, which was perfectly nouveau Americana and made me very, very happy. Again, the portions were perfect, and each different dish was treated well according to what it demanded. A friend's sirloin was served medium rare, and held a perfect heft and juiciness. A risotto was the only slight disappointment, as it was just slightly tougher than it should have been, but the flavors were lovely. The halibut was creamily delicious. The dessert options had a wonderful range, which we were able to experience quite fully. The chocolate zucchini cake with thyme walnut ice cream was great- rich but not overly so and still had some zucchini flavor. The tapioca with mango etc was perhaps my favorite, with large tapioca and a phenomenally light, airy flavor. The chocolate mousse, one of our extras, was excellent and very rich, but not heavy. The rhubard cake with strawberry rhubard ice cream showed their range, as it was considerably lighter, with a well balanced tartness of the rhubarb and sweetness of the strawberry. The chocolate tartlets were also excellent, although perhaps slightly less memorable than the other options. Of course, these are then followed by petit-fours, which were lovely but hard to fit in the belly after all the earlier goodness. And then they give you a muffin for in the morning... so you don't forget. I'll admit I froze my muffin. The meal was just too good, and I have to save the memory for later. It was honestly one of the finest meals I've ever had. I was absolutely thrilled with the overall experience. It's definitely not somewhere I'll be able to go to regularly, but it's definitely worth it for a special occasion kind of meal.
(5)Amanda P.
Excellent place! My family went here for my Dad's 60 the birthday and let me tell you this place was absolutely wonderful. The service was amazing, the food was amazing, the wine was amazing, everything was amazing about this place. Since we are a large family it was nice to be seated at a large round table in the center of the restaurant where we all could participate in a conversation. Simply wonderful!
(5)Zach R.
The food was absolutely delicious, the portions were small yet rich, and what you'd expect, the prices were astronomical. Would I go back? Probably not...
(3)Colleen F.
We came here for lunch and did the dining room lunch 5 course tasting menu. I was really impressed that they were laid back about the whole table not having to order the tasting menu if one member of the party wanted to order a la cart. I also liked that I was able to substitute a vegetarian course for the duck. The chive rolls were delicious. The halibut in a mushroom broth was amazing. I also loved my agnolotti with tomatoes and corn. In general the service is top notch and the overall experience was very nice.
(5)Norah K.
I decided to go old school New York for lunch on Saturday and ended up selecting Gramercy Tavern. It was a great choice. I was surprised that there was a (short) wait at 4pm but the place was bustling and cozy, made warmer by a variety of fresh pink flowers peppering the restaurant. The food was exquisite. I started with oysters and a glass of champagne. No complaints there! We also shared a shiitake mushroom tart with goat cheese which was one one of the best mushroom dishes I've ever had. The shiitake mushroom was so earthy and flavorful and the pastry it was served over was so light it practically elevated into your mouth for you. For a main course, I ordered the seafood chowder which I expected would be a cream based seafood soup with but it was actually served bouillabaisse style. The broth was made from a really nice fish stock and there were large pieces of all types of fish served over it. It was even better than I imagined when I ordered it. The desserts were a stand out. We shared the chocolate zucchini cake with clove ice cream and a warm blackberry tart. In addition, the hot chocolate was A-MAZING. I normally don't like hot chocolate that is too rich and thick; this was a frothy, perfectly calibrated beverage in terms of the chocolate/rich ratio. Overall, Gramercy Tavern is an ideal choice when you're in the mood for a proper lunch.
(5)Kacey C.
We had a fabulous lunch at the Gramercy Tavern on Tuesday before Thanksgiving. The restaurant was decked out in its holiday best, creating a warm, welcoming and sensuous environment. Service is always exceptional there. For example, our server gave me a small pour of a wine by the glass I was interested in and when it was clear I wasn't wowed by it she suggested an alternative that was perfect for me, that day, and with everything I ordered. The food there continues to remind you that "you feast with your eyes first," appearing thoughtfully arranged on simple plates that allow the food to quietly show you everything it has to offer: various textures, complimentary and engaging colors, depth, and a general sense of harmony and balance. We also love that this is a place where New Yorkers and visitors go, making it an ideal place to linger over a great meal in a lovely place because the food, service, wine list, and people watching are always wonderful.
(5)Marin G.
The reputation at this place precedes itself and the place is completely worthy of such high praise. I ate in the more casual part of the restaurant but the waitstaff there made us feel as if we were the most important, fancy guests in the whole place. I went with three best friends and our waitress was knowledgeable about the fish dishes and had no problem asking the chef for the best red wine in our price range. We had apps, main course and dessert and each bite was better than the one before it. Highly recommend this place!
(5)Lee B.
The description for the star rating really describes it well; Gramercy is truly "Woohoo! as good as it gets." Went out for a client lunch, and while the Braised Shoulder of Lamb with Heirloom Beans, Morels and Nettles was astounding -- a slightly spicy rub that still let the lamb flavor sing -- the meal was matched by what I would call the perfect wait staff: attentive, friendly and informative while not overbearing or intruding. Finished off the lunch with the chocolate bread pudding and chocolate passionfruit truffles, which were both light, moist and bursting with flavor. Would go again in a second. Atmosphere felt business-y, but I'm sure it would be more romantic in the evening.
(5)Shawn T.
This restaurant served one of the best meals I've had during my brief stay in NYC. All of the staff from the hostess to the server were very accommodating and friendly. However, good service alone does not get you the stars. The food surely does. I ordered the crab puree with sweat peas, pink peppercorns, and bacon. I had a very minor quibble with the peppercorns not being blended in perfectly but it was not enough to detract from the dish as a whole. I ordered the rabbit for my main course which was perfectly tender and fit well with the shallots, sausage, and olives. The potato puree was served in a separate container and was whipped to the right consistency. This place will definitely be a repeat experience the next time I find myself in NYC.
(5)Stephanie C.
Ah, this is where it all began. My love affair with food, I mean. Had my very first fine dining experience when I was 12 with my family.. and since i'm a big girl now, you know that a resto that's been around that long has it going on. 1 star docked because it wasn't as good as I recall. But times change, and menus change. And I say to try GT's seasonal tasting menu. I took bf here for his birthday Sunday night (Giant game night, so there were an unusually low ratio of peeps dining..thankfully for us, a coveted 8:30 resto opened from our prior 6:30.. which was booked more than a month in advance, FYI) Let's start with the decor. It's beautiful! Like you just stepped out of the city and got a whiff of the country air...with fresh flowers, produce, lots of rustic wood. The walls are adorned with paintings of historical American stuff. But, "tavern" should be more like "cottage" since it's not "tavern-pub" like at all. There is a lot of space in the dining room- it's a big resto. Starters: bread- bet plain and sourdough. Plain was crusty and standard and sourdough was nicely sour (they give you alot). Amuse- a goat cheese puff (dry) The winter tasting menu is $116 pp. (The regular 3 course are $88 and full sized). The courses (all beautifully presented) were as follows (AND were the right portions, despite your eyes initially deceiving you.. trust me, we were SO full) 1. Fluke Tartare with radish and american caviar- This is one of my fav dishes of the night. With lots of cirtrus flavor, the tartare was extremely fresh, and chilled, that it popped in your mouth. Nothing fishy about this-- my bf , who doesn't like fish much, enjoyed it. You get small heapings of radish and caviar (esp the latter) but its' salty enough to know it's there. 2. Clam Chowder- Not your original bisque. It's not thick so dieters, be happy. You'll taste more celery (delish) in the base. The fried oysters are amazing (perfectly done and still crispy, despite being in soup!) and the razor clams are fresh and not fishy. The shrimp was cooked to perfection-- soft, but not overdone. Lastly, the TROUT roe pops in your mouth, and adds a salty kick- making for a fun culinary experience (note that the food is a bit salty, but the waiters are very good about re filling your water) 3. Halibut- steamed--a unique way of having this fish. The carrot/cabbage soup base seeps into the fish for some serious carrot-esque flavor. The cabbage is crunchy, a good play on texture. The calamari is small tiny and steamed also (well not fried). While we recognized the artistry in this dish, it was our least fav. 4.Duck dumplings- Not my fav way to have kale (it's a bit soggy), but excellent dumplings. The wrapper is so thin and light and managed to carefully balance the heavy, dense meat inside. There was a LOT of very flavorful duck in here 5. Despite the site menu saying next was venison, it was in fact, it's sirloin. I did not have this bc I don't eat red meat. Instead, the waiter asked if I'd like the sea bass from the regular menu. I had asked if I could have the pork loin and belly (which I originally opted for because of the belly- so my bf could try. I don't eat pork, normally). I told him pork, but somehow he forgot and brought me sea bass. Now, I LOVED the sea bass. So I didn't mind, and in hindsight, I really don't like pork. But... that was an example of poor service, so I was a bit surprised. Our waiter was sweet, and even offered to bring me something else if I didn't like the sea bass, but I'm not sure how knowledgable he was. (seemed to have to think hard about each dish, and was kind of the person that was like "everything's good"...yes I know.. but I want some detailed recs, man). In any case, the sea bass (which was FULL portion, as it was from the reg menu) was awesome. Perfectly fresh and cooked. But even better was the SAUCE. A candied walnut-apple-mango sauce which was so perfectly buttery, and sweet... I honestly will say that I cannot even describe it in words. You need to go and try it for yourself. The fish was plated on top of spaghetti squash, which I love. It was perfectly baked and strung.. not too soggy. I finished this but couldn't finish the whole fish. Bf had the sirloin, which he said wasn't the best. It was in a wine reduction and came with a sweet potato. 6. Tasting dessert- we had a sampling of the graham cracker goat cheesecake with a concord grape sorbet- AWESOME. and true to ALL subtle flavors. Then, pistachio ice cream with salted caramel/ peanut butter crumble (very good- me), and passion fruit with American meringue (bf- very sour and good. They put a candle in his dessert with Happy Bday writing per my request up front) Misc: petit fours, peppermint chocolate, small choc pies, hazelnut macaroons (dry), and gingerbread/pumpkin truffles-eh, but what you do expect for free. We got a take home apple oatmeal muffin which was kinda like coffee cake- this was VERY good (we had it the next day)
(4)Meg N.
This review is for the bar - which does not take reservations. Yelp did not let me down on this one - went on a Saturday night and was definitely not disappointed! Arrived at six and was told there was a 1.5 hour wait for the bar, which was fine with us because we wanted to have a couple drinks at the bar. We posted up at the window and ordered a few drinks - the bartenders were very nice and attentive. The drinks - wonderful! Exactly 1.5 hours later a nice man came over, took our drinks and escorted us to our table - this was the only blip in service - he put all of our drinks in front of one person and two of us had the same drink at that point - so we weren't sure whose was whose - if you can't keep track of drinks I'd rather just carry it myself. So - we finished up "our" drinks and ordered some wine from the wonderful waitress - she recommended a wonderful gruner veltliner which we all loved and they kept chilled for us. I really think the highlight of the meal was the wonderful service - our waitress was truly lovely and brought our apps and meals at a nice pace - not rushing us at all. The food was wonderful - I think a favorite was the octopus and the scallops - also the rhubarb dessert! yummmm. We didn't leave until around 11 after a wonderfully relaxed meal. The bar is beautiful with fresh flowers everywhere and I definitely would go back :)
(5)Bekah K.
Great atmosphere as you walk in. You greeted at the hostess stand and by the maitre d immediately. We had reservations and were see to our table right away. * The room is beautiful and classy * Service was outstanding * The fresh bread with a white fish spread was delicious * The jumbo shrimp from the raw bar were amazing. * Main courses didn't disappoint either * We were meeting friends and had no time for desert. However, on the way out the maitre d/manager invited us to have a free after dinner cocktail at the bar. It was a very nice gesture and the perfect way to end the experience at the restaurant. High marks for food. Even higher marks for service and atmosphere. Enjoy!
(4)Deanna L.
The service lives up to the hype. It's not snobby at all, Solomon was the the friendliest server I've ever met. A friend asked how the brussel sprouts were done in a dish, and before you know it a free plate of brussel sprouts on the side came out. That's service. The food is exceptional and the menu changes every season. Every dish is executed to perfection, you won't be disappointed. Get the smoked trout and the artic char. My husband also got extra petit fours upon request. Yes, they packed it to go for him too. That's service.
(5)Carol L.
I ordered the seared foie gras, and split the tuna tartare and chicken for lunch. The piece of foie gras, rather - TWO pieces, were the largest pieces I've ever had. This foie gras appetizer seriously hit the spot...maybe a little too well. After this first dish, I was already wanting to go sleep or hit the gym. The tuna tartare, following the foie gras, was a disappointment. Small pieces of diced tuna were mixed in with small pieces of diced beets. Both the same color, the same size. I felt cheated. The chicken was decent. Service was fantastic. We told the server we were splitting the chicken entree. He brought it to us already divided on two plates - more food!! =) Our glasses were never low on water, and we never had to wait too long for the next course.
(4)Caroline I.
My favorite restaurant in 2001 and it still is my favorite resturant. Hadn't been here in 6 yrs, but upon visiting NY again, I just had to come here. The food, service, ambiance, remains excellent, top notch, just as I remembered it - flawless. All the hosts and servers make you feel very welcome, it's not at all stuffy. The desserts are delicious. The simplest menu items are anything but. For example, apple pie-- perfectly flaky and butter crust, to die for. "Mushroom lasagna"-- a sleeper hit and I never ever order lasagnas, esp from a non-Italian restaurant. But it was unique, earthy, yummy. Would be back here in a heartbeat. I wish they had one of these in SF!!
(5)Jaime D.
this is my favorite restaurant in the world (as I know it). when I lived in Jersey, training the staff of a new restaurant, we would always end with a field trip to this place. the service here is exactly how I view perfection. the guest is genuinely loved, taken care of, and satisfied. Tom Colicchio and Danny Meyers' vision was put to life with the duality of a tavern(first come, first served) and dining room(s). the two entities have different menus(one more expensive than the other), but still maintain identical qualities of artform, service, and cuisine. Tom is long gone, having pursued his TopChef judge "calling", and the restaurant remains a glorious inspiration of how things should be in this industry. Exec. Chef Michael Anthony and staff continue the legacy. the food...!...the delicate, lovely presentation provides a visually appealing entrance into plates filled with inviting aromas, evolving textures, and complex flavors. four out of the five senses are delighted by the experience. wine enhances the experience, and is available by the glass or by the taste, depending on your palate's desire to stay still or move around. and the list is always interesting and fresh. celebrate existence here.
(5)Melodie M.
Move over Tom Colicchio because Michael Anthony is in the house. I want to start out by praising the cocktails. Every sip of my ginger pineapple cocktail was perfect. The winter tasting menu was magnificent. The lightly smoked Spanish mackerel was a standout. I also loved the rack of lamb with parsnip puree. Most interesting was the chocolate we were served as a desert amuse. It was so complex that you could taste the cinnamon and clove flavors minutes after biting into it. Our server told us they had a chocolatier in the basement just for making this desert amuse!!! I definitely recommend Gramercy Tavern. It is expensive so try for a special occasion.
(5)Chris N.
Three meals here and none have disappointed. I've eaten in the tavern once, for lunch, and in the Dining Room twice. I would say that the food here wavers between 4 and 5 stars, but the service, attention to detail, and decor push it over the edge. The service at Gramercy Tavern is first class and on par with any of USHG's other restaurants. What I would say though is that I have found them to be a bit more pretentious than sister restaurants such as Eleven Madison Park or Union Square Cafe. This is more observatory since it has never detracted from my experience. The food at Gramercy Tavern is right in my wheelhouse as it's the food I like to eat and the food I like to cook. A Chilled Sorrel Soup made lunch taste of springtime and the Veal Meatball with Potato Puree and Red Wine makes for a hearty, homey, midday interlude. At dinner a potato puff amuse makes me wonder if they could have been a little more creative, but an expertly cooked pasta with squid, clam, and chorizo reminds me of the Catalan seaside. The perfectly cooked Halibut served with Braised Red Cabbage and Yogurt, an unlikely combination, makes me thankful for Chef Michael Anthony's readiness to go outside the box. On another visit (and several months later) I am sad to be greeted by the same amuse, but instantly uplifted by a delicate crepe filled with crab and carrot. What really hits the spot this cold night is a Venison Loin, roasted to perfection and served in a meaty Bourbon sauce, more reminiscent of a rich Venison stock than Jack Daniel's. The most perfectly executed wedge of potato pancake served alongside makes me forget that the sauce was too salty. On the sweet side Pecan Pie served with Bourbon Ice Cream is delicious and fun and a Tapioca pudding makes my mothers, an all time favorite, seem even more pedestrian. Go to Gramercy Tavern and expect to have a great experience. You certainly will.
(5)Sarah G.
I rarely write reviews but had to since my dinner and overall experience at Gramercy Tavern was excellent. My boyfriend took me there for my birthday last weekend and we both agree that the overall experience is one of the best we have ever had in a restaurant. Our server was excellent and had back-up to make sure our water and wine glasses were always filled. We sat in the dining room and ordered the prix fixe dinner. We shared everything and both agreed that the Lamb with Hen of the Woods mushrooms was the best lamb we have ever had. Perfectly cooked and seasoned. Dessert was also excellent, especially the Chocolate Bread Pudding.They also brought us a third dessert (chocolate cake) for my birthday! There were also three amuse bouches throughout the meal and they gave us homemade crumb cakes to have for breakfast the next morning. It was such a wonderful touch. If you have the opportunity to eat here, definitely do so and make a reservation. I can't wait to go back again!
(5)Kevin L.
Excellent tasting menu and wine pairing in an unpretentious setting. They even gave us homemade muffins and cookies for the next morning!
(5)Aruna R.
The food here is amazing. There were 4 of us, and we had the vegetable tasting menu. The progression and the portions of the food were great and provided a very good variety. By the time we finished, we felt full, but not grossly so. I would recommend the vegetable tasting menu, just so you can get to the barley risotto. There was unanimous silence on the table when we took the first bite. SO good. The service is very commendable. Everyone treats you like royalty. Lots of small bowing, showing, gratitude, and impeccably rehearsed performing of the 'specials of the night' monologue. It was impressive. Surprisingly, 3 out of 4 of us found our absolute favorite wines on the wine list by the glass(how often does that happen?) And do not miss out on the cocktails. They're great if you don't like your drinks too strong (my pet peeve with cocktails in some other places) Ok. Thats all. Its good. Go.
(5)Carson E.
This place is really just fantastic. I've been three times in the last decade and all three times have been just wonderful. Service, staff, and food are all first rate. I had just gotten some good news yesterday and after meeting up with a friend, decided we had to do something fun. My friend had a $50 gift certificate to Gramercy Tavern. I said, "Uh, YES, that's definitely the kind of fun I am thinking about! Let's do that." ... so we got our stuff together and headed over. I started with a classic gin martini which was served in an ice cold glass with a beautifully thin and wide lemon peel floated in the glass. My friend started with a house cocktail of gin, ginger, and soda with a home made stick of rock candy and candied ginger on a toothpick. We dined in the front of the tavern where the prices are more manageable and the need for a reservation not necessary. But the food comes from the same kitchen and is given the same level of care and expertise. The Tavern features a really nice three course menu for $35 that is actually a tremendous bargain. You get a starter, a main course, and any dessert off of the dessert menu. That's pretty much saving you ten bucks off of going a la carte. I had the following items... black barley risotto with beautiful mushrooms and fresh root vegetables with a bright orange (carrot I presume) puree that almost made my head cave in I loved it so much. I followed it with Squab...a very close relative to duck, which is my favorite kind of poultry. The squab was tender, deep purple, and served on a bed of another kind of risotto (i'm clearly mad for risotto.) Finally, I had an amazing cheese plate for dessert that blew my mind. My friend went with the celery soup and found it to be incredibly good and was served with three jumbo oysters that had been delicately fried to a crispy sublimity that served a holy juxtaposition against the lightness of the soup. The hangar steak followed and it was like a thick log of meet with the outside perfectly blackened and glistening in some sort of wonderful glaze and the inside was a deep dark delicious medium-rare red. The topper of that meal was a chocolate pudding with croutons that had been glazed with caramel and salt and baked to a nice crunch to set off the pudding's smooth texture. Our waitress, Toni, was knowledgeable, helpful, friendly, and wonderful. Be on the lookout for her. Finally, the decor of Gramercy Tavern is kind of an ever-green decor. It's upstate farmhouse meets MoMA. It's dim and comfortable with lots of wood and tasteful plants, candles, and farmhouse accents. But the famous bright paintings of various vegetables and fruits still adorn the upper parts of the walls everywhere you turn. The effect is not unlike the caramel salt crouton with the chocolate pudding...two vibes that collide to make a unique and beautiful new one. Still works for me. If I had the dough, I'd be a regular for sure. If you haven't been in, put it on your list of "MUST DO'S". It's worth it.
(5)Pree R.
Great spot for an evening out, with both a regular and vegetarian tasting menu. I really like the atmosphere at Gramercy -- much more than Union Square Cafe, but maybe that's just personal tastes. A very open space, more modern, with a cool bar area up front where you can go just for dessert. To me, the best of Danny Meyer's restaurants. Everything from the food (the desserts are especially good) to the hospitality-level service to the space (Tabla is close) is just a cut above. A great high end option if you're not looking to break the bank on a 3-star meal but want destination worthy quality all the same.
(4)Collin B.
Best restaurant experience of my life. Period. Outstanding service, fabulous food! Let me tell you how difficult it is to get a Saturday night reservation at Gramercy Tavern the weekend before Christmas. Really, Really Difficult! You can only make reservations 30 days out. I calendared to remember to make my reservation but accidently calendared one day too late and by the time I called the restaurant and to my dismay, it was booked solid 30 days in advance! I was planning to celebrate my engagement that day and I really want to eat at GT b/c of its stellar reputation and location, two blocks from the Gramercy Park Tavern where we were staying. I called once a week, was placed on the waiting list and I tried to tell the people who answered the phone on my sad story about how I was getting engaged and really, really wanted to celebrate at GT. We arrived in NYC on Thursday and still no reservation, I was nervous but the GT came through - in fact, the manager called to tell me personally on Friday to tell me the good news. The manager was even savvy enough to anticipate that my girlfriend might be in the room, while I was on the phone, knowing it was all a surprise and so he just asked me to say "uh, huh" if I wanted the reservation. It was apparently helpful that I had told my engagement story. The feeling of the restaurant is warm, classic and perfect for celebrations or just a simple, elegant dinner. We at in the more formal part of the restaurant but the bar area which is available w/o reservations seemed nice as well. Our waiter was amazing, he made sure our evening was truly celebratory! We both chose different options from the three-course menu. The five course tasting menus looked good but honestly the food just seemed better on the three course options. What followed was pure culinary delight! The wine list at GT is vast and even with pretty good wine knowledge, we asked help of our waiter. The wine he chose a beautiful August Clape Cuvee Renaissance Cornas 2006 - I will be buying many bottles of this wine. My venison in bourbon sauce was divine and my finance's sea bass was succulent and as tasty as an fish I've had. This is what we ate - Marinated Sea Scallops - Pickled Aji Dulce Peppers and Fresh Grapes - Lamb Pappardelle - Olives, Lemon Confit and Swiss ChardSea Bass - Spaghetti Squash, Walnuts and Sherry Sauce - Venison - Potato Pancake and Bourbon Sauce. The desserts were incredible - I highly recommend the Peanut Butter Fritto. We also received a special third dessert to celebrate our engagement, which was nice. Tip - If you get an expensive, special bottle of wine, ask your waiter to place the wine label on a Gramercy Tavern card for you - a nice added feature and keepsake. All in all an unforgettable experience!!!
(5)April Rose D.
Each course was spectacular and intricately presented. I loved the minature bundt cakes they send you home with. Dinner for two plus two glasses of wine cost us $180
(5)sarah h.
Gramercy Tavern is fantastic! The Tavern offers a year-round $35 prix fix menu. I waited just 10 minutes for a table of two at 9 PM on a Monday night which was fine because I was able to sample the Pineapple Cocktail from the bar. The cocktail was probably the best I've ever had; clean, barely sweet, no pangs of alcohol, with a fresh starfruit taste. I picked the pappardelle, which was FANTASTIC! I would have loved it on its own. The texture of the homemade pappardelle with the softness of the just thickened broth and rich pieces of meat offset by slightly sour olives...mmmmmm! The hanger steak was also fantastic. Great ambience and service! Highly recommend!!
(5)Angela W.
had the chance to go there again recently. we grabbed two seats at the bar, after waiting an hour, but it was totally worth the wait!! service was again spot-on. jeremy was our bartender and all his recommendations were perfect. we couldn't decide between the duck confit and the kielbasa sausage, so we asked him to pick, since so far everything was so delicious. he ordered us the duck confit and they sent us out the sausage!! both were de-lish. for dessert i had to get the german chocolate cake again. jeremy suggested the bread pudding and the rhubarb crisp, so my friend opted for the crisp, since she loves rhubarb. well, they brought out both and the bread pudding!! which i'm so glad, cause the bread pudding was AMAZING, i think it replaced the german chocolate cake as my favorite...
(5)Wilt C.
Can't add more to the previous raves re Gramercy. The food, service and ambience are wonderful. I could not make up my mind on which draft beer to order, so the server brought me over several to sample. It's the little things like this that make you want to return.
(4)N T.
My coworkers and I walked by this restaurant gazillion times before we decided to check it out. So, Gramercy we went...but we didn't have reservation, so the waited was 45 mins to an hour. We waited anyway (but talked amongst ourselves: their food gotta be as good as EMP). Well, Gramercy tavern served us right. Their beets salad was delicious, my yellowtail was perfectly poached to the point that the fish tasted like butter in my mouth. I skipped dessert since we wanted to head over to st. marks for some tea instead. We'll go back to Gram again ...on our next paychecks.
(4)Shane L.
One of my top 3 meals during my visit to NYC. The decor and ambiance is top notch. Very warm and cozy, with a rustic, worn feel, but still having a bit of modern dash in the bar murals and other decor. The service is very good as well, with attentive staff who don't make you feel uncomfortable about dining in an establishment with such a pricey menu and top-notch reputation. I had the lamb pappardelle appetizer, a savory combination of minced lamb in homemade pasta with and olive/lemon/tomato sauce. My entree was the rack of pork with heirloom cauliflower. The meat serving lacked a lot of tenderness, but the presentation and flavors were wonderful. I can't remember the dessert, but I'm sure it was wonderful. A very memorable dining experience.
(4)Jonathan F.
This is a review for the front part of the restuarant (the Tavern part, if you will). In short this is one of my favorite places to drink. There is a short but well well chosen list of beers and a very extensive list of liquors. The service is very professional and not stuffy. The pecans at the bar are a nice touch too...
(5)Isabel E.
Gramercy Tavern wants to make me an alcoholic. I'm serious. I usually go here with my boss friend and he gets the vip treatment here, so I have a drink in my hand within 5 minutes of walking in. The have a really stellar beer list, and always make great recommendations. And I don't know if I love or hate the bartenders, but they are extremely heavy handed. We drink patron shots with orange slices when we go out (we as in my super cool boss buys them for me) and this place pours at least 2-3 shots in a single serving. This is the reason I get so wasted on a tuesday night at 9 o'clock. Oh, and the bartenders don't mind constantly giving us orange slices for our shots, which some people think is really weird. As for the food, I've never had a full meal here, which I might have to revise so I don't leave completely full of alcohol, but what I have had (cheese plates, oysters, and desserts) has always been superb.
(5)Adam W.
I recently dined in the Tavern section of the establishment and was thoroughly satisfied with every aspect of the the meal. The service was excellent; attentive and accommodating. The ambiance was lovely; vibrant and elegant yet casual. The food was dynamic; creative and delicious and well-executed. For a more casual meal yet still featuring outstanding cuisine, service and atmosphere, Gramercy Tavern ranks as one of the best in the NYC Metro area.
(5)Y S.
I had dinner at the Tavern which I thought was very enjoyable and reasonably priced. It was surprisingly more casual and comfortable than I expected. For appetizers we had the Heirloom Cauliflower and the Foie Gras Torchon with Peat Chutney. Both were excellent. For the main dishes we chose the Sea Bream and the Smoke Kielbasa. These were good too but not as good as the appetizers. I would definitely come again but would choose something else for the main dish.
(4)El H.
This restaurant lives up to all the hype. Went their for lunch and had the $55 tasting menu which I believe had 7 courses--all of which were absolutely delicious. The portions were perfect and well-seasoned. The dining service is also impeccable with very attentive waiters. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Tae K.
There is really nothing bad to say about Gramercy Tavern. They are just PERFECT. I've been to both dining and tavern area-- and both were out of this world. I just remember having sea bass here last July and I thought the fish was undercooked and when I asked them to cook it a bit more... they just brought me a new dish. who does that?!?!?!
(5)Jack L.
The cafe is one of the best deals in the city. There are not alot of places where you can get the service and quality of a three star restaurant for these prices. (Entrees being no more than $20) There's almost always a wait but you could get lucky like us, only 15 minutes when they fore casted 1hr and a half.
(4)Mark W.
A solid 1 for the arrogant and clueless bar staff and a 5 for the food. I've been to Gramercy Tavern several times, all of them meeting friends and eating at the bar and on every occasion not only myself but my friends have all commented on the arrogance and unfriendly nature of the bar staff. I've found McDonalds counter help more excited to see a customer. On my last encounter two female guests sitting next to me at the bar asked where else they could go in the area as they were also put off by the unfriendly nature of the bartender. Now lets go to the positive. The food is wonderful. Always something new and unique with a nice wine selection. The atmosphere (other than the arrogance of the staff) is pleasant, although it can get a little loud when it's crowded. Let me net this out for you. There are many other places in NYC where the food is comparable and the staff actually makes you feel welcome, so those would be my first choice. If you happen to find yourself at Gramercy Tavern, no-doubt you will find the food delightful but you won't be wowed by the staff so be forewarned.
(4)Andrew R.
Great meal, no doubt. But I'd been told it was "as good as it gets," and frankly, it disappointed. You know the standard "this food is really great, but there's nothing special about it" meal you get at nice restaurants? That's a good description of the food at Gramercy Tavern, though Gramercy's food may have been slightly better. Nothing much to say about the service or ambiance.
(4)Alexandra P.
Incredible hot chocolate martini-comes highly recommended and is worth very drop. Ambiance and cuisine is farm-to-table. Go.
(5)Ken H.
Total: 4.0 My colleagues and I visited Gramercy Tavern by chef Michael Anthony awarded Best Chef NYC. We all had the six-course seasonal tasting menu which was $116 per person. Overall I had a wonderful experience and highly recommend for everyone to have dinner with your important ones. Food was delicious, service was executed very solid and stable, and the decor is beautiful where I liked most. Since I had a very high expectation of this place, I was not so amazed much and only scored 4.0. Food:4.0 Every dish was delicious especially smoked salmon, my favorite over the course. You should ask them to have it :) Other dishes were also tasty but I have to say that they were not memorable. Service:4.0 Our server was great throughout the evening. He took the time to explain each menu and dish when served. Very professional. Decor: 4.0 What is the definition of "tavern"? Tables were bit small for 4 people but very pleasant and moder decor was fit for my taste. Not too formal and not too casual. Good for a date or special occasion.
(4)Lisa M.
3 star rating is b/c though the service was immpecable, the food was so-so. We sat at the bar, my date did not want to wait an hour for a table. I HATE eating at the bar...but I conceded (don't always want to be difficult)!! We ordered a bottle of wine...it was nice ref by the bartender Russ. For apps we had the veal medallions (so not PC but...) and a dozen oysters. The medallions were excellent the side salad was fennel w/ grilled onions drenched in some bernnaise sauce, it was still yummy. The oysters were so bland, it came with a 1/4 tsb of cocktail sauce it was not good at all!! (Esp if you have been to Blue Ribbon!!!!!!!!) I perused the menu, I really did not see anything I wanted to eat...My date said he had an easier time picking a house! So then I ordered the sea bass (I know, I know) in sherry sauce. He the meatballs. When it arrived I smelled the pungent curry sauce, I hate curry, (the menu did not mention curry at all) I sent it back! Russ recc I ordered the stripe bass to stay in the seafood family. by that time I was ravenous! When that arrived it was partially cooked in some really heavy bernaise sauce (is everything made in this sauce?) Russ asked if that was better, I think the look on my face must of said it all, I was trying to be nice, I told him it was ok! He asked if I wanted to exchange it for something else (he was really, really sweet) I just said no! So after I ate it, I wished I did not....it felt like a bomb in my stomach. The meatballs were actually pretty good, made with beef/veal & mozz cheese. (Russ actually asked if we wanted another plate of meatballs so we can eat at the same time. We opted not to! He really was the nicest server I have encountered in a really long time!!!) My date wanted dessert, I wanted to go home. We ordered the banana tort. The bartender Russ ordered a chocolate moose dessert on him to make up for the fish. I'm not a chocolate person but again....he was soooo sweet! The dessert was not great, the tort must have been frozen at some time, the crust was very, very hard. The chocolate had some croutons on it that was very salty! I was praying to get out of there! At the end, $200 later, I was sorry I ate there! I kept repeating the fish, I was sick to my stomach. As as I said before, the service is 5 star but the food is probably 2 1/2 at best! Needless to say, but I must say it, I will never be back...there are too many fabulous restaurants in New York to eat in a place that serves mediocre food!! Thanks but no thanks!
(3)Jennifer L.
I have never used this word to describe something, but Gramercy Tavern is...sublime. The atmosphere is casual but upscale, service is flawless (waiters are just personable enough but not annoying) and the food - WOW. My Ginger Tonic, mushroom lasagna and German chocolate cake were all absolutely, wonderfuly perfect. LOVED the decor too, especially all the fresh greens and flowers. Gramercy Tavern really is a must-do when in NYC, and for those who live in NYC and can experience this little piece of heaven anytime they want... Well, I. Am. Jealous.
(5)James M.
Every meal I've had here has been wonderful. Whether it be lunch or dinner, with friends or with a date, everything was fantastic. The service there is among the best in the city and they really do time everything right and are so good that you barely notice they are there. I love the decor and the surrounding area, and I would definitely recommend. Some argue about this place being over-rated, but really, I don't seem much you can argue about, other than the overdose of hype you got. Hype will ruin anything. Among my all-time favorite restaurants.
(5)Stephanie C.
From the fresh vegetable and floral arrangements to the food, this was a great experience. Had a late lunch that was truly wonderful. Our server was courteous and very attentive. The calamari and carrot salad was perfect - very fresh and light and full of flavor. Followed with the mushroom lasange - homemade sheets of pasta filled with a flavorful mushroom mix and just the right amount of fluffly fresh ricotta and fontina cheeses. The dining room is lovely and overally just had a great time. I can't wait to go back the next time I am in NY.
(5)Lauren B.
It's hard to summarize what makes the meal at Gramercy Tavern so incredible, but it seems every detail is indelibly etched into my memory. First, for those who say the prix fixe option is too expensive, consider how much a comparable quality restaurant would cost a la carte - it really makes Gramercy's prix fixe quite a bargain. This is a wonderful NY institution for good reason - their service is impeccable, a wonderful balance between making guests feel welcome and special, without being too snobby or stuffy! They welcome you into their dining room as though you were an old friend, whether it is your first or fortieth time dining there. They go all out for your special occasions - on my anniversary, they welcomed us with sparkling wine, and sent out extra desserts at the end of the meal. The waiters and staff are remarkable, refreshing the silverware at the right moments, perpetually filling the water glasses, and clearing dishes not a moment too soon. Every detail about the restaurant is well executed, from a beautiful bar and tavern area, with stunning floral arrangements, to lovely, romantic dining rooms (with more spacing between tables than most), even the washrooms are charming and well-decorated. The cocktails are also very well executed - we ordered Dark and Stormys concocted with house-made ginger beer and 10 cane Trinidadian rum - by far the best dark and stormy I've tasted! The wine list is incredibly thorough, including a lovely selection of dessert wines. The beer list is particularly notable - it includes some vintage beers that were limited productions that are quite hard to find elsewhere. Really each taste we had we enjoyed - even those ingredients that are not typically favorites of mine. They even won me over on the chocolate bread pudding, which isn't something I would ordinarily order! A truly remarkable restaurant! Looking forward to returning again in the future!
(5)Shannon R.
Ridiculously delicious. The service was incredible as was the food and wine. I had the maine crab appetizer which ruined all other crab dishes I'll ever taste. The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars was the sirloin and flat iron I had for my dinner entree was a tiny bit salty. Otherwise, everything was superb. I felt like royalty.
(4)andrea v.
Lovely place, good to great service, and yummy food! We ate in the Tavern, so I cannot comment on the other menu, but four of us had a lovely time. Recommend the tiny cheddar biscuits and the beets with citrus. All desserts (shared) were tasty with nice presentation. We had three entrees with fish, and one with chicken. The only teeny complaint on my end would be a request for a more ample serving of the sides. I tend to order by the sides, surmising that a decent restaurant ought to be able to produce the meat/fish well. But the sides were all a little diminutive, and mine was mainly pureed so I really could not discern what it was.
(4)Oscar R.
Amazing. Simply Amazing! Unbelievable food and desserts. Great, friendly service. I thought the service would be snooty, but everyone was incredibly cool, attentive, and helpful. For dessert, you must try the Warm Chocolate Bread Pudding. It's to die for!
(5)Michelle N.
Warning: Unless you've fasted for a week, do NOT try the tasting menu. I can eat a lot of food, but I got indigestion for the first time after the tasting menu. True, we had a bunch of appetizers (patee- meeh not really into it, hummus- better than store bought of course) at the bar while we were waiting for our table, but even if I hadn't eatten anything the entire day I'm sure I would have still thrown up. We had the veggie tasting menu and it was just great. Freshly made spinach pasta was great! However, it wasn't as memorable as when i went to Gramercy the first time and ordered a la carte. Gramercy also had delicious mint ice cream here as well! Oh, and the New York made wines, yuck!
(5)Vince G.
I had a business lunch here, and it was one of the best dining experiences I've had in New York. There's not much I can say that hasn't already been said. This is an impressive place. The high ratings are well deserved.
(5)Mimo R.
Wow!! This was the best overpriced meal I've ever had!!!! Seriously though, the food, meal, service, and ambiance could not get better. Although our post-meal calculations revealed that both the appetizer and the main course in the prix-fixe menu cost roughly $30-40 each, I can't complain one bit! (Also, because I didn't pay for the meal, it was a birthday treat :-) We started out with cocktails - the Fig 75 and the Ruby Red. Both were very good, though not as sweet as fruit flavored cocktails usually are. Luckily, I was able to hide my not-so-elegant upbringing because there were no Domino's sugar packets on the table for me to dunk into my cocktail. Before the first course was brought out, we enjoyed an amuse bouchee of house cured mortadella with pistacchios, topped with some sort of pickled garlic. DELICIOUS. My eyes rolled back. For first courses, we chose Lamb Pappardelle, and a poached lobster with melted leeks (not on the menu). God, were they SOO good. The lobster was juicy and flavorful, and the lamb was thoroughly tender, and the pappardelle perfectly cooked. Too bad it was such a nice restaurant, or else I would have indulged in sopping up the gravy from my pappardelle a little bit more :-) For the main course, I had the Braised Flatiron and Seared Sirloin with celery root, and my boyfriend had the rack of lamb. Good God....both were so good. The sirloin was perfectly seared, and the flatiron could not be any more tender - my knife literally sank through it. Beauuutiful. Pre-dessert amuse bouchee: concord grape something over panna cotta. Quite refreshing. Dessert: Peanut butter semifreddo with chocolate macaroons and the pecan pie with bourbon vanilla ice cream. Again.....no complaints, only contented sighs of happiness :-) We could not have chosen a better restaurant to celebrate my birthday. I cannot wait to go back. Extra info - service was excellent, and our server was a great gal. She put up with my indecisiveness, and had a great sense of humor. The one detraction was that I didn't really enjoy her wine recommendation very much, and in fact did not have more than a glass from the entire bottle. Too bad, because it was a bit expensive. It just didn't go with the meal. Also, this is a dress-up place. They call to remind you that casual business attire is requested, and indeed, though I did see a couple of jeans, nearly every man was wearing a blazer. But don't complain - suck up and put on a pair of trousers so you can enjoy this dining experience.
(5)Susie M.
My favorite restaurant in NYC. Great drinks, appetizers and main dishes. Seasonal menu changes. If you go early enough (maybe 6pm-ish?), you might even get a table without a reservation. If all else fails, you can get a drink by the bar. If you get a seat at the bar, you can even have dinner there! It's an absolutely delightful place! A true NY gem!
(5)Ellen C.
I don't get the amazing reviews here. The food was good but not amazing. I definitely expected a lot more (but maybe having high expectations since it's in NY). The service wasn't too amazing either. I noticed a lot of business people here and people dressed up a bit for early weekday lunch. Don't even remember what I had here...
(3)Nina L.
I'm in a bit of shock that I've never written a review on the Gramercy Tavern. I've been twice, and of course both times to be treated by my father (seeing as I'm a struggling college student). And although I have a tendency to feel a bit out of place here the experience is always unmatched by any other "fancy" restaurant in Manhattan. I have somehow found myself obsessed with "the meatball," which is a dish with just a giant meatball cut in half covered in cheese under a tasty puree and brown sauce. My father's duck was great as well. We always go with the German chocolate cake for dessert. The waiter unevenly split the cake in the most ridiculous fashion last time we were there - he gave my father a blank garnished dessert plate, and me the plate with the cake and ice cream. That being said they really try to have a personal experience with their customers and the place just always leaves a lasting impression on me. Oh yeah, and the cake was amazing. I hope I grow up to have a enough money to treat my kid every so often to Gramercy Tavern, it's become a family holiday tradition and is an absolute Manhattan must for anyone with a few extra dollars to spare.
(5)I am unsure as to whether a word exists for this but the Gramercy Tavern is beyond exquisite. Taste, innovative entrees and mains, high quality ingredients, presentation, attention to detail nothing was missed. Yes it is expensive but in the several years I have been in New York this was the best meal I've had. Seriously. Culinary wisdom and talent in its highest form. Its many accolades are not over-hyped - NYC's most popular restaurant by Zagat 6 times, a michelin star and #15 in the top restaurants in the world to name a few. Don't miss the shitake mushroom lasagna with Swiss Chard and to drink the Orange Blossom (this drink is my favourite in New York). Gramercy Tavern I salute you your food and service raise the bar for any high end restaurant in New York.
(5)Tiger Lily ..
amazing in every way. service, atmosphere, food is all top top notch. i'm seriously in love. had the smoke trout - delicious the bolognese- amazing and highly recommended the lamb dish-earthy and great all wine suggestions were perfect.
(5)vicky b.
I am so lucky to be close to Gramercy Tavern from my work as well as my apt. So, I've been to GT many times. Gramercy Tavern never disappoint me so far. I had my b-day lunch there and it was excellent as usual. It's simple but tasty and artful. I enjoy when foods can make me satisfied with 5 senses not only filling your stomach.
(5)Jess C.
A pleasant fine dining, romantic experience in the Gramercy Tavern dining room. I loved the warm interior, and how attentive the service was. They had hardwood floors and I almost slipped, so ladies be careful! My favorite part of the meal was the smoked trout, but I was disappointed that it was so small, and led me wanting more. The duck I had was too salty, so not a fan of that. It was also the first time I had corn ice cream, and it was surprisingly delicious. Some of the seating in the dining room area were too close to each other. We were in the booth on the right side. When we arrived, we were placed next to a couple that were having a fight, and it was really uncomfortable to be sitting right next to them while trying to enjoy the ambiance. I mean, c'mon, who wants to sit next to an angry couple?
(4)Erica C.
For what I was expecting, I was not very impressed. I brought my hubby here for his birthday, everyone I know whose dined here has said only good things, I'm not sure what was going on the time we went. I made a 9pm reservation online, I figured we would have to wait about 20 minutes after checking in with the hostess, I didn't expect to wait close to 45. When we were sat, a very friendly waiter came over, I told him it was my hubby's bday and that I'd like a candle in the cake at the end of our meal. I had read a few other review where they said they gave a complimentary glass of Champaign but we did not receive anything. Although I really like this waiter the rest of our experience was mediocre. We order a nice bottle of wine, the girl who was serving it managed to spill more on the table then she did in our glasses. The first waiter after realizing what happened apologized but never asked if we wanted out table changed (it was pretty soaked through). We ordered oysters from the tavern menu, they were delicious except that I kept getting some of the shell with my oyster. After we order I believe the 5 course meal, each dish was delicious until our entree, I felt there was barley anything lamb on the plate and the entire dish was cold. Finally desert came, unfortunately there was no candle in the bread-pudding or whatever it was that my hubby ordered. For a 400 dollar dinner I expected a little more from this establishment and to feel much fuller than I did. Maybe we just came on an off night but I didn't feel my hubby's birthday dinner was worth the price tag.
(2)Laura K.
This is my favorite restaurant in new york! The service is great, the food is delicious, and the interior decoration of the place is beautiful. I love everything there, from their bread, to their appetizers/entrees, to their wonderful desserts. Can't wait to go back again!
(5)Yalda M.
I had super high expectations for the food and was a bit disappointed. Our server was kind, but not as attentive as we would have liked. About a $110 per person for a 3 course meal was a little obnoxious. (I think I only say that though because we really didn't enjoy our meals that much, and as I'm usually really happy and willing to spend a ton of money for really good food). We enjoyed the small goodies served with our dessert, but they weren't necessary as the server should have clearly noticed that we barely finished any of our meals to begin with. Yes, my halibut was seared perfectly, but the flavors were a bit off. The pastry chef lived up to her rankings, as the chocolate bread pudding served with ice cream was fantastic. Oh, and I don't recommend getting the black linguine with mussels, calamari and chorizo. Not so yum, yum.
(3)lisa f.
What can I say about Gramercy Tavern other than I love this place. I love when you walk into the place they treat you like a long lost friend. I love that if you want a casual dinner you have the Tavern part. The Tavern is very rustic and great on a cold day. The portobello tart is absolutely amazing and addictive. If you want something more formal there are the tables in the back. The rabbit dish with olives and mashed potatoes is to amazing! The service is great and the place just soothes my soul!
(5)Frances L.
Can I just say WOW?!! This place is delicious. Not only is it delicious, the service here is impeccable! The girls and I came here for dinner and hit a night that had a prix fix menu only for $86. Though to some it may seem pricey, we are definately not complaining! There were so many scrumptious things to choose from the menu. In our party, we chose the poached lobster, foie gras and lamb ravioli for the first course and had the pork belly, ny steak, and sea bass for dinner. For dessert, we each had something dinner from the menu ranging from sorbets, cheeses, a pumpkin upside down cake, chocolate pecan tart to finally, a killer chocolate bread pudding that tasted like a souffle. To top it off, they gave us each a muffin to take home for breakfast. Need I say more? The food is GREAT! Some may feel that $86 is a lot to pay for a meal, but the great thing also is that they aren't stingy with the portions at all, you will come out stuffed! The service here is also on a whole other level. They server are so attentive to the point that some may feel to be overly so in that they fold your napkins, refill your drinks every 2-5 minutes, change silverwares and plates after each course, but I do enjoy being pampered and attended to at dinner so I was sitting happy. What I also loved about this restaurant is the synchronized serving of dishes that you don't see too often which adds an extra sense of personal attention to the table. I think that overall, Gramercy Tavern knows how to entertain, dine and make their guests feel special. They've got the restaurant business down to a T!
(5)Brigitte T.
After the end of a delicious 7 course meal, we were completely satisfied with the flawless food , and perhaps a little drunk, but not overly stuffed. We were, however, very surprised to find that the check at the end of the meal was twice as much as we'd expected. For the duration of the meal, we were treated suprisingly well, especially after we had ordered. I reckon the service is always top knotch, but our waiter was especially friendly. We realized why when we noticed that instead of the modest $70 bottle of wine we thought had ordered, what we had ordered was, in fact, a $300 bottle. Oops. So, this means that Gramercy Tavern was a painfully expensive meal. But the room felt warm, the service was perfect, and although it's an upscale and especially sophisticated restaurant, it did not feel stuffy. . . which made the check somewhat more palatable. We'll definitely be back for a special occasion.
(5)Michael N.
So... of course it was great... food... atmosphere... pretty much everything. So I'll focus on one thing. I would have preferred the Black Tagliatelle, Chorizo, Mussels and Lobster appetizer for a main course last night... as well as tonight and possibly tomorrow. Mop it all up with one of the green olive rolls.
(5)Geoff W.
This is a great restaurant. I went for lunch, had beautiful zucchini soup with curry, scallops with beets, and a very unusual dessert, a Chocolate Bacon Tart. If you put Chocolate and Bacon in the same sentence my taste buds go into hyperdrive,but in the same dish?? It was fabulous, even a little cream and bacon crumble on top, and a caramel drizzle on the plate. Everything was superb and price wasn't bad. It was dramatically better than my dinner the night before at Gotham Bar and Grill where the food was a bit boring and over-priced. UPDATE: I have been here 2-3 times since and the food and service remain fantastic. The great thing about Gramercy is the staff is not at all snobbish when they could be and make you feel very welcome. Last month, had the tasting menu for lunch, beautifully done, sat across from Philip Seymour Hoffman, my favorite actor!!
(5)Richard L.
Belated review. My girlfriend and I dined at the dining room area of Gramercy Tavern. I must say this was one of the best restaurant experiences. The food was fantastic, the ambiance was romantic, and the service was friendly and attentive. Be careful of the wooden floor. They must keep it super polished and smooth because my girlfriend nearly slipped on her heels. We were seated almost right away with little wait. The interior was warm and inviting. The bar area was a bit noisier but the dining room was fine. Our waiter was very friendly and explained the menu to us very well. We both had the 3 course pre fixe dinner meal. Their breads were delicious! The amuse-bouche was great too. And as for the dinner. I had the Lamb Pappardelle for my first course, Sea Bass for my second course, and I don't exactly remember what I got for dessert but I think it was some sort of molten chocolate fudge cake. They were all absolutely amazing. She had the Smoked Trout for her first course, Duck Confit for her second, and Corn flavored ice cream sundae for dessert that had cereal and topped with popcorn. The smoked trout was the best thing I've ever had. It literally melts in your mouth. The Corn sundae was playful, interesting, and tasty. Also got a small muffin to take home. Next time I'm definitely trying the Tasting Menu and the bar room.
(5)Dan B.
Came here for lunch a few weeks ago. Incredible. The chef at Gramercy Tavern is doing some brilliant things with food in that kitchen. I was surprised at how substantial the food was. Perfect portion sizes. I was sort of expecting the famed Gramercy Tavern to be brimming with pretension, but there was actually only a faint whiff of pretension (mostly coming from the other customers). The fame does the talking, the food does the walking. I had the most incredible barbecue pulled pork sandwich. The bread was soft and transcendental. The quality of the pork and the sauce is unspeakable. I haven't had more perfect pork than this. It came from a royal pig. I think they get these pigs from Valhalla or something. The cole slaw and the peppers went perfectly with the sandwich and it came with a light side salad. Perfect meal. The person I was with had the rare roast beef sandwich with horseradish and a soup. I actually forgot what the soup was, but I remember we loved it. The sandwich was out of this world. You just gotta try the place to know what I'm talking about. They get ordinary things and make them taste amazing.
(5)Marty B.
The Gramercy Tavern is a highly-touted dining destination in the Flatiron section of lower Manhattan. And with good reason. The country interior design is exquisite. The front of the restaurant hosts a bustling bar and grilled food scene. Make a reservation for the full course prix fixe dinner (reservations are accepted only 30 days prior to your dining date and reserving on the first date reservations are accepted is a must), and you will find yourself in a quiet, charming dining room at the rear of the restaurant. The wait staff is impeccably groomed, professional and provided excellent, attentive service. We had questions about our wine choice, and our server's suggestions were quite helpful. On the menu you will see a 3-course dinner and you can choose from a selection of appetizers, entrees, and desserts ($92) or a chef's seasonal tasting menu ($120) or vegetarian tasting menu ($102). And here's where the prix fixe conundrum come in. It has been our experience that prix fixe dinners often fall short compared to ordering a la carte when value is an important consideration. We had a wonderful evening at the Gramercy Tavern. Our appetizers, my lovely companion's roasted lamb, and the desserts were tasty and eye-appealing. My sea bass was cooked to perfection, but the heavy peanut curry sauce overwhelmed the delicate fish and infused both the fish and the bok Choy with an overly salty taste. We were pleased with the overall dining experience, but for many such a costly dinner should be memorable. For us the ambience, service, and the occasion made this a memorable dinner in the city. The food was excellent, but I can't say all our dishes were memorable. We would go back and try the front end bar and grill menu. Our dinner did not change our less than positive view about the value of prix fixe.
(4)Brittany M.
Beyond amazing! Get the tasting menu - you will not be disappointed! We had a great dinner with wonderful service!
(5)Pamela L.
My husband and I celebrate our 4 year anniversary at the Tavern last week. We called at 6pm and was told that they still had a few tables available, but when we arrived at 6:30pm, the wait was about an hour. I expected the wait so that didn't bother me much, we put our name on the list and walked around. Came back an hour later and our table was almost ready. Service wasn't the best when we first seated; our waiter was nowhere to be found, we had no menus, no water, no bread. 10 minutes later our waiter came by and apologized, gave us the menu and explained briefly, filled our glasses, took our drinks order and gave us some bread. Everything on the menu looked really good, I had a hard time to decide. I liked that they don't make it "mandatory" for the table to do the tasting menu, so I opted for that and my husband ordered a la carte. We basically shared everything which was great. I had char tartare (refreshing and really opened up my appetite), scallops (cooked to perfection) and grilled flank steak cooked medium rare (tender and tasty). My husband had octopus as appetizer (yummy) and pork chop as entrée. He is a picky eater and was very pleased with his entrée. (Whew~) The desserts were unmemorable; my prix fixe came with bite size pumpkin cakes and ice cream, we also ordered a lime tart to share. Overall, we enjoyed our dinner here and will definitely come back again. Great ambiance, good service, delicious food! I must say that the tasting menu is the best value, can't wait for our next visit.
(4)Jeri H.
With so many amazing places to dine in the city, this is not my first pick. To be clear - I know this is an institution, but there has always been something off with some part of the meal. I would not choose to eat here unless someone insisted. On the flip side, the staff is knowledgeable and the ambiance is warm and inviting. I would say to definitely try it, even if just to say you've been, and hopefully you will have better luck than my inconsistent experiences.
(3)Gregg M.
After arriving in New York a little after noon on a Fri and getting checked in and settled in our hotel room, the girlfriend and I made our way out to find something to eat. We had passed by the Gramercy Tavern on our cab ride from Penn Station so we knew it was a short walk away from our hotel to the restaurant. We didn't have lunch reservations, but we were able to be seated immediately at a two top in the tavern. Hurray for our good fortune as every table was taken or soon taken after we arrived! Since we had dinner reservations for later in the evening, we decided to keep it reasonably light for lunch. We started off with a half dozen of Iced Oysters on the Half-Shell ($2.75 ea). The Massachusetts Island Creek oysters were very fresh and nicely briney, but not overly so. They were are great start. We decided to split a lunch order of the Grilled Monkfish with Cauliflower, Heirloom Beans and Shiitake Mushrooms and topped with house made potato chips ($22.00). The kitchen thoughtfully plated our monkfish on two plates which was a service plus. The monkfish was flavorful and grilled with care leaving it moist. For my first cocktail for the weekend, I had the Fall Classic, a refreshing Bulleit Bourbon, Greenmarket Cider, Calvados, Thyme, and Lemon that was a perfect winter pleaser that was pricey at $14, but not exorbitant. This was not the most expensive cocktail I had all weekend! Gramercy Tavern does "power" lunches very well. The food, the drink, and the service is everything you'd hope and expect it to be. You pay for the experience, but you most likely won't leave disappointed. Just shy of a 4.5 star effort
(4)Eric B.
Everyone was very polite, friendly from the moment we walked in the door. We arrived a bit early, enjoyed a glass of champagne at the bar and was then escorted to our table. The dining room is sectioned off into 4 different areas, separated by softly painted walls adorned with beautiful at work and lighting. The dinner menu is a 3 - course fixed menu with an amazing selection of meats and seafood prepared with the freshest selection of mushrooms, vegetables and spices. Dessert was just as amazing so save room. Overall it's definitely worth a visit! Enjoy.
(4)Christine D.
This place definitely gives five star service with five star food. I was impressed that what people have said about this place has been to the point. I attended a private dinner party recently and it was held in the back room of the restaurant. Once I entered I noticed how perfectly dim the lights were and how cozy the place looked with so much fresh flowers. The hostess quickly led us to the back room where it was elegantly decorated with beautiful flowers and the huge table was set for about fourteen people. There were two main servers for our group who quickly took our cocktail orders and served them swiftly in between passing the hours derves. Wow I never thought I'd like duck liver pâté. It was creamy and delicious with a slight hunt of gaminess. There were four other passed hour derves. As far as the cocktails from the menu, the 'orange blossom' with sparkling wine, St. Germaine Elderflower cordial and orange bitters was superb and refreshing. For the appetizer I had the beef tartare- oh my goodness was it delicious. It had sprinklings of spice and hazelnut where each bite was different. The steak was cooked to my liking and was juicy and had a light char to it. For dessert I picked the bread pudding with the chocolate raspberry mousse. The bread pudding was definitely the star, whereas the mousse I did not really care for since I'm not a raspberry kind of person. Besides dessert little petite macarons, cookies, and chocolates were placed all along the table as well as coffee, espresso, and cappuccino. Wow what an amazing experience. Side note: I was a little worried about the dress code so be sure to check the website or call if you're not sure. My motto is its better to be overdressed than underdressed. Anyway I hope to have a chance to dine at The Gramercy Tavern again.
(5)Howard L.
I dined in the casual tavern section; got there at opening on Saturday and there was no wait. Cocktails, duck mousse, and an off-the-menu burger were what I had and my companion had some vegetarian items (note my disregard to bother to remember what those were). Cocktails were delicious and strong, price-wise about $14 per person. The duck mousse was like an airy, tasty foie gras, and my burger was solid. Cooked medium rare as requested and a very satisfying, good, thick burger. People comment about the "legendary" service. We didn't try to put that to the test by making outlandish request; our server knew the menu, made recommendations, and made us feel welcome - which is perfect.
(5)Samuel M.
Four years waiting for this? Really? I can't believe the grade of overrateness the Gramercy Tavern has. Where to begin? My husband told me about this place long time ago, and I tried to make a reservation since 2010. Never got it, until yesterday. He ate there with a friend ten years ago, and they left the place before desert because everything was disaster. The menu is so boring. This is supposed to be one of the top ten most popular places to dine in New York City. The waiter was a disaster, he didn't make appealing any of the menu. We both ordered the steak tartare, it was a tiny plate that just came from the refrigerator, with garlic and salty The taste was bad and dry. The entree was a roasted lamb, it was worse han then appetizer. The bad taste of the lamb remained in my mouth until the next morning. Even the wine wash good, but it was the best of the dinner, The dessert was boring, ice cream and a whatever cake. The funniest was at the end when the waiter asked us if we wanted to take out the last little scoop of ice cream that remained from the dessert. Are you serious? It was a joke, and a bad one. The waiter was like a dummy, cold and scripted. The service was very slow. Overall, the Grammercy Tavern became very famous and popular and they live from that. Everything is dated here. It is for senior appeal. The main salon was full of grannies. You will save time looking for other new places like Le Philosophe o Lafayette in Soho, that is much better. This is a clear proof that a lot of the upscale dinning in New York is overrated and at the end is not worth it.
(1)Salil M.
I'll sum this up quickly so you can read other reviews: 1. The cocktails are well made, and you can't go wrong with their 'Rickshaw.' 2. The food is good and satisfying. It's not super-memorable in terms of taste, however again, it's good. 3. For a swanky place like this, the portion sizes are large. So come hungry. I was surprised, but it is 'Murica. 4. Service was impeccable. They really go out of their way to help and answer all your questions. Wifey and I are gluten free and no problem with that. Get the corn muffins whether you are gf or not. Mmmmm... Bon Appetite!
(4)Joey X.
I've been to Gramercy Tavern twice for lunch; each time the food was spot on, I didn't have to wait (sat at the bar once, at a table the second time), and the service was impeccable. The first time I came was with a coworker on Sunday morning. We grabbed two stools by the bar and each ordered an entree; I got the mushroom lasagna. It was so rich that even though it wasn't big, I couldn't finish it all; every bite had so much flavor, it felt like 3 or 4. I had to take the rest home. The second time I came, I ordered the seasonal burger. I've eaten a lot of burgers in my lifetime, but this was hands down the best burger I've ever put in my mouth. We also couldn't decide between the Kale and Cabbage Salad, versus the Barely Touched Vegetables. After getting lots of advice from the waitress, we settled on one--but she brought us both and said the other was on the house, because I really had to try the kale and cabbage! I was so touched, my friend and I wolfed down both and then left a very generous tip. Gramercy Tavern is the epitome of comfortable fine dining in NYC. I've definitely been to great restaurants in NYC, but a lot of them also feel stuffy. Gramercy Tavern feels extremely homey and comfortable, all without losing on quality and formality of presentation.
(5)L L.
WOW ...it is rare to find places that do justice to fish in the city like Gramercy Tavern does, then again thats why reservations are a must and the check is considerable for two people Went here for a 10pm seating...was worried they might be pushy to finish up faster, but absolutely not the case. The service was impeccable, definitely not overbearing. The waiter we had, Mike, was knowledgeable and took our preferences into consideration. We did the dinner menu - the smoked trout was AMAZING, scallops marinated perfectly, sea bass was heaven and walnuts provided a great variety in texture to the dish, the venison was cooked just right with still a hint of blood in the sauce and dessert and cheese were out of the world. Definitely one of the well-known but well-worth places!
(5)Dirk W.
Was there for dinner in 2003. I know, it was almost six years ago but to this day, it remains the most impressive and memorable meal I've ever had. To start with, when you reserve a table, that table is yours for the evening. No messing around with prior parties, etc. You get there and it is ready. The service was superb and knowledgeable. At the end of the meal, they gave us these exquisite muffins to-go for the morning.
(5)Sai S.
I was debating whether to give this 4.5 or 5 stars, but I rounded up due to the attentive service. Food: - Pre-starter: compliments of the chef. Three small bites: tuna tartare, a cheese, and cauliflower custard. The custard was crazy good, unreal. - Starter: Some sort of chorizo, lobster, and calamari dish. Fantastic, this was unique. The 80 year old gentleman to my right got it after I did, and as he ate it he said "wooow, this is greattt" to his wife, who agreed. - Main: the sea bass. Get it. Just do. It is a no brainer. The waiter, when I asked between the 3 fish options, didnt even think. "Sea bass, no question" -- indeed. - Mini-dessert, compliments of the chef: was made with some sort "grape jelly" -- when I heard this, I cringed a bit. I mean, I have grape jelly with my toast in the mornings. I'm not paying $100+ for more of the same! But it wasnt. Amazingly flavorful and light yet filling. - Dessert: bread pudding. Great, but I have never been much of a dessert person so I wont get blown away by a dessert. Well, Dovetail's chamomile sorbet did blow me away, but that could be because I drink multiple cups of chamomile tea a day and love that stuff. - With the check: a muffin for the next day. The service - Very warm friendly staff. No arrogance or stuffiness here. - You know those places that have 1 waiter for you, and if he/she sucks, it can ruin your night? Not really possible here since every single person roaming the room looks out for you. I never felt ignored. - When I asked one of the waiters how they make the cauliflower custard, I expected a "oh, we use cauliflower and egg and puree it." No no, she told me the details, the secret process. And looked genuinely happy to do so. Nice touch. My ONLY knock is that the crowd is not a hip and young crowd by any stretch. Given it was a tavern feel in Union Square, I sort of expected that. All in all, terrific experience, you will not leave here disappointed.
(5)Deborah H.
Gramercy Tavern has been on my List for years, but for some reason I never made my way over. It was always the standard spot that I overlooked in lieu of the hot new chefs and their restaurants. But oh my. To think of all the trendy meals I could have replaced with a solid meal at Gramercy Tavern. I went on a Thursday at eight, and my group of four was quoted a 1:15 wait time. It was really more along the lines of 45 minutes before we were ushered into the friendly, warm, bar room. Admittedly, nothing on the menu really leapt out at me, but I settled on the heirloom tomato appetizer (special for the day) and the pork chop. The menu descriptions are minimalist and say very little about how the food is cooked, but our waiter (who was really friendly and descriptive, albeit really slow) informed us nicely that all entrees are cooked on the grill. Good stuff. I also got to sample the calamari salad, chilled zucchini squash, arctic char, and mushroom lasagna. EVERYTHING was phenomenal (well, besides the char, and only because it was mayonnaisey and I'm not a fan of mayo). The heirloom tomatoes were accompanied by cherries, cucumbers, gooseberries, and the most delicate croutons you've ever tasted. The juices were so good I found myself cleaning my plate with a spoon. The pork chop was hearty, meaty, flavorful, yet ever so tender. It was cooked perfectly and had just the right amount of fat. It arrived swimming in a turnip and spinach broth that was so tasty I would have drank that too, had they provided me the proper silverware. My friend's mushroom lasagna was fantastic. Everything was fantastic. I was so happy with my choices that I didn't envy anyone, but had I chosen something else (besides the mayo char) I would have been just as happy. For dessert, we shared the peach cobbler for two (angels sang when I bit into this) and the bacon chocolate tart. All in, the meal came out to $50 a person with no wine or drinks. We were provided bread throughout the meal and were nicely full (yet not satiated) when we finally left almost 2.5 hours after we sat down. Next time I'd like to try the formal dining room and order from the prixe fixe menu. Or I wouldn't mind just dropping in the bar room again. As long as I find myself back here, I'm sure I'll be elated.
(5)cheng k.
BACON. You had me at Bacon, Gramercy Tavern. Being an angelino, i was unaware of NY's obsession with pork, and was really amused and taken by the descriptive truth to the name of the dish. It was pork belly, cooked 2 ways then finished on the grill, served with fiddlehead ferns. But on to the reliving of the meal... Started the meal off with a few fresh oysters and the pate toasts. Both items very good. The pate was perfect, mixed with a micro salad in the lightest dressing. I had the aformentioned bacon dish and my sister had the Grilled Branzino which was just a little bit too salty. I didn't care i had pork belly. Dessert was a strawberry rhubarb tart, the waiter was not kidding when he said that we should share it because the thing was massive for 2 people, served in a copper pan. How fun is that? We sat in the Tavern area which seemed to be way more fun anyway, the back room was really, really stuffy - almost funeral home like. It's my understanding that they have a different menu back there, I'll find out one of these days but for now - i'll dine and drink in the Tavern. Great staff, great service, great wine selection. Really, i wish i could give it 4.5 stars!
(4)Victoria K.
There is probably nothing I can say about Gramercy Tavern that hasn't been said before. Chef Michael Anthony has transformed the spot into something exciting and fresh. He won a James Beard award earlier this year! I have had the pleasure of experiencing a tasting menu in the formal dining room, and can honestly say it was one of my favorite meals. Ever. Every ingredient on every dish is explicitly selected and artfully arranged. Each plate is a small work of art, featuring some ingredients that are new to me, and others old, and yet presented in unexpected ways. Even the palate cleaner that was served between savory and sweet courses was brilliant and addictive, a homemade ginger beer float with raspberry sorbet and a small coconut madeleine. Exquisite. I hope to return very soon!
(5)Marco F.
Great quality and good combination of food, as expected from top rated restaurants. However, the menu selection is pretty poor, also no specials. Finally, apart from a couple of plates, I could have found similar taste at half price elsewhere.....but maybe my expectations were too high for a 28 zagat score.
(3)Meredith M.
I can't say enough good things about the tavern. I have eaten in both the tavern and main dining, both are great. I prefer the tavern, just because it's more casual and I the menu is more my style (meatball, fish etc). The service was good, we had two servers and our first was extremely friendly, young, and knowledgeable about the wine (paired a great red...yes, red, with our Fish and Meatball). This seems to be a staple of a Meyer restaurant. The second waitress was good, but not very friendly....she just seemed a little shy/dull. My meatball was to DIE for (see pictures), it was great. The kitchen also served us complimentary desert cookies at the end of our meal. I can't wait to eat here again. Be sure to make reservations, again like any other Meyer restaurant, as they go quick! We had to fight for our 5:30 spot and that's soooo early.
(5)Tracy K.
Fantastic seafood preparation. Although it goes with the turf that Danny Meyers' highly acclaimed restaurant excels at all dishes, in my mind it was the seafood that truly stood out as exceptional. For appetizers, start with the smoked trout -- this is a long, delicate rectangle of fish, presented atop red pickled onions. The trout flakes very finely and is fantastic. The arctic char is the best I've ever had: extremely tender and moist. It is prepared rare enough to have a slightly translucent pink color throughout, yet still flaky at the touch of a fork. The duck breast and confit is also excellently prepared, seared nicely on the outside and juicy and pink within. The slices were presented on a bed of wild cherry, almond, and grains which complemented it nicely. Of course, all of the little touches in between meals also make Gramercy Tavern the experience that it is. A succulent sliver of scallop sprinkled with caviar, a tray of macaroons and truffles, and the sendoff "breakfast" muffin. It's a five star experience without stiff formality, and certainly hope to return.
(5)Michelle L.
Wifey was in town. OF course I had to bring her somewhere decent!! We both opt for their 8 course tasting menu. Here is the catch. My wifey opts for the vegetarian version when I settle for the one with with meats. Sorry. I cannot eat a meal without meat and deem it as a meal. Sounds so horrible. Yet... I have to say I was not completely blown away yet it was pretty good! The decor was classy and cozy and unpretentious. Every dish I had was pretty yet, I feel as though no one dish has stellar flavors which stood out. The only memorable dish was the duck: it reminds me of a hybrid New American/French fushion but did not cut it because the piece they served me was just too chewy and fatty. But it was the only dish that had the most flavor. The other dishes consisted of a lot of greens. Not bad. Light on the tummy. I think the best part about this place is that there are amazing desserts. My favorite was this vanilla ice cream which had slabs of hazelnut toffee chunks in it. I like literally died. went to heaven. and came. back again. Haha. They also give you a cupcake to bring home. Mine was a pumpkin spice one which i devour happily in the morning for breakfast. Spent overall $350 for two people. I never mind the pricetag but wished the place blew me more considering its rankings and ratings on Yelp. Eleven Madison Park next! :)
(4)Nadia F.
Wine was excellent. We had a dinner int he back room for father-in-law's milestone birthday. The appetizers and main courses were phenomenal. Every little thing including the passed Hors D'Oeuvres were phenomenal. It lived up to my expectations. Love it.
(5)Matt M.
I was fortunate enough to be taken to Gramercy Tavern for my birthday recently, and really had a great experience. Overall, the restaurant is beautiful -especially the main dining room, and the service was very friendly throughout. We started off with Mistral Martini cocktails - a lavender flavored gin based drink. Overall, it was very good, although the lavender does become a bit strong toward the end. After that, we tried the Orange Blossom - a champagne based drink with orange essence. The Orange Blossom was a very good, simple cocktail with great flavor. For the first course, my girlfriend had the chilled asparagus soup. I thought this was a very unique soup with great flavor. The lobster and hazelnuts gave the soup some additional texture. if you're looking for an appetizer that won't be too filling, this is a great choice. I tried the smoked trout - which was a nice choice as well. The trout had a pronounced smokiness, but not too overbearing so as to cover up the natural taste. Very simple dish, but very enjoyable. For the second course, my girlfriend had the duck breast and confit. The duck was very tender and flavorful, although I think a lot of the other entrees seem more interesting. I tried the pork loin and belly, which was also very good. The meat was well cooked and the sides were also fantastic. I think if I returned I would try a fish dish though, as that seems to be a specialty. For dessert, I had a cheese plate and found each cheese to be fantastic. My girlfriend had the lemon pound cake - which was fantastically sweet. Overall, a fantastic dinner. Overall I find the menu to be pretty simple (hence the "Tavern" perhaps), but it is well executed and memorable.
(5)Michael L.
2012 Michelin 1 star Had high expectations coming into this establishment, Michelin rated, rated #6 in NyMag best NYC restaurants. We were able to secure a reservation on a weeknight with relatively little notice, (the day of). You walk into this deceivingly big restaurant, and the decor reminds you of country-ish, farm with a classic chic twist. Sounds like a weird combination, but it works. We dined in the dining room, which is separate from the tavern which is the bar area. the tavern has a totally different menu. When we received the menu, we already had the intention of ordering the tasting menu, that is until we heard the specials and looked at the prix fixe menu. the special was a homemade tagliatelli with mushrooms, other things that pulled us away from the tasting menu was the Duck Breast & Confit with Sunchokes, Brussels Sprouts, Apples and Maitake Mushrooms and the Pork Loin & Belly with Caramelized Onions, Baked Potato and Prune Sauce. FYI: prix fixe is $88 for 3 course + amuse + petit four tasting menu is $116 for 6 course + amuse + petit four. We decided on prixe fixe. 1st course: homemade tagliatelli + squash custard with shiitake mushrooms and aji peppers 2nd course: duck confit + pork loin/belly 3rd course: Fudge brownie sunday + Warm Chocolate Bread Pudding with Cacao Nib Ice Cream Food: I loved my homemade pasta dish, could eat a tub of that any day. the pork loin/belly was a disappointment, however it was still good. I think the belly and loin were supposed to be eaten together, although they were separated on the plate, i didnt realize this until near the end where there was way too much fat and too little loin to accompany it. The duck confit dish was very good though. The desserts were the highlights both were deeelish. hats off to the pastry chef, because rarely do i say the dessert was arguably the best course. I will return to check out the tavern side
(4)Miss V.
I'm giving this place a great review on behalf of my roommate who went and does not have a Yelp account but she can not stop talking about how incredibly SWEET the whole staff was to her on her graduation. She went with her grandmother and mother, and the servers not only were kind enough to give her and her family a champage toast, but also wrote "congratulations" on her dessert and also gave her and her family some extra goodies for her to celebrate with her family that came all the way from Japan. I can not WAIT to try this place. It is one thing to give someone an extra glass of champagne, but quite another to put extra add ons throughout the meal and truly make one's customers feel welcome. And obviously the food was amazing. Thank you Gramercy Tavern.
(5)A.J. S.
8 years ago as merely a tyke in the culinary world I had the pleasure of trying Gary Danko in SF. Waited for months for the reservation (Monday night, after 9pm, no less), wore a dress, and experienced what was to be the greatest culinary experience of my life thus far. In restaurant interviews after Gary Danko, I easily referenced my exeperience that night for helping me formulate what I believed the essence of fine dining and what it felt like to be utterly pampered in service, wine, cheese, palate sophistications and pretty cool stuff like switching to a black napkin so you won't get white fuzz on your black dress. It took 8 years of eating around to world to experience such perfection again (this is partly due to my student bank account for most of these years...). Gramercy Tavern is what fine dining is, to me, the blends of comfortable and knowledgable service, the ease of the dinner flow brought forth by competent captains, and most importantly, the bright and fresh flavors of perfectly executed food. This is why people spend so much to experience this. Once you get it, price is not a question. For my birthday we did the tasting menu and split a bottle of pink bubbles, a perfectly dry sparkling rose choice the somm confidently agreed with. Manfriend was worried he wouldn't be full, but was happily surprised. We started with the carpaccio and sea bass, finished with perfection that escapes my brain. The finishing touches like the petit fours that come with the check, and the muffin to send us on our way was the little things that I remember fondly. Sigh. While the cost prevents me from splurging regularly on dinners like this, it is nights full of memories like these that make food and wine a celebration of life. A highlight of my weekend in New York, and a reminder of how truly wonderful fine dining can get.
(5)Madeline S.
Wonderful dinner at the Tavern. We walked in just before 5pm on a Sunday and could easily get a table for 2. The ambiance is incredible with great big flower arrangements and plants. We were given some bread to start which was hearty, but fairly unremarkable. We had a mushroom and calamari salad which had a soy flavorings with hazelnuts. Very rich flavors without being at all heavy. I then had the wonderful arctic char with pole beans and hazelnuts. It was cooked a perfect medium-rare with a delicious crisp skin. Smoky deliciousness. The black sea bass was served with a delightful brussels sprout leaves and bacon. Truly delectable. I also loved the the ramp-pesto aioli. So amazing with great lemon flavor! Our server, Anne, was so nice and helpful. We were given some cookies to take with us. A truly great dining experience.
(5)Mara S.
The decor is lovely. All the food is very good. Service is very professional. A very polished, well-run restaurant. There's a vegetarian tasting menu too! I wish I had more to say. I guess I could go through every dish and tell you how good it was, or talk about the professional service (very attentive, by the way). But everyone else has already said it. The one thing that made it a four-star instead of a five-star experience for me is that the whole thing just seems like it wasn't meant for me. All the people wearing button-up shirts with shorts, spending what to most would be a lot of money for lunch, just kind of made me feel a little funny. Don't get me wrong, the restaurant is great. Just maybe not the place for me.
(4)Morgan L.
Truly incredible dining experience. We went for our fifth wedding anniversary celebration, and were so happy that we did. Romantic, fun, sexy and superb service. Our meal started with complimentary glasses of champagne to welcome us to the restaurant and congratulate us on our anniversary. Our waiter was incredibly attentive and friendly. We went with the tasting menut. For appetizers, we had the Smoked Trout with Cipollini Purée and Pickled Onions. Beef Tartare with Bulghur, Charred Red Onion and Pistachio. The chef also sent out an appetizer of Tomato Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes, Shishito Peppers and Basil Pasture for us to try. So delicious and very thoughtful! For entrees: Hubby had Raised Chicken & Sausage with Sugar Snap Peas, Carrots and Smoked Onion. I had the Roasted Lamb with Summer Squash, Shishito Peppers and Toasted Sesame Seeds. For dessert we went with just a couple of coffees. They sent out a dessert of Chocolate Raspberry Bread Pudding Whipped Crème Fraiche and Chocolate Raspberry Ice Cream on the house. With our dinner check, we received homemade coffee cakes to take with us for our morning coffee. All in all, it was an incredibly pleasurable experience. We were happy that we picked Gramercy for our special occasion. We were so well taken care of and it was a meal we won't soon forget.
(4)Megan L.
I had an excellent dinner here with the veal sweetbreads, roasted and braised lamb, and apple tarte tatin. I loved the bites of my friends' smoked trout, butternut squash custard, and bread pudding too. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. We came here during our weekend trip and chose this as our one "fancy" dinner out. Other top-rated restaurants in the city were charging exorbitant amounts for tasting menus, so it was nice to find a place that offered dinner for ~$100 (still ridiculous, but relatively inexpensive). Service had a few hiccups at first but smoothed out after we finally ordered. The restaurant is classy and romantic but not intimidating (we noted that it looked like what Cheesecake Factory strives to be). Most people were in cocktail attire but we also saw a couple of diners who felt comfortable enough to walk in with T-shirts and jeans. Overall a very solid pick for a NYC visit or any special occasion.
(5)Erin M.
I ate in the dining room. Lovely, warm ambience. Tasty food. Excellent service. Good cocktails. Amazing desserts (loved the cookie tray). It is a 2+ hour experience and they invite you to stay as long as you wish. Made us feel special, but without the pretentious, uncomfortable atmosphere. Despite the smaller portions, we left totally stuffed. It was definitely worth the visit, as it has been on my list of restaurants and we enjoyed our night. It is not something I will do again due to the prices (minimum $92 per person + drinks). Although good, I didn't find the price worth it. However, it was great to try once and I'll plan to visit the tavern side next time.
(4)Zao Z.
Amazing food, amazing service, great decor The food is amazing. it is worth the money. service is nothing short of exceptional decor is very "big" and classy definitely worth the try
(5)Uluç Ü.
It should first be noted that as a customer, I will rarely let poor service get in the way of enjoying my meal. I'm an easy guy to please, but at the same time, I also realize that many people look to be pampered like kings and queens when they go out to eat. Well, after dining at Gramercy Tavern, I sure felt like one of those aforementioned majestic figures. The service was stellar. Our server James(I think) was very kind and gracious. Took his time to explain everything thoroughly without having to falter. Very friendly, and never made us feel rushed. At the end of the meal, I asked him to surprise me with the desert, and he brought out something that was so completely unique that it wasn't even on the menu! The food was to die for. When the quality of your meal is this high, you don't even allow yourself to gorge. You savor each bite. And before you know it, you've had a completely satisfying meal without having to stuff yourself full. I'm not even going to attempt to describe how amazing everything was. Go out and find out for yourself!
(5)Virginia D.
This restaurant is simply amazing. The food is excellent and the service is impeccable.
(5)Matt S.
We had dinner here last night and thought it was just pretty good. They have a prix fixe menu for $88 apiece and there are plenty of options. I had the smoked trout appetizer and the pork loin and belly main. Wifey had the butternut squash turine thingy as an app and the chicken and sausage for main. Overall we were pleased but definitely not blown away or really even delighted. It all felt like it was solid and good but nothing special. The service, which we were expecting to be sublime based on all the reviews, was kindof average, too. We were sat near the waiter's station and they had plenty of attendants, but we felt hovered over - someone would swoop in right as you finished the last bite. Also, the waiters who delivered our food (not the same who took our order) spoke such poor english that you couldn't hear the description of what they were delivering. The desserts, however, were a highlight and pretty great.
(3)Nancy Z.
Everything here is just fantastic! Food, dessert, cocktails...all perfectly executed. Service is amazing, and decor is just great! This place is always so packed and make sure to call a month ahead for reservations. I love coming here for after dinner for drinks and dessert...the maitre-d is always very accommodating.
(5)Michael H.
Such a lovely experience from the cocktails at the bar to the very last bite of your entree. Gluten free friendly and the wait staff is superb!
(5)Sophia H.
This is by far my favorite restaurant in Manhattan. It beats 11 Madison Park hands down. The food was so unique, so tasty and brilliant. I cannot wait to go back!
(5)Tiffany Y.
Ah, is it bad that I couldn't tell this was a Michelin rated restaurant? Anyway, I had deja vu walking onto 20th Street toward the restaurant but still can't figure out why... I digress. We came here on a Sunday night. The place itself is HUGE. Maybe part of it had to do with the high ceilings but still--I got confused on my way out. Despite the high ceilings, I actually thought this place was pretty noisy, could have been a carryover from the tavern. Our server mentioned that its pretty balanced between those who go for the prix fixe vs those who go for the tasting menu. We went prix fixe. As an appetizer, I ordered the ruby red shrimp (YUM!). And then I ordered the sea bass. This is a personal preference thing, but I'm not a fan of putting nuts in food--but I like sea bass in general so couldn't turn it down. For dessert, I ordered the warm chocolate bread pudding. By that time, I was already kind of full but I was a big fan of dessert. I felt like Goldilocks--usually it's like hit or miss whenever "chocolate" appears in the name of a dessert; I liked that this one wasn't too rich or sweet. We thought we'd pair some sweet red wine with dessert, but what we got ended up tasting like maple syrup with alcohol in it. I'll take responsibility for that one. Anyway, all throughout dinner, our server brought us little "tasting menu"-esque dishes and a glass of champagne or something that was compliments of the kitchen. And petit-fours at the end of the entire meal. It was all a nice touch.
(4)Alan W.
Came right in time for my 5:30 reservation, was seated about 5 min later after checking in my coat and umbrella. They had a confirmation call a couple days before my reservation letting me know the prefix menu type of menu, dress code and any special accommodations of time restriction they needed to keep in mind, we had a 7:30pm show and they made note of that. Excellent attentiveness! Servers were extremely professional and nice. Explained anything on the menu. Me and my gf got the prefix 3 course dinner. Amuse bouche was a puff pastry filled with cheese. First course I got the beef carpaccio, was excellently seasoned and surest flavor, had lots of celery in it which luckily I like. Main course I had duck breast and confit, it was cooked perfectly a medium rare to medium doneness and was tender and the skin was extremely flavorful. We got a little panna cotta with granola and a berry before dessert. For dessert I got the bread pudding, I'm not a huge sweet guy but it was pretty dang good. I loved the food and level of service. A little on the pricey side ~$240 for 2 people without drinks after tax and tip. I gave it this a 4/5 just because of the value factor but the food and service were top notch. Great anniversary or special occasion date place. Enjoyed my experience!
(4)Ben B.
I have sat in both the Tavern and the dining room, and my verdict is: the tavern! No reservation required, great service and atmosphere, and of course excellent food. Go for the wine pairing, it's worth it and their staff really knows how to create a unique dining experience for every table at the restaurant.
(5)Scott S.
I hadn't been here in a long time. Why did I wait so long to come back? We had a private room for my friend's surprise 50th birthday. The room was beautiful and the staff serving were amazing. The food was out of this world. I started with a glass of the Colonel Taylor bourbon (100 proof) which was incredibly smooth. Then I had the smoked trout with cipollini pur'ee and pickled onions. A mouthwatering delight. I agree with Stephanie Y it melts in your mouth. My only regret was that it was gone. Next I had the roasted duck breast sliced, with quinoa, lentils, celery root and hazelnuts. Everything blended together beautifully and I devoured it. For dessert an Apple Tarte Tatin Bourbon Crème Anglaise and Butter Pecan Ice Cream OMG I wanted a feed bag of this for the drive home. This is a NY classic not to be missed and savored again and again. Soup to nuts it's a true 5 star experience.
(5)Eric D.
Had the tasting menu and we've had dinner in the bar area; if you go, go to the bar area so you can order a la carte. I thought this place was very overrated. Everything looked nice and the presentation was great but food fell flat for us. Fish was too salty and only memorable dish was the Brussels Sprouts. All in all the value wasn't worth it at 350 for two.
(2)Eric L.
My wife and I came here for dinner to celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary, and boy, it really lived up to our expectation. The restaurant knew we were celebrating so they served us complimentary Champagne as we sat down, which was a lovely touch! We ate in the dining room and ordered the seasonal tasting menu, which required the participation of the entire table. Out of the six-course dinner, our favorite dish of the night was the Ricotta Tortellini: we loved the morel mushrooms and the al dente pasta, and the sauce was amazing. We loved all our other dishes as well (marinated scallops, lobster salad, smoked sturgeon, and roasted duck breast). We liked the dessert but it wasn't mind blowing like the other dishes. Service was fantastic. The servers were very aware and attentive without being overbearing. Overall, it was one of the best dinners we've had in NYC. We are definitely looking forward to returning to the restaurant to try the food on the tavern side, which is more casual and has a different menu.
(5)Jen L.
Great food and service. Also love the dining room. Came here for my bday with my hubs. We both really liked it. However, we ordered pizza when we got home. It's SO expensive and the portions are teeny weeny. It tasted amazing but who cares when you are still so hungry? We did the 6 course tasting. It's kind of a joke how small the portions are. Can't understand the hype.
(3)Michelle N.
Came here for lunch. The Crowd: A uniquely New York mixture of business attire people, old cute wealthy folks drinking at lunch, and a bunch of tourists (mostly Asians) taking pics of their food and gushing about how this is Blair's (Gossip Girl) favorite place. Definitely fun for people watching. The Ambience: Great, a downtown spot that feels really uptown. Very "old money NYC." Outstanding service, especially considering we looked at least half a century younger than their average clientele. (I'm not even kidding.) The food: Wasn't entirely impressed with the special, some Italian spaghetti-type thing with beef, which was way too salty. It started out good, flavorful, but toward the end it was hard to finish. Still, this remains on my list of places to visit when I'm back in town/have some cash to throw around.
(4)Mark H.
Don't believe the hype. The service is very good, but not impeccable. The food was creative but the taste was not outstanding. Considering the cost, we expected much more. Stay away from the prix fixe and go to the bar if this is your first time. In this great city there are other options to make better use of your hard earned money.
(3)Elizabeth M.
My boyfriend and I have celebrated many occasions at Danny Meyer establishments because of the good food and amazing service that never disappoints. We both opted for the seasonal tasting menu, a bit pricey at $116/person. In the future, we will just order a la carte for more variety between the two of us since each diner gets the same tasting menu. Just to note, I noticed some other diners who ordered a la carte and the portion sizes are huge! We started with a scallop ceviche with caviar and then moved onto a warm lobster salad, both some of the best dishes I've had in recent memory. That was followed by a few courses that weren't as memorable... Then my favorite course - the duck breast. Any place that does duck right, I will love for life :) For our dessert course, our waiter said he didn't want to restrict us to the tasting menu dessert and offered us the full dessert menu to chose from, so we both got to have something different. I always look forward to the end of these tasting menus because I love tasting the different petit fours but theirs were a bit disappointing :( An expensive meal but worth it if you're celebrating an occasion! Do make your reservations a few weeks in advance. We were stuck with the senior citizen reservation... dinner at 5:30. But even at 5:30, the place was packed. One gripe... later that evening my boyfriend told me that he left a note in his OpenTable reservation that we were celebrating my birthday but they did not do anything to honor the occasion! Not that we're digging for freebies but other places would write Happy Birthday on the dessert, at a minimum.
(4)Elizabeth G.
One of my other places to go to after work meetings. Great appetizers and drinks! Staff is friendly and attentive. If you sit towards the back it's less noisy. Bar always seems to be full.
(4)Courtney H.
I've been waiting to go here for a while, so when I could do it on the company dime, I jumped. Service was impeccable. I wish I remembered our server's name to mention her, specifically, because she was fantastic - beyond knowledgeable about the Wagyu beef that was in the burger special of the day and the preparation of the duck leg. She was also quick to make confident recommendations, which I always appreciate in a server. An amuse bouche of sweet potato custard with walnut oil was fun, but didn't blow me away. Tasty little bite, though, which is what it's designed to be. The arctic char was perfectly cooked - moist with a crackly, crispy skin - and delicious paired with pinto beans and sweet potato. The roasted banana tart topped with a fluffy, mild chocolate mousse and silky roasted peanut ice cream was one of the best desserts that I've ever had. The duck liver mousse was divine - try it with the pickled daikon. It was delicious enough that I only felt marginally guilty about eating it.
(4)Chris V.
We had decided to visit Gramercy Tavern to celebrate half of The Duo's Birthday (the better half of course). I had quite a bit of work to do when deciding on where to dine. You see, it's not every weekend that we get to enjoy a 3 star establishment. Ultimately, after consulting several friends and multiple Yelp! reviews, The Tavern was the place to go. This experience started hours before we even arrived at the corner of E. 20th street. Since it took me a bit of time to decide where to go my reservation times were quite limited even on a Tuesday night. Our original time was 9:30, not bad but not ideal for us. So on the day of our meal I called to see if anything had opened up around 8. No luck on the first attempt ... I called later and spoke to the hostess who was accommodating and sincere. She promised to do the best she could and call me back. She did ... with an 8 o'clock resi. Brilliant! Upon arrival and a two minute wait, we were ushered through the entire space, and arrived at a fantastic two top tucked in the back corner of the restaurant. A lovely space located below exposed wood columns, warm art and decorative sconces. It felt as if we were sitting in the living room of our dreams. We were soon greeted by our cordial and informative server Alvaro. He is a generous and informative waiter whose timing was impeccable and table side manner superb. He was even understanding enough to apologize for a rowdy five top of men behind us. If you can, sit in his section. The birthday girl at the time was still stymied by an annoying Dairy Allergy which required a bit of work on his and the kitchens end. Ultimately they had to adjust the prep on her halibut and it was a brilliant adjustment. No meal I enjoy will not begin without a Woodford Reserve Manhattan and where better to enjoy it then here? It is said to have the best Manhattan in Manhattan and it was damn good. The birthday girl opted to go with a house cocktail, The Concord Crush which was perfect in it's own right. We had decided to enjoy the summer tasting menu, a six course meal brilliantly executed. It was understood that we could have probably come back in two weeks and enjoyed the Fall menu but as time decided for us, summer it was. Fluke Tartar, Crab & Corn Chowder, Smoked Trout, Cod w/cucumbers and yogurt and Deckle with Veal shoulder -- it was astounding. Wrap it all up with a chocolate mousse and lemon ice - Aces! Not one part of our dining experience failed to impress. From first course to dessert and the petifores -- fantastic. We were beyond satisfied with every element of our meal. What could be better than a lovely muffin to take home with us so that sometime the next day we can be taken back to just what a lovely experience we had enjoyed. Thank you Alvaro and the staff at Gramercy Tavern!
(5)Leeann C.
My bf and I came here for an early dinner before catching Memphis on Broadway. It's freaking impossible to get a reservation, but luckily for us, the wait for tavern seating was only 15 minutes. We ordered the duck liver mousse, red snapper & smoked pork shoulder. My favorite was definitely the duck liver mousse -- so rich, creamy and flavorful! I also really liked the ambiance of this place: very lively and energetic. The bar also looked like a great place to grab a drink. I would definitely come back! -L.
(4)Scott L.
My girlfriend and I had the vegetable and winter tasting menu with a great Chilean red and had ourselves two very good meals. We both loved the decor and the service was (for the most part) great. I felt like the tasting menu was a little fish heavy after 3 fish courses, but the rabbit dish gave the meal a good high point. The service dragged as the night went on. The time between dishes was about 10 minutes. Ordinarily I wouldn't mind the wait, however I found the atmosphere to be a little crowded for private conversation. And at the end, our waiter accidentally tacked on a ninety dollar bottle of wine onto our bill. I'm glad we noticed that glaring error! One thing I didn't like was the "Happy Birthday" dessert note. I noticed that several tables received an extra dessert plate, and others didn't (our table). It's not a huge deal, but I felt a little slighted. But overall, I'd like to come back - but I will probably stick with the Tavern. thetrufflehoney.blogspot…
(3)Andy M.
A friend booked Gramercy Tavern in advanced however I didn't know what to expect from the restaurant. There was a dress code so we made sure that we did some shopping beforehand to ensure that we could all get in. The service was amazing from the first step into the door to the last out. Our waitress was really polite and explained all the dishes on the menu and made excellent recommendations. When it came to dessert time we took 3 out of the 4 recommendations she gave us as we simply couldn't fit a 4th dessert in but she was kind enough to give us the 4th as she didn't want us to miss out on her favourites. High recommend this restaurant but also do recommend booking in advance.
(5)F E.
Food and service is incredible, a new favorite! I will recommend this to everyone who wants an incredible experience with a great wine list, delicious food and top notch service. The cheese list is impeccable and they even served a birthday cake although they weren't asked to do so. I'll definitely come back and bring my loved ones!
(5)Annette F.
Family brunch. Sleepy baby and hungry 7 year old made me question this selection. The hamburger special was just perfect. Asked for pasta wih butter for baby, and got it. I loved the mushroom lasagna!!!
(4)MichLee A.
We celebrated our first anniversary at GT and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. From my strawberry basil cocktail to the excellent service to the seasonal and vegetarian tasting menus to the three desserts and dessert wines to the petit fours to the goodbye coffee cakes, we just had fun. The docked star is because we just weren't 100% impressed with every dish -- for example, the marinated cucumber was a little boring, and the nectarine cobbler/tapioca dish just tasted weird (maybe excess thyme?). Other than that, an all-around delicious 3 hours. Get a table in th corner so you can watch the whole restaurant.
(4)Holly S.
Love this place, seriously I go back everything me I'm i. The city, brunch, lunch , dinner! All good
(5)Sebastian H.
We went to Gramercy Tavern for my Birthday on February 2nd. I was very excited being that this place is one of the restaurants on my culinary bucket list. I am sure there isn't much that i can say about Gramercy Tavern that hasn't been said already. The staff was friendly even as we were taken to our table. Smiles from everyone on the way to our seats. We opted for the tasting menu rather than the 3 course pre fixe. The tasting menu just sounded WAY BETTER. First, we had the amuse bouche. It was like a small soft warm popover. Very yummie. We began with a very mild and refreshing scallop dish with pickled mushrooms in a cilantro broth.Great way to begin the meal. Next we had the warm lobster salad which was excellent! Soft buttery lobster just melted in your mouth. This was our favorite up to this point. Next we had the halibut. My lady wasn't too impressed by this dish, but i certainly appreciated the simplicity of the dish. It was perfectly executed. After the halibut, we had the sweet potato agnolotti. WOW!!! This was nothing short of perfection. My girl's favorite of the night. Perfectly cooked pasta with a great creamy filling and a wonderful sauce to compliment it. Then came the duck. My favorite of the night. It was cooked to PERFECTION!!! The skin was crispy and salty (in the best way possible.) Then we had desserts. For my b-day they gave me the peanut butter semifreddo with chocolate macaroon and hot fudge. It was SO good. I think for my girl it even rivaled the agnolotti. They even gave us some muffins to go which we enjoyed in bed the next morning. They were also very good. The food alone would receive at least 4-4.5 stars, but our waiter, David's, excellent service pushed Gramercy Tavern to 5 stars. It's incredible what a difference a good waiter can add to the experience. He was friendly, attentive, informative, all without breathing down our necks every 5 seconds. This place was awesome. Simple as that. Go and ENJOY!!!
(5)Buo Z.
This time around the food was much better than the last time I came here. I had the 7-course tasting menu which included: Warm raw oyster - very good Raw red snapper - delicious Raw halibut - delicious Fish (forgot which one this was but it was cooked) - nice Duck dumplings - delish Sliced steak - decent Cheese plate (included an orange colored one) - all were pretty good Silver dollar size pineapple upside down cake with sliced pineapple strips - good Coconut with passionfruit ice cream - best dessert here The service was also quite good. Definitely a worthwhile tasting.
(4)Lauren A.
Amazing! Made reservations in the private dining area since we weren't sure how busy the bar section would be. Had the kale salad, chicken soup, bass w/peanut curry sauce, and the chocolate banana dessert. So delicious! Excellent service! The house breads were yummy and they gave us 3 pieces! I cannot eat dairy so they made our meal with no dairy and it was so good!! Must go place in NY!
(5)G C.
It's been 4 years since I've been to Gramercy Tavern. Today I came for a late Sunday afternoon lunch and had a splendid meal in the Tavern room. Never done that before. The service as always was superb. I started with the butternut squash lasagna with kale chips and mushrooms, which was a great plate. Listed on the entree part, they gave me a 1/2 portion which I appreciated. The main reason I came was I had a big time hankering for a burger and heard great things about theirs. The burger was really wonderful as wel and $18. Cooked to my rare specifications, drenched in clothbound cheddar on a wonderful soft toasted bun with purple potato chips and three condiments- homemade ketchup, a thousand island type sauce, and mustard. The best of the three was the thousand island which was like big mac sauce (maybe shake shack clone????). The ketchup was a little to spicy for my taste and I didn't touch the mustard. Only negative is the cheddar was very strong and at times overcame the taste of the meat. When I get a high quality burger I want to taste the meat more than the cheese. Also, they don't serve fries with the burger. Why the hell not??? For dessert I had the chocolate pudding with salted caramel, whipped cream, and toffee popcorn and a side of coffee ice cream. Spectacular! GT makes some awesome desserts.
(5)David C.
Very pleasant lunch. We came here to celebrate my sister's engagement. had the 5 course tasting menu for the table. Staff was very accommodating since one of the party is a vegetarian and requires modified menu. The room is pretty and the service was excellent. The wine list is extensive, wish there were more affordable options. The food quality and presentation is excellent but one over seasoned course. A little glitch with the bill but not a downer. Wonderful experience but too many fine dining options in nyc to deem a return visit.
(4)Ryan M.
Classy, warm atmosphere that is so inviting...and especially nice around the holidays. We ordered the Seasonal and Vegetable tasting menus. Plenty of dishes to try, and we thoroughly enjoyed just about all of them. The service was very much on point the entire meal, and I get the feeling that the team is made up of many long tenured, professional employees. An all around wonderful experience that I look forward to taking in again.
(5)Steph Y.
I came here for a surprise vday lunch. Very happy and thrilled at first to try the famed Gramercy Tavern. The ambiance was cozy, not stuffy at all, but sort of felt like a high-end Olive Garden. I'm not too sure how much I liked the decor. We ordered one seasonal tasting menu and the kale and brussels sprout salad, along with a peanut satay black bass. The first two items on the seasonal tasting menu were great- the lobster salad and the sea scallop dish. On the other hand, my kale and brussels sprout salad was way over salted... And sadly it all went downhill from there. All the entrees were sub par and not very tasty. My Black Sea bass tasted off- the peanut satay sauce was a bit sour and off putting, sorry to say but a bit like throw up. The worst and most disappointing thing of the meal was the dessert. I ordered the apple mousse and it was honestly the worst dessert I've ever had in my life. It tasted super dry and was like dirt. It also looked a bit like a terrain of different brown soil and dirt. We each took a bite and couldn't stomach another bite. Our server kindly asked how we liked it and I told her our honest opinion that it was pretty bad. She apologized and said they had a new pastry chef and took it off our bill. I'm sorry but how can a dessert taste so bad? That really put the nail in the coffin for us- especially on valentines day? Dessert is so important! I don't think we will be coming back- overpriced and more than unimpressed.
(2)Megan B.
Came here with my mom after a disappointing dinner at Craftbar for an after dinner drink and dessert. We walked in with no reservation at about 9:30 on a Saturday night. We asked if we could sit in the bar and they said sure but they happened to have an open table. We said we just wanted a drink and dessert but they said no problem at all. Our waitress was great. I wish I could remember her name. Her and I decided by the end of the night that we were kindred spirits as everything she suggested was exactly what I would have wanted. It was snowing and I was craving a hot cider which she convinced me to get with Calvados which I'd never heard of as I'm not much of a drinker but she explained to me it was like a brandy and I was sold. My mom ordered a glass of Cab. For our desserts I was between the chocolate pudding and the sticky toffee cake. She sold me on the pudding because of the salty sweet component of hte toffee popcorn. My mom ordered the pecan tart with I think it was a pumpkin ice cream. The apple cider hit the spot. It was warm and slightly spicy and so so delicious and not at all too sweet. I had to pace myself and not gulp it down because it was just so good. My chocolate pudding was also delicious with the toffee popcorn and whipped cream. My mom really enjoyed her pecan tart as well but I will say, it was pretty tiny. Overall, the food and drinks were good but the service was what made our experience so worth it. I'll definitely be back soon for a full on meal, and if its cold and snowing, you can bet I'll be ordering another one of those apple ciders
(5)Bee C.
The food is excellent, the service is impeccable. Everything we ate was delicious, the highlight probably being the lamb and the smoked fish appetizer. The portions are small-we had the three course menu and we left close to satisfied. I had the waygu beef entree and there were only two pieces of beef. Everything was totally delicious, just small.
(5)Tony T.
Came with with a group of friends for dinner. If you sit in the main dining room you have 2 choices, either the tasting menu with 6 courses or the dinner menu with 3 courses. We had the dinner menu with 3 courses for $86. The tavern menu is a la carte. I started with the Whole Spelt Spaghetti with Navy Beans, Ramps and Smoked Pork. First of all I had no idea what ramps were until the waiter explained that they were wild leeks. Spelt is a type of wheat and the spaghetti they made with it was pretty good, definitely cooked al dente. Overall you could taste the pork in the sauce and the ramps were there but didn't really overpower anything. I liked the navy beans in the sauce but they seemed a little extraneous. Having said that, I did eat them all. For my main course I had the Rack of Lamb with Salsify, Hazelnuts, Hen of the Woods Mushrooms and Ramp Greens. The lamb was cooked medium rare, just as I requested, and the mushrooms were fresh and fantastic. However, looking back I am not sure that this entree was worth a $10 supplement. There were 3-4 slices of the rack of lamb served on top of the mushrooms, salsify, and ramp greens. For those who don't know what salsify is, which I did not before eating it, it's a root vegetable that is supposed to taste like an oyster. I did not taste the supposed oyster-ness but it was pretty good. Maybe I need to try it in a different recipe as the lamb flavor and sauce might have overpowered the natural taste of salsify. Dessert was the Warm Chocolate Bread Pudding with Cacao Nib Ice Cream. The bread pudding was good but the cacao nib ice cream was a little bitter. The decor of the place was little like being back in a colonial house, lots of paintings/portraits of people and many bouquets of fragrant flowers. Overall the meal here was solid. There wasn't a spectacular dish but no one was disappointed with their meals.
(3)Frank F.
Some have called this the "unofficial first restaurant of New York". It's crazy stinking good. Fixed price or tasting menus only at dinner in the main dining room. A superb wine list. Flawless service. And when they say "business casual", they mean it, by today's very relaxed business casual definitions. You can get a little dressy if you want, or you can show up in cords and a buttondown, and you'll feel right at home either way. The food is ridiculous. It is expensive. But you won't care (and I don't care). Do it.
(5)Kym S.
I had a truly wonderful experience at Gramercy Tavern for an anniversary dinner. The waitstaff went out of their way to help us celebrate with a champagne toast and desserts with "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate sauce. Normally the idea chocolate writing would make me roll my eyes, but I promise it was very tasteful. I was very impressed with the service. The Sea Bass with swiss chard, capers, pine nuts, onion sauce course and Warm Chocolate Bread Pudding dessert were standouts in a line of exceptional dishes. If I could afford it, I would come back here in a heartbeat.
(5)I L.
My sister and I went here for lunch and while the food was wonderful, the service was not good. She never checked in with us and was very hard to find whenever we needed anything, from drinks, to plate clearing, to getting the check. She ended up forgetting our drinks and brought them out at the end of dessert. I think the problem with the lunch in general was an overly full house as the courses took too long to come out, and they assigned too many tables to our server. I would not come here again for lunch.
(3)Paul D.
Gramercy Tavern is a true anomaly in NYC and in general. An exceptional, ever consistent restaurant where the food and service is 5 star, minus the pretension and high prices. You can very easily have apps - dinner - desert and 2 drinks per person and come in under $150, which is unheard of in New York...or any big city for that matter. And for that price, you get one of the best 10 dining experiences in the city. I always eat on the tavern side - which does not take reservations in advance - but does a great job getting you in, no matter your preference. Put your name in at the front door, put your name in at the bar, and then grab and drink and enjoy the atmosphere. Ate at the bar last night and was served by Mark, who was gracious and helpful at every turn. Started with a delicious brussels sprouts app - moved onto a perfectly cooked pork chop with lentils and finished with chocolate pudding, topped with caramel pop corn (yeah....it was SO good.) At the end, you are left full, happy and only a block away from the Old Town Bar where you can grab a nightcap or 5. What could be better than that?
(5)Carmen C.
Exquisite. I brought my dad and my parents in-law here for a special family dinner. We had the tasting menu and as food that comes in such small portions, it is hard not love every part of it. The service was impeccable for our table and the dishes arrived just on time and delicately prepared. The ambience of the restaurant is very classy and also warm and cozy at the same time. It's a great place for special occasions with the family.
(5)Jeff S.
We had the chance to eat at Gramercy Tavern a few weeks back and were pretty pleased with with the experience. First of all, the service was truly impeccable. We ate in a private room and each person had their own personal server, who timed everything down to the second. All elements of the meal were in perfect synchronicity throughout the night. For example, all of the food was served at exactly at the same time, all the dishes were cleared at the same time, etc. It's obviously not a must at every single restaurant, but when you see it in action, it is rather impressive. As for the food, the technique was flawless. Everything looked great and was plated perfectly. However, the flavors were a bit on the dull side. Simply no soul at all. I got the butternut squash soup which was good, but very tame, almost flat. They added in a lot of vegetables which was nice, but it added almost nothing to the soup aside from texture. I also got the halibut with a potato puree. This too was good and very competently executed, but it just wasn't memorable. Finally, for dessert I went with the bread pudding, which was pretty good, but as with everything else, it was far from mind-blowing. As a dining experience, this place was quite a treat; nice atmosphere, great service, attractive plating, decent food. I definitely can see how some people would rate this place really high overall. But strictly speaking of food taste, I've had much better experiences at all sorts of restaurants. It's probably a bit uncouth, but I really feel as if I've been more moved eating a dog with everything at Gray's Papaya or a sloppy burger at the Parker Meridian than I was at Gramercy Tavern.
(4)Shelley W.
I had high expectations for Gramercy Tavern, since I am a fan of Chef Michael Anthony. But for a Michelin star establishment ranking #6 on Adam Platt's list of New York's 101 Best Restaurants, and given Anthony's recent James Beard Award for Best Chef in NYC, I was completely underwhelmed. The restaurant advises for "business casual" dress code, but the term seemed pretty loose and the vibe of the restaurant is relatively low-key. For women, just don't wear shorts. The patrons were dressed ranging anywhere from casual to more formal. The restaurant interior was spacious and I liked the ambiance. My parents and I ate in the main dining room. Overall, the food was simple and good, but not memorable. I did however really enjoy my dessert, the Peanut Butter Semifreddo with Chocolate Macaroon. The portion was unusually large though. You won't have a bad experience at Gramercy Tavern, as the service is friendly and the restaurant is beautiful, but for the same price point, I think there are far better options for food in NYC.
(3)Amanda A.
Food was great, the tasting menu right now is wonderful. Only thing I would have changed would be that the waiter would have had a better knowledge of wines and cocktails.
(4)Kitty W.
The service here is impeccable. I've been here twice and both times did the tasting menu with different people. Food is delicious, though a bit on the salty side to me. A part of me wants to give them 4 stars just for the over seasoning, but seriously.. that service! How odd is it that my most memorable part of a dining experience is their staff, and not their food? Excellent food, but top notch staff! Kudos to you all!
(5)Victoria L.
Had my graduation dinner here a couple months back. It was probably the best decision I made in my four years of college. THIS is what service is. Not to mention the amazing food that completely blew my mind. The servers knew how to make you feel special, so I could pretend I was more grown up than 21. Honestly, I'd go back just for the stand out service alone. For the price, their set menu is so worth it. The food is fresh, and beautifully presented - it's the complete overall experience. The tasting menu was brilliantly executed, and every flavor came through in each bite. They also surprised me with a "Congratulations" dessert. Needless to say, I was stuffed by the time we were finished. I wasn't looking for a menu that would take 5 hours to get through, and Gramercy Tavern was the perfect mix of classy with a laid back ease. I hope when I grow up, I can say I'm the same mix.
(5)Shwetha V.
AMAZING food - i got the veggie 7 course - every dish was better than the last.
(5)Ali S.
We had a fantastic experience here! Went for my boyfriend's birthday and it really felt like a special occasion from the minute we walked in the door. The tavern in the front of the restaurant is a little more casual than the dining room which consists of multiple rooms divided by beautiful drapes and containing white tablecloth-clad tables. Our coats were checked at the door and you can tell the place is elegant by the fact that people don't have their winter coats and gear all over the backs of their chairs. Our server, Jason, was awesome. I wanted a glass of Prosecco and typically they don't offer it by the glass, but I was able to get it anyway. The menu was delicious and had something for everyone. I'm not a vegetarian, but if I was, I would be very happy with the veg tasting menu which offered five veg courses...something you don't typically see. When I made the reservation (which is required for the dining room), I requested a little something special for my bf's birthday. Upon arrival at the restaurant, I thought about confirming, but then realized that would not be necessary because this place has it all together and they don't miss a thing. I asked one of the female servers where the ladies restroom was and she escorted me all the way there instead of just pointing. That was just above and beyond! There were a few, extremely well-behaved kids in the dining room, but I would not have been happy if there were kids screaming and running around. (Those kids should kept at home until they can sit still at the dinner table. :) ) All in all, I completely recommend GT. You won't get out the door for under $200 so just know that in advance.
(5)Wing C.
Maybe I expected a bit too much. But after reading all the glowing reviews, I left quite disappointed. My bestie and I came to Gramercy Tavern for a celebratory lunch of her matching to her dream residency. We were perhaps the youngest patrons in the dining room and the "youngest" was how we felt we were treated. My bestie and I ordered the black ink spaghetti, seabass, and flounder. It was a nice touch where they divided the portion into halves for us to share. The black ink spaghetti was cooked al dente - I especially enjoyed its broth (reminded me a bit of the umami taste from Japanese ramen). The seabass and flounder were both beautifully made. I didn't think I would enjoy the peanut sauce from the flounder but it was the tastiest component of the dish. The squash, quinoa, brussel sprouts combo from the seabass was tasty but not too memorable (reminded me a bit of the warm salad I usually pick from Wholefoods buffet station - not that I don't love Wholesfoods). Overall - our tummies were happy! However, It was obvious our server spent much more time and effort with the tables around us. We didn't order bottles - we were here for a nice meal - our server didn't hide his disappointment too well when we told him we were going for the food. After placing our order, we didn't see our main server again, we were attended to mostly by the busboy. We had to repeatedly ask for bread which he had a difficult understanding/was overwhelmed/totally forgotten. At the end of the meal, instead of asking if we wanted desserts, we were simply handed the bill... and I was so ready to order their signature cookies and milk! Satisfied by food, frustrated by service. With so many equally great tasting restaurants in the city, I don't see myself returning.
(3)Timothy A.
I'm the type of person that tries to find something wrong, but I couldn't with this experience. Lol. From the hostess took out bags and we were asked which part of the restaurant we wanted. We were then seated immediately. The waiter and staff were attentive and knowledgeable. The appetizer was DEVINE and the main course was good and the desert was good as well. All around great experience. Which we thought it would be.
(5)Grace K.
Finally checked out Gramercy Tavern for lunch to try their off the menu burger. The burger was delicious! Had a really great cheddar and Bibb lettuce. They claim to only make 20 a day. Bar staff was great. Also tried the spring and root vegetable appetizer. Pretty presentation with a nice assortment of vegetables and 3 tasty and interesting sauces for dipping. The only let down was the pork belly entree. It was really more like a thick cut piece of bacon. Also comes with a carrot kimchi but the kimchi part of it was a little lost on me. I would skip this and try something else.
(4)Hana A.
Sea bass- with nettles, shiitake mushrooms, almonds So delicious and tender We sat at the tavern and not the dining room. According to waiter, there are two separate menus. Dining room has the smoked trout I couldn't order, fyi Service was great
(4)Philip D.
Great service and great food. If you tell them that you are celebrating a special occasion they congratulate you immensely. We had the prix fix dinner. Each entree was an adventure. On top of that they brought in a little champagne for the special occasion. Definitely have to save money to eat here
(5)Jerry J.
I had a fantastic time at the prix fix main room. Spent a lot of money and I felt like I was a high roller for a good 2 hours.
(5)Casey O.
Absolutely incredible! I went stag and got a great spot at the bar, after waiting about 20 min. Couples might have a bit longer wait. Believe the hype! Service was spot on and food was delicious! As a single traveler I prefer half bottles of wine. Their selection of half bottles could be improved upon, but I did not complain as I drank my 2008 Chassagne-Montrachet(PN),I forgot the producer. This is my first review on Yelp and I apologize for my spelling and grammar.
(4)Ludlow P.
My best friend and I had always been meaning to try this classic New York establishment for years. She had moved out of town and was back visiting last week so we decided to go one early evening. Sat in the bar area--definitely more fun, less stuffy than the formal dining area (and with a more wallet-friendly prix fixe available on the menu). We started out with the Fall Classic...a delightful seasonal cocktail with bourbon, cider, and calvados. I've never had a cocktail that really captured the essence of autumn as much as this one. Really a drink to have if it it's still on the menu when you're there. We also had some raw oysters which the waitress said were only served in 2 other places in the city. Yum, they tasted of the ocean and so fresh with a hint of sweetness. On to the next appetizer, we shared the mushroom salad. You must, I repeat must order this salad. Hen of the woods mushrooms, pole beans, hazelnuts...a wonderful umami taste, so warming, and so unexpected. You will want to lick your plate. The mains were also delightful. We had the pork chop and the duck leg. Maybe I'd give a slight edge to the pork chop--juicy and flavorful, complimented well by a savory farro and chard salad. Can't go wrong with either dish though. Don't wait years to go here like we did. Go now.
(5)Jenni B.
Ah-mazing. It was my hubby's birthday weekend a couple weekends ago and I wanted to bring him someone nice to celebrate and a random check of OpenTable which previously indicated they were booked out for a weekend turned up a table at 11pm on a Saturday night. I booked it immediately. When we rang to confirm we asked to be notified if anything earlier came up and we were called day of for a spot at 10:30. We took it. As we were all dressed up we decided to go early and sample cocktails at the bar (which were fantastic) and ended up being seated shortly after 10pm. Not bad. At all points the service was impeccable. Our server was amazing - he even guessed what I was going to order (well, what I walked in thinking I was going to order, it totally changed but I still think demonstrates that he totally got me). I eat neither gluten (celiac) nor seafood and they were able to made modification to accommodate me with ease. We proceeded with the prix fixe dinner menu. I started with the cauliflower custard. It was lovely and light and just perfect. Then I had the chicken. It was likely the best chicken I've ever had. The real piece d' resistance was the only gluten free dessert, and apparently a dessert they are noted for having - the peanut butter semifreddo with chocolate macaroon. If you actually found a way to prepare dinner and serve it on a plate it probably would not be as delicious as that peanut butter semifreddo. It is honestly the stuff dreams are made of. It along was sufficient to make this one of the dining highlights of my life, but the quality and overall experience (service included) really sealed the deal. I definitely recommend for a special night out.
(5)Jeff M.
To be honest, I wonder how Gramercy Tavern is only a one-star Michelin. The best way to attack this place? Go with someone who is adventurous. Make no plans for after dinner. Order BOTH the Seasonal Tasting Menu and the Vegetable Tasting Menu. With Chef Michael Anthony at the helm, you want to try as much as humanly possible and it actually ends up being just the right amount of food. (Right amount = just shy of falling comatose.) Sure, it's a splurge but you definitely won't regret it. Our Seasonal Tasting Menu: - Red Snapper (Kohlrabi, Shiitake Mushrooms and Smoked Jalapeno) - Soft Shell Crab (Corn, Sucrine Lettuce and Pickled Green Tomato) - Halibut (Zucchini, Black Olives and Lobster Sauce) - Squab (Barley, Sungold Tomatoes and Artichokes - Roasted & Braised Beef (Peppers, Black Garlic and Einkorn) Our Vegetable Tasting Menu: - Sweet Corn (King Crab, Shiso and Pickled Ramps) - Heirloom Tomato Salad (Shishito Peppers and Pickled Fennel) - Warm Bean Salad and Squash Sauce - Roasted Eggplant (Cucumbers and Peppers) - Spinach Spaghetti (Tomato, Shishito Peppers and Basil) The desserts were a tasting of sorbets and cakes. Service is attentive yet not intrusive, with care and playfulness. The atmosphere is trendy and energetic, but you have a conversation without straining your vocal cords. I don't have to tell you what I think about the food. Feel free to re-read the first sentence of this review. Gramercy Tavern is one of NYC's elite restaurants and perhaps none more quintessential or accessible. Dare I say, it's BADASS.
(5)Whitne Y.
This is one of the most pretty restaurants I've been to, romantic with the displays of flowers throughout the establishment, loved the ceiling arches and spacious dining area. I had the seasonal tasting during lunch, while it was all good--the roasted duck and halibut really stood out. I wanted to save room for dessert but I couldn't help finishing it.. The wine list is pretty extensive and the server was wonderful throughout the service--knowledgable and friendly. I never felt rushed, nor ignored and the experience itself is five stars; food is four, would be five but I felt the desserts could have been slightly better, more creative definitely would be back
(5)Samantha S.
Gramercy Tavern has long been at the top of my list of restaurants to try, so I was thrilled when my co-workers gave my husband and I a gift certificate as our wedding gift. Since the reservation can be tough to get, it was nearly three months after our wedding before we were able to visit. Since we were celebrating, we chose the chef's tasting menu. I have a few food allergies, and Gramercy Tavern was beyond accommodating to them. Every course that we had was fantastic. I can't single out a single dish since they were all so delicious. The service was impeccable. My favorite part of the evening, however, was the coffee cake muffin presented with the check for the next morning. It was such a thoughtful and elegant touch, and really made the meal all the more memorable.
(5)Jennifer B.
My boyfriend and I went on our first formal date here last fall - I can't honestly remember what we ate (probably wen't too heavy on the wine), since we did their tasting menu, but I remember enjoying the fabulous service as the staff brought us multiple plates of delicious food throughout the evening. It's a top rated restaurant for a reason - pricey, but worth it.
(5)sasha h.
I love this restaurant, they have solid execution every time. This is definitely one of my top 3 restaurants in NY because they never disappoint. Great for a date, group, client dinner - it is versatile and despite being around for a while and a popular destination has not compromised on quality, service or creativity Service is wonderful, they are extremely accommodating if you don't eat red meat, are allergic to something etc, sommelier is always knowledgeable and wine list is extensive, lots of by the glass as well Everything sounds pretty simple on the menu when you read it but by the time you actually eat it you realize it is indeed delicious and there is nothing simplistic about it They always give a treat at the end to take home, most times it's been a muffin for "breakfast" but it is too much sugar for the AM so i wait for lunch. Comes in cute wrapping and they are yummy Restaurant itself is elegant, nothing too crazy. The bar area is pretty big and a nice place to grab a drink while you're waiting for your table. Make this place a stop on your NY restaurant tour
(5)Jen K.
Excellent restaurant, thoroughly enjoyable experience. The service puts you at ease here, and anything you order is solid.
(4)Jim L.
One of the highlights of my latest trip to New York was the wonderful Gramercy Tavern. We started with the mussels. lobster salad, country pate and 1/2 dozen fresh oysters. The mussels were wonderful in a delicious sauce, the lobster salad was well balanced and complex in flavour. Country pate was sublime, and the oysters were exceptional. For the main course we had the special Duck Confit with fettuccine and braised lamb, both were perfectly prepared and complimented by wonderful sauces. I don't normally bother with desert except on special occasions. This happened to be one of those times, and we asked the waitress to bring whatever was recommended. I ended up with the Chocolate Bread Pudding, which was the best I have ever tasted in the U.S. Well balanced, melt in your mouth heaven. If I have one last desert before I die, this is it!
(5)Lora H.
My first night in NYC... wandering aimlessly, I didn't have reservations to eat dinner anywhere but wanted to make the most of my time there. After much research, Gramercy Tavern was on my "to do" list, but of course I didn't plan in advance and have a reservation. But I called and asked if they take walk ins and they said, it's on a first come first serve basis in the Tavern. So, I chanced it... and got in! The atmosphere was nice, relaxed, the service was excellent! I asked the waitress what she recommended and so I got the Kielbasa with buckwheat Spatzle. OMG, it was soooo good! I also got the roasted brussel sprouts to start. Yeah yeah, brussel sprouts, but really, it was so good! I don't really get the bread that they serve - hard as a rock. But whatever, you don't want to get full on bread anyway! And the price was not bad at all!
(5)Justin E.
I had the tasting menu and was in for a treat. Although the individual portion sizes are small, I lost count when plate after plate appeared with succulent morsels filled my stomach until I could no longer fit anything else in. One of the beat meals I've ever had, a true gem in NYC.
(5)Sandra M.
Our intent was to try another restaurant by the same owner, but when that location was closed, they suggested the Gramercy Tavern. We were very impressed by the atmosphere and the professional staff (even the young lady who had just started that week seemed very well trained). The food was a perfect balance of flavour and size for a reasonable price. Our waters were always full, bread always on our side plate and a great wine recommended by the staff. Between the four of us, we had their fish, lasagne, sausage dishes and appetizers all unique to the summer season. The assorted desert sorbets are all delicious! They change their menu each season and I look forward to returning to this establishment on our next visit to New York.
(5)Evan M.
great
(4)Irvin K.
I had the best experience at this restaurant. The food was excellent, and the staff was efficient and friendly. I was here for a wedding celebration and was blown away by the food and the service. I shall return.
(5)Vlad F.
What a wonderful experience. Gramercy you never fail to please when I visit. It is rare that I ever see any place so highly focused on creating great experiences for their patrons. That's why I'll be back every time I visit NYC. Wife and I were running late stuck on wrong side of Lincoln tunnel. Not only did they hold our table on extremely busy night for 2 hrs but at least four people stopped by our table to ask about our ordeal. The service was impeccable and everyone from hostess to our waiter were extremely friendly.
(5)Ryan D.
I was meeting up with two friends last Saturday and my friend Dan said he was in the mood for 'a Don Draper night' (his words, not mine). I immediately suggested Gramercy for dinner as I had been to the dining room before (among the best fine dining experiences in NYC) but had yet to try the tavern. We arrived a little after 6, hoping to sit for dinner sometime before 8. The hostess told us there would be a wait of roughly an hour and a half and while the bar was full, we were welcome to order drinks and put our names on the list for bar seats. The list is a great system as it eliminates the need to constantly keep an eye on the bar in order to swoop in on an empty chair. By the time we had finished our first drinks, our names came up for seats at the bar. The feel of the bar is pleasant; the bar tenders are professional yet unpretentious. At nearly 7:30 on the dot, we were informed that our table was ready. I explained that we were still one short as our friend was running late. The host said we were welcome to sit and wait for him at our table - a very nice surprise as we were fully expecting to be bumped down the list until our full party was present. Before we could even ask, he transferred our bar tab to the table, placed our drinks on a tray and led us to our table. Luckily, our missing party member arrived shortly after and we put in our appetizer orders. We ordered the Long Island baked clams, a half dozen Island Creek oysters and the duck liver mouse, all of which were exceptional, but we all agreed the duck liver mouse took the prize. For the main course, my friend and I both ordered the crispy grilled duck leg and my other friend got the arctic char. I had never had duck prepared in that fashion before but it was VERY tasty. The lentils provided a welcome accompaniment. I did not get a chance ti try the arctic char because my friend gobbled it down in about 7 minutes flat, but I am assuming he enjoyed it. As is expected with any Danny Meyer establishment, the service was impeccable from start to finish. For me, this is what really puts Gramercy Tavern in a separate class from its competitors. Don't get me wrong, the food is FANTASTIC, but whether you are eating in the dining room, the tavern or even at the bar, you can relax in knowing that you are dealing with a staff of trained professionals. In short, the dinner was a huge success and we continued on to the rest of our night in very high spirits. I absolutely love this place and I plan on coming back every chance that I can.
(5)Ha H.
Exceptional food, service, ambiance and location. Easy to get to. 4.4 stars. The lunch menu is reasonably priced. The portions are the right size; i.e. not too big. I have also had lunch in their private dining room; it was a great experience. The place does need a little cap ex, floors etc are showing a slight sign of wear. But overall, still v good. Hence the 4.4 v.s a 5.
(4)Eliza M.
Gramercy Tavern, you have delighted me. Your customer service skills are impeccable. Your food is delicious. Your desserts are decadent. A round of applause for you.
(4)Kris P.
Fine dining at its best! Outstanding service and food. Had the 7-course tasting and it was amazing.
(5)Stephanie A.
Came here with a friend for her birthday and walked in without a reservation but they seated us within 10 minutes as they were cleaning off a table while the line behind us grew tremendously... I had the Tavern Today menu that comes with 4 courses including dessert and everything was nice, but the portions were so tiny I left feeling hungry which never happens to me anywhere - I can feel full off of a cheese plate with a nice glass of wine. My second course of octopus and pasta had 2 nickel sized pieces! Our waiter was great though and offered substitutions for an allergy of mine. My friend enjoyed her pork chop and it looked great with polenta. We went on a Friday and the place was packed- people were standing around us drinking while waiting for their tables and we were not even that close to the bar. It was slightly annoying hearing people laugh way too loud right behind us. So- nice food- everything cooked well and flavors were on point. But atmosphere was lacking- they had too many people standing around and the portion size for my meal was too small. Took a little longer than expected to get our drinks and longer gaps between food, but it looked like a busy night.
(4)Silvio D.
Rarely does a place like this live up to the hype, but Gramercy Tavern was as good as advertised. The food was outstanding, the drinks were smooth, and the service was impeccable. Hats off to Gramercy Tavern for making my wife's birthday so enjoyable! My wife and I ate in the main dining room, where they only have three set menus. I went with the pappardelle as an appetizer. It was delicious with a plentiful amount of noodles with beef in the sauce. I also had the duck as an entree, and it was AWESOME. I got it medium rare, so I recommend it the same way because it was so tender and flavorful. My wife had the pollock as an entree. Cooked perfectly without a fishy taste and the lobster on the side was excellent! And, the fall classic is a fantastic drink. Smooth with a nice cider taste. I highly recommend it if you like apple cider.
(5)Sonny P.
Went here for lunch on Jan 10th while visiting from Chicago. Service was immaculate, presentation of food A+ and the food was delicious. The only reason why this place doesn't get a 5 is because the lack of vegetarian dishes on the menu.
(4)Alexander L.
All around this is an amazing place to spend your night. Superb cocktail menu, beer menu that rivals the best in nyc. Excellent service. The food all sounds mediocre on the menu but every dish we tried had unreal flavor. The ratio for price/quality here may also be unrivaled in nyc.
(5)Bo Y.
This is exactly what I expected from a hip and popular restaurant/bar in New York City. Interior design is a visual feast with fresh flowers. The waiters are very well dressed with fitted dress shirts, ties and vests, all in a professional but fun color scheme. The cocktails are $14 but they are darn good and darn strong. The food...oh the food! Their appetizers are amazing! I especially recommend the sweetbread from veal. Absolutely phenomenal!
(5)Sara G.
Gramercy Tavern is my favorite fancy restaurant in the city. I like it better than Del Posto, Eleven Madison Park, Dovetail, etc. Gramercy is the perfect combination of swankiness and exciting food that makes you feel like the splurge was worth while without feeling stiff, pretentious or like everyone knows you don't belong there. I have been for lunch and for dinner and loved my experience both times. Obviously the food is amazing. There's not too much explanation needed. It's American food that you will recognize, but always interesting and you never feel like you could whip it up at home yourself. The cocktails are also very good; I recommend arriving a bit early to hang out at the bar. The waiters are extremely helpful and can break down every tiny component of a dish if you need help deciding. It's exactly the personality you want when you are leaving a large chunk of change for a tip - professional, polite, knowledgeable, attentive. Great decor. Tasteful and clearly upscale, but you won't be afraid of it. It's almost like sitting in a very wealthy relative's house. People are talking and having a good time.
(5)Leah C.
Pass by it often since it's near work, and always peek in since the window dressings are usually adorned in a rustic whimsical English cottage sort of of way. A coworker raved about the service so I took a friend there for dinner for his birthday. There's two sections, the more casual tavern in the front and the dining room in the back; each with its own separate menu. We dined in the dining room. I wanted to get the Seasonal tasting menu [$120 p/p] but all parties have to order the same so that they deliver the food out at the same time. Since it was his birthday, I agreed to the regular dinner menu [$92 p/p]. The food itself was very good but nothing mind-blowing. Service like everyone said was impeccable. For dessert, I couldn't decide between the sorbets and the Peanut Butter Semifreddo, so they gave me both. Not a huge fan of PB, but holycrap was it good. Lots of little treats in between courses that I think I had more desserts than actual food. The mini muffin at the end to take home was a cute gesture. Total bill $300+ Total duration 4hrs Would I go back? Most certainly, but only if I'm not buying.
(4)Wonder W.
I rarely give anything 5 stars but this place deserves every single one. What an amazing amazing restaurant. It's not super-huge or super-stuffy or fancy but the minute you walk in, you know you're in for something special. We came as a group to celebrate two special birthdays and were treated like kings & queens from the moment we sat down. Our waiter explained everything on the menu that we enquired about and everyone raved about their choices. The food, service and decor is amazing - it's simple and elegant. I cannot wait to go back there. My new fave place to eat in NYC. Deserves all the high reviews!
(5)Lauren M.
I had been wanting to come here for ages and managed to get a reservation when my family was in town - and we were not disappointed! Given it's a fine dining place, I was expecting it to be quite a formal, stuffy environment, but I couldn't have been more wrong. There is a great lively atmosphere to the place. We had the three course menu and every course was delicious. The service was really good - our server was knowledgeable on the menu, able to guide us through it and suggest wine pairings. My favourite place I've eaten in NYC!
(5)Jess C.
Date/Time: Sunday - 9:15pm Occasion: Birthday dinner I for me Party of: Two Location: Tavern: Finally! A spacious restaurant with cute fall decor with a tavern style feel...(hence the name Gramercy Tavern). Seating spaced out enough so that you're not bumping elbows with other tables. Ordered: Country pate with pickled vegetables, Mussels in cilantro broth, Smoked pork shoulder with bacon broth, and Smoke kielbasa with spaetzle and beets Total incl gratuity: $90 I really wanted to try Gramercy Tavern on my last trip to NYC three years ago but didn't make it. This trip, we finally made it on our last night. We opted to eat in the tavern instead of the dining room - the menu had more variety. The country pate was not very soft. The presentation was gorgeous but I wasn't very fond of the flavor. It was not as smooth and rich in flavor as I hoped. I was, however, a fan of the pickled vegetables. They were extra tart and crunchy. I had a few nibbles of the boyfriends mussels. Very fresh with the lovely flavor of cilantro. A brilliant combination. I chose the pork shoulder as my entree. It was massive! BF had to help finish off the rest. The pork was incredibly supple and juicy. Towards the end, because I was eating so slow, the pork became soggy and had an overwhelming flavor of broth. So, my advice? Eat fast. I had a bite of the kielbasa. Smoked and salty - just the way I like it. Although if you're looking for value, I would not recommend the sausage. One sausage for $19 seems a little steep and unfulfilling. Overall, we enjoyed our experience at GT. Service was very friendly! Food was memorable. Ambiance was lovely. It's not a place that I've come home to rave about however I'm glad I can finally check it off my list of restaurant must-trys.
(4)Aaron S.
Probably one of the best restaurants in NYC....HANDS DOWN. I went for my 30th birthday and it couldn't have been a better experience or meal. Obviously, you have to pay for that type of experience...but it's worth it. amazing staff and incredible food.
(5)Sean S.
Well I went here today with a few colleagues for a beer. It turns out they have quite a selection of beers on tap. Most people are here for dinner obviously. The place is a great place to eat, a real bourgie dining room feel, which is nice now and then. Anyway, I had a Stone 13th Anniversery Ale which was very tasty. I'm sort of just getting into beers really, and when I find the right ales, I'm really impressed. This one was great.
(4)Paul K.
While it can be quite difficult for me to justify stepping into a $$$$ establishment on Yelp there are a few occasions in ones life that its appropriate. I'll spare those details so on with the Meal. They offer several pri-fixe menu options, the summer tasting menu looked delicious but my date and I elected for the classic menu, I order the halibut and my date went for the pork shoulder. The pork shoulder was incredible and the halibut literally melts in your mouth. Our waiter was incredibly helpful- After we told him it was our first time he replied with genuine delight "well then lets have a conversation about the menu" - A conversation about the menu on a packed Saturday, pure class! While I heard him use the same line on every table I can appreciate any master of their craft. He recommended a superb spanish wine to pair with Halibut AND Porkshoulder (props) and my date and I never once had to refill my our glasses. To top it off they gave us coffee cake to take home with us for breakfast. I'm sure I'll be back.
(5)Jasmine C.
This may be one of the most expensive dinners I've ever had. And one of the most memorable as well...everything from the food to the service! Damn, what service! I went last summer when I was in New York and it was quite the experience. First of all, it is a gorgeous restaurant. Flowers everywhere and the restaurant looks quite spacious...I didn't see the whole thing but it felt huge. (Oh and the restroom was gorgeous as well. Flowers in there with hand towels on a marble sink. Hey, I like a restaurant with a nice restroom. Cleanliness is next to godliness!) We could have had better seats though...I didn't care to be 5 feet from my neighbor, but I tried to ignore them. =P The waiters were SO nice too. They literally attend to your every little whim. When I got up to go to the restroom, he folded my napkin neatly for when I got back and kept refilling my water to no end. I think we had a selection of breads...but it probably wasn't too good or too bad for me not to remember. My friend had foie gras in a pudding or some form...and it was good, albeit a bit heavy after awhile because, well, it is foie gras. And it was in a cream. I had a soft-shell crab with salad that was amazing! It was the right amount of hot and cold together and very refreshing. For the next course, I cannot for the life of me remember what my friend had, but I had the lamb and it was good! Very juicy and easy to eat. Okay, so a story about the lamb. I was trying to cut a piece for my friend and put it on his plate...and you see, there's this candle in between us. Needless to say, do not attempt to share lamb with someone over candlelight and using your fork and knife as a delivery method. My piece of lamb promptly put out the flame...(was there one?!) and we could not stop laughing for the rest of the meal. The waiter saw too...I'm sure he was trying not to laugh at me as well. Gosh, it was embarrassing, but he didn't say anything and promptly came over to change the candle for us. (See how attentive they are?? You can't even drop lamb in a candle without being caught!) Before dessert, we had a palate cleanser dessert that was compliments of the chef. It was a mini strawberry shortcake arranged in a mini dish with the shortbread to the side, strawberries, what I believe was blueberries or blackberries in a jam, and a dollop of creme fraiche. There was a hint of mint too, I swear, because it really did clean my palate before dessert. And being a mint fanatic, I absolutely loved it! This quite possibly might have been my favorite part of the meal, but I'm a major pastry/dessert fanatic. For dessert, my friend had coconut tapioca with passionfruit/coconut sorbet and cilantro syrup. The sorbet was sandwiched between two thin wafer cookies...shoot, I'm not sure how to describe the cookies. But, I think it would have been much more enjoyable if I actually liked cilantro. Because I love passionfruit and tapioca! Sadly, I don't like cilantro. I think I have that gene that makes it taste like soap. I can distinguish the flavor so clearly...and it's gross! I had a mascarpone cheesecake that was the lightest, fluffiest thing ever! The crust was baked into a buttery, crumbly cookie and topped with a pecan or praline brittle of some sort. And raspberry sorbet with pistachio bits to the side. All very beautifully displayed of course. =D And yummy to boot. Gosh...it was such a great dining experience. And they even gave us raspberry muffins to take home for breakfast the next day! They were quite delish the next day. =) Brought a smile to my face in the morning. Great marketing technique. haha =D Overall, I don't know if the food is the most amazing I've ever had in my life that I'd die to go back for it. It was delicious, no doubt! I just think the whole experience of dining there was what made it so superb. And an unforgettable story about lamb...
(5)joe p.
Completely unpretentious. Food is so delicious. Decor is so tasteful and understated. Service was absolutely outstanding without being overwhelming. If you can't get a table at Le Bernardin, come here. No where else matters in New York.
(5)bryce k.
We had dinner here last night. It was amazing. We had the five-course seasonal tasting menu ($118) which i believe was a better value than the standard two course price fixe ($88) portions were smaller of course, but the myriad of tastes were well worth it. We also asked for a wine pairing, not offered on the menu, but our server created her own pairing for us, and it turned out excellent. The cocktail menu looked great, we started with the "Fall Classic" drink, it was fantastic. Some food highlights included the tripe, lobster, and the best of the night "The Duck", service was impeccable, staff very welcoming. Definitely a 5 star.
(5)Yuting D.
I should have written down my spectacular experiences at Gramercy Tavern on 11/24/2013 night, which is my sweet roommate Tracy Yang's pre-birthday celebration, but I literally got food drunk after 5-hr, 10-course, finished with a kitchen tour VIP treatment by our friend Pastry Chef Miroslav Uskoković. As the thanksgiving is approaching, GT has changed its décor to a seasonal theme with pumpkins, foliage, barks, candles and etc. hang out. I was a little bit embarrassed with my attire when I first saw this warm and classic inner design, but right at the moment when I was led to the dining room all the way back, seated at a private corner and looked around, I realized my evening dress paired with 'four season' UGG is not a problem at all because it was accompanied by a lot of jeans, casual shoes and button-down shirts without ties. Overall, it's a fine dining restaurant with very laid-back atmosphere. The service was very friendly and attentive from the beginning to the end. Our water glasses were filled up before empty. They always kept an eye open on our progress of each course and cleaned up the plates and silverwares very quickly and in time. (I also noticed that there were always at least 2 waiters or waitress showing up at exactly the same time to clean up our table, probably because we had three people and they wanted to minimize the disturbance to us? - very considerate!!!) This time we decided to take a risk, sacrifice our control and go with Chef's special menu. We were very glad to make this decision. Surprised by each course, we literally enjoyed every single bite of all the dishes. The savory dishes are very rustic, with various kinds of farm-to-table ingredients, such as hen of wood mushrooms, cipollini, parsnips, sweet potatoes and etc. From the dressing and sourcing, you can tell the Chef got influenced a lot by Asian food culture, but never sacrificing American nature. The portion of each dish is just perfect, neither too big or too small, and after 5 course savory, we still had some space (physically it's so called SPACE, but mentally it's CRAVING) for desserts. We literally have another 5 course desserts: post savory little sweet, pre-dessert dessert, light dessert (I called it Asian American style) and heavy dessert (I called it Traditional American style). If I said the pre-dessert Golden Crispy Apple Juice with soaked Pomegranate Seeds and topped with Lychee Foam find me a way to the heaven, then the light dessert Black Sesame Cake with Basmati Rice Pudding and Lychee Mousse opened the heaven's door for me. In the last round of the desserts, all of them are a little bit heavy and sweet to me. If they were less sweet, I would like them much more. But I couldn't deny that I started to dance in the heaven after I tasted Apple Crisp with Hickory Ice Cream, Walnuts and Wild Funnel and Brioche 'n' Cream Sundae with Maple, Pear, Pecans and Bacon. My fabulous night at GT couldn't be completed without the kitchen tour, where I was able to see how passionate the Pastry Chef is about for his dessert. I was well fed, spoiled, motivated and inspired on 11/24/2013 night
(5)Karen K.
My family and I ate here to celebrate my sister's med school graduation. I had heard many good things about this place, and frankly, I just thought it was ok. We ordered the tasting menu and nothing in particular stood out to me. The meal consisted of 5-6 courses plus dessert. I think there was one vegetable dish and then some fish and meat. I felt the service was great and the ambiance was nice. Not super casual, but not stuffy at all. Overall, it's a good restaurant, but I've had better and more memorable meals, especially at around $100/head.
(3)Raz R.
Lunch. i'm in a trip by self, so i've been there alone and came with no reservation. Sitted quickly in the main dining room, my waiter gave me an explanation about the lunch menu (they have a tasting menu, 5 Courses = 58$ or a la carte). The tasting menu seems to be nice but I decided to go a la carte. Got to choose bread (2 options. don't remember), nice, not bright italian filone bread, assorted by butter & sea salt. Amuse! my favorite treats in those kind of places - cauliflower custard, smoked cauliflower, pickled apple, walnuts & Trout caviar. The custard was very good, the caviar wonderful!! but the apples tasted funny and has too much rice vinegar taste, luckily they were only 2 little pieces. Butternut squash soup was a little bit too sour and contains few pieces of the same apple from the amuse, I didn't finish my soup and they didn't ask me why =/... I had very good MC - Pasture raised chicken & sausage. A little piece of thigh, big piece of very good cooked breast and 3 little pieces of chicken sausage. The menu said that it comes with chestnuts, squash and apples. But it came with candied walnuts, 2 kinds of roasted squash, apple 2 ways (again, one of the ways is the weird tasting apple from all of the courses) and some greens. I Loved what came Better Then What i Saw at the menu, but I think they should fix the menu and right about all the ingredients in the dish. Skip Dessert and paid 34$ (w/o tax&tip) - thats good for 2 pretty big courses at a 1 star restaurant. I think that because I came alone, the treated me differently (not in the good way). Next Time I'll come with my family, maybe it will be better because they have the potential.
(3)Jenn W.
Came to GT 3 years ago and had the tasting menu in the dining room. After that, I've been trying to find a reason to go back because it was one of the best dinners ever. I admit one of the other reasons why I haven't gone back is because I'm too lazy to try to get a reservation haha but I assure you, it's definitely worth it! Luckily we found a reason to go back this time as a friend gave me (and my bf) a gift certificate (i know, i have awesome friends). This time, we really wanted to check out the tavern area. We waited about 40 minutes which wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I had the dinner prix fixe menu which included an apple salad, sea scallops, duck meatloaf and a pumpkin cheesecake. Everything was amazing except the duck meatloaf was more salty than I expected. But the pumpkin cheesecake was one of the best I've ever had. We shared everything and also ordered the butternut squash lasagna and the pork chops. Wow I'm still thinking about the butternut squash lasagna and it's been a while since I had pork chops that juicy and tender! GT is still prob my fave restaurant in NYC! Def would recommend it!
(5)Ravi S.
Wonderful atmosphere and superb service. Although the restaurant wasn't Packed it was a bustling. Our early dinner was amazing and worth while. The deserts were good and I would return.
(4)Sun K.
Great place for nice cocktails and great food. Had the fish and specialty cocktails... nice for happy hour, too
(4)Miss B.
Cool, but not sure it's a top 5 though? Service is definitely a 5 if not more. Layout, ambience and location are 4's. The food itself was just meh, 3 at best for me. Sorry, flavor was ok, just didn't move me. May go back, doubtful though.
(3)Alka J.
Regardless of price, the food is just ok. Had the prix fixe dinner menu. I ordered the Celery Root soup which was fine, but Campbell's could have made it too by just cutting up some butternut squash and throwing it into their celery soup. It wasn't cream-based yet still thick due to the puree, which I enjoyed. The duck breast as my main wasn't bad bbut it wasn't close to the best either. If I ate it with the skin on it was too salty, if I cut it off, it wasn't salty enough. The confit, brussel sprouts and mushrooms were all great and probably the best part of the dish. Had the chocolate bread pudding for dessert, but not sure if I enjoyed it because it was fantastic or because I was 3 glasses of wine in. Service was spectacular - it would get a 5 by itself. The waitress and bus boy were very attentive. Also enjoyed the atmosphere - wasn't stuffy at all and had a good vibe. But if i had to do it again, i would go to Craft just one block over.
(3)Lama B.
We came here for a nice late lunch and they really made the experience so awesome that Maha and Mom came back again that same week. We were starving and nothing says incredible service like a 3 minute wait and being whisked to a tavern table. We were served water and menus right away. I settled on the mussels with chorizo while maha ordered the chicken soup and dumplings. Mom did not feel compelled to order any of the appetizers so our concerned waiter suggested that the chef could whip together a carrot soup for her-which she did...which was AWESOME! The mussels were briny and fresh, complemented perfectly by the meaty salty chorizo. The beans were a little too plentiful but otherwise the dish was excellent. Maha's soup was so comforting and Mom's carrot soup was incredible. It was sweet with a touch of ginger, and no one would have thought they threw it together on the spot! For mains Mom and Maha had the grilled chicken, while I went for the flounder. The chicken was succulent and juicy, and did not even need the au jus as not one bit was dry. The flounder was perfectly cooked with a delicious spaghetti squash side. YUM! Dessert was ricotta cheesecake and sorbet, and really the sorbet was some of the best I have ever had. It is house made and you must not miss the grape. The cheesecake was rich and decadent, and the apple pie our neighbors were having was equally impressive (looking). I will definitely be back for dining room dinner service, and im sure an upgrade to a 5!
(4)Carole K.
Been meaning to review this restaurant for awhile as I was there over the holiday season. We opted for the tasting menu and there were 11 of us. the service was stellar, they never missed a beat, everyone was served at once, the presentation was impeccable and the dishes were fabulous ( at first I thought the portion were a wee too small but that is because i didn't realize there were going to be so many). The wines paired with food were totally on point and the restaurant's ambience was well done,welcoming and warm without being pretentious.
(5)K S.
If you can get in and have the bucks, don't hesitate. Although with today's economy, reservations might be a bit easier. Tons of good stuff. Enjoy - you will have a great meal!
(5)david b.
10 words. Bar nuts. meatball made my knees weak. no prix fixe.
(5)michael d.
Made a visit after a long day. No reservation about 6 party of 3. Excellent service. Competent, accommodating, knowledgable. The food was excellent, the bar was even better! They carry Hayman's Old Tom Gin for God's sake. Where does that happen?
(4)David P.
wow.... amuse bouche: cheese puff pastry...think what goldfish crackers made out of good cheese and cloudy, flaky goodness would taste like and these are better. warm lobster salad: super duper fresh and delicate, nearly melt in your mouth lobster...damn. halibut: succulent, juicy fish?! yup! roasted duck breast: moist, medium rare pieces of tender duck with very edible soft skin. cheese course (added) was great as well. Chocolate pecan coconut cake: the butter pecan ice cream stole the show...something about that ice cream took me back to my younger years eating breyers by the spoonful/carton. After dessert dessert bites: yum. ...wow
(5)Vonetta Y.
I am so ashamed to write this review, but I have to come clean: I do not remember at all what I ate at Gramercy Tavern. And that is testament to the goodness of the cocktail and wine lists. Sadly, the occasion was my husband's 30th birthday, and his friends were generous and kind to take us Gramercy, and I'm sure the meal was amazing because it was the seasonal tasting menu, which everyone raves about. I remember all of one bite of the tartare, then my memory gets crazy foggy. In conclusion, I am wildly ashamed of myself, but the drinks were phenomenal and I do not regret indulging. That being said, the next time I go to Gramercy Tavern, I'll savor dinner even more.
(5)Monica S.
The tasting menu at Gramercy Tavern was the first time in my life I had spent more than $100 on a meal. But boy, it was worth it. The occasion was my parents' 25th anniversary, and since we were taking a family trip to the Big Apple, we wanted to do something special. The food was incredible - if it weren't gauche, I'd have licked the plates. Despite that this was high-end dining, the ambiance was warm, cozy, and inviting. And, after what felt like our 18th course, the servers mentioned that "they had heard it was a celebration" and brought out the final dessert with "Happy Anniversary" written along the plate in chocolate, along with complimentary champagne. The staff here went out of their way to make our evening extra special. Thanks for earning my brother and I some "good children" points, guys.
(5)Hong D.
I was taken here by my now ex-bf for an anniversary and it was an exceptional place to go! I was very impressed by the food options as well as our server who seemed to be very knowledgeable, patient, helpful, courteous and very friendly! The food was superb. There was absolutely nothing that I can complain about. Even their bathrooms were pristine with hand towels and all. We had a 3 course meal and they surprised us with sweet treats in the end and also a take home coffee cake for breakfast the next morning - which was a lovely delight. I thoroughly recommend this place for service, food, ambiance and complete dining experience. One of my favorite restaurants now in the city. Too bad I don't know if I'd like to go back though, due to this fond memory with a past boyfriend. Lovely decor as well; very classy! 5 stars - and I rarely ever, if at all, give 5 stars!
(5)John E.
Service and atmosphere are amazing. The food is prepared by world class chefs but I was never impressed taste-wise with any of the dishes. I've been to Gramercy at least 3 times and yeah, I rate it A-OK.
(3)Jared B.
Sunday night 9:30 reservation. Had Autum Tasting menu (7 course). Atomsphere is really cozy elegant and casual at same time. Waitress had a chip on her shoulder just beneath her neutral attitude which was a bit unpleasant. Food was tasty. Nice techniques, flavor combinations. Plates werent wiped clean, presentation lacked love and attention to detail and recieved burnt cauliflower on my fish dish. Piedmontese beef dish was tough, chewy and literally only 2 thin sliced on plate, i understand tasting menus mean smaller portions but 2 slices??? SKIMPED! Duck dumplings were delicious and the lobster was quite pleasant. Deserts were so so , concord grape sorbet and goat cheese cake, deconstructed apple pie. Overall its over priced, portions for big tasting menu are too small, and felt like the restaurant is on auto pilot. Nothing cutting edge or pushing the envelope as far as service and food goes, would be a great place at half the cost. I would go back but only to the bar, not the dinning room but that probably wont happen either.
(3)Grace J.
Exquisite dining experience. Food are absolute delight. Classy and elegant decor. Murals and fresh flowers completes the beautiful atmosphere. The price for the 3 meal course is definitely out of the question!
(5)Troy K.
Amazing upscale place, good for business meetings or if you would like to impress someone. Very good crowd.
(5)Stefano M.
Had a 3 course lunch here and EVERYTHING was spot on, from the service to the food! This was definitely one of the finest lunches I've had to date. I'm a pastry chef at a 5 star 5 diamond property in CT and when I tried all their desserts (don't worry I didn't eat them alone) I was taken away how something so simple as chocolate pudding can be so delicious! It definitely got my gears going for my new dessert menu at my restaurant.
(5)Tim F.
Went here for lunch one afternoon this summer with very high expectactions. Had heard about Gramercy Tavern for years and it was always on the list of places I wanted to try but just couldn't find the time to get there. The atmosphere is really great. Well decorated, comfortable, and lots to keep you interested. I found the menu very limited (we were there for lunch). I settled on a sea bass entree and frankly, I it was just ok. The sides were uninspired, the fish had little taste and wasted well seasonsed. Maybe it is a case of my expectations being too high, but it just fell flat. I may try again because of the excellent reputation - but not a first choice.
(3)Edward O.
Flawless service and superb in every respect.
(5)Jewel Y.
Yo Gramercy Tavern! I'm really happy for you that you won Michelin 1 star again and Imma let you finish, but I still think Chef WIlly of Degustation is the hottest chef in NY of all time, OF ALL TIME!
(5)Kerry-Ann H.
As good as it gets! The food is phenomenal, presentation is great and the service is top notch. You can tell much investment is put into the customer having an unforgettable dining experience. Def worth the splurge.
(5)Gail G.
Tasting menu was delicious. Service impeccable. I loved all of the little touches, including the muffin for my breakfast the following morning.
(5)Melissa S.
Very very good. I went here for a lite dinner and ended up staying for about four hours. They were so accommodating, another friend joined us (since we were there for so long) and they had no problem setting up another place setting. They didn't kick us out and kept the champagne flowing!
(4)Jonathan B.
I had one of my best NYC restaurant experiences in the dining room at Gramercy Tavern in April 2011. For years I had somehow written GT off as too popular and therefore uninteresting. I was deluding myself. We ordered the main (non-vegetable) tasting menu, and although I don't recall every dish, I do remember that everything was delicious. The standout was a "Smoked Trout with Cipollini Puree and Pickled Onions." I didn't want it to end. Both desserts--the first more of an intermezzo featuring sorbet and fresh grapefruit, the second some sort of chocolate/banana cake--were very satisfying but not overly rich. The beverage and wine program here is robust, verging on the overwhelming. But our server handily steered us to a Northern Rhone syrah that totally knocked our socks off. So memorable. The service was exemplary in every way. Everything about this meal came together in a way that all great meals should. Well done, Gramercy Tavern.
(5)Annie T.
Won't be saying anything new. this place really deserves its reputation. Decor is simple but elegant and cozy. Our waiters (we had around 3) were attentive, informative but not overbearing. Service was excellent and I feel that's what really defines the essence of this establishment . Had an awesome dining experience lasting 4 delicious hours. Since there were 3 of us, felt like I ate 9 courses. Standouts were the smoked trout, sirloin steak and the warm chocolate pudding cake. Lamb parpadelle, scallops, Halibut were just OK, did not leave a party in my mouth. Looking back, wished I swapped my Halibut for the duck since I was looking forward to tasting it. The cheese tasting was great. we just based it off our waitresses recommendation (same for wine). Thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
(5)Nina W.
Oh yes please. If only every restaurant was like this. Ok, it costs at least $150 p/p but it is worth every penny. Food, service, ambience all top notch. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Koa N.
We were in the city for President's Day weekend so I made reservations to have dinner at Gramercy Tavern. When we arrived, they quickly checked-in our coats and seated us. I ordered the Seasonal Prefix and my girlfriend ordered the Vegetable Prefix menu. Both came with 5 courses and 2 desserts, and were excellent. Each course had a variety of ingredients and flavors that created an experience I've never had before. It was one of the best dinners I've ever rewarded my taste buds with. The atmosphere is nice, but not too fancy that you feel uncomfortable. The wait staff is excellent and very attentive. If you're in town and looking for a nice restaurant to dine at, check this place out.
(5)Rachel O.
Do not waste your money. This place is so over-hyped it's hard to know where to begin. The tasting menu had no connection between the courses, lacked creativity and left us feeling stuffed and nauseous. I love brussel sprouts- but they were in more than half the courses. No course was particularly memorable or incredibly delicious and while the service was attentive - too much so - it was so stuffy that it felt cold. I like to feel like my waiter is a human being! I have heard the a la carte menu is better, but we didn't try it so I can't speak from experience. There is much better food out there in NY for much less money.
(2)Joe S.
As good as ever... Came in again with Mom and GF... Amazing food, solid technique, awesome service, sickening desserts... I friggin love this place... Order the sweetbreads from the Tavern side...It will blow your mind... Order the smoked fish with cipollini onions from the dining room side...Just plain stupid good... Mike Anthony continues to do amazing things while letting his ingredients be the star of the show!
(5)Mike D.
Gramercy Tavern is everything that you have heard...and more. I've been there about four times over the past few years. The food is fabulous every time. So is the service. Of course, you need to reserve tables in the dining room well in advance. However, you can normally get a table in the "tavern" after a short wait, or, better yet, sit at the bar and have dinner. It is a great bar and the food is just as terrific.
(5)Elizabeth L.
Five star food and Five star service. Came here for our anniversary dinner where we enjoyed the seasonal tasting menu ($120pp) paired with a recommended Chardonnay which was reflect! I've included photos of all the dishes as well. Service was impeccable. My husband and I have gone to Le Bernadin, Cafe Bouloud and other fine dining establishments on NYC. Gramercy tavern is hands down five star experience from start to finish. Each dish was perfectly portioned and executed to perfection. Service was high end without the stuffiness. Pros: Food, service, variety, ambience Cons: Must reserve way in advance, can't afford to go everyday :)
(5)Are M.
So glad I experienced this restaurant. Really nice, proper, delicious way to dine. I was nervous it would feel uptight and we would feel unwanted but that was never the case. It was such a wonderful meal. Can't wait to return for the less formal front room when the menu changes up. Tip: The back dining room does not open until 5:30 so if you arrive early, you will not be seated and have to wait.
(5)Enrique C.
Service is exceptional.. Food is beyond On-point! The oysters were so good!!
(5)Ben W.
Overall food was pretty good, however, the tasting menu had a strange duck egg / brown gravy dish that was underwhelming. Otherwise, everything was great! Amazing salads, sea bass was perfectly cooked, and service was excellent.
(4)Fan S.
The service is great. The food was good but not as great as I expected. Especially the dessert. The waiter looked very surprised that I didn't touch my desert. Overall it's a great experience. Great wine selection, too.
(4)Sherri C.
Had lunch here with a couple co-workers, and the food, service and ambiance were all wonderful. The most memorable part of the meal, however, was the coconut tapioca dessert. It made me forget everything else we had just eaten. It made Don O. forget to write anything in his review!
(4)Faith K.
Absolutely wonderful! From the moment you arrive until leave you feel as though you are having a great dining experience. We had a reservation for my husband's birthday and arrived early to have cocktails at the bar. They were excellent - the orange blossom and the bloody valentine. Both were tasty and had interesting flavors that made them unique. We finished the drinks and were promptly seated in the dining room. We had the five course tasting menu and asked for the wine pairing as well (which is no longer on the menu but will be accommodated upon request!). The dining room is as lovely as ever, the service is fabulous, but the food is simply outstanding. Each course is better than the one before. While this will not be an inexpensive evening it is worth every dollar. I had not been back to GT for a number of years as I had moved out of the area but was thrilled to see that the magic is still there. We will be back!
(5)Eugene H.
This is the best place in all of NYC! The dinner tasting menu is out of this world. Perfect ambiance, and very professional staff. The raw oysters are delectable.
(5)Chrystal A.
Great food, great atmosphere. Love this places where you can't go wrong with their Food and drinks its all great, The staff is always nice and ready to help. This place is definitely a good pick for Seafood! You won't be disappointed
(5)Sarah C.
Super hard to get a reservation here! We booked a month in advance, and could only get a late lunch reservation! We went here for the day after my husbands birthday lunch. The place is beautiful, and the service was amazing! My husband did the tasting menu, and i did a la carte, and most places don't let you do the tasting menu unless everyone at the table does it! I had a Parpdelle with grilled cauliflower and broccoli, with a cream sauce and it was SO good :) Couldn't be happier with my choice. We did a sorbet sampler for dessert, and they gave him a birthday dessert as well, and it super yummy, and we got two different glasses of dessert wine, and the sommelier split them in two glasses each so we could both try them. The service was amazing!
(5)Christy V.
The best service in New York City, bar none. Anyone with a working credit card is welcome here and the tasting menus are sublime. Vegetable only tasting menus for the veggie-lovers, too. Make sure you have the cheese plate and ask to match it with one of their delicious ciders. A great place to go for the New York experience without the New York attitude.
(5)Moe J.
We went after a show on a Wednesday night around 10:45. We sat in the tavern and had an amazing meal. We ordered the the 3-course for $38 and added another entree. Everything was coursed out for us which was fantastic. We began with a fish croquette with a warm spinach salad which was excellently paired with our 1/2 pints of craft beer. We moved on to the meatball which was very hearty and filling. Next came, the excellent hangar steak which we paired with an Umbrian Italian wine. This was a lot of food. I would suggest sharing the 3-course menu and not getting an extra entree unless you have a big appetite. Next came dessert - chocolate cake with salted carmel crushed peanuts and sour vanilla ice cream. This dessert was pair with a double-shot of Blue Bottle Espresso. Including Tax and Tip dinner for 2 for $110 for some amazing cuisine. The service hear was excellent. Our waiter took good care of us and did not rush us even though it was near closing time.
(5)Heather M.
Another superb dining experience sampling the Tavern menu. We sat at the bar after learning the wait for Tavern was 2.5 hours. Hint -- Approach the bartender and ask to be put on the wait for a barstool. There were only 5 people ahead of us. We ordered a bottle of wine. I don't think that hurt given that we may not look like your typical big spenders. I felt the slightest bit of attitude from hostess when we first arrived, which is not my usual experience here, but I forgave her. I can't stay mad at GT for long. Within about 15 minutes we had our seats at the bar. Candied nuts delivered. Soo good. Can I get these in a baggie to-go? Their bread and butter. Can I just get a big plate of this? How is something so simple so amazing? Crusty, rustic bread with a pat of perfectly warmed butter and a little dish of salt. Ahhhhhh....I can't take it. For dinner - Spinach Salad with Fried Oysters. Come to mama. Perfect balance of flavors - oysters were smooth and crisp, dressing light and citrus-y. Yum. Trout with Shittake Mushrooms and Basil Pesto. Like nothing I've ever tasted. A unique eating experience. Delicious, fish perfectly cooked. My friend had the Beet Salad and Mushroom Lasagna. Both tasty but not as revelatory as the dishes I sampled, in my humble, gastronomic opinion. For dessert - Ricotta Cheesecake with Cassis Sorbet. Another knock-out. Cappuccino is done so well here, even though it took awhile to deliver. I was half done with dessert by the time it arrived. Loved eating at the bar. I like it more than sitting at the Tavern tables. Sigh. Food heaven.
(5)Bertrand R.
One of the great misses of the week. I thought the first few courses we ordered were mediocre at best and not flavourful; the beef carpaccio, corn soup were actually quite bad. The pork croquette entree (very similar to the testa from Blue Hill) was delicious but not on the same level as Blue Hill - the beans underneath this dish were also quite good. I really would not recommend this restaurant based on the food we had that day. I assume this is probably an isolated incident but that's how it went. I also didn't like the feel of the restaurant - it seemed like somewhere I would take my parents for a dinner but never go by myself or with friends. It seemed that all the people dining there were either old or were visiting from out of town (no young locals = bad sign).
(3)A V.
Great place! Waitress was very friendly and helpful. We went for my boyfriends birthday with a couple of friends. The food is excellent. I also enjoyed the grape vodka cocktail while my BF enjoyed the vintage beers. Great experience over all.
(5)Anshuman C.
Actually had reservations for Devi which is a couple of blocks away and we changed our mind in the last minute to go here, wasn't sure if we would even get a table at the last minute, but it was a Tuesday night so we were hopeful. The place was completely packed but I saw people being seated relatively quickly. Instead of waiting for a table we decided on having our meal at the bar since it was just the two of us. We got the Octopus and the Crab for our appetizers and the Kielbasa each for our main course. The Octupus was really really good, the best I have had till date. The Kielbasa was also good, didnt really care much for the sauerkraut served with it. All in all I was pretty happy with my meal. The service was excellent.
(4)angie t.
My go-to spot when I want a top notch meal with top notch service in an unpretentious environment. As far as high-end NYC restaurants go, this place is the best value- I have been here many times, and I've never had a bad experience. The food AND the service are consistently amazing. They go above and beyond, the servers are all incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. The result: this restaurant is always full, and even in these recessionary times, you still have to book weeks in advance to get a decent reservation. This place is a classic and is the definition of what a restaurant should strive to be. The bar area is just as good for a more casual dinner- fantastic food and fabulous drinks. And fabulous bartenders (Jeremy is awesome!!).
(5)Adam S.
Went here with my wife for my birthday. I'd characterize everything here was 'well composed'. The atmosphere was good. The interior tasteful and comfortable. The mix of people surprised me, from one or two younger hipster types to older grey haired UES patrician types. Perhaps more on the older side than young. The food was balanced and nicely presented, if not blindingly innovative, or challenging, or stand out tasty. I had the prawns to start (they were fine), the lamb for main (undercooked and somewhat unimaginative) and a cake of sorts for desert (nicely presented but forgettable). GT is the sort of place Jack Donaghy (from TV show 30 Rock) would come to enjoy a meal away from the rabble and without any nasty surprises. The service was superb. And they did all they could to make our evening comfortable. Glad I ate here, but I'm not in any rush to return. For me I like to be more surprised by the combination of ingredients and flavors. And I know when I do want to return, GT will be there.
(3)J K.
I went for the winter dinner tasting menu, which included: * Nantucket Bay Scallops * Lobster Salad * Halibut * Duck Dumplings * Piedmontese Beef * Choice of Dessert I usually don't like scallops, but these were delicious. They were soft and prepared/seasoned perfectly. The lobster salad and halibut were also very good. However, the duck dumplings were very mediocre, hence the 4 (instead of 5) stars. The beef was great, and I ordered poached pear dessert at the recommendation of the server that is only available with the full course tasting menu. I didn't expect to like it, but I did. One thing that bothered me as I was leaving...everyone else seemed to get a free dessert or course somewhere along the way...I got neither. I could tell that the couple next to me weren't regulars, so I wonder what gives? Also, I wasn't a fan of the wine recommendation. All in all, a wonderful experience, but I wonder when I'll be back. It's definitely pricy, especially when you consider the fact that every course isn't amazing.
(4)Danielle F.
I went here for a Sunday dinner with my parents and we got a table right away in the "tavern" portion of the restaurant. I have never seen such a beautiful "tavern"! Everything about it is stunning and brought to the next level as you notice little gems of seasonal decorations. The service is outstanding. Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable about the food, wine and ciders, friendly and simply great at everything she was doing. There were many people to help with the production of the meal as well. I think our glasses of water never made it halfway. I ordered something simple: chicken, fingerling potatoes, butternut squash and kohlrabi. You would think a chicken dish with vegetables wouldn't be a showstopper but it was. Never have I had more moist chicken (cooked low and slow) or a potato more perfectly cooked. And kohlrabi was a new one for me! So that keeps things interesting as well. I also got to sample the curried seafood chowder which was a treat with flavour upon flavour upon flavour (Canadian spelling, sorry) and the flounder with spagetti squash, walnuts and sherry sauce. The flounder- again- was so flaky and delicious, making for a very nice bite with the other choice ingredients. Dessert was ridiculous! In a good way. We ordered the ricotta cheesecake that came on top of a fudge brownie, with a large quenelle of black currant ice cream. With all three things on one plate, you truly are getting the best of the dessert worlds. A cheesecake not too sweet with almondy sweet toppings, chocolately goodness at the bottom with a fruity ice cream. Add some lemon tea on the side, it was the perfect way to end a fantastic meal.
(5)Molly T.
I didn't know I could enjoy places like Gramercy Tavern until I finally went to a few places like Gramercy Tavern. My boyfriend and I wouldn't normally go somewhere like this. His mother was in town and had been excited to go here for quite a while, so we happily went last night - a Friday. The wait (without reservation) was over an hour, which we spent most of standing at the bar. The bartenders were great and helpful in eventually getting us seats before our table was ready. I had the Ruby Rye cocktail which was perfectly balanced and not too sweet. The atmosphere was very pleasant and the room beautiful, with cool artwork and gorgeous flowers and plants all around. The servers were attentive and helpful - there was no attempt to rush us through our meal and I felt very comfortable although the place was crazy busy. The food was absurdly good. There was one entree option at dinner - the bittersweet plight of a vegetarian lifestyle - which luckily was the thing I spied a few beautiful women eating at the table over and immediately needed to consume. I had the mushroom lasagna and it was incredible. Delicious and light with no unpleasant texture and without that starchy pasta bite. The portions were great too. We split dessert - ricotta cheesecake and brownie with a rich, sweet raspberry sorbet. I was pleased to see Blue Bottle coffee on the menu! We also had a french press of Burundi coffee before leaving, which was brewed better than I have had in the past. Overall I had an awesome time here. If returning, I would definitely make a reservation though.
(5)Jeremy F.
Went into Gramercy last fall with my friends parents, there were five of us. Three of us got the tasting menu and two of us got the vegetarian tasting menu. Gramercy was one of those restaurants that I had been waiting and waiting to dine at in NYC. I had heard so much of the kielbasa there and the rest of the food (though I must say.. didn't actually try the kielbasa because we were doing the tasting). I'm not bashing Gramercy at all. The food was great. However, I do have to say that it wasn't what I expected, and it didn't exactly blow my socks off. I do have to say that I enjoyed the vegetarian tasting more from the bites I did try, though one dish with sunchoke and lobster was out of this world. I do remember the duck-dumplings to be extremely random and very ehhhh. The last savory course- the steak was amazing. But you can't really go wrong with a sous-vid steak IMO. Anyways, loved it. I feel like I would have enjoyed the tavern more than the tasting menu though. I'd give it another shot.
(4)Sharrie H.
If you're looking for a great restaurant with superb service and ambiance, then look no further! My boyfriend and I came here on our anniversary date and upon checking in, we were greeted graciously and were seated in the dining area. The tavern area is great for those who want a more casual environment. It was a little noisier than the dining area but nonetheless the restaurant interior was beautiful from the tavern to the dining room. Our server, Anna, was really funny and she even offered us complimentary bubbly as a toast to our anniversary! The menu is very simple and does not contain a lot of entrees as everything is prefixed. This is personally a good thing to me because you know everything on the menu tastes great and it doesn't need a lot of options to mask the other plates. As an appetizer I chose the chilled corn soup. I really wanted the smoked trout but since my entree was going to be the artic char, I didn't want to overdo it with the seafood. My boyfriend however, chose the smoked trout as well as the lamb as his entree. When our meals came we drooled over how complex the flavors were. My chilled corn soup had this bubble that had traces of corn juice of some sort that explodes in your mouth when you bite into it!! Very delightful. My boyfriend was told that he got the second to last smoked trout of the night and the reason being is because the smoked trout was just absolutely mind blowing! It practically melted in your mouth!! The entrees were equally good. My artic char was cooked to perfection. I am a stickler when it comes to overcooked fish. The artic char was so tender and moist. I would definitely recommend this dish to anyone who loves fish! I took a bite out of my boyfriend's lamb entree and it was cooked perfectly to medium, just as he has asked for. For dessert we opted for the cherry lime sorbet and the chocolate semifreddo. My boyfriend who's not usually a dessert person had to agree it was worth indulging for. As we were eating our desserts, a second plate of complimentary raspberry rhubarb came with writings that said, "Happy Anniversary!" It was the most adorable thing and I am so glad we came to Gramery Tavern because our server really made sure we had a memorable night. Towards the end, just as you think it couldn't get any better, we were offered a tray of mini delectable cookies and a morning breakfast muffin to take home! Everything was done right here! You just can't compete with the service!!!
(5)Velina L.
4.5 stars. I've been meaning to come to Gramercy Tavern for a while and I finally went when my parents came into town. I loved how the restaurant is decorated with beautiful pink flowers and how it's classy yet unpretentious. The front dining area takes walk-ins only, and has a different, a la carte menu from the back dining area, where you get your choice of a 3-course prix fixe ($86), a seasonal tasting menu, and a vegetable tasting menu (which is not vegetarian, as it has seafood garnishes, but can be made vegetarian). My parents and I had the 3-course. - Black tagliatelle with chorizo, mussels, and calamari in a lobster broth: freshly made pasta, delicious seafood and a flavorful broth- sounds exactly like something I would like. Very good, but not out-of-this-world - Smoked trout with cippolini onion puree and pickled onions: Absolutely delicious! It was perfectly rare, served warm, and had a nice smokey flavor that wasn't overpowering. The sweet onions served with it perfectly complemented the fish and made the flavors pop. - Sea bass with asparagus and ramps: Very light, but with an extremely sophisticated flavor profile. Plus, it had ramps! I also loved that it made great use of seasonal ingredients, and how the fish was perfectly cooked. - Rack of Lamb with broccoli and other vegetables I can't quite remember: Perfectly cooked to a medium rare, tender, juicy...the lamb was also amazing, with a complex flavor profile. - Rack of Pork and Braised Belly: Everything was perfectl cooked, but there was something about the flavor that didn't quite satisfy me. It was just ok - Intermezzo of yogurt panna cotta topped with coconut-pineapple sorbet and granola: I liked how the granola gave it a nice crunchy textural contrast but I'm not a huge fan of coconut so I didn't particularly like this. - Warm chocolate bread pudding: My dad ordered this and I actually don't remember much about it because I was so fixated on my own dessert, but more on that in a bit - Coconut tapioca with passion fruit sorbet, coconut sorbet, and cilantro syrup: definitely unique and my mom seemed to really like it but again, my focus was on my own dessert so I don't really remember this - Peanut Butter Semifreddo with chocolate macaroon cookies, whipped cream, and peanuts: AMAZING! I was already pretty full but after one bit, I couldn't put my spoon down. I love the nice balance between sweet and salty, between the crunch of the peanuts and chewy center of the macaroon cookie, and the liquid peanut butter in the center of the semifreddo. The wine list was also pretty extensive, with a nice selection of wine by the glass (which was great for me, since all I wanted was a glass and my parents were so jetlagged that wine would make them pass out at the table). They also give you an option of a "taste" instead of a glass, which is 3 oz. as opposed to 5 oz. I will definitely be back and next time, I'd like to try the a la carte menu in the walk-in area. I can't wait!
(4)Janie W.
I had a superb dining experience at Gramercy Tavern. Having eaten at a four star restaurant just the night before, the bar was set high, and Gramercy Tavern did not disappoint. I had the soft shell crab special appetizer, and it was perfect, not greasy at all. And my lamb entree was also some of the best lamb I've had recently. The food was perfectly spot on. The service was smooth as expected for a Danny Meyer place, but our first waitress, who disappeared about halfway through our dinner, was quite stiff. The front section was very loud and crowded but the back dining room was much quieter, which my party appreciated.
(5)Laurissa Y.
If Gramercy Tavern could be compared to a man, he would be the strong, warm, and dependable one. Other restaurants may try to dazzle you with interesting flavor combinations or through the use of intricate platework, but Gramercy Tavern does not seek to blind you with its radiance, but to envelop you in its warmth. It marries the rustic with the elegant, the simple with the divine, and through this, manages to be one of the most unassumingly wonderful restaurants in the city. We went on a day when it was pouring rain/ice/slush outside. My feet were thoroughly soaked by the time we got there and I probably looked like a downright mess. But from the moment we checked our coats in, we were whisked away to the dining room, and the miserable weather outside was left behind. In the enclave of our corner table, we had one of the most wonderful dining experiences of our life. I do like to make a distinction between a "meal" and an "experience"... some restaurants serve up great food and that's just what it is... a great meal. An experience is one that wholly transforms the way you view dining out, whether it stems from the perfect service, the exquisite food, or the atmosphere. Gramercy Tavern is an experience. This has perhaps been one of the most difficult reviews for me to write because it is difficult to explain exactly what made the meal so wonderful. How was the service different? I suppose I was impressed by how absolutely genuine my waitress was. She wasn't prim and proper in the sense that usually characterizes wait staff at many other expensive restaurants. She was pleasant, friendly, warm, inviting, professional, knowledgeable... my definition for a comfortable and relaxed meal. Our meal lasted 2 blissful hours, but never once did we feel rushed by the waitstaff, even though as we left, we saw hoards of people waiting for tables. Was the food *that* spectacular? Well no, it didn't exactly wow me the way some other fine dining restaurants might -- no foams or gelees in sight. But the slow braised shoulder of lamb and the lamb pappardelle tasted of succulent, moist love and the chocolate bread pudding was warm and divine. The only dishes that missed the perfect mark was perhaps the Calamari and Carrot Salad (the lemon vinaigrette was a bit too subdued and lacked the brightness it needed to impart on the dish) and the Chocolate Pecan Tart which was heavy and not very interesting. Perhaps due in part to the winter flavors of the menu, most of the menu provided a welcome respite from the cold bitter weather outside... a warm hug with every bite. Wait -- did I mention that this absolutely divine experience was had at only $24.07 a person? On top of that, they give you a $24.07 gift certificate each to come back for lunch OR dinner in the next 2 months. Yeah... it was Restaurant Week. Interestingly, they don't seem to serve the regular lunch menu during RW and only hand you the RW menu upon seating... I hate it when restaurants don't give you the RW menu unless you ask, trying to shame you for being cheap and poor. They also had a selection of 4 wines by the bottle for only $24.07 each... what a deal!!! I was so happy with my experience I felt like I had conned the restaurant by paying so little... so I demanded my boyfriend add more to the tip and I practically threw money at the coat check girl as I left. Oops.
(5)M K.
First time here finally after having to cancel 2 times. Worth it because I have been wanting to try here. Had a good time. Food was good but not great. The appetizers were more memorable than the entrees. The atmosphere is very cool and nice. not stuffy at all. I ate in the dinning room but from what I saw people eating in the tavern part of the restaurant it actually looked more appetizing. Delicious open crab ravioli with razor clams and escarole And mind blowing Quail with beets and cranberry sauce. SO AMAZING. These were the apps. For entrees, I got the Flat Iron Steak & Braised Short Rib red cabbage and puffed potatoes which was very salty. nothing too exciting. My husband got the Roasted Venison Loin but then got it changed to Sturgeon salsify, cipollini, fingerling potatoes and lemon-fennel sauce because the venison was a little too funky for him. My husband liked the Sturgeon but I didn't think it was anything great. I had better fish at Craft. Our server was very nice about bringing back the venison for the sturgeon and also threw in an extra dessert on the house because the table next to us was very loud and obnoxious. Service is excellent. I would go back but try the tavern side next time or maybe go when the menu changes in the dining room.
(4)Michael F.
I went here during restaurant week and I have to say the place is great. The wine list is extensive but simple to navigate and the bar area is also a nice place to sit and wait as they ready your table. The food itself was spot on and the small open kitchen is also a draw to sit in the tavern area of the restaurant. All in all I love this place.
(5)Julia F.
My brother came to visit me and because it was already 9 pm we looked to opentable to see who had a reservation available. We opted for here- initially to go to the bar where they offer a much less expensive menu, but they had an open table so we unknowingly got thrown into their tasting menu options-- and thank goodness! It was amazing! Each course had a perfect flavor. Honestly my brother who lives in San Fran and is a SERIOUS food snob said it was the best meal he has ever had in new York. I genuinely get nervous about the over hyped restaurants in the city but this one was great. I had an apple cider martini and it was one of the best drinks I've ever had ( although I am a bourbon drinker). At the beginning of the meal we were both a little nervous because the first three courses were very small like the one bite variety. But they slowly got bigger and our final course was a vegetable pasta that was so good I wanted it twice. It's gotten trendy to hand out a pastry wrapped at the end of the meal to take with you and gramercy was no different. But I could have done without it- it was a coffee cake that was super ordinary. But the decor and feeling in the restaurant is very laid back for such an upscale place which is perfect for me. Great food and friendly service. Next time I have $300 to burn ( or my date does) ill be back.
(5)Gene S.
Very nice place. one of my new favs!
(4)Mark S.
Randomly stopped in here last night (Thursday) around 10:30PM after some serious drinking down the street at No Idea. Were seated in the 'Tavern' area promptly and started with the Heirloom Cauliflower. I'm not a fan of cauliflower by any stretch of the imagination (my friend ordered it), but it was surprisingly delicious. Next I had the Smoked Kielbasa. You should know I'm half Polish and have kielbasa for breakfast every Christmas and Easter morning, so I've had my fare share of kielbasa over the years. Don't tell my mom or grandma, but this was the best kielbasa I've ever eaten. And it came with these amazing little fingerling potatoes and sauerkraut. Needless to say I was 1 step shy of licking the plate clean. Another friend had the Chicken, which just seemed to melt in your mouth, and the other had the Pulled Pork Sandwich, which was equally pleasing to the taste buds. We washed it all down with a bottle of Bradgate (Chenin Blanc), which was easy enough on the wallet at $28. Overall the food was excellent, the service was stupendous, and the ambiance just right. I will definitely be heading back here with a date in tow; maybe I'll even graduate to the 'Dining Room' menu.
(5)Linh N.
I swoon over Gramercy Tavern. I still have the memories of the decadent 6 course Spring lunch tasting menu ($58) lingering in my tongue. Let me count my memorable dining experience: 1. King crab--sweet, tender crab meat lightly seasoned with celery and radish. It tasted like it was just caught from the sea. 2. Lobster--about 2-3 pieces of lobster 3. Arctic char--My absolute favorite of it all. Cooked perfectly so that it melted in my mouth. So good. 4. Rabbit thigh--wrapped in bacon and stuffed with spinach and mushrooms. My fiance's favorite. 5. Brioche french toast (dessert)--My mother-in-law to be makes good French toast, but I'd have to say this one beats hers (sorry auntie!). Its so fluffy and light. 6. Sorbet trio--light and refreshing 7. Service--impeccable. Not one detail missed. It's the kind of service that gives you new utensils for every dish and the kind that folds your napkin the moment you stand up. For those of you who like large meals, the tasting menu doesn't give you that. It gives you a taste of each course and it's enough to leave you feeling satisfied but not overbearingly full. Overall, I absolutely love Gramercy Tavern and would come back here in a heartbeat.
(5)Neil K.
Always a wait, but love the vibe and the food is fantastic. A little pricey, but not outrageous and you get what you pay for. Definitely a favorite. The bar side is chill and a great spot to spend an early Sunday afternoon. Try the bourbon cider.
(4)Randy S.
We LOVE sitting in the tavern (more so than the restaurant) -- its much cozier, and you can actually as your waiter to order something off the dining room menu. However, this was my fifth time being at Grammercy and we ordered off the tavern menu. The heirloom tomato salad with pickled cherries was a nice refreshing summer treat, the tomatoes were incredibly sweet! We also shared the sweetbreads and the country pate that were accompanied by the tastiest wheat crackers... For an entree I had the flounder with the almond pepper sauce, it was so light and flaky, the perfect ending to a lovely meal (we skipped dessert) My girlfriend had the kielbasa (which looked lovely, and she loved, but I don't care much for kielbasa) This is one of my favorite restaurants in Manhattan.
(5)Arben S.
The hostess cancelled my Open Table reservation, which pissed me off. 10PM reservation, I arrived at 10:15PM and she was calling my cell phone as I walked in. Bad Start!! Seated in the "Main Dining Room" Service was slow and cold!! For the amount of money I spent, I would have much rather spent it elsewhere. Sorry, I hate to give this a 3 star but that's all it merits.
(3)Joe G.
Not much more can be said about this stand out from Danny Meyer & team. Went there for dinner recently & had the tasting menu. Butternut squash soup with lobster was incredible as was each & every course. The service is intuitive & seamless. We generally visit a few times a year & leave in a delirious food-coma every time!
(5)Amanda A.
Unbelievably delicious meal in bar! I had the mussels app with chorizo and beans-blew it out of the water!
(5)Bryan C.
This is a classy joint. I went with a group on a Friday night with no reservation. Our initial plans had gotten messed up for a variety of reasons, thus putting us in this somewhat desperate predicament. Fortunately, the staff at Gramercy were great and got us set up without too much of a wait. Prior to sitting down we enjoyed some of the cocktails at the bar and all were delicious. Best of all, they have Turley Zinfandel available by the glass, so that's always a nice option. All of the options available on the menu were great. Unfortunately we weren't in the main dining area so we couldn't try any of the really fancy looking stuff, but their regular (plebian) menu still had some really awesome things going for it. I for one had the meatball. It's a single meatball, served over some root vegetable puree. It's seasoned and cooked perfectly. It comes dangerously close to being a meatloaf, but doesn't quite cross the line. I'm going to go here again sometime soon. Very nice place. Give it a try.
(4)Jia H.
One of my favorite restaurants in Manhattan. Can't wait to go back.
(5)panda m.
Delightful! Ambiance, delicious and fresh food, friendly knowledgeable and attentive staff. I'm gluten intolerant and there many fantastic options and they took very good care of me! LOVE this place!
(5)Jeff C.
My boy had two (yes, two) $24.07 gift cards from Restaurant Week and invited me. Why? He had 2 lunches (at the same time) last time, that's why. That's how we roll. Anyway, this time we sat in the formal Dining Room area. Biased that I am, I usually like my meats/fishes charred and unmessed with. I want to taste the essence of what I am eating, especially the main ingredient. Masking the taste is a copout way of veiling subpar food IMO. That said, this victory wasn't as flawless as last time. My sea bass was drenched in sauce which I could do without (MINUS ONE STAR). I would have preferred a thick white puffy cloud instead of a fillet style sea bass as well. My friend had the butternut squash soup for a starter and the sea bass as well. You can't win them all, but at least we got a discount off the bill with the GCs. Service was still great though. Bread - Sourdough, Regular, Olive - even better selection than last time, chunks of olives in the bread, butter was amazing -Smoked Trout ($14) [cippollini purée and pickled onion vinaigrette] - super tender, tasted the fresh sea in this, very good -Sea Bass ($22) [spaghetti squash, walnuts and sherry sauce] - doused with sauce, a dealbreaker for me, I left 1/2 of the veggies untouched Total came out to $20 after everything Pics: meetup.com/teamfoodie/ph…
(4)Justin H.
To this day Gramercy Tavern remains my favorite restaurant in the city. The tavern side is much more my style, and if a bad dish exists on their menu, I haven't found it yet. Don't be afraid to order out of your comfort zone at times, you will most often be rewarded for your intrepid nature. The service staff is warm and attentive, and the sommelier seems to have a flare for the obscure. I was looking for at a glass of vermouth after dinner one night and her eyes just seemed to light up at the challenge of finding something that isn't often ordered. She tasted me on some amazing options until I settled on the Punt e Mes. She even gave my wife some shopping options for finding the creme de violet that she loves. This place is as close to perfect as a restaurant can get.
(5)Deanna W.
Another flattering review of Gramercy Tavern praising its charms. After a disappointing visit to Eleven Madison Park last year for a special occasion, I was reluctant to turn to a Meyer restaurant for my wedding dinner. But I have always been intrigued by the very positive reviews GT especially with regards to its service and decided to chance it. GT is a lovely place to dine- from the moment you enter you are graciously welcomed and the staff are all very cordial and warm. The decor was both formal and elegant but not too stuffy. Some little things that made our night special: - we are addressed 5 minutes after being seated as opposed to 20 min at EMP -complimentary glasses of sparkling wine poured for the dinner guests to start -congratulations written in chocolate on our dessert plates and of course-the complimentary muffins given at the end of the dinner. Our waiter was professional, friendly and charming and offered some good thoughts regarding the dishes. Our water glasses were constantly refilled, guests were guided to the washroom and one was never left wanting for anything. I think I have blathered on about the service long enough-the food was delicious as well and good sized portions. I had the smoked trout which was a light starter not too heavy and the remaining guests had the lamb paperdelle which tasted super yummy, nice lamby taste was paired off nicely against the swiss chard. I'm going back again just to get this dish it's a savory bowl of goodness! I had the roast loin of pork for my main a very tender cut of piggy with some braised piggy belly for crunchy texture. Dessert was coconut tapoica with mango and coconut sorbet a refreshing sweet ending. My better half had the peanut semifredo chocolate macaroon a must for reese pieces lovers-this is a fancier version! As if getting married in New York couldn't be anymore special our dinner at GT was memorable, warm and sweet. I will be back!
(5)Khody A.
The food and service was good. I recommend you make reservations in advance.
(4)Sarah J.
f-f-f-shancy, but rustic. i liked the spacious dining room and the light coming in from the floor to ceiling windows. has that medieval feel with the wood panelling and arched openings. i had the autumn tasting menu--every single thing was delicious and made you sad that it just disappeared into the insatiable void that is your stomach. okay, i'm waxing poetic, so i'll bring it down a notch--the desserts were bleh. these top notch restaurants need to finish it just as good as they started it and hire a new pastry chef.
(4)Shawn B.
I expected much, much more. The food was good but in no way astounding or memorable. The atmosphere aimed for classy but felt forced and superficial. We had the steak tartare, duck confit, asparagus soup, and pork belly. The sauces were quite good, but nothing was remarkable. In the end it just felt overpriced.
(3)Jill S.
This restaurant has been on my "I really need to go there/I can't believe I've never been there" list for the past eight years that I've lived in the city. Luckily, that passing thought became a reality last week. We sat in the front section of the restaurant (read - less fancy, more bustling). From start to finish, this meal was outrageous. Oddly enough, when I first looked at the menu, I was not overwhelmed with many appealing choices. That changed when the food starting coming...the descriptions did little justice to the preparation. Here's the rundown... Cheddar/bacon biscuits...this was a special that included 6 light and flaky biscuits that were, quite simply, as good as they sound. Pork and broccoli rabe sausage...another appetizer from the specials. I am generally not a big sausage person (insert dirty joke here) but this was not your grandmother's sausage! Wait...I take that back...my grandmother far prefers the country club to the kitchen...anyway, I digress. You get the point. This sausage was hearty and delicious, and was served atop somewhat al dente farro with a nutty flavor. Blackfish coquette with white beans....probably the least popular of the dishes. Skip it. Calamari & carrot salad...when ordering, I was told that this is a must have, and the recommendation was correct. This was simple and delicious. Arctic char with mussels, sunchokes, and mizuna...I love sunchokes and any fish served on a bed of bitter greens (mizuna, arugula, watercress, etc) that wilt from the heat of the fish, but mussels are not always my thing. This was SUCH a great dish and I find myself day dreaming about it at odd times (when drinking my morning coffee...WTF?). The mussels were out of their shell (big plus for me) and fish was in a lemony butter sauce. Dessert was rhubarb shortcake, and was nothing short of amazing. It was so fresh and yummy and seasonal, and was served with a fantastic presentation. One side of the plate was a fresh sweetened shortbread biscuit, with a dollop of creme fraiche and strawberry jam. The other side of the plate was a mason jar (I am such a sucker for those!) filled with rhubarb and topped with a sour/delicious ice cream (think Pinkberry flavor). It was the perfect balance of flavors and I can't wait to eat it again.
(5)Mark D.
Hands down one of the best restaurants in the city and possibly in the country. Amazing tasting menu with incredible wine pairings, (They once paired a course with a beer. Fantastic!) Always dependable and wonderful setting. You should see the place during the holidays. They have never left me unsatisfied.
(5)Rachel H.
Heather H. raves about this place and I thought I had to witness its greatness myself. The food definitely lived up to Heather's ravings. My mouth was watering starting with the beef ragu, peaking at the sirloin with Brussels sprouts (best Brussels sprouts not fried in bacon fat I've ever had!), and ending with warm chocolate bread pudding. 'Mmmm mmm mmm' was the extent of my conversation at the table that day. Unfortunately, I had to go to work so I drank a bit of coffee...BEST COFFEE EVER!!! Yrgacheffe coffee with cinnamon, cardamom, and orange was a great finale to a three hour lunch. Service was subpar....but Heather assured me it was an off day. So I give Gramercy a full 5-star rating b/c, darnit, the food deserves it!
(5)d l.
I went to this place twice and enjoyed their food a lot.
(5)Elssy C.
Came here for lunch with the boyfriend during the Christmas holiday break mostly because I'd heard many wonderful things and its been on my list for a while now. I really enjoyed it here; service was superb and friendly, the food was delicious (although a bit pricey) and the decor is warm, inviting w/out losing its elegance. This is the kind of place to enjoy a beautiful 1 hour+ lunch date, well that's what it turned out for us anyways. We were sat at the dining room, I guess when making a reservation or coming in you are asked whether you want to be sat at the tavern/bar area or the dining room (since I made the RSVP's via yelp, I think it automatically puts you down for the dining room, but I'd like to come back and try the tavern menu next time). Anywho, we started off sharing the lobster salad; delicious! Every ingredient on that plate stood out yet complimented each other perfectly. Mail course: bf had the steak and I had the red snapper; I don't recall much about them except them being good but nothing amazing. Perhaps it was because the dessert was such a stand out; we shared the chocolate bread pudding; delicious! I'm usually not a fan of these, but this one had gotten such high reviews, we ordered it and it did not disappoint. It wasn't too heavy, or creamy, but enough to fulfill the decadent...the ice cream that comes with it was also very good...Since we said we would be sharing it they kindly provided us two plates w/ a scoop of the ice cream. Will definitely come back again to try out the tavern menu.
(4)Bbking K.
Service is fantastic, food is perfection. Love this place.
(5)Hallie Z.
Everything here is immaculate. The service is great my girlfriend and I went here for valentines day. We had the tasting menus every dish as accompanied by new silverware and plates. They passed around bread and kept coming back to give us more. Our water glasses never went dry. Great service overall. Great atmosphere. The food I'm sorry to say though wasn't worth the price and I've had better. Every dish had caviar on it which is nice but not all of them left me wanting more in fact about half did. Overall though a great place.
(4)Natalie A.
The reviews below are pretty much spot on for this place. Of course I had high expectations coming in...how could you not when this place has a Michelin Star. However, it was actually able to meet those expectations. The food was absolutely delicious - I highly recommend the grilled duck leg entree, which comes with what I can only think to call a vegetable medley under it. It was cooked perfectly, and the vegetables were done in a way that was unique but complemented it very well. I also shared the strawberry cream pie dessert for two, which was very good. The restaurant is large and trendy. The only reason I am giving it four stars rather than five is because there was a very long wait for the restaurant. It doesn't take reservations, so on a Saturday night at 7pm we waited an hour and a half for a table for 3 people, despite the restaurant size. The bar does get crowded because many people are hanging out there waiting for tables so expect to stand, but at least you can grab a drink while waiting.
(4)Brittany F.
Lunch time at the Tavern is thoroughly enjoyable. I've been a couple of times for lunch now and once it was packed and this past time it wasn't quite as busy. They don't take reservations but I've never had to wait. The first visit I had the soup and sandwich special, which was just wonderful. It was a grilled cheese and tomato. This past lunch I had the seabass with quinoa, caulifower and it was really good. A lovely piece of fish that was perfectly cooked, light and flavorful. My friend ordered the burger and I must say it was one of the best burgers I've ever had. It was covered with this huge piece of melted cheddar. It came with potato chips. Service is lovely and the atmosphere is a little formal and always feels like fall to me. Worth checking out!
(4)Ned L.
Disappointing, for the following reasons: 1) plastic piece in daughter's dessert, 2) service disappeared, and 3) not worth it. First, their website has a nice video showing the kitchen staff walking to the farmer's market for fresh produce, so why was their a piece of clear plastic in my daughter's dessert? Biodegradable plastic? I don't think so. It was a sharp, triangular piece of plastic like you might find if you opened a supermarket container of fruit carelessly and broke off a corner. Not the magical green experience I was expecting. Second, anytime the service is friendly when you order and then dramatically declines, you have to ask yourself what happened. After considering everything, I believe we were discriminated against as a biracial family. Our dress and manners were acceptable at Tea at the Plaza that afternoon, but here the only server we saw consistently was the bread server who was conspicuously not caucasian. I had to track down our original server at the kitchen entrance when we were leaving to let her know about item 1 above. Third, the food's good, but not that good. My dessert was smushed under the rim of the ramekin and drowned in a cold, watery, sour sauce. A few dishes were exceptional, several were good, and a few were bad. Sorry NYC, if this is the best you've got for modern American cuisine, then you need to come out to SF to try some real slow, organic, inventive, delicious foodie cooking. Instead of wasting $500 at Gramercy Tavern, get on a plane and go somewhere with fresh ingredients, honest service, and original dishes. Have a nice day.
(2)N.C. F.
We did the regular evening tasting menu. This restaurant did so many things right that it's almost easier to say where the hiccups were, so I'll focus on those. To be clear, EVERYTHING else was amazing- loved the ambiance, outstanding service, presentation, etc. Also, the staff learned we were celebrating something due to dietary restrictions, and they brought us a "congratulatory" dessert. Really sweet and unique. Only minor cons were: 1. I started to see the same ingredients were being used over and over again in the tasting menu. I didn't feel like each dish was a totally new adventure. There wasn't a dish where I wished there had been more on the plate-- and that's my gauge for 5 stars for food. 2. We told them we had a show to get to at 8, so we had the first seating of the night. Our waitress repeatedly acknowledged we needed to get to the show, but the experience slowed dramatically at around 7:15. We didn't end up getting out the door until almost 7:40 and found ourselves literally running into the theater to make curtain call. I think as the restaurant got busier, our courses got slower and server got busier. I was really afraid we wouldn't make our show.
(4)John L.
My wife and I ate here a while back, and loved the tasting menu. Service was outstanding, and the food was excellent. The only thing I have to say is, to the couple that was next to us and made up a complaint about coffee to get a free meal out of it (I think it was about taking too long to bring coffee menu, despite the selection being on the back of the menu), everyone around you saw through that and was embarrassed for you.
(5)Kevin M.
This is what dining is all about. You spend money and you get an amazing experience from start to finish in return. My dining experience at Gramercy Tavern was nothing short of phenomenal. I was able to grab a seat at the bar (which is rapidly becoming my dining preference) and interact with the friendly and helpful bartender. She made some good recommendations as well as told me about the soup of the day which was vegan. So I ordered the cauliflower soup for an app and the honey nut squash lasagna for main course. First and foremost, even the bread was delicious. If this was an early indication of the meal, this was going to be amazing. Shortly thereafter, the cauliflower soup came out. Made simply from cauliflower and topped with a line of olive oil, this soup was delicious fro start to finish. This could have easily missed the mark as making a tasty soup from cauliflower is no easy task I'm sure. But they nailed it perfectly. It was creamy, salted perfectly and overall healthy. Then came the home run... The honey nut squash lasagna was unbelievable. Left me completely speechless and was definitely top five dishes I've ever eaten. It was topped with Brussels sprouts, mushrooms and pecorino. This combination gave the dish a unique taste that I would have never associated with lasagna. But it worked perfectly. Service was excellent and so was the drink list. I'll certainly be trying a few of those next time. But for now, this is rightfully so, one of the best restaurants in NYC, and likely the country... Perfect.
(5)Gauri W.
Full disclosure: I did not do the tasting menu. I had a wonderful time, the ambiance was great, and the staff was attentive. However, I went with very, very high hopes about the food and left a little underwhelmed. The cocktails were excellent, though. I forget the name but it was a rum based drink - delicious. The bread to start is delicious. Honestly, I filled up on this more thoroughly than anything else. Boyfriend and I split the clam flatbread - of which we loved the picked and kimchi additions - and the chicken. We had a third dish, which was so forgettable that I have now forgotten it. The chicken was perfectly cooked, but a little lacking in creativity. But it was on the tasting menu! Sigh. Dessert was fantastic, though. We ordered the strawberry shortcake for 2 and couldn't finish it. Creamy, refreshing, rich and light it was a perfect meeting of all that is good in the world. Downed with a cup of coffee and it was a perfect end to an alright meal.
(3)Mandy T.
Came here for lunch in the dining room area while I was visiting New York. The lunch menu is a lot more affordable than the dinner menu; still expensive ($58pp for 3 course seasonal menu) but not AS expensive ($100+pp for dinner). And for the quality of the food, it was worth it- more on that later. Again, grandma was babysitting so hubby and I could enjoy a nice meal out. The atmosphere was quite spacious with high ceilings, lots of people who look like they were on business lunches, but lots of seats available around us too - so next time I visit, I would probably bring the baby. And yes, there will be a next time. Its been over a month but I can still remember the taste of most of their dishes. The food was solid, good quality, old-school with a splash of modern food (compared to Juni where we were the night before). We didn't order from the seasonal menu but just from their regular lunch menu. We had the beef carpaccio (tasted OK but a little tougher than I'd like it), the pork loin (very tender and one of the better ones I've had), the halibut (was OK, not that memorable), and some awesome desserts. I would probably come back just to eat desserts here if I lived in NY (they're $12 each). We had the pecan pie and the pavlova. I like sweeter desserts than my husband so I liked the pecan pie a lot, but he preferred the pavlova which was lighter and tarter. When the bill came, it came with 2 extra dessert bites per person which was nice. The portion sizes were average and we were happy and full at the end of the meal. Service was a tad slow (2hr lunch) but we weren't in a hurry.
(4)Jason G.
Upon my "annual" trip to NYC, I had to make a point of going back to Gramercy Tavern to specifically eat in the Tavern, not the dining room, though the dining room menu is top notch. I really went for the cheeseburger, which is not typically listed on any of their menus. The cheeseburger was delicious, one of the best that I've had, and packed with good classic meat and cheese flavor.
(5)Dean M.
After reading my review, I was contacted by the restaurant. They were really concerned, wanted to learn from my experience and they even invited me to come back. Which I will. I believe my experience was the result of an untypically off day and I look forward to a great dining experience again at the Gramercy Tavern Soon
(4)Ann R.
Omg Drop everything and experience the tavern. Cheese plates are fresh. The bartender selected ours . Wilameyte pikot noir. Fresh, seasonal ingredients. Just delisqious!
(5)Bill K.
This place sucked!! Way overpriced, tables on top of each other, and just Ok food.:they are riding on their brand name and looking to take every dollar out of you. I gave them one more try this Monday, for gods sake..,it's a Monday!! Of course my reservation wasn't ready...but only 10 minutes..no big deal, ok we have a drink at the bar. The bar was full, but as we approached three people got up and left in front of us..PERFECT, let's spend lots of money at the bar (yes 2 drinks are lots of money there). Bartender said ..oh Im sorry the bar stools are reserved, you have to see the hostess..lol.. Should I go on, it wasn't pretty after that..go next store to iLmulino ...way better than the pretentious saps at Gramercy.
(1)Kyna C.
Ugh im in love with Gramercy Tavern. I read Danny Meyer's book and have been obsessed with his restaurants and the hospitality practices that he implements in them. Needless to say, i was super meticulous in watching the servers and listening closely to their choice of words when speaking to guests. Only one bread dude was stoic and rude, but everyone else went out of their way to ensure my friends and i had the best meal. We all opted for the three course meal, and we left literally so full that we couldnt stand up. I had the squid ink spaghetti, the bass, and the cookie plate. All were absolutely delicious, but i wanted to point out that im allergic to peanuts and asked for pistachios on my bass instead. The server was more than happy to ensure accommodation of my request, and it was so freaking delicious. Ive never had pistachios on fish before but they should make that a permanent thing haha My friends and i were celebrating a late joint birthday celebration, and our server brought out five desserts instead of the three that came with our meal. The gesture was unnecessary because we were already so stuffed, but it was incredibly appreciated and will never be forgotten. My two friends and i probably had the biggest smiles on our faces. I live close by, so definitely cannot wait to come back
(5)Joseph P.
Apparently difficult to get a reservation if you aren't dining in the dining room. Went with a handful of people and sat in the dining room to only find out that if we weren't ordering the pre arranged menu that we wouldn't be able to sit there. Not a huge deal, I understand. Ordered a bottle of wine, only to have the waitress question why we ordered the wine, and to suggest we order a more expensive bottle. Very strange. Have never experienced that before. I am glad that that my wife was able to back up why we ordered the bottle we did since she had ordered a glass of it before. Not the least expensive bottle on the menu either. Seemed very unprofessional of the the waitress. The entrees where delicious, albeit overpriced, which is what salvaged the extra star. Really wished there was better service so I could give this place a better rating since the food was that was good. I suppose if you look like old money you will have a great time. The waitress apologized for her poor service at the end, but I couldn't tell if it was sincere or sarcastic. This was planned to be an all out dinner for an anniversary in the future, but based on the service tonight, I think we'll find someplace else that will feel a little more special.
(2)Juju K.
For our anniversary, we opted for Gramercy. We've been wanting to try this place for a long time. It was nice to dress up a little for this special occasion. You definitely get that fine dining experience here. The service was attentive and friendly. The dining room had a warm and comfortable feel. It's also nice to not be crammed like sardines. We went with three course meal. The highlights were the clam spaghettini (first course) and smoked sea trout (second course), which was done to medium. These dishes were stellar and so refined. I also enjoyed the corn and grain salad. The dressing was full of flavor. I think anything with sauce or dressing is going to be amazing here. The other entree was the sea bass. Unfortunately it was overly salted and the salt overpowered the delicate fish. Now for the dessert...oh boy. I was so disappointed with the old fashioned strawberry doughnut. It looked kind of scary to me. It was dipped in some kind of a pink monstrosity of icing. It was so sweet and the doughnut seemed to be soaked in syrup or something. I was expecting freshly made, warm doughnut but I couldn't distinguish this from a boxed kind. Perhaps because I'm not a big fan of extreme sweets, I didn't appreciate this much. However this execution of this dessert didn't seem to fit with the refined dishes in the earlier courses. In fact, I probably could get a better doughnut at a street fair. Other things on the dish were good though such as the yogurt and berries. The other dessert, the cream cheese tart with huckleberry was a bit better but I also found it to be overwhelmingly sweet. So, if you're like me, stick with sorbet or ice cream. Although not every course was a winner, I had a lovely dining experience at the Gramercy Tavern.
(4)Lisa S.
beautiful decor and a lovely hostess along with a friendly staff. the food was excellent and so were the spirits.
(5)Misha T.
I'm so glad to have finally come here. It's literally taken me years. For lunch, we split some appetizers consisting of pasta, beer tar tar, and corn salad. All of which were excellent. I finished with the burger (which depending on the rush they may serve you in the dining room) and it did not disappoint. In fact it's easily one of the better burgers in NYC, with excellent beefy flavor, chefs that do medium rare right, and housemade bacon. It's a pretty formidable burger in terms of size though so don't underestimate it.
(4)Mellie J.
Wasn't able to make a reservation for the formal dining area so went to the Tavern instead for dinner! From reading other reviews, we went with the 4 course tasting menu which was delicious. The standout for me was the pork rib....salivating while thinking about it! Also couldn't fault the ice cream sundae with home made sprinkles and cookie dough. Service was excellent as well. All in all, a 5 star experience. Servings sizes may not appear that big at first but the meal as a whole was definitely enough. I would recommend this place for special occasions or a small group of foodie friends :)
(5)Char L.
What can I say that hasn't been said already? Came for a Saturday night dinner with the hubby. We were seated right away and our waitress was right on top of things all night. We ended up doing the 6 course seasonal tasting menu for $120. Every single course was delicious. We had 3 seafood courses - marinated scallops, lobster salad, poached hake. All 3 were very delicate, light, reminds me of spring and full of flavor. That hake melted like butter in my mouth. Then came a house made pasta, a duck, and dessert. All delicious as well. There is not a set wine pairing menu, but our waitress was able to create a wine pairing menu for us based on our likes. I also loved the fact that we were able to switch out our dessert courses for the dessert off the Vegetable tasting menu. The entire staff just had a great attitude and made our meal very enjoyable. Reservations were a tad hard to get as I had to set a reminder in my calendar 30 days prior and made sure to call in the morning. I think it's cuz we wanted a Saturday night. Weeknights are much easier to get a reservation.
(5)Mary S.
Incredible experience. We had the five course tasting meal and the whole process took about 2-3 hours. Everything was cooked to perfection and despite me eating at least 6 rolls, there was no judgment from the waiters, haha. Beautifully decorated, the service is impeccable, and the food, of course, is delicious. For lunch, there's also a burger that's off-menu which is apparently amazing!
(5)Joseph W.
Two visits on same business. Food and ambiance are terrific!
(5)Lauren P.
It's as good as you've heard. I've been here probably ten times, and I've never been disappointed. The food is consistently good, the drinks are well made, the wine list is impressive and the service is excellent. We usually walk in and get a bar seat, so we don't usually have a reservation.
(5)Scott S.
Gramercy Tavern is my favorite place for a drink and app in NYC. Elegant but Fun!
(5)David M.
Great dinner with amazing service except for the server that ran into me while seated at my table and gave me a dirty look. I wouldn't say amazing but very high quality food as expected. The restaurant itself is very nice with a very traditional yet modern feel. Expect to spend about $100 - 140 per person on your meal after drink, tax and tips. Quite expensive but worth it for the experience.
(4)Sharon Z.
Quality food, but very small portions. We had the seasonal tasting menu with 7 courses. Outstanding desserts!!!
(4)Allen K.
Come to Gramercy Tavern and you'll be treated like a king. The service alone gives it five stars, and the food makes it a perfect 10 (a mythical achievement in the 5-star yelp rating system). But seriously, I wish I could give it more stars. There are two sections of Gramercy Tavern. The first when you walk in is the Tavern, a lively room of excellent drinks and food. It's walk-in only, and you can choose to grab a table or sit at the bar. Both have separate waiting lists, but it didn't seem to take long to grab a spot at the bar. The second section of the restaurant is the dining room, which also has its own menu and reservation system. My experience on this occasion was in the tavern area. Make no mistake, the tavern is no ordinary bar. The bartender doesn't need your credit card to open a tab because he can remember you, even if you've never been there before. They actually address you by your name when they ask if you want another drink. I know it doesn't seem like a big deal, but in NYC where it's easy to be just another face in the crowd, it's nice to find a place with such hospitality. The food is no joke either. The menu is everything you'd expect and more from a Michelin star restaurant. I had the arctic char and roasted oysters, both of which go well together for an excellent starter. Unfortunately I couldn't resist the appeal of these two dishes and forgot to take photos before I ate them. The grilled duck is the best duck I've had. I felt like it was perfectly seasoned and cooked just right. The bed of asparagus and other veggies was a nice balancing touch. The staff even poured me a glass of fine Italian red on the house to pair with the duck. Talk about service. Dessert deserves an equal piece of this review too. When it comes to dessert menus, I'm often like a kid in a candy store that can't make up his mind. I eventually settled for something warm and went for the rhubarb crisp. To describe it briefly, it made me grateful for all the life decisions that led me to eating it. I try not to go to the same restaurant more than once because there are so many options in New York, but Gramercy Tavern will undoubtedly be an exception. I already know I'll be coming back. Soon.
(5)Ilya V.
Could not be happier with this place. Fantastic service, beautiful decor, and delicious food. We came here to celebrate our anniversary and Tavern did not disappoint. From he moment we walked in every single request we had was immediately addressed. We picked the seasonal tasting menu and every single thing on it was delicious and beautifully done.
(5)Catherine H.
yum in many many ways. You can eat in the main dining room, but the casual dining area is definitely worth it anyhow. Besides, who wants to put on business casual (and possibly a jacket) to eat? everything was carefully prepared and a real treat
(5)John O.
One of my all time favorite NYC restaurants - a timeless classic! On my most recent visit the purpose was to try the special cheeseburger at the bar. Wow, a wonderful cheeseburger! Wine by the glass at the bar was great and the setting is perfect for chatting with other food lovers and people watching. Just a gem.
(5)Laurie H.
At first GT feels a little restrictive. Seriously-you have to call back to be sure you confirm your confirmed reservation, and then they remind you that in the dining room you need to wear "business casual" and that it's a prix fixe menu. And I do have to say that when we checked in, the host did eyeball my husband up and down to see if he passed the dining room criteria. But that's where the stuffiness stops. Once you are in the dining room, every interaction you have is meant to make your evening lovely and warm. Every member of the serving staff is helpful and genial. The first hurdle is always the drink menu for the teens. I've said it before about a million times - if you are a high-end dining establishment and you make a teen (or kid) drink a soda with their meal as their only selection, you have done something wrong. This is not the case here. Iced Blue Bottle coffee thrilled the teen girl (thanks for the nod to the bay area), and the teen boy chose the french sparkling apple juice. Adults began with adult beverages. When ordering, you choose either the 3-course or the 6-course tasting menu. As with anywhere, the entire table needs to order the same # of courses. So of course we knew we would have to go with the 3-course, as the teens aren't quite as adventurous in their dining options as we are. When it was time to order, I could not decide between the three fish dishes for my main course, as they all sounded wonderful. When I queried our server, he let me know they actually had a special dish that included bass, crab, lobster, and various other things I love. No question - I chose the special. I then went to order the mushroom starter, and he let me know it was a cold dish (similar to a terrine.....or perhaps exactly a terrine...I forget) and I was incredibly appreciative about that, as I hate terrine and anything that would be gelatinous in any way, which I imagine was going to be the case with a cold mushroom dish. He then asked if I would like the asparagus dish from the vegetable tasting menu as my starter, as it included mushrooms. Why yes, please...and thank you very much! Teen girl also changed her mushroom starter when hearing the description and went with the trout. She ordered the chicken dish, and again, the server made sure that she understood the way they cook the chicken was to keep a bit of the pink...but she could have it cooked a bit more, if she would like. Yes, please, she would very much like it cooked a bit more. Teen boy and hubby also ordered the trout starter, and then went with the pork dish. Everyone loved every bit of their food. The teens were amazed at how much they loved the trout. They normally just sort of put up with it when we serve it to them, or catch it and cook it for them....but they gobbled it all up and exclaimed how they would like it always prepared this way. The pork and chicken and fish were all exceptional - not a single thing left on anyone's plate. We chose a Côte-Rôtie with the help of our server, that he decanted for us. We stopped short of asking him to decant it with a candle flame for our amusement, as the teens were mortified at the thought of us asking for that LOL. It was absolutely delicious. Between meals our amuse-bouche were both frothy drinks, first a spiced carrot with orange foam, and then a strawberry-something with an actual strawberry. For dessert we chose the "coconut," the "chocolate," the "strawberry," and the cheese (any 3 cheeses of your choice). There were so many flavors and textures included in all of these that I can't recount them...let's suffice to say that not a single plate had any trace of dessert left at the end. Also, hubby has wisely asked them to choose for him, and they did magnificently. One soft cow cheese, one hard cow cheese, and one hard goat cheese. They were so good that the other three of us kept stealing from him. And finally the chef's complimentary sweets: a nougat-type something that none of us enjoyed too much, a chocolate, and a macaron. Four of each. We all had our share. The teen boy fell in love with the chocolate, the teen girl fell in love with the macaron. So much so, that they were eyeballing the leftover one of each at the table next to us. They couldn't believe those people didn't/wouldn't finish theirs. So, after they paid the bill and left, somehow, some ninja absconded with the one leftover chocolate and the one leftover macaron and they seemed to land perfectly with each teen according to their preference. It happened so quickly that nary a diner or server or parent saw the whole thing go down. What the parents did see was the sheer look of happiness and satisfaction on two teen faces. And what price would a parent pay for that? Totally worth it, ninja. Three hours later, we rolled on out of there super satisfied and super happy. Bonus celebrity sighting: Craig Jackson of Barrett Jackson car auction fame was there. Since we record every hour, we loved that!
(5)John J.
Very good food. Im their regular costumer and never have been disappointed. Not to mention the service which os always perfect.
(5)steph Z.
I have not gone there for a few years now, but I recently went with some out of town guests, we didn't book the restaurant but just went to the bar area where you can order the full menu. The food and service were impeccable as always! And as always, they have beautiful floral displays. It's very comforting to just drop by and always get good service and good food!
(4)Shannon G.
I like this place, but feel it's overpriced and overrated. Service is excellent, food is good, dessert is excellent, but I always feel like it's a bit stuffy and stodgy - not my cup of tea. Still, enjoy going here.
(3)Dana L.
Dinner June 2014. Beautiful building - great atmosphere for conversational dinners. The fresh flower arrangements are so beautiful. We enjoyed the dinner tasting menu in the dining room. Not only should you be prepared to spend a lot of money, but time too. I would have preferred for the waiters to see that we were anxious for the next course and to up the pace a little. By the end of the dinner I wasn't even sure if I was satiated or just ready to get out of the restaurant...
(4)M. R.
Always perfection. Nothing sensational to add from the other reviewers because they are all on point with their reviews. This time I ordered the sea bass, sprinkled with pumpkin seeds, a light mango sauce with a hint of curry and walnuts over a bed of spaghetti squash. Absolutely perfection - as always! Classy with understated elegance. Food is always impeccable. Service outstanding!
(5)Kate H.
The tavern tasting menu was great! The oysters were the best that I ever tried, though the steak was a bit chewy. I had pinot noir juice mocktail and it was also great. (I usually drink wine but since I had to work I had to give it up). Will go back with my husband next time!
(5)Sakeenah M.
I absolutely loove Gramercy Tavern and the space is beautiful! The sea bass was perfect in every way. The bartender was nice enough to let me taste the cider first, although I didn't ask to. The strawberry sorbet shortbread sandwich was so good. The edges were drizzled with white chocolate. How original! Gramercy is expensive, but I knew that before going in. Thankfully, I wasn't disappointed in any way.
(5)Kristen Y.
I'm here to tell you if Yelp allowed a 20 star rating that's what I would give this place...and I only got to eat in the tavern! A meal for two including a glass of wine each for $100. WELL worth the price of admission! Service was attentive and fluid but not in your face. The waiter was very knowledgeable on both the menu and the wine, and had no problem when he came to take our order but we weren't ready. We started with the cheesy bacon biscuits (holy yum) and mussels with chorizo. For entrees, I got the arctic char and he got marinated pork chop. Dessert was the chocolate cake with butter pecan ice cream. Pretty sure I'd come back for the ice cream alone. Two thumbs WAY up!
(5)Ann K.
My friends and I went to dine at Gramercy Tavern a few days ago. It took me all these times to contemplate my thoughts and made an attempt to review the restaurant fairly. I work in the food industry and attended the food show frequently, tasting variety of foods on the way. I will still base the review on my personal preference. To dine at the establishment at this caliber, I had high expectation and hoped to be going orgasmically satisfied of the foods and dining experience. The seasonal tasting menu should provide memorable experience and lingering flavors. Something I will still remember for days if not years. Marinated scallops & mussels with refreshing slightly acidic cilantro cucumber and American caviar: the scallops are tiny but sweet and fresh. Ceviche like sans shallots and chili. 4 stars Ruby red shrimp: perfectly cooked tiny shrimp. Forgettable. 3 stars Smoked Artic Char: the texture and flavor reminds me of Scandinavian style Gravlax. My favorite. 5 stars Clam spaghetti: the spaghetti reminds me of uncooked instant noodle. The sauce flavor is too lemoney. I do not like it. I want more balanced and softer noodle. Not even al dente. 1 star Duck breast and smoke thigh: duck breast always remind me of French cooking. Sour cherry purée is too sour. It tastes like sour cherry in Persian cooking. 2 stars Raspberry sorbet with vanilla rice pudding, pistachio and heavenly rose petals. I increased one star from two to three just because what the aroma of the rose petal gave me. 5 stars Our team of waiters is so synchronized that it is almost robotic. I will appreciate a little more natural and less uptight services. Being Professional and efficient are good but need a hint of humility and emotion. I am not sure if I will go back. My friend will give it one more trial. They kept comparing Gramercy Tavern with the Inn at Washington.
(3)Alexander W.
Gramercy Tavern has grabbed every accolade in the restaurant scene. It has now won my heart, well.. at least my stomach. The service was attentive but unobtrusive, even though we had a toddler at the table. My group opted for the three course dining room meal instead of the tasting menu, but we shared and tried most of our tablemates' dinners. The best of the best: Smoked salmon seemed so unassuming, but once it hit your mouth.. it melts. Asparagus and Beef Carpaccio a concophony of bold flavors + for horseradish lovers. Red Snapper tenderly swimming in LOBSTER BISQUE Lamb Loin shoulders the burden for meat lovers. Must get this medium rare. All the desserts - The Rhubarb, Mango, Strawberry, and Chocolate dishes had some element that we all loved. Each included little specs of unexpected heaven. The Cookie Plate with Milk would make Santa give you all the best presents in the world. The good: Lobster Salad - a lighter dish with thick pieces of lobsta. Pork Loin & Deckle. The deckle was full of flavor since it tasted / is like bacon. However, the loin itself lacked the robustness that I was expecting. Chive Roll - I kept telling myself to stop eating this. After the third one, I finally halted intake. The bad: ----
(5)Elaine H.
Sometimes when a great restaurant is filled with celebrities, people will tend to disregard the authenticity of food itself. This is clearly an issue with Gramercy Tavern, given its James Beard award winning chef Michael Anthony (works at Blue Hill stone barns which won this year's best restaurant in the States) and renown owner Danny Meyer who also has a possession in Eleven Madison Park. However Gramercy was able to fight back its title and share it with us in a decent way. Three choices were given for dinner, three course pre fixe, seasonal tasting and veggie tasting. Without any hesitation, I have chosen the seasonal seven course, which indeed have brought the true spirit. Complementary puff was soft and fluffy; while the scallop and cucumber salad was freshly delicious. I never thought of the combo of shrimp and squash, Gramercy proved the opposite. The sweetness of squash marinated itself perfectly well with the savory shrimp, well done! Not really a spaghetti person, I would nevertheless strongly recommend the clam spaghetti with garlic sauce. The pickled chiles on top were not at all playing a supporting role within the dish. Dinner was concluded with duck being cooked medium rare and vanilla rice pudding, both were at fantastic level to the least. Talent brings specialty and specialty brings uniqueness. Thanks for showing us the uniqueness Gramercy and I am looking forward to coming back.
(5)Eric W.
Does this place NEED anymore stars?!?! I always had Gramercy Tavern bookmarked as a "special occasion" spot, but my burger tour brought me here on business..... BURGER BUSINESS! And business was good tonight my friends. The burger was amazing; easily in the top 3-4 burgers in NYC. Every component was great, from the perfect blend of meat (nice flavor, ratio, grill, and no gristle), to the clothbound cheddar, and the thinly sliced house-bacon. I could've used a few more chips, but it was all very satisfying. Then on top of all of that, the staff went above & beyond from the time I walked in, until I left (most likely the rest of the night as well).
(5)Stephanie R.
Where to start! The entry way is so inviting. The hostess was super sweet. We were sat in the bar area for lunchtime and were given waters with lemon and bread/butter. Our waiter Paul was so great. Attention to detail is so well executed here. You're not just here for the food, but the entire experience. Started off with a glass of rose- light and refreshing. App- Lamb flatbread with eggplant, pickled green tomato and mint Holy cow, my senses. My husband and I shared the cold soup to start- It was a watermelon veggie soup. This cannot be explained in this review. It was to die for. Entree we shared the lobster broth. I'm not usually a fan of soup for lunch but this may have changed my mind. Lobster, grilled calamari, fennel and muscles in a light sauce. It was seriously so well executed. Perfect seafood cook, the veggies and potatoes were on point. We did not finish with dessert but it all looked so tempting. Service and food both a solid 5. Go. GO NOW! Danny Meyer is a genius.
(5)Ursula S.
Went here for lunch and had the lobster broth (recommended by the waiter) and cookie & milk, the food & service was very mediocre but food itself was decently priced. Drinks are okay, not the best but I've had worse, We had orange blossoms cocktails. Overall experience was very average.
(3)Jane S.
It's sometimes unfortunate for restaurants to have a high average rating on Yelp: diners have that much more expectation, and high expectation often leads to disappointment. That was the case for Gramercy Tavern. With an average rating of 4.5 stars, I expected a spectacular dining experience at this contemporary American cuisine restaurant that has been delighting NYC's appetite for more than two decades (est. 1994). I came here with a friend for lunch at the Dining Room (you can also dine at the Tavern, which serves an a la carte menu in a casual, walk-in setting). While you can only get a fixed-price and tasting menus at the Dining Room for dinner, you also get an a la carte option at lunch. To start the meal, I got the Kale Salad with freshly grated parmesan. The colorful salad had bountiful of kale that unfortunately tasted a bit too coarse. The red cabbage added another layer of coarseness to the salad. There was nothing that really stood out to me as amazing about this salad. Second, the Butternut Squash and Chanterelle Mushroom Ravioli had maybe three pieces of ravioli. I liked the semi-thick glaze-like broth that it was served in, but the ravioli itself didn't have much filling. When they said "Butternut Squash and Chanterelle Mushroom," it mostly meant that these veggies are served on the outside, rather than inside, the raviolis. For my main, I tried the Miso-Glazed Cod. This Asian-infused dish included steamed bok choy and mushroom, which are topped with a filet of cod that has been glazed in miso sauce. The soy/miso sauce is also at the bottom. I thought they could have backed off on the miso a little because it made the dish quite salty. The cod was unfortunately too overcooked, but I liked the vegetables. The Deconstructed Apple Tart for dessert was quite tasty. It had a scoop of apple pie ice cream with pie crumbs surrounding the "pie" part of the tart. Because of my high expectation, perhaps I had a higher standard for reviewing Gramercy Tavern, but nothing stood out to me as amazing...except maybe the service.
(3)Kelly D.
Being from Houston where great food is abundant, I was completely disappointed by Gramercy Tavern. Our foodie friend recommended it, and she is usually spot on. The atmosphere was nice, but nothing over the top. The waitstaff was attentive, but not overly friendly. The food, however, was BORING, and over-priced. All four of us agreed. We're on our 4th day in NYC this trip, and by far this has been the least impressive meal we've had. The heirloom tomato salad and the clam spaghetti appetizer were both excellent. From there, no one at our table of 4 was enjoyed their meals, except for maybe the lamb. I was told that it had a nice flavor and was cooked well, but the portion size was so tiny that he couldn't spare sharing one bite with anyone for fear of leaving hungry. The sea bass was dry, extremely salty, and left virtually untouched. The spinach ravioli was also salty and bland. Think pasta in chicken stock. Like I said, boring. Overall, the staff and the name are what earn Gramercy their high ratings, but this city is loaded with restaurants that actually deserve 5 stars when it comes to the food, and atmosphere. Mark this one off of your list and try something else. It's not worth the money or the experience.
(3)Amelinda L.
My BFF and I came here for dinner during my visit in February. We both opted for the Three-course menu ($92). I made reservations via Open Table. The process was very smooth. The bag/coat check was so lovely and I adored their personalized leather tags! Service was fabulous and we enjoyed our time. Amuse Bouche: Carrot Arancini Complimentary bread w/ butter and salt First Course Smoked Trout, Cipollini Purée and Pickled Onions Squid Ink Spaghetti, Chorizo, Kale and Mussels Second Course Arctic Char, Cabbage, Radish and Bacon Lamb Loin & Shoulder, Chickpeas, Carrots and Pistachio Palate Cleanser: Apple Consommé w/ Pomegranate Foam Third Course Apple, Caramel, Black Currant Jam and Hickory Ice Cream Baboon Lemon, Buddha Hand Confit, Vanilla and Fennel Cream Cheese I liked both of our first courses with the Squid Ink Spaghetti being the standout dish of our whole meal. I really enjoyed the pasta itself and the seafood broth was delicious. I would have loved this dish as a main course! The lamb and accompaniments were nice. The desserts were also yummy, but nothing screamed "Amazing!" to me or my friend. After our third course, they sent out these really lovely treats including a Bourbon Caramel with Pumpkin Seed Crisp. Oh my gosh, these were magical. It was so great that I asked to purchase more to take with me! They very kindly offered a small box of four, complimentary. I enjoyed them very much. Also, we received Coffee Cake Muffins as parting gifts. I had one the next morning and it was delicious!
(4)Stephanie D.
This restaurant may have been our best decision on our entire trip. My boyfriend spent a ton of time researching which higher end restaurants we may want to go to and which to skip- so happy that we came here, it was a highlight of our trip for sure. The meal started with a warm bread service which was hard to say no to eating alllllll of. But I knew that better things were coming. The meal was 4 courses for $48, a fantastic deal IMHO. If you know me, you know that I am OBSESSED with beets. The beet salad in cream fresh was one of the best I've ever had and I totally would have been happy just eating that and leaving. The next dish and lamb were phenomenal but I was really excited for dessert having seen it on other's tables. It was a pot of vanilla ice cream with cookie dough chunks baked into it was a side of warm hot chocolate fudge. OMG. The service was also wonderful-similar to much more expensive restaurants, informed, friendly and checked on us appropriately.
(5)Stef S.
Another perfect experience. Fantastic service. I ordered the beet goat salad (delicious and fresh) and the striped bass, which they replaced with red snapper because they were out of the bass. The fish was AMAZING. I couldn't get enough of it! And because service was slow, they brought out free desserts including an amazing strawberry tart. We totally didn't expect that and appreciated the gesture. Gramercy is a beautiful restaurant without the pretentious vibe you'd get at other places. The food never fails to amaze me, and the service is always great. This is definitely one of my New York favorites!
(5)Brandon E.
Yeah, so this happened! Happy 33rd Birthday to me! The wife treated me here for my birthday and this was bucket list worthy. Our waiter was just kind of OK and a bit awkward, I'd say he was new. The other server we had was outstanding. It is 4.5 stars for that all the way. I don't eat seafood so we didn't go with the tasting menu. It is non-stop food, amuse bouche, etc, palette cleansers, etc. The drinks are reasonably priced too. If you ask for wine ask for a suggestion they will gladly offer you one, and not just the most expensive glass. My wife's lamb entree was absolutely divine, it was better than mine. I got the pork and it was delicious don't get me wrong but the lamb was a whole other level. I had the pork bolognese(I like pork, don't judge). The Cherry goat cheesecake..two words...game changer. By far the best cheesecake I have ever had, light, fluffy, decadent it was amazing. Because it was my birthday they also gave us a delicious coconut cake with my name written on it, an absolutely great touch. At the end, on top of all the other food they give you a couple light dessert bites which were delicious and a muffin to take home for breakfast. We saw the sous chef come out to mingle with a "high roller" table of probably CEOs, etc. That was kind of cool. But when you have 6 bottles of wine on your table and a meal I guess that warrants the sous chef coming to talk to you. Can't understand why he didn't talk to us... This was an experience, obviously something I couldn't afford to do often but this is check off the culinary bucket list.
(5)Julia K.
The lunch tasting menu is truly a great value and a delightful experience - 5 courses for $58. Each dish is 5-7 bites and is packed with a fantastic balance of flavors. You will be left feeling full and satisfied! In most cases, if one person is ordering the lunch tasting menu, the restaurant prefers the entire table to follow suit, so the timing of the plates is relatively consistent among all guests. We were able to deviate from this request and ordered a la carte for two people (apps, entrees, 1 dessert) and the tasting menu for two people. Similar to most upscale restaurants, the hostess will call a day or two in advance to confirm the reservation and ask if there is any special celebration. For special celebrations, the restaurant provides a complimentary meringue encased cake (tasted but a bit dry, but hey.. it was free!). It looks like the lunch menu is ever changing, but this is what we had: 1) Raw scallop ceviche with trout roe and cucumber salad/sauce - Very fresh, sweet scallops with a refreshing salad; a great starter 2) Arctic char - Delicate filet that looks very similar to salmon, encrusted with small crisp pearls and a foam of some sorts 3) Ricotta gnocche with rich pea sauce - The peas provided a nice brightness to the toothsome gnocchi 4) Duck breast - A few slices cooked to medium with cherries and squash; this dish was my least favorite. The duck lacked flavor and was a bit tough 5) Dessert - Typically, you'd get the rice pudding but our waiter let us pick any dessert from the menu. The meringue and mango cake was delicious and delicate! The goat cheese cake was a bit different (def. strong goat cheese taste) but equally well executed. Of the a la carte dishes, the most notable was the clam spaghetti. The sauce was rich and decadent with a good portion of pasta and clams. Other complimentary items of note - palette cleanser before dessert of ice shavings and mint; dessert samples of a basic vanilla cake and chocolate squares.
(4)Elton W.
Wow...Excellent food, excellent service, excellent ambiance and excellent wine list, all at a price less than what you'd pay at a comparable Michelin-Star (1) rated restaurant (Blue Hill, Gotham, NoMad, etc.). Plus, when you do the tasting menu, you have several options to choose from for your courses, as opposed to a set menu of courses like other fine dining restaurants. And the wine list has many options of great wines, especially Red Burgundy, at only a 2x markup vs. a 3-4x markup at other fine dining restaurants...I'm a Sommelier for fun, so this is an area of importance for me. The Sommelier (Brook) was very helpful and her service was impeccable, decanting our wine without me even asking...which I would have. For wine and dinner, we had the: Champagne - R.Pouillon, grower-champagne (small producer): amazing, and at a great price Red Burgundy (French pinot noir): Gavinet, Nuits-Saint-Georges, another amazing wine Rosemary-Rye Rolls & Butter: both excellent and loved the French butter Amuse-Bouche: Ricotta Tart: tasty, but almost too small 1st Course: Beef Tartare: the best I've ever had, melted in your mouth with a savory black peppery flavor Lobster Salad: very light & fresh, but enjoyed the tartare more 2nd Course: Red Snapper: such a perfect combination of flavors with a sherry sauce that even non-seafood eaters would enjoy Pork Loin & Belly: perfectly cooked and accompanying mustard sauce was to die for Trou Normand (palate cleanser)...American-Mexican style: Strawberry soda with a splash of Agave Tequila: very tasty and could've drank ten of them...why don't they serve this shot at bars? haha Dessert: Goat Cheesecake with a cherry compote: so rich and delicious, and the whole cherries matched well with the goat cheese-based cake Chocolate layer cake with raspberry sauce & salted caramel yogurt: decadent and paired well with our red wine, but preferred the goat cheesecake Coconut Cream Merengue Birthday Cake: complimentary, so moist and flavorful and the merengue wasn't too hard or chewy, perfect Long Island Late Harvest Riesling: was recommended and thought it would suck as its from LI, but definitely did not, was delicious Mignardise/Petit Fours: Almond Cake rolls & Dark Chocolate filled with raspberry: both very good, but the chocolate/raspberry combo was amazing Complimentary-Take-Home Cinnamon Brown Sugar Muffin: amazingly delicious, even the day after the meal Overall, this place is a wonderful experience with impeccable service, amazing food and beautiful wines. Can't go wrong here. 5-stars for sure!!
(5)Janus C.
Loooove. Biggest tip is to come here for their lunch tasting in the Dining Room! The service is much better here and they accept reservations (I booked our lunch reservation the night before, but dinner reservations usually book out weeks in advance.) I came here with a friend to catch up, and the tasting menu was divine. The service was attentive, detailed and helpful (they offered me a glass of Gruner to go with the tasting course, as I didn't want to do the wine pairing). Favorites were the halibut, duck breast, and the rice pudding of course! This place serves my all-time favorite rice pudding, and I aim to get it every time I come here.
(5)Ari P.
Have you ever had a dining experience that is so extravagant and larger than life that it could jump from the pages of an "Eloise' novel? I think I came as close to the adult equivalent by starting out with the tasting menu at Lupa, then rolling into Gramercy with friends and dining on nothing but cocktails and a collective round of desserts. We arrived in the dining room without a reservation, and even on a Tuesday evening, we had to concede to an hour-long wait. However, unlike every other restaurant experience that I've ever had, the hostess continually updated us on the status of our table, and even allowed us to bring cocktails to the waiting area. Speaking of cocktails, I ordered the Expat; a sultry blend of rum, maraschino and angostura bitters that makes for a perfect late summer cocktail. Among the pulchritudinous desserts, we had the Cherry & Oat Sundae, Chocolate Cake with Frozen Yogurt and Strawberry Cream Pie with Cherry Sorbet. Each shined in it's own particular way, and while I couldn't possibly choose a favorite, I loved their unique take on a sundae. Constructed on a base of cherry confiture, layers of oatmeal cookie and vanilla ice cream are topped with a crown of cherries and kirsch cream. The strawberry pie showcased another creative flavor profile with it's dense filling and sesame brittle topping. Finally, the chocolate cake, when paired with the provided ball of frozen yogurt and raspberry sorbet, brought out flavors that sent me into a trancelike cacao nirvana that I had not previously reached. My dining companions said it best, if you entice a date with dessert here, you have increased the odds are that there will be follow-up dates. As soon as I have the standing and suitors I will definitely try putting that theory to the test.
(5)Tiffany N.
Want to know one of the best Michelin restaurant deals? It's lunch at Gramercy Tavern. Their dinner tasting menu is $120 per person, which is probably pretty steep for the average person, but their lunch tasting menu is exactly the same as their dinner menu minus one savory course and a little less than half the price at $58 per person. Yes, that's still more than the typical person wants to spend on lunch, but if you want to give this place a try without going all in on dinner, the lunch tasting menu is an amazing deal. Reservations for the dining room can be made up to 28 days in advance. I booked about a month in advance, and didn't find lunch reservations to be too competitive. They also have a walk in tavern area, but my review is for the dining room lunch. I would've loved to have tried their tasting menu, but my friends and I had an afternoon appointment that put us in a bit of a time crunch, so we ordered off of the a la carte lunch menu instead. I had the lobster salad ($16) and the lamb loin and shoulder ($25). Both were tasty and solid choices, but neither reached food orgasm inducing levels of deliciousness. I also got a taste of my friends' beet salad ($12) and spring greens salad ($14). Of the three, I think I surprisingly liked the spring salad the most. The dressing was a delicious. I also got to try some of the chicken ($22) and the tilefish with candied peanuts ($25). I have no idea how they put so much flavor into the chicken. There was flavor infused deep into the meat and not just on the surface. I never order fish entrees, but I wish I had ordered the tilefish. I would say it was the best out of all of our entrees. All in all, a normally pricey restaurant with an affordable lunch menu. The service was exceptional, but then it always is at a Michelin star restaurant. I'll be back for the tasting menu if I'm ever back in New York.
(4)Camille H.
3 hours of eating delicious food in a beautiful setting surrounded by well heeled people and consummate professionals. I had reservations for 2 in the dining room tonight (my bf's birthday) and we both decided to go with the $92 pre fixe menu because the tasting menu truthfully didn't seem all that great. I had the flounder, snapper with lobster and the pecan pie while my bf had the skate, lamb and the chocolate cake. Everything was delicious. In between we got a complimentary butter / cheese ball to welcome us to the restaurant, a shot glass of strawberry soda with some alcohol, 2 chocolate petite fours and a take home muffin each at the end of our meal. We also got the complimentary coconut / creme cake for his bday and sampled the milk and cookies (the nutella cookie is delish!) The guy with the bread basket made my bf very happy (he particularly liked the sour dough bread as it had a slightly burnt/charred taste) and the other guy in charge of keeping our water glasses full did not drop the ball. Our waitress was friendly but we did find it weird that she disappeared once it came to dessert and another guy started to serve us thereafter (we found him to be a little bit more friendly so we didn't mind but still found it odd). We also thought it odd that no one came around to ask us how the food was - I suppose they just assumed everything was great - and to be honest, it was. The bill was a sight for sore eyes but worth it to make a special occasion feel even more special. Also, parking is free after 6 and plentiful, which was awesome!
(4)Canny F.
Based on the vegan menu....... You'll be approached with a basket of bread with 2 choices: sourdough and chive dinner roll accompanied with olive oil instead of butter, and sea salt on the side. The bread is a tad cold but I assume it's meant to be room temperature. Onto the vegan tasting menu (it's a vegetarian menu they alter to make it vegan): Braised Hinona Turnips (Radishes and Pickled Mustard Seed) - to me, it was basically a few slices of raw turnips and radish with seeds on the side. Assorted mushrooms - the best dish I had so far. What could go wrong with mushrooms? Beet Salad, Quinoa, Kohlrabi and Pistachios - 2nd best dish. Maybe it was the quinoa that grabbed my attention? I was glad to see it wasn't another dish with raw vegetables with no sauce. Butternut squash and Japanese sweet potato - here comes the starch! Flavor? Eh. Drink: Quince/pear/California beer Apple pomegranate drink before dessert Dessert: Trio sorbet: Apple lychee, cranberry, pear. I enjoyed the apple lychee the most since it was something new. Apple jelly - reminded me of the Asian fruit jellys. Atmosphere, ambience and service - I was a tad thrown off by the seating arrangement and style. It felt gloomy. In terms if service, you'll definitely get the attention you need since there is a lot of staff and they are super friendly! The space between other parties varies depending on your seat. I sat near the entrance to another dining floor so it was spacious. If you're looking for something similar to Per Se, this isn't for you.
(2)Megan S.
We just had a private lunch here for my brothers graduation and it was amazing! Darlene and Angela were super on top of the whole process and I felt like we were well taken care of. They are very very responsive and were extremely accommodating for all requests, allergies, and last minute changes. Over all a very memorable experience!
(5)Tracey A.
Fancy dining isn't my thing. I appreciate it but I don't go out of my way for it. Give me a choice between French Laundry and some buzzy ethnic joint and I'm likely to choose the latter. This time however, reservations had been made and I was being treated and that can go a long way towards amping up my enjoyment. Still, I was sweating those things I'd noticed on GT's Yelp profile page: "$$$$" "Attire: Dressy" "Ambience: Classy" Sweat not. The place is "New York Dressy" and "New York Classy" and those four dollar signs? Hell, that's half of the city. The first thing I liked was the welcome I received from the host and hostess. Charmers, both of them. Their garb and attitudes screamed "I'm a little retro, a little hip, and a lot of fun". What's not to love? For a dressy, classy place I found the restaurant's color palate equally inspired. Lots of Fall orange made the entrance feel lively, not staid. As we walked past the front of house (the "tavern" part of the place, where food is also served) I took note: this hustling, bustling part is where I'd most like to dine. We opted for the 3-course meal ($98 per person) then I fretted a bit over what to order as a starter. Their smoked trout is a house specialty which our server said we shouldn't miss. Then I told her I'd never tried beef tartare, another starter, and she schooled me: "If you're going to try beef tartare anywhere, this is where you should try it". Trout, beef, trout, beef. "Beef" I finally declared. Starters arrived and this is where Gramercy Tavern began to really show why it's so highly regarded. As she laid in front of me an order of beef tartare another plate joined it, the smoked trout. "The kitchen really wanted you to be able to try them both" I was told. I melted. Who said I don't like classy joints? A ridiculously special bottle of white wine was selected by my friend after consultation with a joyful, non-pretentious female sommelier. From there we were off to the main courses, some amuse bouche, some other little special gifts from the kitchen, then dessert. Dessert? If Pawpaw is on that menu don't even think twice. It looks like a meteorite, fallen from the sky to your plate and tastes just as heaven-sent: Lime foam, passion fruit, chiles, and coconut cream. Pawpaw. Remember it. I don't chase down Michelin stars (GT has one) and I don't often get excited about fancy but Gramercy Tavern mixed things up in a way that I could appreciate. It didn't feel like they were doing anything terribly unique-fancy (like, say, Oahu's "Alan Wong's") but if that's not what you're after you won't be disappointed. Excellent, smooth, upmarket food, stellar service, and a gorgeous space. If you want to impress or be impressed in New York, Gramercy Tavern is it.
(4)Don W.
Gramercy Tavern is probably one of the best meals I've ever had, from the quality of the food to the execution of the service, everything is just done so well and with so much attention to detail. They have a certain way of making a guest feel like a VIP, and also like you're part of the family at the same time. The timing and delivery of each course was like watching well-rehearsed choreography, followed by a detailed description of the items on the plate. I also appreciated the way Gramercy gave the option of choosing their seasonal tasting menu, with small portions served over several courses, or selecting their regular sized entrees. And when the meal is done, not only do they offer a nice selection of sweets to end the meal, but they also send you home with a baked treat to enjoy the next morning with coffee.
(5)Akash K.
Gramercy Tavern didn't disappoint at all! We were planning on going to the dining room and got reservations for 11:00 pm (yeah that's late but when you don't plan, you take what you can get). As time neared, my friend decided she was more keen on the fare on the tavern side, so we quickly switched over and chose to forego the reservation. Ended up with two appetizers, a smoked Arctic Char and a burrata style cheese dish. Both were quite good, though the Char was really frickin' great and a larger portion could have been my meal. The sea bass main was also completely on point. But the best part ... was dessert. We ended up with two desserts (because we're fat kids at heart), the lemon sundae and the cookie plate. I fell in love with both, and my stomach suffered through cramming even more food in. Wine list was great, not unreasonably priced. Service was great. Ambience was great. An all-in-all winner!
(5)Matt S.
While luckily finding myself in NYC once again for work, I figured I'd take a night to treat myself to a delicious meal. Being a lover of food I'd of course wanted to check out Gramercy Tavern. Of course the dining area was very nice and the service was amazing. A buddy of mine and I decided to go with the seasonal tasting menu. I also had the 'Norseman' cocktail (a nice bold but light whiskey cocktail) and a couple glasses of the delicious 'Brooks Janus 2011 Pinot Noir. The first dish was a 'Scallop and Cucumber Salad'. A nice and fresh dish to start but somewhat underwhelming in terms of flavor. The second dish I had was the 'Goat Cheese Custard' on account of the fact that I'm allergic to shrimp so I had to switch to a vegetable tasting menu dish. This was one of the highlights of the meal. The light goat cheese custard played extremely well with the peppery radishes pole beans that accompanied it. The next dish was the 'Poached Halibut'. The halibut was cooked extremely well but I thought it was a tad under seasoned and the lobster sauce didn't add all that much to the fish itself. The next item was the 'Clam Spaghetti'. The spaghetti reminded me of ramen and the dish was very good and flavorful. The next dish was the highlight of the meal, the 'Duck Breast and Smoked Thigh'. This dish was delicious. The duck was ever so tender and flavorful while all of the accompaniments enhanced the flavor and made for quite a memorable dish. Luckily for myself our waitress offered up any of the desserts to pick from to end the meal. I went with the 'Goat Cheesecake'. I loved this take on cheesecake. The cake would transition between the familiar cheesecake flavor as if made from cream cheese to at times reminding you of the fact that it's in fact goat cheese. The poppy seed sugar cookie it rested on added a great contrast and made for a really nice dessert. As a whole the meal was good. It had its highs and lows but ultimately was a nice experience. I'd absolutely be interested in trying the tavern dishes along with the three course menu items. I would definitely suggest a visit to Gramercy Tavern.
(4)j g.
Food great, lovely meatball! Smug smarmy server. - young pipsqueak working the very late lunch shift gets the weakest i guess....how about asking if i would like another slice of bread w my 80$ lunch? If I have to ask.....never mind. Take my advice go to union sq cafe for a nice meal n great service
(3)Jasmine X.
I was only in New York for a few days but my friend raved about wanting to try this place, and being the fine dining snob that I am, I obliged. I was actually pretty surprised at how easy it was to get reservations. We didn't want to deal with any potential wait and you could literally get reservations day of for 7/8pm which is totally reasonable. We ended up going on Sunday at 7:30pm. Reservations are probably a must because every single table was filled. Service was spot on though not as amazing as described by other Yelpers. I had some grandeur about people constantly filling up my water or giving me bread when I didn't have it ... that was not the case. This is not to say that the service wasn't good. It was still great, just not as great as exaggerated by people here. Friend and I got the apple crisp and cranberry crush for drinks and both were delicious. Normally non alcoholic drinks look like children's drinks, but these came in nice glasses which was exciting. Cranberry crush tasted like cinnamon/ginger if you're into that and apple crisp ended up tasting very lemony. In terms of the food, I got the smoked trout, arctic char, and apple dessert. Everything was amazing. The smoked trout was executed perfectly--every ingredient on the plate harmonized so well together. I don't even typically like onions but it was just so perfect with the trout. Arctic char was cooked to perfection--fish is really easy to mess up, but they nailed it. Loved how juicy and soft it was. Great flavor and worked really well with the bacon. You wouldn't expect fish to go with bacon, but the bacon made each bite that much more interesting. The apple dessert was so simple and elegant. Each bite was amazing. They also have great amuse bouche/palate cleansers in between. I particularly really enjoyed the soda shot cleanser. You also get a cute take home muffin as a treat! All in all, just a wonderful dining experience at a pretty reasonable price. Everything is executed perfectly. It's not a fancy experience or anything that will blow your mind from a culinary standpoint, but it's just done so well. Service is attentive but not obtrusive. My friend sat there and just talked for a long, long time and no one ever bothered us. Food was amazing. Dishes weren't that innovative, but that's not what you're looking for here. Really just a great dining experience. tldr; a classic experience and a must-try if you want just a very solid restaurant experience with delicious food
(5)Alex L.
Delicious! Came here on a Sunday night to celebrate my girlfriend's birthday and it was a memorable dining experience. It had everything you would expect from a top notch restaurant, great service, excellent food, and complimentary palette cleaners. I started with the beef tartare, which had great flavor. The ingredients were fresh and really left a nice flavor in your mouth that was not overpowering. Sometimes you will get beef tartare that leaves an almost sour aftertaste, not this place! I followed up with the lamb loin. Portion-wise it could have been a bit bigger, and there was a bit more fat than I expected on the lamb, but the overall quality and taste was superb. For dessert, my girlfriend and I shared a cookie platter and chestnut, puff pastry. Looking at the dessert menu, nothing really stood out to me at first glance. But, when the desserts were brought to the table I was pleasantly surprised. They were both delicious and had amazing presentation. Additionally, they gave my girlfriend a baked alaskan birthday cake. A BAKED ALASKAN! Now that is some exceptional service. I definitely recommend this place to those celebrating special occasions. It's also nice because jacket is not required here, and it's also next to one of the iconic parks of the city that you can stroll around after eating.
(5)Lee L.
NEW YORK CITY: This is not a review dignified enough for this restaurant. Candidly, I am not sufficient enough a writer to do justice to this king of eating establishments. It is the finest meal I have ever had. Tasting menu, amazing service, inspiring dishes. Divine. See the photos and comments below.
(5)Kristy W.
Don't be stupid like we were and plan on eating at the bar, at least not on a Friday night. The place was packed. I mean, crazy busy. The bar has its own waitlist, in addition to the tavern and the restaurant, and there were twelve parties on it ahead of us. Twelve parties waiting to sit at the bar. And while we were there (maybe about 30 minutes?) we saw NO ONE leave. Two women came back after a time to see where they were on the waitlist, and they were still number five. Because of this, it's loud in there. So don't plan on eating in the tavern and having a calm, quiet dinner. One man there literally started screaming at a patron who he felt had a "piercing voice." I was a little disappointed that the manager, instead of diffusing the situation, sided with the man and embarrassed the woman pretty seriously. Yeah, her voice was piercing, but it's not like she can particularly help what type of voice she has. She and her party left, but sadly they weren't sitting at the bar so we still didn't get a seat. We had a cocktail during our wait, which was tasty but nothing extraordinarily unique. I was really impressed, however, at the bartender's ability to read lips and anticipate my needs, despite being 5-10 feet away from me.
(3)Angel L.
Before talking about the food, or even the restaurant, let's talk about getting a reservation here. I had a weekend + a few days in NYC, and this was on the hitlist. So, with the 29-days-in-advance-booking, I checked everyday to see the pattern of booking, and as soon as it was 29-days-before-the-Saturday-I-wanted, I pounced. I pounced and missed. ARGH! So I settled for a Monday at lunch in the dining room. In order to optimize my tasting options, the bf and I ordered one tasting menu for myself, Beef Tartare appetizer and another main of Lamb Loin & Shoulder. Dessert of cookies and milk! The tasting menu overall was fine...I mean, the presentation was simply gorgeous. Lots of thought put into each plate, and lots of textures and new ways to eat simple ingredients. The duck breast was lovely and was my favourite. The bf's beef tartare was also good. Flavour was excellent, but the texture was not what I was used to. The tartare I usually have is very easy in the mouth, almost melt-y. This one had more muscle to it. We asked the server about it, and kudos to him, he returned at the end of the meal with a full explanation from the chef as to what cut was used, how it was prepared, and reason for the difference. And suggestion as to how to prepare it at home too. Great!!! The lamb loin and shoulder was also very good, another favourite. The plating was like a work of art! Ok, as I write this review, I keep revising my favourite...the cookies and milk was my favourite. This little tray of 5 or 6 different cookies come complete with a little flask of milk. Cookies are warm and fresh, and server was completely aware that we would need a refill of the milk to go with the many cookies! Last of all...the service. Superb. One of the best services I've had in a while. Water glass never empty, bread basket always close, server was welcoming and informed. Everything one can ask for! We came in with a coffee cup from the walk over, and they even offered to pour it into a cup for us to keep drinking. Class act!
(5)Steve C.
I finally know why this restaurant is so hard to get a reservation and is in business for so long. It is AMAZING!!! Gramercy Tavern looks small from outside but it's a huge restaurant. The hostesses were very friendly and attentive. We were greeted with lots of smiles. This is a beautiful restaurant with lots of pretty people. It's a great place to bring a date or anyone you want to impress. Our waiter was very nice. He explained the menu clearly. We ordered the tasting menu because everything looks so good. Each plate that came out just kept getting better and better. Just when you think you're full and the last dessert item came out already, they bring more. Chocolate sweets and then a cup cake for everyone to eat for later. YUM!!! I would give this restaurant one extra star just because the staff were all so friendly. They all work together. If you need something, any staff can help you out. The manager also came over to check on us and to say hello. I'm a big fan of this place! I would make sure to visit every time I'm in NYC.
(5)Gen M.
So. Freaking. Worth. It. I was fortunate enough to be treated to Gramercy Tavern on a chilly night. Right away this place feels warm and intimate, and the people who work here seem genuinely happy to see people come in. Or maybe that's just me. The decor here is beautiful. I felt like I was in someone's home. We had a reservation, so we were able to be seated quickly in the dining room. I loved that it was so roomy, and the volume was low enough I could actually have a conversation without having to shout. Such a treat in this city. We were able to place our drink orders within a reasonable amount of time (the hefty, leather bound drink menu had abundant choices), and we decided to go with the three course option (dinner options are either three course or the seasonal tasting menu). I ordered the shrimp as my first course, and the flounder for my second. The shrimp was good, served with a citrusy sauce, blood oranges, and clementines. I was a little unsure of what the temperature of the shrimp was supposed to be--some bits were warm, others cold. Food temperature is one of my personal nit-picky points, but all in all, the shrimp was delicious. The flounder, the flounder! Such a wonderful cut of fish, bathed in lemon, and cooked until such perfect tenderness that you could only shovel it in your mouth as fast as you can, all while trying to maintain dignity. The pumpkin seeds and brussels sprouts served with the fish complemented the food texture. I was full before my plate was clean, but I couldn't help but keep putting food in my mouth. Dessert was a shave of a chocolate curl, filled with more chocolate, served with a dollop of chocolate mousse, and drizzled with a kumquat marmalade. Oh, and topped with some kind of cinnamon brown sugar. It was easily one of the most decadent desserts I had ever tasted. I managed to taste the cookie plate's passionfruit macaron (absolute heaven) and the pecan pie (just let me lie on the floor and recover from the wonderful tastes). We were also served a wonderful little amuse bouche--a fried rice ball with a lemon sauce. It was a great tease for what we were in store for with our meal. After our second course, we were given a little shot glass of an apple juice with pomegranate compote--so refreshing. And after all of the food was taken away, a tray of salted bourbon caramels and chocolate black sesame morsels was delivered to us. I could barely eat anything else at this point, but still managed to taste the salted bourbon caramel--delicious. Gramercy Tavern gave us muffins after receiving the check. Such a thoughtful gesture on the restaurant's part. Here I am the morning after, still comfortably full from last night's meal, but still eagerly anticipating my coffee cake muffin. This was easily one of the most enjoyable dining experiences I have ever had.
(5)Marinela S.
Went in for a family function The food was to die for, every single dish was impeccable and never left you dissatisfied Just stop reading these reviews and go there is no way you will ever regret it, even at this steep price! The service is some of the best service I've had in all my life. Everything is fantastic and if I could afford to is eat here every single day
(5)Jenna C.
Sunday night, 9pm, and we were so, so hungry. It was a last minute decision to see if we could eat here, and we were lucky enough to be able to, so we sat at the bar. It wasn't terribly busy, and while we'd briefly considered the tasting menu, it's something that should probably be planned out a bit more if you're going to go with that option. We had the roasted carrots for an appetizer, and while they've not been on the menu since, they tend to make encore appearances once in a while. I'd highly recommend them - they were super tasty. For dinner, we had the arctic char and a roasted chicken medallion dish. I hadn't had that particular type of fish ever, and it was a really pleasant surprise. I liked the greens it came with, in particular. They brought out a complimentary halibut dish, which was by far the better one, but only on the tasting menu at the time. We opted for a dessert that was perfect for me - not too sweet, just a bit tart, with berries and cream. The food looked SO good, that the people sitting next to us asked what we ordered. Apparently our three-bite reviews were so convincing, they then ordered the same thing. It was a really wonderful night, and the service was pretty good too (it was at the bar, so what can you really say about it?). The tasting menu looks quite good, and should I ever return, it would be something I'd very much like to try.
(5)chickpea p.
Went here for my birthday with a group of friends. Prix fixe menu sounded good with decent options but we decided to go the seasonal tasting menu. Can only get the tasting menu (you have a choice between seasonal and vegetable) if the entire table participates. It was fantastic! We also ordered drinks, they were nice and strong.
(5)Heather H.
Gramercy Tavern, how do I love thee? More than any other restaurant in, let's just go with, the world. Never disappoints. Always makes me feel special. I totally stalk GT's online reviews, fuming over anything with less than 5 stars. Also, I really wonder about the people who are hungry after eating here. I've never left less than stuffed.
(5)Linh V.
Although not our first choice, after some research we decided to try it! Friendly and inviting hostess, great service staff and even better food! We got the $120 seasonal tasting menu and it was perfect! It had the yellowfin tuna tartare, lobster salad, poached halibut, farfalle, beef ribeye and peach for dessert! Everything tasted great! I definitely recommend this place!
(5)Rachel C.
Amazing seasonal tasting menu and friendly service. The tasting menu was reasonably priced ($120 for six courses) and well balanced: Lobster Salad with Spinach and Sesame; Ruby Red Shrimp with Polenta and Salsa Verde; Halibut with Cauliflower and American Caviar; Pork Bolognese; Duck with Turnips and Wheat Berries; and Blood Orange Buttermilk Panna Cotta. All of the savory dishes were outstanding! We also tried the almond cake with rhubarb and the chocolate cardamom cake, both were good but not outstanding. Cocktails were good, too. I will definitely return the next time I'm back in NYC.
(4)Diana Z.
Oh my YES! I had one of the best meals of my life here last weekend. We decided no to go with the tasting menu, but instead chose the appetizer and entree option on the left side of the menu. On the recommendation of my sister and a friend who had been here before, I got the pork Bolognese. It was delicious. I could have just eaten that and been very happy. For the entree I got the chicken and sausage. I was sort of kicking myself for not getting something more adventurous, but once I tasted it, I knew I had made the right choice. The chicken was fall-off-the-bone tender and the sausage was well seasoned, not too spicy or greasy and a perfect compliment to the chicken. Even the sides - sunchokes, mushrooms and crunchy Einkorn wheat - were noteworthy and delicately balanced. The wine and beer list is amazing - lots of locally sourced, interesting choices, including vintage beers. We tried several, including a delicious black current cider and ice wine with dessert. Dessert was really the highlight for me, though. I had just been waxing nostalgic about my grandmother's cookies when the waitress came by with the dessert list, which features a cookie plate with 7 different housemade selections. Well, of course I had to choose that, but the apple tart with caramel, black currant jam and hickory ice cream sounded amazing. The waitress decided I needed to try both, so she brought the apple dessert free of charge. Such a nice touch! The cookie plate was amazing - the highlights were a near-perfect lemon bar (not too sweet or gooey, just light and tart), a chocolate rugelach/mini croissant with absolutely perfect, flaky crust and a chewy, melty chocolate chip cookie. The service was spot on - attentive without being obtrusive and our waitress answered our many questions about the menu and wine/beer list without missing a beat. The atmosphere is also great - elegant, but not fussy. However, this is a VERY busy place and can get extremely crowded. We were lucky enough to have a table in the back room with plenty of room between the tables, so we had no trouble hearing each other. You definitely have to make reservations if you don't want to have a long wait. However, the reservation policy is a little tricky. You can only call 28 days in advance. We called the first day we could and could still only get either a 5:30 or 9:00 reservation. We opted for 9:00, which I think was the right call. We didn't feel rushed at all. We had a long, leisurely, lovely meal I'll remember fondly for a long time to come.
(5)Mike H.
This place definitely lived up to the hype. As soon as I entered the servers were extremely friendly and even offered to take my coffee I was drinking and put it in a cup as I sat down. The menu was clear and concise and the selection of food was vast and every dish sounded as delicious as the next. I had the tartare, lamb loin and cookies for dessert. My favourite of the dishes was definitely the lamb as it was so soft and non gamey tasting at all. It was very tender and the sauces it came with on the plate complimented the meat nicely. The cookies were a nice treat, with a small flask of milk included to wash things down. I was not the biggest fan of the tartare as the meat was a little tough and hard to chew through. The server did however explain to me the type of cut that was used and why the meat had that kind of texture. Overall I had a great dining experience here and the service was some of the best I have ever had. There was always bread in my basket and water in my cup and after each dish came out the waiters would constantly ask how the food was. I would love to come back here again and try various other items on the menu in the future!
(5)Tony L.
Really wanted to like this place, but I'm giving it 3 stars and I personally don't have any plans to return. The wait staff and service were world-class, but the seasonal tasting menu was practically inedible. Things were undercooked, over-seasoned and flavors clashed like they were angry at each other. I'm not a culinary expert, but try to imagine how the following dishes tasted: 1) Ruby Red Shrimp & Green Mint sauce, 2) Overcooked Halibut drenched in a tomato sauce w/ olives, 3) Spicy Red Pepper Sauce + Chorizo + Lobster, 4) Rare slices of ribeye + blue cheese lumps. I didn't even mention the Seafood Mussel & Cucumber salad that gave me and my gf food poisoning / explosive d... you get the point! Tough pill to swallow if you're spending $300+....!
(3)April H.
Can I give it 6 stars. I came for my 20th anniversary and they did everything to make sure it was special. Everyone knew it was our anniversary and said "happy anniversary". They made sure we were done with plenty of time to walk to the Empire State Building before sunset. Oh yeah, the food was amazing! Not a single complaint.
(5)Rob G.
This is appropriately rated "as good as it gets". Got taken here for my birthday, which was an amazing surprise. We got the seasonal tasting menu and a great bottle of pinot noir. The tasting menu consisted of the following: A marinated shrimp dish - fantastic! The shrimp was some of the most tender, sweet shrimp i've ever had. lobster salad - sweet, a complimented well by squash and mushrooms poached hake - it was my first time having hake, but the fish was tender and sweet tagliatelle - This was the only dish i wasn't totally into. the fresh pasta was good but the bacon and parsnips didnt do it for me duck breast - how do they cook the duck so well? it was perfectly seared and rendered beautifully. Obviously each dish was fantastically plated and followed each other very well. There was also multiple course of dessert, all of which was delicious even though I am not a huge dessert person. They even brought out a special cake for me since it was my birthday and gave us cupcakes to eat for breakfast in the morning (delicious btw). I couldn't have asked for a better meal or a better experience and can't wait to come back. Highly recommended.
(5)John Z.
Warning: They hired a new dessert chef 6 months ago so all the highly acclaimed desserts this place had are NOT available anymore. This includes the famous bread pudding. Instead, for $16 you can choose from a list of one word descriptions of what you're ordering like "orange" or "apple" If you make reservations for this place, you will be seated in the Dining area. Keep in mind the that you can ONLY order the $95 3-course tasting menu here. Reservations can be made 1-2 days ahead if you're flexible with times. After looking around at what other tables had, the portions looked really small. We're talking about 2-3 bites. Yes that's essentially $20 a bite here between your app and main dish. I cant imagine anyone could actually leave this place feeling satisfied. The front bar/tavern area does not do reservations and you just have to wait around for a table - first come first serve. The menu there is ale cart and completely different. If you're looking for amazing desserts, check out County right next door if you want some seriously delicious bread pudding without the pretentiousness.
(2)Michelle D.
I had the pleasure of dining here for lunch today and both the food and service were fantastic. The atmosphere is very rustic and I loved all the greenery as I walked in. I started with the lobster salad as my first course and finished with the artic char as my second. Have to mention the amazing rolls they out on the table, they were soft and warm with a salty sweet flavor. I cannot wait to return!
(5)Joanna S.
The $92 tasting menu had three courses with many selections for each course. The staff went to great lengths to accommodate my food allergies. Even with the adjustments for my allergies, every dish was flavorful, creative and beautifully presented. The staff was very well trained. Unobtrusive, but always there when needed.
(5)Audrey L.
Whether you are young, old, or somewhere in between, I think you'd be able to find something you'd enjoy at Gramercy Tavern. When I was there, I saw a wide age range, ranging from a baby in a stroller to a group of well-aged women. ;) Sit back, relax, be served by the amazing waitstaff, and just have a great meal. I found the attitude of the waitstaff here to be extremely welcoming and friendly to anyone. I heard that they're trained by the Union Square Hospitality Group -- same group that trains Eleven Madison Park. Didn't matter whether you were wearing an Armani suit or an H&M outfit, they were ready to be at your service with a smile. There is a dining area where they serve a full tasting menu -- six courses for $120 -- or the tavern area where they serve an abridged tasting menu -- four courses for $48 and $20 for a beer pairing. The tavern tasting menu is a pretty good deal for nice dinner out, but not one that you want to go all out on. You can also order items from the tasting menu a la carte. I arrived at around 7:30pm on a Thursday, and was seated at the bar in about 30 minutes. The wait for a table in the tavern area was about an hour and a half. There's also a wait list for bar seating, which I think is a good idea, so people aren't crowding around the bar waiting for food. Lesson: make reservations unless you're willing to get here right around opening time or wait an hour and a half. The dishes I ordered were all very unique, creative, and prepared with care. The best was the GRILLED OCTOPUS. It was a bit spicy, a bit toasted, and a bit crunchy. The texture of the octopus was like it had been massaged for hours. A delight to eat. The other dishes I got were the root vegetable appetizer and the sea bream entree. They were both an interesting mix of flavors and textures. I wasn't a huge fan of the mix of raw and cooked nor the garlic anchovy dip in the root vegetable appetizer, but it was definitely different. The sea bream also had a mix of warm fish and cold, raw vegetables, which was another interesting combination that I hadn't seen before. The fish was the perfect texture though, cooked just right. You can't go wrong with Gramercy Tavern, and you can enjoy a good meal without having to worry about hurting your wallet (at least not as much as some of the other top restaurants in New York). Next time I'll have to go in on one of their amazing looking desserts!
(5)Alex V.
Great place to take a wife for her birthday. The atmosphere is pleasant and feels special. Wearing a jacket and/or tie is highly recommended for the guys (glad I wore both). All the food was delicious. The portions were a bit on the skimpy side, but that's OK because you don't really come here to gorge yourself. The highlight for me was the lamb, which comes in 2 different cuts, each prepared a different way. My absolute favorite piece was the blade, which really reminded me of delicious corned beef. The service was a bit on the slow side. Also, they have some kind of "strict policy" against serving burgers in the main dining area, which is a bit of a shame because I heard good things about it. Will need to try it at the bar next time I'm here.
(4)Cynthia V.
Gramercy Tavern is classic and classy and absolutely a 5-star special occasion dining experience. We made a reservation for the dining room in advance and were treated to Danny Meyer's signature service - friendly and accommodating and perfectly coordinated from start to finish. We ordered the standard prix fixe, and I got two wine recommendations that I liked so much I ordered one glass of each. After bread service (sourdough and rolls) we were treated to a ricotta-filled buckwheat amuse bouche. Our first courses were the beef tartare and clam spaghetti, and while the tartare could've been beefier it showcased a variety of seasonal vegetables. For our second course we both ordered the smoked arctic char, which was recommended by our server, and it was hands down the best arctic char preparation I've ever eaten. The fish was incredibly fresh and cooked to perfection, with just enough smokiness for a well-balanced flavor. Corn was featured effectively throughout the dish (foam, salad, popcorn) and the portions were generous and filling. We transitioned into our dessert course with a light chilled cucumber mint palate cleanser, and we ordered the cherry goat cheesecake plus the milk and cookies platter. We'd let them know it was my birthday so they also sent out a beautiful coconut cake with a lit candle and "Happy Birthday" written on the platter, which was a nice touch! All of the desserts were fantastic (and the fancy cookie selection comes out warm!), and although we were stuffed we managed to cram in the apricot and chocolate bites that came with the check. We were also each gifted a beautiful moist muffin for breakfast the next day. I'd been meaning to try Gramercy Tavern for the last 10 years and was not disappointed in the least. I highly recommend going with your server's recommendations (thank you Michael!) and definitely won't wait another 10 years before a return visit.
(5)James H.
Best meal of my life. Service is perfection, the setting is beautiful, and the food was glorious beyond description. I've eaten at both the tavern and the dining room - both are incredible. Nothing we ordered was just mediocre or okay- every single aspect of every single dish was thoughtfully and skillfully executed like a symphony. The descriptions of each dish seem really plain but the creativity blew me away. The tavern has a more casual, vibrant feel - like a party you stumbled upon. The dining room is quieter, more intimate - I would wear a jacket and would have felt out of place in jeans. Just go there. It's worth every penny and you'll dream about it forever.
(5)Dan T.
"This was better than EMP." The words spoken by my wife as we walked away from a surprisingly deeply satisfying meal, one of our best in recent memory. Not to speak ill of EMP, as it has provided us with some of our most endearing and memorable meals. However, our two prior visits to Gramercy were a bit bipolar to say the least, a case of uncertain identity in our minds. But tonight's meal not only washed away the memories of our last tepid visit, but elevated our esteem of their food to another level. We're not sure if just happened to be the ingredients of the season or the alignment of the moons and stars that night, but every dish was amazing. We seldom see shrimp highlighted in such delicate form, and its pairing with citrus and caramelized yogurt was fantastic. There was an overwhelmingly warm and earthy essence underlying the lobster salad, grilled mushroom dish, and toasted tagliatelle, all of which spoke to me of home amidst a winter flurry. The poached hake (executed perfectly, of course) was brilliantly accentuated with a touch of curry oil, and the duck breast was as sumptuous as I've ever had. There may have not been a torrent of bells and whistles, nor a clever story behind every dish, but the entire meal was just utterly delicious, an exercise in effortless enjoyment on our part. I also cannot fail to mention that the service, as it was our first visit, was stunning and considerate (a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage for my wife so that she could celebrate with me and my cocktail on our pre-Valentine's Day meal), and certainly redemptive of our last visit. Not to say that we expected less of Gramercy, but the highs were so brilliantly high that we were still surprised. The stars were certainly aligned that night, and we hope that they continue to do so the next time we return.
(5)Stephanie L.
After seeing the high rating and large amount of reviews, I found it necessary to make a reservation, which they take a month in advance. We were seated upon arrival. A very classy restaurant with dim lighting. I really liked the decor and ambiance. A very romantic setting if you're coming for a date. They have an extensive drink menu, took us a while to pick wines to go with dinner. We dined in the dining room versus the tavern. The dining room offers pre-fixe menus, 3 course for $92 or a 6 course tasting for $120. They mentioned they don't like mixing at tables so if one person were to choose the 6 course tasting, it's recommended the rest of the table do the same. We decided to go with the 6 course tasting menu for $120 per person. And a glass of wine ~$13 each to go with dinner. A server comes by with a basket of fresh bread: rolls or sourdough to start you off. #1- Artic Char- This was a delightful appetizer. It included a potato mousse with smoked artic char along with capers and swiss charge. I enjoyed this dish. #2- Sea Scallop- I gobbled up this dish before I could even take a picture :(. The scallop was very silky and melted in my mouth like butter. Very good. #3- Halibut- The fish was cooked perfect, very tender and smooth. The broth was also delicious and had an asian influence to it with bok choy and a mushroom broth. Very good as well. #4- Squid Ink Tagliatelle- Came with lobster, which was cooked well, tender and not too chewy. They gave a decent amount of lobster. The tomato confit had a spicy kick to it and I thought the tomato flavor complimented the lobster well. The tagliatelle you can tell was hand made with squid ink and cooked to a perfect al dente. A very delicious tasting. #5- The Roasted Duck Breast- The duck was cooked perfect, a medium rare. Very juicy and tender and not gamey at all. The sweetness of the peach sauce went perfectly with the duck. The okra and corn added additional texture. Just Lovely. #6- Apricot Dessert- This was the only dish I didn't like, which was dessert sadly. It had panna cotta, tapioca pudding, coconut, and thyme. The apricot wasn't sweet at all and very tart. The panna cotta was more of a whipped cream. The tapioca pudding was good. However, all these components mixed together in my mouth didn't go well with each other. I would have preferred them separate. I didn't eat much of this. The meal also came with a complimentary appetizer and pre-dessert, which were decent. They also give complimentary cookies, chocolates and an assortment of desserts which were all delicious. Each guest receives a complimentary coconut cinnamon coffee bread to take home for the next morning. It was delicious. Dinner was good, but no dish was outstanding especially for the price you would expect a few dishes to blow your mind. Our bill came out to be $337 which was pricey for what we got. Honestly, I've dined at Michelin-stared restaurants for less and had mind blowing dishes. This place is a over-hyped in my opinion. Service was exceptional. What you would expect from a Michelin stared restaurant. The workers worked as a team and left no crumb behind nor no glass empty. I would come again, but maybe for their lunch tasting menu which is a lot less $58 for similar dishes to the dinner menu or I might try out their tavern. I wouldn't do the tasting again, it was just too pricey for what I received.
(3)Giacomo C.
It was my second visit to this famous establishment, and my first in the DINING ROOM. My past meal in the Taverna was very good. However, my experience in the fancier dining room was a lot different. I just went today for lunch and ordered their tasting menu. That was my mistake, because I'd get up 2 and a half hours later hungrier than before. The waitress was very professional and accommodating, but the amount of food we were served was below anything imaginable. I know that tasting menus mean that all you get is a taste of several dishes. However, you'd think that after 5 of those you would be ok. Not stuffed, but ok. Not a chance. We were served so little food we had to ask for bread (which comes one small slice at the time) several times. What made this worse was the painfully slow service. We sat down at 1p and left after 3:20p. I asked for the check as soon as they came with our desserts, otherwise we'd still be there. When you're served a decent amount of food, it's not bad to wait in between dishes; I don't mind it at all. However, it's extremely difficult to appreciate food when you get to eat two small bites every 20-25 minutes. No exaggerations, folks: 2 bites each "course"! How was the food? We didn't have big complains, but it wasn't sensational. The braised turnips were ok. The beet mezzaluna too little to judge. The chowder tasty but barely enough to get an idea. And the "entree" duck consisted in three tiny pieces of meat over a couple of spoons of mushrooms, hazelnuts and leeks. Delicious, I'll give you that, but smaller than a mid-size appetizer. The desserts were bigger than the duck (no jokes). I couldn't wait to get out. We kept seeing sizable dishes parading around us, which confirmed the deadly mistake we'd made ordering the tasting menu. I guess you're treated differently if you order a la carte. Honestly, I don't know what to think. And I'll never know, because I have no reason to ever go back to the dining room. If you charge people for giving them food, you've got to make sure they don't get up hungry. True, the more expensive the restaurant, the smaller the portions. We all know this. But there's a line that shouldn't be crossed, and today the dining room of Gramercy Tavern crossed it big time.
(2)Karen N.
This place makes my anniversary dinner so perfect!! At first, we tried to make a reservation for 7.30pm on Wednesday night, but there was no available table at that time (we called 4-5 days ahead), but it was OK that we ended up booking for the table at 9.30pm. I understand that this restaurant is very popular and 7.30pm is a peak so we won't complain about this. For the service, the host was polite and attentive to escort us to the perfect table. Right after seating, our server shown up with complimentary drink for our anniversary, which made us impressed :) The service was good, but not impeccable as most yelpers exaggerated. We still had the moment we tried to call servers and a bit long wait for the food. (Which was fine because we enjoyed atmosphere in the restaurant) For the food, we chose 3-course dinner ($98 per person). My hubby had beef tartare, lamb loin and chocolate mousse. I had squid ink spaghetti with mussel, seared sea bass and the dessert that I forgot the name, but you can see from my photo (it was yummy, but 3 weeks has passed and I totally forgot what it was) Everything was perfectly cooked and decorated. We had enjoyed every dish until last bites. We think that our servers can tell how much we love our food because we finished every dish without any leftover, not even the sauce left!! My hubby's fav dish was beef tartare, which he claimed that it was melted in his mouth! My fav dish was seared sea bass, which had very unique and yummy curry sauce and sea bass was cooked perfectly. Also, we really enjoyed the small croquette, which was served before our starters. It was very yummy. We also got coconut cake as a complimentary dessert for our anniversary, which we think it's the most delicious dessert of the night! The only downside of the food was that they were very small portion and we want more!! They were delicious and we still had appetite for more (but when considering about the money, we had to stop ordering. Ha Ha) To sum up, this restaurant worths every penny. It's high-price restaurant, but we had enjoyed what we got! We will definitely go back!
(5)Summer X.
My second visit here after the first ayear ago. Still like this place a lot! Gramercy tavern would be the very restaurant i recommend to friends if they only get the chance to eat only one restaurant in nyc. I still remembered that i was highly satisfied with every single dish I had last time. I like all the dishes this time as well. I prdered chicken for entree, which is very tender. The duck breast was not that outstanding, but still very good. The appetizer chilled soup was good as a summer recipe.
(5)Julia V.
I have waited two years to get a coveted reservation spot in The Dining Room at Gramercy Tavern. I took my husband here for his birthday and he loved it! The service was very attentive and professional, the atmosphere was classic and romantic, and the food is definitely out of this world. We both tried the tasting menu, which I highly recommend if you are going for a special occasion like a birthday or an anniversary. The only downside is that their wine menu isn't as expansive as one would hope for a Michelin star restaurant, but you can bring your own bottle for $35.
(5)Nomad M.
It is a common saying in fashion that "the classic never goes out of style", it applies to the gastronomic world too. Gramercy is the Chanel of the fine dining world in NYC. As a long time New Yorker, I have been to GT a handful of times but only brunch and dinner. I have never been here for lunch. So this Friday, out of a whim, decided to meet a foodie friend here the first time in 2015. Oh boy, I am so glad I did. Arrived around noon, greeted warmly by the host,, I was led to the dinning room. Another thing of note, I don't think have ever dinned at the dinning room - only in the tavern. It is just as elegant as I could remember. Our waiter was prompt and courteous who delivered me a steamy hot toddy as requested in 10 mins :) tasty! Let's go straight to the food. We were two petite girls and not too hungry so we decided on 3 apps plus one entree to share: 1st app, giant ruby red shrimp flash boiled then simmer in light soya broth with bokchoy and baby radish. Great starter! If you have been here couple times you will notice this is s stable item but seasoning and preparation are constantly changing. Last time I was here it was prepared with polenta. I prefer this new version better. 2nd app, another classic dish beef tartare with a winter seasonal twist - deocrated with shaved chestnut and brussel sprouts. It was savory and not too beefy which is great for someone does not like red meat like myself. 3rd app, squid ink spaghetti. Al dente !! You can really tell this is made in house! Slightly chewy, spongy and right amount of firmness. Oh mine! It's an appetizer shared between me and my friend so portion are perfect! The crispy chorizo, soft juicy mussels and scrumptious squid add interesting contrast and salty-sweetness to the dish. It's a melody :) Entree. Here I have to mention the impeccable services. We originally ordered the lamb loin to share. But they forgot to split the dish for us and it came in a single plate. Not a big deal. Yet the GM quickly came by and apologize, offering us an additional entree - the sea bass, as apology! This can't be better! We were originally debating between the lamb and the bass. Now we got both! Seared sea bass with trumpet mushroom, lobster and candied peanuts in curry sauce . I am sold! The fish is perfectly cooked; and I love the #spicy yet not overpoweringly curry broth - I almost wanted to drink it :) but I didn't cuz I am a lady. Up about now, we were full and could not eat the lamb :/ so we decided to pack it home. Another surprise awaited! There were box of cookies waiting for us to go, from the generous GM. Thanks! The lunch lasted almost 3 hours, 2x the time I thought I would spend here. But I enjoyed it every minute, of course, with good company - cutie patroller :) Only one small disappointment, I was really hoping to try the root veggie and duck sausage casserole. But they don't serve it in the dinning room during lunch. Well, guess I have to come back for dinner soon :) PS. If you like me, debating between the lamb loin and sea bass, get both and share with your partner! Or you can always bag the left over home. But you would regret missing out either!
(5)Kathleen S.
Let's start with recommending anyone that is planning on coming here to make a reservation.. (It's a must)! We came last night to celebrate our anniversary, and they gave us complimentary prosecco and also a coconut dessert!! Everything was lovely, the atmosphere was wonderful, our server was very helpful and super nice and the food was fantastic; we had the three course meal, which was perfectly cooked. This is now our favorite place for special occasions!! I highly recommend this place for anyone who is looking to celebrate special occasions!!!
(5)Taylor K.
What can you say about Gramercy that hasn't been said? The food was lovely, eye opening, well done and the staff was attentive, warm, friendly, and knowledgable. My partner and I wanted to work through the tasting menu with various wines and ciders. The waiter accommodated this with joy and talked is through different options for our different palates. When we stumbled across something we loved, they wrote down the bottle name and vintage and provided us with a list of our favorites. That was a cute touch. The staff surprised us with a lobster dish that was not on the tasting menu. They noticed that we'd dined in the tavern the previous evening and wanted to thank us for our patronage. The timing was impeccable and we moved through dinner in a way that didn't feel rushed or too slow. Gramercy symbolizes a great New York, Michelin starred, dining option. Enjoy the food.
(5)Ashley R.
I have been to Gramercy Tavern twice since moving to NYC, and each dining experience was as fabulous as the last. The first time I waited around 45 minutes for a table and had a enjoyed the lamb flatbread, duck confit, the fluke tartar, and a peanut butter jelly esque dessert that was insanely delicious. The fluke tartar was small but fresh and beautifully plated. The duck confit was probably one of the best I've ever had, the skin crisp and the meat tender, I enjoyed every bite. The second time I brought more friends with me and they were raving about the dining experience and food. I had the pork chop and sea bass with quinoa and cauliflower. The portions were just right, the service was prompt and professional, and the deliciousness was worth every penny. Gramercy Tavern is a place I will certainly visit time and time again with friends and family.
(5)Real M.
Review for dining room: Woo hoo, the first place in New York I've actually had to put a dress shirt on to eat at. I got a few stares for wearing Chucks (my mistake!) but they let me dine nonetheless. I'm not big into fancy eating, but it was a special occasion for my wife and me, so we decided to try this place. We got the seasonal menu, which consisted of all seafood products and a duck. I'm usually a small portion skeptic (I prefer large quantity over small quality) but the dishes kept coming out and I kept eating. (*Side note - I did eat 4 pieces of the chive bread roll). I will say that some of the dishes were over-salted, but for the most part, everything was fairly satisfying (I might have preferred a more normal dessert though; those shi-shi desserts didn't do it for me). With two drinks and two tasting menus, the final bill might punch you in the wallet a bit, so make sure you stuff your wallet before you go. It might be hungry when you leave.
(4)Vanessa M.
3.5 stars I finally made it here last night and was so excited to get a seat in the tavern area for me and a few friends. The decor is amazing and super seasonal. Whoever decorates the restaurant does a wonderful job with the interior. You feel right at home from the minute you walk in. All of the staff is super friendly and accomodating. I was about 25 mins early to meet my friends and the hotess still gave me a table for 4 and sat me right away. I was hestitant being clear that the rest of party was not here yet, but she said that I should take the table while it was available. That never happens! So for about 30 mins I sat alone at a table for 4 and enjoyed every dang moment of it. I chose a bottle of red wine with the help of the Somm, who was super patient with me while I asked her a bunch of questions. She was knowledgeable about every bottle I asked about and I was in total wine heaven when I tasted my first sip of the bottle we chose. She recommended I decantor it, which I chose to do, and it stayed on the "havest table" to leave room for when my friends arrived. While waiting I also ordered a cheese plate with 3 cheese selections. I asked for a recommendation to go with the bottle of wine I just had chosen with the Somm and she recommended a blue, a soft, and a hard cheese that matched absolutely perfect with my wine. By the time my friends arrived I was happily 2 glasses and 3 cheeses into my evening! Now on to the food, 3 of us ordered the same dish - the Sea bass and the 4th ordered the burger that was on special with chip fried in duck fat. I had a taste of the burger and it was really great! Perfectly seasoned and cooked with great housemade mustard, ketchup, and dressing on the side. The fish plates were really great as well but definately lacking something. All 3 plates had a different portion of fish on them, and the "roasted cauliflower" was one piece sliced in half under the uneven portions of fish. I know that this is a fancy restaurant but one piece of veggie on the plate was super disappointing. The fish although cooked well was lacking flavor and excitment for us. Luckily I had the cheese plate to start because my other two friends who got the sea bass were still hungry after eating dinner. All in all I would rate this more like 3.5 stars because the main dish wasn't anything to come back for. Service and the Somm are on point but the food could be plated more consistent and flavored a bit more.
(4)Dan B.
FANCCYYYYY. Probably one of my favorite places in NYC of all time. Its a perfect spot for a datenight or grabbing a few (expensive) apps and drinks with your coworkers. The experience here is a one of a kind... from the food to the service. For dinner we got oysters, beef tartare and split the beef ravioli and chicken and sausage dishes. The portions are not large and i guess their not medium.. theyre a combination between a shmedium (small medium). The food is flavorful but beware the prices are up there. I saw someone order the chocolate bread pudding and it looks extremely delcious!! I will def order that next time i go.
(5)Harry T.
With a planned visit to New York City for a birthday celebration and only two full nights to wine and dine the selection of a restaurant is exceedingly important. And it was all for my birthday. Based on a friend's recommendation, research on YELP and the internet, and a sincere dialogue with the person in charge of reservations one of the two places decided upon was Gramercy Tavern. This establishment has an outstanding reputation and I have read where you should make reservations at least three weeks in advance. I was about two weeks out when all my efforts failed on Open Table and at the website for the restaurant. A call to Paul at the restaurant and I got in the door although not at the time I wanted. That was taken care of later. At least this is a place that works with you when the need is there. Without making this review too long it is a Five Star based on Food, Service, Ambiance, and going the extra mile to insure that you pass a grand time when you visit. My wife and I were seated in the main dining room. The service reminded me of my experience at The French Laundry in Napa Valley and the Chef's Table at Commander's Palace in New Orleans. Alvaro and his assistants left nothing to ask or to handle. Five Star Service! We decided to partake of the Seven Course Tasting Menu. The wine selection was a Penner Ash 2012 Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. It was a mighty good selection with the courses on the Tasting Menu. Without making this review unending let it be noted the culinary delights was heavenly. The dinner consisted of Marinated Bay Scallops, Celery Root Chowder, Halibut, Beet Mezzaluna, Duck Breast and we added a Cheese Plate for dessert. A small Birthday cake was presented for me to celebrate the occasion. The coffee was divine for coffee served outside New Orleans. In addition to the hours of incredible service and food we were given a tour of the Back of the House and met Chef Duncan Grant. That meeting with the Chef and the tour of the kitchen rose to the level of the dining experience. Before leaving we engaged in conversation with General Manger Kim DiPalo and even if I am in New York for a one night stay in the future my stomach will surely be satisfied at Gramercy Tavern. This restaurant has my Seal of Approval!!!
(5)Maki Y.
"I have something important to tell you," I said. I cowardly turned away and concentrated on the glass of water in front of me. "What is it?" he asked. I stayed silent. The place hummed with murmurs and clinks, but the weight of my confession-to-be dampened those sounds. "What is it?" he repeated. "Is there someone else?" he pressed on. I couldn't look at him. A drop of water dripped down the side of the glass at an impossibly slow rate. "I may have to leave you for this smoked Arctic char." I felt his stare. "It's okay. I was considering leaving you for the roasted duck." The droplet rolled onto the cool white tablecloth and vanished. ----------------------- This was one of the best dining experiences of our lives. Even though the executive chef is moving to the Whitney, I'm sure both the food's quality and the service will stay the same with the passing of each season. Likelihood of another visit: Duh.
(5)Naomi T.
Highly recommend the red snapper. It was cooked perfectly and is presented in a decadent lobster sauce. The mango dessert is delicious and beautifully plated- well worth the time it will take to tackle the sticky pavlova.
(5)Allison H.
This is legitimately the best food I have ever eaten. A friend and I came here to eat the vegetable tasting menu, and incredible doesn't do the food and service justice. It was definitely pricey, but each dish was unbelievably delicious. All the flavors are perfectly paired, the sequencing is on point, and the additional treats (a cute appetizer, a palate cleanser, fancy candies, and a take-home coffee cake for the next morning!) were such nice touches. It also helps that every single person we interacted with was super friendly and helpful. The real kicker for me (that actually brought me to tears) is that they baked me a tiny vegan coconut angel food cake in honor of my graduation. This place is so classy without making me once feel like I wasn't fancy enough to be there. If you have the $, definitely eat here. It's so worth it.
(5)Sui B.
Some places just get it right and keep it that way, just look at all the 4 and 5 stars here! Hubby and I have been trying to get reservations for years, but you have to call exactly 3 weeks before the BIG DAY to get a decent dinner time slot - we keep forgetting to do this and finally for our wedding anniversary, Hubby remembered! The entrance didn't wow me but it was spacious enough as the waiting area is kept neatly separate from the bar (unlike most other places). After coat check, we were escorted to our seat in the main dining room area at a little corner booth. Taking a look about the room, it wasn't just reserved for couples, friends and business associates, even families with toddlers dressed in their holiday best gathered around in this sublime setting. We were soon greeted by our lovely waitress who presented 2 drink options (sparkling apple cider or Champaign). The menu is prix fixe but plenty of options to choose from. We frowned at certain exotic sounding words on the menu and just when I broke out my phone to google "Freekah" and "Emmer Pappardelle", hubby shamelessly admitted to the waitress we had no idea what 1/2 of the menu says, she playfully laughed it off and patiently explained it to us. I was grateful at how un-stuffy the whole experience was and a big portion of my 5 star review is due to the friendliness and attentiveness of all the staff members. On to the food! Appetizer: Beet Salad-A-M-A-Z-I-N-G, perfectly steamed and seasoned, refreshing and wakes up my taste buds. Second Course: Lamb Loin & Shoulder - the cook perfectly executed my "no red" preference, first bite took me back to my childhood on the streets of Beijing biting into a savory lamb Shish Kabob. Dessert: Apple, Caramel, Black Currant Jam and Hickory Ice Cream - Nothing fancy, but straight up delicious. Bonus: For our anniversary, they brought out a (FREE OF CHARGE) coconut cake... super yum and what a nice touch. Bottom line - for about $100/pp (minus drinks), it isn't cheap, but you get what you paid for. Bring a special someone here for a no fuss good meal accompanied by service with a smile. You won't regret it.
(5)Andrea P.
Love this place. Impeccable service. Stellar food. My favorite is doing the tasting menu. Great for special occasions. Terrific cocktails.
(5)Faith C.
I just went in for a drink to the bar, but I did browse around the restaurant area, the rest of the bar and to be honest... I loved the place. Great service, great set up and super located. Go for the whiskey sour. Enjoy.
(4)Maria P.
We celebrated my sister and her husband wedding here. Beautiful memories. What makes this restaurant my favorite amongst the many in NYC? As you walk in, you feel elegance and luxury from every detail in the flowers, interior design, the service and food, thou with a feeling of down to earth. Excellent service and attention to detail is outstanding. When your water or wine was close to empty, it was filled to the rim. Service is professional so you were not interrupted often, they had perfect timing when you needed something. Each staff is highly educated on everything: service, food, hospitality, etc. The menu is local and seasonal and the chef does an amazing job with the flavors, the food stands out with out getting lost. Each dish is artfully presented making the dining experience more appreciated. Also, I love their philosophy, they connect with community, giving back to education and Gramercy Tavern is an innovative business that stands out making a difference. Thank you! Overall experince, 5* and I cannot say enough about the experience.
(5)Amy C.
Simply Amazing! They actually have a Vegetable Tasting Option that can be made completely Vegetarian!!! Worth. Every. Penny. :) I'll be back!
(5)Ten C.
I took my lover on a date here. The bar service was not good, however the dining experience changed our whole perception of the restaurant. We had a great waitress who was very attentive. The food was excellent. The lamb dish could have been better, but the bolognese, beef tartare, and seabass were very nicely cooked. Great selections of wine and so much free samples. We were so stuffed and happy after the meal! xo
(4)Syeda H.
The best dining experience of my life. Hands down. I have been fortunate enough to try many places around the world. But this place just moved to my #1 spot. The service is outstanding . Everyone is so friendly and nice. Super accommodating with the menu (since my husband and I don't eat pork) We were seated as soon as we arrived, although we were early. Our waiter was amazing. Each course was presented perfectly and explained. The food is amazing ! Every since thing from the scallions to lobster salad to the duck. Everything was finger licking good. My husband and I could not have picked a better place to spend our 2 year. And we will absolutely be coming back. Thank you gramercy tavern for stealing our hearts
(5)Matthew S.
What an experience! I had heard about GT for years, and finally had the opportunity to dine there. We had a round table in the center of the dining room. Nine of us. It was as if we were in a show. The service-- one per each of us-- was as coordinated as a synchronized swim team. Plates were delivered and picked up at precisely the same time. Maybe it was the wine, but I almost think they were doing pirouettes in between moves. Really outstanding. We were adventurous and ordered the tasting menu (everyone must do that option if anyone wants it). Loved it. I am typically a carnivore, but was caught in the spirit and ordered vegetarian. Seasonal, fresh, well seasoned and inventive, each course was well coordinated with the other. I look forward to another visit!
(5)Erin A.
I cannot praise this restaurant enough. They made my boyfriend's birthday and our first trip to New York one we won't regret. Why? They made our taste buds dance with the chef's tasting menu with each bite being better than the last and showed us great customer service. One of the many highlights of our trip was a nameless lady who worked at Gramercy Tavern who showed us true kindness and unbelievable customer service. Walking throughout the streets of New York and taking the subway is the main transportation and best believe your home girl got all dolled up for dinner, so of course, an umbrella did not even come to mind to accessorize the outfit of the night. Thanks to that very generous employee of Gramercy Tavern, she saw my devastated face as I stepped out from the restaurant after a satisfying meal only to find it pouring outside. She offered us a large umbrella to take along with us FREE of charge and with a nice smile wished us a great stay in the city and to come again. How awesome is that?! Duh! Of course we'll come again and again! Thank you to the nice employee for being so thoughtful and to the chefs who made our bellies very happy that day.
(5)Melissa C.
Gramercy Tavern has been on my colleague's and my list of must-try restaurants for a long while. We made reservations twice and had to cancel, but finally succeeded on the third try. Even so, we had to wait about 15-20 min for our table which I wasn't too happy about. We all opted for the seasonal tasting menu; I opted to swap out the orange dessert for the chocolate one on the vegetable tasting menu. By far, the best dish that truly wowed us was the duck breast and confit. The fact that this dish isn't available on the a la carte menu makes the tasting menu worth it. Other dishes we especially liked were the lobster salad and poached hake. However, after we had the duck, all other dishes paled in comparison. The dessert didn't really impress me either. I did not enjoy my drink that was recommended to me by the waiter; I believe I had the Apropos. Gramercy Tavern is noisier and feels less refined than other Michelin star restaurants. But that duck is probably the best I've ever had in the city.
(4)India A.
I enjoyed a nice, leisurely, late lunch here. The food was great but after three courses I wasn't close to being full. I think I've mentioned this issue before--restaurants having great food, but small, expensive portions. I understand this is a trend but it means that the Gramercy (and other restaurants that follow this trend) will never be my favorite go-to. Service is great--food is delicious and interesting--not inexpensive but not crazy. It is worth going at least once.
(4)Lauren D.
So many good things to say about this restaurant. We had the spring tasting menu, which featured both spring veggies and protein preparations associated with cooler temperatures. Course after course of artistic plating and well balanced dishes delighted our palate. Can't wait for the next round. Ingenious cocktail menu, but preparations were a bit on the sweet side.
(5)Jane L.
My husband and I were in NYC for our annual weekend of Broadway shows and delicious eating. Since I waited too long to get a dinner reservation at the Grammercy Tavern, I decided to make lunch reservations instead. I have to say, it was one of the best meals I've ever had! Everything was unique and delicious, service was great. We shared three appetizers and one entree. All were amazing! My two favorite appetizers were the Heirloom Tomato Salad with peaches, pine nuts and cream and the Corn & Grain Salad......outrageous! Arctic Char entree was unique and delicious. We also shared two desserts, my absolute favorite was the chocolate with black currant jam, milk crisp and cocoa nibs.....again, very unique and scrumptious. We will definitely be back next year for dinner!
(5)Kathelyn R.
We came here for our 1st Anniversary!! Omgggg!! I love everything about Gramercy Tavern! We had the dinner seasonal tasting menu. Truly an epic experience! Each dish was delicious, sophisticated, and exciting. The service was excellent. Gramercy Tavern made our special day that much more special. Highly recommended. We'll definitely come back as our new place for lunch and dinner. \(^_^)/
(5)Kimmie L.
We made 9pm dinner reservations at another restaurant that weren't honored so we looked this place up on yelp, called them and they were able to seat us for a 10pm seating. And...it...was...WORTH IT!! I had the shrimp, halibut with cucumber gazpacho and for dessert...wait for it...the Peanut Butter Semifredo. It was SO YUMZ!!! I just want to go back so I can have the dessert again.
(5)Catherine S.
Holy moly! What a memorable meal! Understated excellence throughout my tasting menu! Each dish had a nice unique flavor without being so distinct that it was distracting. While I'd happily eat everything again - the halibut in mushroom broth was the standout in my mind from the menu - perfectly tender fish bathed in savory soup. I had to keep myself from saying "wow" in between each bite (and I said "wow" out loud plenty!). The meal was well-paced and two hours flew by as we enjoyed our night out. Service: While the prices make this a special occasion place, the team working on our table made us feel as if we were dining at their home - not stuffy or pretentious at all. In fact, the best service experience in recently memory in NYC - efficient, yet friendly and oh so attentive! My water glass was kept full and each person who came by noticed I preferred no ice - without having to ask! (also see below) Drinks: I enjoyed the most refreshing cocktail: the Orange Blossom! Sparkling Wine, Nikolaihof Elderflower Syrup, and Orange Bitters are a delightful combination! My second cocktail was a bit too strong for my tastes and when the team noticed I wasn't taking it down - they removed it from our bill since it appeared I wasn't enjoying it - not necessary but definitely appreciated!
(5)Tom S.
First time and what a wonderful experience to be recommend as the place to go in NY on your travels or if you are local make it your second home
(5)A R.
My husband and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary and his birthday this weekend (June 20 2015). We usually travel away, but decided to stay local this year. After doing some review reading we decided that Gramercy Tavern dining room would be the perfect setting to celebrate our evening. Reservations are necessary for the dining room so i'm glad that we reserved days in advance. Upon entering the hostess was very welcoming and had us seated within minutes of our arrival. Our waiter didn't seem as invested or interested in sparking conversation, more like just doing his job, but he wasn't rude or unkind so it didn't bother me. Before our meals came complimentary little bites that were pretty good. My first course wasn't the best, I had Lobster Salad and actually had it was replaced with what my husband had, Pork Bolognese) Second course was better, I loved my red Snapper & hubby's Lamb Loin was just as good. My absolute favorite part of dinner was dessert, I had Strawberry, Old-Fashioned Cake Doughnut, Shiso and Vanilla Yogurt and hubby had the Gramercy Tavern Cookie Plate with Milk ( we're still not sure why he didn't get the milk?, but the selection of cookies were delightful) At the end of it all, we were given two muffins as gifts to enjoy for breakfast the following morning, unfortunately we forgot ours at the table :/ Overall food and experience was lovely, we'd definitely return
(4)Jackie K.
Came here on Friday night for my boyfriend's birthday, and it was just impeccable. When I made the reservation, they asked if it was anyone's birthday, and I told them yes and his name. Without any reminder, come dessert, a beautiful cake came out with a happy birthday message written. It was wonderful. The staff is talented and amazingly trained. The food was great. High end, but didn't feel overly stuffy. Just the way I think it should be. Just a wonderful experience and I'm so happy to give five stars (wish I could give more) because you really made my boyfriend's birthday extra special.
(5)Hilary S.
Went here last nice with another couple of friends visiting from out of town. Overall had a good experience. My husband was underwhelmed though. I ordered the special bolognese for my 1st course, which was very good - fresh homemade pasta good meat and a good acidity to the plate. Husband got the squid ink pasta and it was just ok. I next got a fish (blanking on which white fish) in an almost thai broth very yummy. He got the pork and it was pretty good, but it was small pieces and he expected a while pork chop or perhaps just more meat. For dessert I had the apple cake w compote which was very good - not too sweet just how I like it. Next time I'd definitely get the tasting menu to just have more variety. Overall I like the relaxed atmosphere, I.e. It's not stuffy, but it's still very well put together. Glad to have finally tried it.
(4)Victor W.
Amazing lunch experience. Service is top notch, atmosphere is charming, and food is superb. From the moment you walk in until you are served, you can tell this place cares about good service. I had the Black Bass, Mushrooms, Lobster and Candied Peanuts. Amazing! I'd definitely want to come back here again. Definitely great for dates or business meals.
(5)Aaron E.
Classical American dishes come alive in style at this Flatiron District legend. Outside of Eleven Mad, there was no restaurant I looked forward to dining at more than Gramercy Tavern. For years I longed to try their brand of Americana. The environs are straight out of a Martha Stuart catalog, for better or worse but I will say that the rustic ambiance does lend itself to the cuisine. The service was impeccable from bread service to dessert. Not a single detail was overlooked. The tasting menu seemed the only way to play and with an admission at $120.00 per plate, a reasonable value considering the quality of the ingredients and locale. The Lobster Salad is a magnificent blend of Pole Beans, Snow Peas and Pickled Ramps and a must try. Fresh and delicious, the buttery poached Lobster stole the show and paved the path for the wonderful Halibut featuring Bok Choy, Green Garlic in a rich Mushroom Broth. It seemed like the kitchen was firing on all cylinders from the jump. The most inventive dish of the meal had to be the Squid Ink Spaghetti offering which boasts Grilled Calamari, Sesame and Lima Beans. The presentation was world class and I loved the saltiness of the Squid Ink. As for my favorite of the tasting, my hat is off to the Roasted Duck Breast. Perfectly seared Duck is mated with Corn, Peaches and Okra in this sweet versus savory beauty of a dish. Not a hint of gaminess was detected and the grain of the meat was incredibly delicate. Perhaps the best Duck preparation I have had to date. The last course was an Apricot Panna Cotta including Tapioca Pudding, Coconut and Thyme and was also remarkable. Sweet, but never cloying and a perfect close to an incredible meal. I truly enjoyed my visit to Gramercy Tavern and would most certainly recommend them to anyone that enjoys high end American fare.
(5)Ann L.
Came here to celebrate my 5 year anniversary with my bunny! 3 stars for A-OK! Pros: * Spectacular ambiance- upscale and stately but still warm and welcoming without the pretentiousness. * Bunny and I went with the $120 Seasonal Dinner Tasting Menu in the Dining Room. The winning dishes of the night were the Marinated Bay Scallop (Salsify, smoked Leeks and Yuzu) and Duck Breast and Bacon (Mushrooms, Brussels Sprouts and Hazelnuts). Both dishes were exquisite where we both kept whispering "WOW this is amazing" after savoring every small bite. The ingredients were so refined and worked perfectly together. I could have eaten a pint of the Marinated Bay Scallop and 5 more servings of Duck Breast. The soup of the Celery Root Chowder (Halibut, Clams and Trout Roe) also really stood out and left me wanting more. The birthday Coconut Meringue Cake was probably the best Meringue cake I've ever had. * Fresh and delicious starter breads, my fave was the Chive bread. * Excellent service Cons: * The remaining dishes of the Dining Tasting Menu of Beet Mezzaluna (Pine Nuts, Capers and Goat Gouda), Lobster Salad (Kabocha Squash, Braised Kombu and Trumpet Mushrooms) and the dessert of Pear Panna Cotta, Vanilla Tapioca Pudding and Sherry Granite were OK and didn't WOW me like the other 2. * I know it was a Tasting Menu, so obviously the dishes are small, BUT I did not expect them to be so minuscule (averaging 3-4 bites)! When the tiny but very beautifully presented dishes were placed in front of me, my heart sank immediately thinking "Really???" With such paltry quantities of food, upon leaving I couldn't help but think "I can't believe I just spent $150 on that..." Not returning for any more tasting menus, but am open to try their A La Carte in The Tavern.
(3)Sam G.
Amazing dinner at Gramercy Tavern! Food did not disappoint, had the lobster salad, lamb, and pecan and every meal was better than the last. Service was good but not great. Anna was the best! But had 2 or 3 waitresses in total and the service varied. When the check came one of the waitresses pointed to the total amount and said "This is the amount you tip on" which I thought was incredibly rude. Besides that the service was good with water always being filled to the top along with the wine and the food came out very promptly. Will definitely be back!
(4)Ryan K.
The service, ambiance is great- its between 3.5 and 4 stars. The food is good, but not worth $92/person. I am not sure what all of the hype is about. The small in-between snacks and bites were cool but still not enough to justify the price. Portions were extremely small. Typical NYC over-hyped, over-priced restaurant.
(4)Shay F.
I'm always a bit skeptical when I see a place with lots of reviews and good ratings. So when I went to this place, I was thinking... meh, it's just going to be ok. Boy was I wrong. The food and service here is excellent. I got the veggie tasting menu and thought everything I had was great! Every dish was cooked to perfection and they each had a very distinct taste. (Sometimes you go to a place and everything kind of just all taste the same. Not here.) By the end, I was too full to eat dessert, so I took it back to the hotel. Oh, and they even gave us this muffin to take home. The waiter said, it's for breakfast. The next morning I ate it, and every bite was delicious. So yes, it might be on the $$$$ side, but if you feel like splurging and eating a great meal, this is the place.
(5)Claire P.
New York City is full of amazing restaurants. From innovative spots serving up molecular gastronomy to extremely formal places where the service makes you feel like the Queen of England. Gramercy Tavern manages to find the perfect balance between comfort and 5-star dining. The staff is friendly. The space is welcoming. The food is always delicious. I've dined in the main dining room once, and in the Tavern twice. Both times I've sat at the bar. Although they are ALWAYS packed, I still feel well taken care of by the bartenders. This time I started with the tart and refreshing lemonade. A perfect way to awaken my palette. Then came the bread.... I love that bread with a fiery passion. The sour, crispy, crust, and soft chewy interior mixed with creamy butter and sea salt makes me go crazy every time. For my main I had the sea bass with vegetables. The fish was perfectly cooked and the combination of greens, cauliflower (curried and roasted), and quinoa made me never want to stop eating. Last but not least I had the sundae with peach sorbet, vanilla ice cream, walnut and oat crumble, fresh raspberry sauce, and whipped cream. Although the raspberries were very tart, the smooth ice cream balanced them perfectly. I left Gramercy Tavern dreaming of the meal I had just experienced, and already planning the next time I would go back.
(5)Wilson C.
I'll caveat this review by saying I haven't had the full-blown Gramercy Tavern experience in the dining room. I got a walk-in table in the tavern and did the 4-course "Today Menu," which is actually a great deal. The first course was a very plain chicory salad with some blood orange pieces and sunflower seeds. The chicory was exceptionally bitter and got overwhelming after a while. The salad was so large that it really tired you out by the end. And it didn't taste great. This is my only complaint. The rest of the meal, though, was great. Next was flounder in a sunchoke broth with salsify (which is my new favorite thing). The main course was a delicious, smoky cassoulet with pork belly and sausage. Nothing technically amazing, revelatory, or pretentious, just very well-made, classic food. There was also a smoked oyster amuse-bouche, which was awesome. For dessert, a blood orange panna cotta, which was wonderful (I guess blood oranges are in season). They also gave us a bonus dessert, which was a German style pancake with some banana ice cream on top. And it was huge for something we didn't even order! Didn't finish it, but tasted great. Anyways this meal, while not mind-blowing, is delicious and a truly great deal at $48. If you don't mind waiting a while, I'd definitely recommend trying it out.
(4)Marco M.
This was the GT experience I was hoping the first time around, but now I finally understand why everyone loves it so much. Alan and wait staff were patient, attentive and not overbearing from beginning to the end. The ambiance is very lively and rustic up in the tavern section, but more upscale and intimate where we sat in the back of the restaurant. For food, we tackled the 3 course menu ($90/person) and were very pleased with every dish each member of the party ordered. For antipasti, we did a mix of the beef tartare, smoked trout and spinach farfalle. All of the dishes had an excellent balance of complimenting flavors that worked perfectly. Of all the 3, I really enjoyed the smoked trout, it was light and had a cipollini purée and pickled onions that added great texture. For entrees, we tried the smoked arctic char and lamb loin, each again having a very good compliment of sides. I could only vouch for the lamb loin, and I am very happy Alan suggested this dish prepared the way the chef recommended. It was tender and juicy and cooked perfectly with a good mix of beans, fennel and shishito peppers that I would order again. Now time for dessert, we tried the milk and cookies, assortment of gelati, puff pastry crème brulee and a pear and walnut cake crumble. Out of these, I would highly recommend the puff pastry crème brulee that had chestnuts and a cranberry sorbet that was very uniquely created and light. I would also recommend the pear, walnut cake, oat crumble with blue cheese mousse that will really have you appreciate the happy marriage of sweet and salty and how it does work for a dessert. With 2 excellent bottles of wine, great conversation in a perfect setting, and excellent food, as I prefaced earlier, it makes sense why this is a NYC staple and fan-favorite that always hits the best restaurants of NYC. I can't wait to come back. Buon appetito!
(5)Diane L.
Gramercy Tavern, you did not disappoint! Excellent service and fabulous food! It was the perfect birthday dinner date with my boyfriend. The thoughtful service really enhances an experience. The dining room is never too crowded and each party is seated for the best experience. My boyfriend and I were seated at a square table that could have seated 4 but instead with a two person seating was arranged so we were seated at one corner next to each other facing the beautiful dining room. Most places would seat you across from each other but this seating arrangement allowed us to talk more intimately to each other and eat our meals together in an intimate manner. The waiters and all other employees are very courteous and willing to accommodate you. If you're wondering about something, just ask! We weren't sure which dining option to choose--the tasting menu or 2 course. When inquiring about whether we could switch an item in the tasting menu our waiter went to ask the chef and said it was possible! It was very nice of them but we chose to go with the 3 course menu instead. Each meal was great. I loved the squid ink pasta and the intricate flavors and contrasting textures. The bass was cooked perfectly in its seemingly simplicity. The grapefruit dessert was very refreshing but I have to say for dessert, the complimentary coconut cake was amazing (and I'm not even a huge coconut fan!). All the portions were perfect for a delicious and satisfying meal.
(5)Anna W.
goooood: 1. Sea bass!!!!!! Must try! 2. Walk in 3. Decoration - feels like a big celebration tonight 4. Italian red wine 1997... 5. Robert Kushner's fruits and veggies on the walls boooooooring: 1. Pricy 2. Don't be surprised if you meet your grandma at the next table 3. No music 4. Among the 20 waiters and 10 managers nobody had a charger for an iphone?! I would like to take my parents to this place next time!
(3)Dan D.
I would love to be able to provide a negative anecdote about GT. Maybe a dish that hadn't been cooked perfectly, or less than superb service. Perhaps a less than thrilling dessert could've come out of the kitchen, or the front of house staff would've been less polite to me one day. But I have no horror stories. I have not yet had a meal at Gramercy Tavern that wasn't perfect. And that's why it remains my favorite NYC restaurant.
(5)PJ M.
We "stay-cationed" in NYC last week and enjoyed lunch at GT. Lunch menu was delightful with great options of simple foods. We started with superb glasses of wine, delicious appetizer and two fish entrees that included the days specials of striped bass and sea bass. Our server, while his name escapes us, was great. He is a kind man, effervescent attitude and knowledgeable of both the dining and wine menu to pair with our bass selections. Our table overlooked the bar and next time seating at the bar may very well be in order as the seating at the bar looked dynamite. Our appetizer and entree were cooked to perfection, presented as works of food art and the wines accompanied the food perfectly. Truly one of the best meals of dining experiences. Thanks to those that made our "stay-cation" meal of the day great. See you again soon.
(3)Leah C.
Great meal at Gramercy Tavern this week. This place continues to be special. The service was incredibly attentive, the food exceptional and the atmosphere comfortably lively and festive. Everybody seems to happy to be here. We sat in the dining room for a special birthday dinner. They brought us many extras compliments of the chef. Not sure if it was because they knew we were celebrating but nonetheless, it made our experience that much more enjoyable. Danny Meyer and his team of hospitality specialists always get my vote of confidence. I always know I'll have a great experience here. A wonderful evening for a special dinner or a fun night out in the Tavern up front. Love it!
(5)Christine Y.
it had been a while since i'd dined at gramercy tavern, so when my friend lindsay mentioned she had never been & wanted to go, we made it happen! as i was led to our table, i immediately noticed the heat coming off their open wood-fired oven...i loved the rustic feel, juxtaposed with both the quiet elegant dining room and the casual tavern room. i love cocktails, and my girlfriends were already one cocktail deep when i arrived, so i hurried to order the sloe storm. it was a sweeter cocktail than i generally drink, but the crushed ice and touch of ginger...it was exactly what i wanted. my friend's cranberry daiquiri was tasty but way too sweet for me. onto the menu...we debated with our server steven (who was AMAZING) between the a la carte (so many yummy sounding dishes) or tasting menu, and he was extremely helpful in making our decision: TASTING MENU! during our debate, we had mentioned a few a la carte dishes that interested us, and steven made sure that our amuse included some of these: a potato puff topped with beef carpaccio and a taste of the squash custard which was so yummy (except cold...i wished it had been warm). when choosing wine, the girls leaned towards red but since seafood dishes dominated the tasting menu, steven helped us choose a perfect bottle of riesling that we all enjoyed and also worked with our food. 1st course: fluke tartare with radish & citrus (mix of grapefruit & orange?) topped w black caviar. this was the blandest dish to me. the fluke had little/no flavor, i would have preferred the citrus be lime and the radish was just kinda there. the best part was the black caviar. that said, the riesling worked very well w it. 2nd course: clam chowder. i LOVED this dish. creamy clam & celery root soup w clams, scallop, shrimp, a fried clam, potato puff and bright orange pearls of smoked trout roe + a touch of dill...this is how i would interpret upscale clam chowder! 3rd course: fish - a beautiful perfectly-barely-poached halibut in a carrot broth with cabbage and squid. this was my least favorite course. the carrot broth reminded me of organic ave's carrot juice (which i cannot stomach) and made me sick. i wasnt feeling well going into the meal, so it might've just been me, or the carrot juice association, but i just didn't like this dish, despite how perfectly the halibut was cooked. we had obviously finished the riesling at this point, and steven came back with additional pairing options for us. despite our protests that we were all anti-beer, he brought us a japanese white beer to pair with the 4th course as it stood up to the garlic in the dish. i tasted it and could see how the beer worked, but i really dislike beer. he also offered the il mimo rose, which julie went with... i didnt think it worked so i had another cocktail. back to the food... 4th course: this was the entire reason why i wanted the tasting menu: duck dumplings (i heart dumplings). 3 pretty dumplings stuffed with seasoned (very salty) ground duck in a duck/garlic broth with black kale and turnips. it really would have been delicious if the dumplings weren't so salty. 5th (final savory) course: roasted sirloin & flatiron steak with potatoes, beets & pear. it was a really pretty presentation but the sirloin wasnt that flavorful and a bit on the chewy side. the flatiron steak cubes had more flavor but i just didnt get the entire dish. it was a weak tasting menu offering. steven did offer us an earthy red to go with this dish which i preferred to the actual sirloin. in between our dessert course & final savory dish, we were brought a dessert amuse (love small details like this!): a goat cheesecake disc with a shortbread-like cracker and a mini scoop of concord grape sorbet. holy crap: FLAVOR! and steven paired this with a fruity red that went exquisitely with the sorbet. it was perfect. desserts: lindsay opted for the coconut mousse with passion fruit ice cream, but julie and i went with CHEESE. my memories of gramercy tavern always include the cheese course, so it was a no-brainer for me. we got 6 cheeses each, served with 3 kinds of bread. my favorites: ascutney farms and the harbison. that said, i ate every last bite so none were particularly distasteful. as we were walking by the wood-fired oven to leave, we saw kielbasa (which they serve in the tavern room) being plated, and the aroma and deliciousness stopped us in our tracks. luckily the chef, michael anthony, was standing there and chatted with us for a while about the menus in each room, the wood-burning oven and other gramercy tavern factoids. it was a great ending to a good meal (3 stars) with great drinks/service (5 stars) and amazing friends (priceless!)! and now i can't wait to get back there for dinner in the tavern room for a cheeseburger and some of that kielbasa!!! mmm...
(4)Teresa H.
Since I moved to Gramercy I'd been lusting after dinner at the Tavern. After months of dropping hints to my boyfriend he surprised me with a birthday reservation in the Dining Room. Yipee! You feel like somebody really important from the moment you set foot in the place. Low lights, great art, and more diamonds on the patrons than you could find on W. 47th. I have to admit, we spent the first 20 minutes pointing out the unbelievable baubles on the fingers of our neighbors ("OMG! Don't look now, but you have to see the ring on the woman in black at the corner table! I think I've gone blind!"). The service was impeccable. Our waiter struck the perfect (and almost unachievable) balance between allowing us a slow-paced, leisurely meal and patient attentiveness. He was precious and very knowledgeable. I started with the smoked lobster appetizer which was generously portioned and buttery. For my entree, I had the striped bass. Nicely done with beans and a light sauce. My portion, again, was the perfect size. My boyfriend had the veal to start and the hanger steak as his entree. While he liked both, he found that portion of his entree to be a bit small. I will say though, by the time I got through my entree I felt that I legitimately had enough room for dessert. Personally, I prefer it that way, I hate feeling sickeningly full as I leave a restaurant. For dessert I had the chocolate bread pudding and he had the nectarine tart. Both were amazing (though I was so drunk at this point that I'm not sure I would have known if they'd microwaved a hostess cupcake and put it in front of me... Classy, I know.). Also, throughout the evening we were sent delicious nibbles "compliments of the chef." These included an heirloom tomato sampling and a baby eggplant plate, such a nice touch. Of course, we were also given muffins as we left. I was so impressed by my evening here, it may be awhile before I can save enough pennies to afford to go back, but I'll be counting down the days!
(5)Catherine C.
A-OK. That's what the three stars mean. Simply...ok. I'm not even sure I'd put the A in with my OK with my first ever experience at Gramercy Tavern. I made reservations for our second anniversary the full 28 allotted days in advance because, by god, with all the rave reviews on Yelp, I knew I wanted to spend my special night here at what is supposed to be one of the best restaurants in the city. But with that $400 hole in my wallet and nothing very memorable of the evening to show for it, I'm afraid that, in my book, the food at Gramercy Tavern just gets my 3 stars. If I could separately give the service a gazillion stars, however, I would in a heartbeat because the service was absolutely impeccable. From the very nicely located table to the complimentary champagne (for the anniversary) to the knowledge of our waiters, the service gets an unequivocal 5 stars. As for the food: we both had the Autumn tasting menus and a bottle of wine which was expertly recommended to us. The fluke tartar was inundated with trout roe to the point that I was scraping it off (and I'm a roe kind of girl). The crab soup was fine, but nothing much really to report besides the fact that it was just fine. The smoked trout à la onions a few ways was tasty, but again, nothing stupendous. Unfortunately, the real disappointment was with the two land protein dishes. The rabbit fettuccine was, and I'm not kidding, bland, at best. The rabbit was dry and the fettuccine was so al dente (or overcooked??) that I wasn't sure if the pasta had been sitting under a heat lamp for a long while or if it was simply not properly prepared. The venison loin and sausage dish was just not very well composed and a tad bizarre. The pear purée accompanying the venison loin was oddly bitter. The loin itself was perfectly cooked on the rare side but when eaten together, the pear simply overburdened the loin to the point of not being able to taste anything but the pear. The venison sausage was also excellent, but the pepper and marrow combination it was served with was also just bizarre and I failed to see the sense or direction of the dish. The dish was like a duo of venison with some fruit and vegetable fillers to take up space on the plate. All in all, the food was fine. No dish was stupendous, however. I was disappointed considering the cost of the meal but I have to believe that it was just an "off" night for the chefs in the kitchen. I will give Gramercy Tavern another shot simply because, with all the amazing reviews, someone has to be doing something right there. It's just really too bad they couldn't have done it right that night.
(3)Channon W.
I was living on pate, foie gras and liver this whole weekend. This place has the best service ever...this really is a 5 star. If you asked them to, they would have hand fed you. My 2nd course was duck breast and it had so much flavor and super juicy. It was smokey, sweet, savory, tender....just yummmyyy. I also LOVE cheese and they had a huge cheeseboard...it was just plain fantastic. Our waiter was great..i love it when you can have just have decent conversation with them....it makes the dinner so much more pleasant. I really wanted a glass of wine, but i was soo exhausted. NEXT TIME.
(5)A J.
Always a pleasure. Good food and good atmosphere.
(5)Tom F.
Gramercy Tavern has vaulted up to near the top of my list of favorite New York City restaurants. The food was impeccable in every respect. From the amazing ciabatta rolls (which I ate far too many of, causing me to spend most of the remainder of the evening clutching my stomach in sweet, sweet agony), to my fantastic appetizer (a smoked lobster in saffron sauce), to the succulent, juicy pork loin/belly I had for my main course, to the insanely delicious chocolate bread pudding dessert (easily one of the top 5 desserts I've ever eaten), this was a flawlessly executed meal with top-flight, fresh ingredients. The room is beautiful - elegant but quite comfortable - and the service is very competent. Prices are rather high for the amount of food you get (about $100 for a three-course meal), but you'll find that it is absolutely worth it. And as I mentioned before, they keep the bread coming, so at least you will not be hungry when you leave!
(5)Ross J.
Ate in the bar on a recent stint to the city. Nice to eat so well without reservations, in a bar, wearing shorts. Sometimes it is fun to do the sit-up-and-beg tasting menu thing, but actually I think I am done with that after eating here. A recommendation from long time New Yorkers. Almost felt like I could be living in the hood, my wife and I secretly watching the well-heeled families in the bar mowing through $200 meals with kids in tow. Isn't it terrific to eat amazing food in a casual atmosphere? After all, its all about my enjoyment as the customer right?
(5)Natalie D.
As the one fine dining restaurant we went to when visiting New York, I am so happy I chose Gramercy. It was AMAZING. We went for lunch, ended up all choosing the special which was a roast beef sandwich. It was probably the best meat I have ever tasted. Melt in your mouth and so flavorful. It was so awesome. There is a wood fire grill that makes the entire place smell wonderful too.
(5)Kate H.
Simply the best.
(5)Raymond P.
Ate in the front Tavern many times. Good menu and great place for that long lunch. Service is great and no one rushes you. At 15 to 20 for lunch entree not outrageous either.
(4)Robert N.
I mean, really? Can anyone else write a concise review of this place without tripping over every other glowing review? Impossible. I had dinner here last Saturday night for the 10th time in my life. I hope to go back 100 times. Maybe 1000, if I can spend like Henry Kravitz. Three words: best. restaurant. ever.
(5)Marylu B.
I went for lunch since I am always on a budget and I was very happy with my experience. My dish was extremely flavorful and the portion was just the right size. The service was great with very accommodating and knowledgeable staff. The wines were reasonably priced and the desserts were exceptional. The only reason why I don't give five stars is because the dishes of the other two in my party were ok, and not nearly as good as mine. Maybe because it was lunch time, maybe it was me, but they were underwhelmed and I felt uncomfortable that both weren't happy.
(4)Karen L.
We had the day off of work today so we booked a reservation at this New York Institution of a restaurant and both ordered the 5-course lunch tasting menu. First thing, when you walk into the restaurant, its beautifully decorated for fall. Bright orange mini pumpkins and matching flowers fill the space and the air smells like thanksgiving. We were walked pass the chefs doing plating and my appetite was whetted. The first course was a lobster salad. This dish was my husband's favorite of the day. It was beautifully bright - the red acidity of the beets complimented by a wasabi cream topped with lucious lobster. Licked the plate clean, which is difficult to do in a classy institution but we were that committed. Second course was scallops over cauliflower. This dish was deliciously salty but a bit gritty actually. The first main was the sea bass. Amazing. A squash puree plus tangy fennel with a perfectly cooked fillet made this dish a perfect one for fall. Finally the duck course. This was the big disappointment for me. Duck is amazing. Seriously, how did they mess this up? I still have trouble explaining it. Basically the duck wasn't quite as crispy as you'd expect and it was topped with a seared salsa of carrots, peppers, and onions which just added a mushy texture. I just think it didn't do the duck the justice it deserves. Finally - we had dessert. If not for the dessert this meal would get 3 stars. We had a banana and chocolate cake with praline with a side of salted cashew ice cream. I would kill my mother for more of this dessert. It was actually heaven. When I'm in heaven I expect to eat this dessert, calorie-free, for every meal. We also had an apple tart. It was good but like the democrats at midterms, it was crushed by the competition. Yay for days off.
(4)Alex G.
Excellent restaurant and great alternative to Gramercy's main restaurant, as there is often little to no wait for a table. The mushroom lasagna was fantastic along with the baby beet salad. Desserts are also pretty good but nothing I haven't had before... The tavern definitely made a return customer out of me.
(4)Lucy Z.
actually, 4.5 stars for a near-perfect lunch experience. I started off with a fabulous squid/calamari spring salad. very light and citrusy. My entree was a bit more average since I can't remember the fish I ate. The bread pudding I had for dessert was far more memorable. The service here is what truly deserves high ratings. One person at our party found that her beef had been cooked more rare than she had liked it. This was no fault of the waitress or the cook - my friend simply had a different idea of "medium." Not only did they take her plate back without contradiction (even though she had already had 2 of 5 medallions), they put together an entirely new plate for her with the beef cooked to the right degree and decided not to charge her for that particular entree, with a professional apology. It seems like restaurants would typically be willing to do this, but from what I've experienced, most restaurants are not this generous.
(5)Jade L.
One of the best meals I've ever had definitely goes to this restaurant. I guess there's a reason why they won that James Beard restaurant of the year award! My boyfriend took me here for our one-year anniversary. Although it's not the most romantic restaurant (pretty decent amount of groups dining here), this restaurant definitely did not disappoint. Service was great from the start. We even were surprised with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine to celebrate our special day. We decided on the summer tasting menu, which was definitely a great choice. So many memorable dishes like the citrus artic char, perfectly smoked trout, and delicious rack of veal, only to end with the wonderful medley of heavenly desserts. I'd have to say the main dessert with made with chocolate, hazelnut and mocha was definitely the BEST dessert I've ever had. The best part was that they sent us home with a little wrapped up gift of coffee cake to have the following morning... to remind us of the wonderful meal we had the night before.
(5)JY C.
Admittedly expensive and impossible to get a table. But is it worth it? Absolutely. Incredible menu that changes seasonally, every dish is the height of perfection. Even dishes that I normally don't like are good-to-great. Also, I'm not much of a dessert person but the ones here are fatally delicious.
(5)J J.
What a meal. Such a cool venue and super attentive wait staff. We were a little late for our reservation and they were still very accommodating. Everything was so good we were all sharing food and dying to try more. The highlights were The Ruby Red Shrimp and Lamb Pappardelle, the Artic Char and Rack of Lamb. Then dessert, like we needed it at that point, the bread pudding and the pumpkin cheesecake. I really cannot wait to go back!
(5)J. L.
I came here last year with my family for my brother's graduation. I've heard so much about this place as it's an NYC institution. The service here is great, beer and wine list terrific, but the food just wasn't up to par. Maybe they had an off night but just really disappointing.
(2)sj h.
Love this restaurant! Great food and service, had the tasting menu on the tavern side and was awesome...Michael Anthony came over to say hello and ask if we enjoyed the dinner... that made my night. What a great chef and super nice guy! We also ordered the baked clams and mushroom lasagna which were cooked perfectly and every bite was awesome. This place is one of my favorite spots to eat and a NY institution.
(5)Ro N.
This place here was the only restaurant where I had to come up with a master plan to get a table during Restaurant Week. I first tried the usual way by calling but they were booked solid. 2nd try: called at 8:57 am - nobody answer since it was 3 mins early! 3rd try: 9:08 -9:15 am ---busy signal I was at my doctor appointment so I ended up calling my co worker to tell her to get on the computer ASAP and book a table. She got a table for us at 2 pm for lunch! Not GOOD ENOUGH...I decided to do it again at 9 am the very next day! I succeeded and got us a table at 1 pm. Hooray!!! I like the ambiance and the atmosphere of this place! Very nice and good mix of people! APPETIZER: I tried the risotto off of my co worker and it was really tasty! I went with the calamari salad with carrots and pine nuts since pine nuts are reminisce of my youth. I had the monk-fish---quite delicious! I didn't care much for the pork croquette- a bit too heavy and nothing grand about it! Dessert was really good ---BREAD PUDDING has never been served so perfectly warm and with the perfect accompaniment of this delectable ICE CREAM----sorry I forgot the flavor but it was good and that is all you need to know! However, I know the ice cream flavor to the Chocolate Mousse has a bit of Grand Marnier! It was great but I am still not sure what is all the hype about! This place wasn't so off the charts that I should have to make an early reservation just to get a table! I would go back again, perhaps they will prove to me why they are so popular that you have to call 9 in the morning to get a table!
(5)Kadeem C.
Wow! Just wow. My coworker and I tried eating at this place because alot of other people at work is talking about this restaurant. And guess what? I loved my experience here at Gramercy Tavern. I love their service. They know what professional is. The place is so classy, stylish and cozy. The food is just so perfect. To sum it up, Gramercy Tavern is the the best restaurant. Nothing more to look for. I am definitely coming back here!
(5)aaron h.
4 1/3rd food , 5 service, 4 ambience, 5 value, 4.6 overall avg rating
(4)Lauren N.
My all time favorite NYC restaurant. Staff is very informative about each dish and how it is prepared, not pushy or stuffy. Excellent food & service
(5)Julia B.
The service here is unparalleled. We were celebrating a birthday and came here and it was truly an experience. The food was so delicious and our waiter Alandro was so great. He suggested amazing wines for us and he was so passionate about what he does and it showed in the service. The food is so flavorful, we loved everything we ate, and the atmosphere is so warm and welcoming. It was a wonderful experience and I will absolutely be back.
(5)CityGal V.
still great
(4)Lisa N.
Underwhelming. For a 7-course Seasonal Tasting Menu at $120/person, I expected much more. None of the 7 courses stood out to me. The Halibut and Lobster Salad were both too creamy. The Shrimp dish was standard and bland. And I felt like I could have made a similar bolognese at home. Finally, I felt as if they were trying too hard with the dessert. Too many components made it taste somewhat random. The apple cider and hot chocolate drinks were both delicious, though! One great thing about GT is that you cannot beat the service here. The hostess, food runner, busyboy, and server were all super polished and friendly. I would not recommend the tasting menu, but might come back for drinks or a la carte.
(3)Stephanie D.
A really great place to go with family or with a friend or two. The service is pretty slow and the portions are really small, but that's kind of what you're asking for when you enter. How else would it be when you're surrounded by pretentious blazer-folk? The chicken is very flavorful and beautifully crafted. The desserts are quite innovative and a bit bigger than the entrees and appetizers (though the appetizers are the size of crumbs, honestly). It's a good place to go once in a while, but there is little turnover of food on the menu.
(3)Lauren S.
Our experience at Gramercy Tavern was second to none. We ate in the Tavern and had a 5 hour 7 course meal which we ordered completely a la carte. We never felt rushed although there were many people waiting to be seated. I couldn't believe how attentive the staff were and their professionalism was like nothing I have seen before. My boyfriend is a high end restaurant manager and he was completely blown away by the food and service as well. The menu chances very frequently due to the fact that the chef creates dishes based on what they find at the market the day of. This being said, everything was SO FRESH and the flavors were out of this world. The cheese course we added before dessert was so well worth it and so much fun! Even though we ate a TON, I didn't leave feeling over stuffed/disgusting because the ingredients were so natural and the dishes were perfect portions. I definitely recommend this place if you are OK with dropping a pretty penny on a great dinner. It is most definitely worth every dime.
(5)Jana S.
Holy moly....what an amazing dining experience. We were here with a rather large party of 8 people. I have to say that the only negative thing I could find about this place is that our dinner was just a little longer than I would have liked. We had a 7pm reservation and didn't leave until about 10:30pm. The menu was interesting and something I've never seen. On the left side of the menu was a first and second course selection. You pick one of each. All items are the same price. You pay for the menu. On the right side of the menu were the tasting menus, which nobody at our table picked, so I can't comment. On to the good stuff: * the most incredible service I've ever experience. When dishes were cleared there were 4 people lined up behind us. One guy gave the signal and everyone's plates/glasses, etc. were cleared all at the same time. It was choreographed and I was fascinated watching that little "dance" :) * Fantastic wine list... one person at our table selected the wine and it was to die for... I saw later that the wine we picked was $160 a bottle. Not sure how many bottles we finished... eeks! * Cheese puff amuse-bouche... please sell these by the box! I'll take one home * lobster parpadelle... absolutely amazining!! This was my favorite dish of the night, I liked my first course better than my main course. I would highly recommend it * Lamb main dish... I was a bit underwhelmed by it. The lamb was delicious, but I was expecting more of it. I actually preferred the sunchokes that came with it over the lamb. * Desserts.... oooh the desserts. We had a selection of multiple desserts and decided to share them. I think the apple crust tart (I think that's what it was...) was my favorite. In addition to the cookies they provided us. I found it interesting that our wait staff was paying very close attention to when someone didn't finish their plate, because they almost seemed concerned and wanted to make sure that there wasn't something that we disliked about the food. Again, the service is absolutely amazing!! As we were leaving, everyone was handed a parting gift of a muffin. I thought that was a nice touch! This was definitely a once in a lifetime type of meal! I'm not sure I'll have another opportunity to come here, but it was definitely worth it and must-try for any food lover!
(5)E H.
I think it's priced a bit high for for laid-back attitude. It's an excellent, but very tourist-centric and lots of people in jeans and being really loud. The food very good the wine pairing is affordable and enjoyable. But it's not Eleven Madison Park... One side note: A+ to the staff. Friendly, smart and attentive -- always there when you need them.
(3)andrew c.
The Dining Experience: It was an impeccable and complete dining experience. However, although it lacked pretention in its perfection, there were too many unsolicited frills for this restaurant to suit my taste. It was like going out to buy a shirt and then getting a complimentary pair of pants. There's nothing wrong with the pants. The pants are nice, but really, all you wanted was the shirt. In this case, we went for a three course meal. But, before the meal we got an appetite-whetting, tomato juice shot with diced peaches as an amuse-bouche (okay, typical restaurant practice). But after the entree, unexpectedly thrust upon us was a panna cotta with sorbet as a pre-dessert dessert. Then, after dessert (I'm already not a dessert person), we got a post-dessert dessert comprised of an ensemble of pastries and chocolate. "Are you finished yet Gramercy?" "No, we would like to commandeer a part of one of your meals for tomorrow as well." And so, they served our breakfast for the next day in the form of a take-home packaged muffin (remnants of Colicchio's prior reign at GT?). Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. I'm just saying this style of dining does not adhere to my personal preferences (if I have to do prix-fixe, I want a good deal, not priced extra high so you can give me lots of extra stuff I didn't ask for). I want to pay just for what I order, and order only what I want (Go away squeegee people who attack your car at traffic lights!). Moreover, when I go out to eat, service, decor, and ambiance are peripheral matters in relation to the food. Here, the service was flawless. The ambiance and decor were soothing and tasteful in every way. The place was a well-oiled machine. Every single aspect of providing a complete dining experience was executed with cool precision. But really, I didn't want the pants, I just wanted to eat some food. The Food: Marinated Shrimp Salad - So boring I don't even feel like writing about it. (only "bad" dish of the night; quotes b/c nothing at GT was really bad, just bad in relation to the rest of GT's dishes) Maine Crab with Corn - Tasty, simple, but again, nothing I feel like writing about. Lamb Pappardelle - Win. Homemade pasta's texture and taste were fantastic. I'm a sucker for swiss chard and the lamb brought a fun pungent gaminess that I always welcome to any dish. Rack of Pork and Braised Belly - Win. I love anything pig. Rack of Lamb - Win Win. Cooked to perfection and fatty. It was literally hemmorhaging with flavor. Halibut - Win Win WIN! Hot damn! Was that fish cooked well or what?! Silky smooth, delicate and buttery, the cooking summoned an expression of halibut that I didn't know halibut was capable of. Off-Menu Duck Confit Special - WIN WIN WIN! YES! YES! YES! This dish got me dangerously close to doing a Katz Deli Meg Ryan impression in the middle GT's dining room. The skin was crispy yet melt in your mouth good. The flesh succulent and soft, quietly seducing every corner of your mouth. With all the savory subtleness of the duck, there was a playground of rustic autumn flavors beneath the confit that took you on a dizzying ride (heirloom tomatoes, some other vegetables, some sauce... I dunno.. I was disoriented from glee). I literally felt like October had exploded in my mouth. All the best memories of my childhood experiences with autumn were instantly manifested through my tastebuds: playing in the leaves, the cool crisp freshness of the fall air, hay rides, trick-or-treating, pumpkin-picking... It must be how Anton Ego felt when he ate Remy's ratatouille. So what this dish did was, turn me into our generation's most prolific female romantic comedy star and a Pixar animated food critic.. all in one bite... sounds weird.. but... it was awesome. (4 people; $580 w/ tax, tip, wine)
(4)ryan h.
this is exactly what you would expect from one of the highest rated restaurants in nyc... insanely high prices. great wine and alcohol selection. great atmosphere. treated like a king. decent selection of things you may or may not have heard of in your life, as well as things you may or may not even be abel to pronounce... portion sizes could use a dose of steroids (expected), and the flavor....i wouldnt say it was amazing, but i would also not say that it was bad, id just rather have a tonguegasm when i am paying this much for food... perfect place to take a first date if you are trying to impress or just trying to get them back to your place... but then again this is ny so you really dont have to try very hard these days... i did like the wine. a lot. but i hear there is alcohol in that stuff so im sure that helped.
(4)Karin C.
The service here is great. The very unusual hot chocolate martini is a must try. They make their own hot chocolate and it is absolutely delicious. I don't normally like trout but their smoke trout was great. They do have 2 types of pre-fixed menus which makes things pretty simple. You still get to choose what you want to eat, you just get 3 courses and you don't have to worry about price. The pork chop was perfectly seared and my free range no hormones chicken was the most juiciest and full of flavor chicken I've ever had with the crispy skin. Yum!
(5)Marcus Z.
Part of first weekend in NYC. Went here late night after seeing The Heights last November and had the tasting menu. Sea scallops were great. I got the flat iron steak for main entree. She got the Cod and that was good as well. The atmosphere and service was great--not at all snotty. I liked that you don't really have to get too dressy here either. It's exactly what I was looking for for this night.
(4)Miles W.
I really enjoyed my meal. The service was tremendous, as was my appetizer (lamb pasta). Perhaps it wasn't the right pairing, but after the pasta, the suggested main, Sturgeon, fell a bit below expectations which is why I am not giving the night five stars. I finished with the chocolate bread pudding, which is to die for.
(4)David P.
Great clean american fare. I had the duck fettuccine as an appetizer. Very hearty, but not overly big portion. I think just the right portion to get going. My friend had the Lamb Pappardelle appetizer. Entree I had the lamb, which was perfectly cooked. Beautiful medium rare meat. The lamb actually tasted not as lamby (if thats a word) as I would have liked, but still very good. Not a massive portion but just good enough. Dessert was the chocolate bread pudding, which was ok. Im not a dessert guy but it worked. I would definitely go back. But be prepared to drop some $. With a very good bottle of wine so dinner can run up to 2 bills per person.
(5)Jenny K.
This place is amazing The food is absolutely incredible ,the service is just right.this is a place you absolutely wont go wrong to try
(5)Robert D.
The food alone is worthy of a 5 star review. The trout appetizer, the spanish mackeral entree, and any seasonal special are all spectacular. Yet, I never felt the need to write a review. I now feel compelled to write a review. My girlfriend decided to suprise me on my birthday by taking me to Gramercy Tavern for dessert. I consider the chocolate bread pudding to be the best dessert in NYC. So, we sat in the tavern room and attempted to order the bread pudding. Alas, it was not on the menu as it is only served in the main dining room. We asked if we could order it anyway. They had to check with the pastry chef as it is usually prepared in the early evening in preperation for dinner. We were in luck, they had already started preparing the bread pudding. They soon brought out both the chocolate pudding and the chocolate bread pudding. Inscribed in chocolate on my plate was "happy birthday." Both desserts were fantastic. But, the service was extraordinary - they went out of their way to bring me a dessert that was off-menu and also gave me a free dessert for my birthday. Thank you Grammercy Tavern. I will be back.
(5)Lynda G.
Simply amazed by the food at this restaurant! Plus, I had been hyped up about going here, its my sister's favorite place ever, so there was the potential for a HUGE let down. I was not disappointed. Can't wait for another big life event to have someone else take me here! (because its waaaaaay to expensive to pay for myself)
(5)When in NY for my Birthday, I chose this place for dinner! And it was a special Birthday and a special Dinner!!!!! Go for the 3 courses menu (actually, at night you have to go for menues, there is also the tasting one, but there are good choices and the price, even if not cheap, is acceptable - 82$ - , given the beauty of the place and the fantastic cuisine). I loved foie gras and pork. This time dessert was a birthday cake (lovely), but it's generally hard to choose, as there are so many beauties Wine list is also at maximum levels.
(5)Amelia D.
I don't even remember what I had or if it's on the menu any more but it was fantastic. One of the best meals I've ever had.
(5)Monique T.
Worth every dime of the $175 I spent. The pastry chef belongs in the Hall of Fame.
(5)Theresa C.
Came here for dinner on Friday night with a group of girlfriends and the overall dining experience was decent. Within the spring seasonal tasting menu, the items that stood out were the smoked lobster and duck breast. The rest was A-Ok, but not mind-blowing. As for ambiance, the interiors were somewhat dated, but the flower arrangements were impressive and made for a lovely view while dining. Orange blossom cocktail: The citrus smelled amazing! Maybe smelled a little better than it actually tasted, but still was a great way to start a long dinner. Marinated scallops: The worst of the entire tasting menu. Texture of the scallops were fine, but the flavors did not work and left an unpleasant aftertaste. The quality of the ingredients could have been better. Had a couple bites and left the rest unfinished. I definitely felt concerned about the rest of dinner after such a rough start. Smoked lobster: Following the scallops, the lobster was much welcomed. Tender, meaty chunks of lobster paired on top of creamy shallot custard. Wonderful aromas. Perfect dish. Can't get any better. Poached halibut: Texture of the fish was great. The flavors were a bit bland, could have used a bit more citrus I think. In any case, the fish definitely shined through. Clam spaghetti: Homey, hearty and seasoned perfectly. Everyone commented that the spaghetti reminded them of ramen noodles. Not complaining! Duck breast and smoked thigh. Winner winner. Loved this dish. May have a tad on the salty side, but super delicious nonetheless. I would go back again just for this. Dessert: Our table had the vanilla rice pudding from the regular tasting menu, the chocolate (mousse?) with passion fruit and caramel banana from the vegetarian menu and the birthday coconut cake. I'm not a huge fan of rice pudding, but that was by far the favorite of the table. The presentation of the birthday coconut cake was also lovely. Chocolate dessert was my least favorite. The passion fruit had an acridness to it that brought out the acidity of the chocolate. As a side note, I think it might be better to come at an off-hour. We sat down at 7:30 and the service was pretty rushed and impersonal. But understandable given how busy they were.
(3)Kinjal N.
We are at the Tavern part of the restaurant for lunch and were extremely pleased with both our food and cocktail selections! The menu as created keeping all tastes and dietary restrictions in mind and undoubtedly used the finest ingredients out there. The nice part is that no reservations are necessary for afternoons at the tavern---front of the restaurant. Only if you use the main dining room, is it mandatory to make one prior to visiting. Nights though get pretty packed at either part, so a reservation is recommended. What I loved most is the ambiance. It's so aesthetically pleasing with the large floral arrangements and old world charm created by the tables (inspired by old Sewing machines) and long bar area. The drinks were something worth writing home about- so tasty and super strong...they are not messin' around. I'd definitely come back for the nighttime tasting menu.
(4)Steve S.
The service at Gramercy Tavern is impeccable. Our party of 6 had a 9:00 PM dining room reservation and we were immediately seated at a round table upon arriving . A couple of my friends arrived a few minutes early and had ordered drinks. I noticed the staff took the extra step of having someone arrive with a bar tray to bring their drinks to our table. Our server was very knowledgable in regards to wines (suggested some affordable ones) and I also learned about Freekah (made from green wheat, similar to bulgur). He was gracious and patient when we needed a few more minutes to order. Because one member of our group doesn't eat seafood (what a jerk), we had to go with the prix fixe dinner. Before that we were given a shot of carrot and pepper juice as our amuse bouche. It was so good, I would have ordered it as a chilled soup. The current first course options were split half vegetable, half protein. Our entire group decided to go with the protein choices, specifically the smoked trout, the beef tartare, and the pork bolognese w/ tagliatelle. Everyone enjoyed their first course, I found the bolognese to be savory and satisfying. One friend couldn't stop talking about the smoked trout. The second course options this evening was split half fish, half other meats. Two of my friends really enjoyed the flounder and the black bass. The other two decided on the daily special which was sirloin. Although perfectly cooked, the three rounds were a little sparse. I decided to try the lamb dish and was impressed with my entree. My dish had a few pieces of tender lamb shoulder, a few ritz cracker sized rounds of loin, a mini lamb sausage and hen of the woods mushrooms plus greens. The loin was prepared in a manner where only a few millimeters of sear was found around the edges and the remainder was a perfect pink. Because there was very little fat in my dish, it did not taste gamy at all. My only wish is that the dish came with a little more of this delicious loin. For dessert, our server sold most of the table on the tavern warm chocolate cake. Apparently that is the dessert to order. I was the only one who tried the chocolate and devils food cake because I wanted to sample the rum and banana ice cream. Mine was okay, but the warm chocolate cake is better. Another example of great service came when our server brought a lemon pudding for the table because a friend had wanted the meyer lemon, poppy seed cake but it was already sold out. Our group liked the wine he suggested as well. Try the Von Schubert (Riesling) and the Trevallon 2008 ( Syrah/ Cab).
(5)Xiaoning F.
Went there for lunch. Service and decoration is good. Tried one tasting menu. Ingredients is very fresh. Like the dessert with the tasting menu. Also tried a lamb entree and a pasta appetizer. Lamb is perfect, but the pasta is so salty and even worse than some normal restaurant. Pasta is a mess, and shouldn't be on the menu. But overall the food is good and tasty.
(5)Ye T.
I had a brief stint at Gramercy Tavern as a line cook when I first moved to the states. At that time, Tom Colicchio was executive chef. I am very proud of this experience and can say with certainty that this group prides themselves in producing farm to table fare of the highest quality. I will be sure to visit again should I ever go back to New York.
(5)Camille Y.
From the food to the service to the venue itself, Gramercy Tavern is a showstopper of a restaurant. I had the 5-course seasonal lunch tasting menu, which is only offered in the Dining Room on weekdays. It's a fabulous deal for only $58, offering a taste of more than half of the dishes offered on the dinner tasting menu for less than half the price. The summer '14 menu consisted of the following plates: Amuse bouche - rock shrimp with tomato: though a little muddy in flavor (not necessarily GT's fault - something I've encountered with east coast seafood in general), the shrimp was cooked through yet still tender. Could have used a lighter touch with the sea salt garnish. Marinated cucumber: this was a lovely take on gazpacho. For such a light dish, it had a lot going on, juxtaposing a variety of different flavors and textures: the creamy earthiness of cranberry beans; a tangy, pungent crunch from marinated cucumbers; smooth, refreshing pops of sweetness from diced peaches and cherries. The chilled melon broth brought all of the contrasting elements together. Lobster salad: this was a surprisingly rich dish, consisting of a very generous portion of some very buttery lobster! In a way this dish whimsically presented "lobster salad" two ways: meat poached to perfect tenderness atop springy vegetables and in a little accompanying dollop of mayo/egg salad. Halibut: the fish was overcooked while the single bok choy leaf could have used a little more treatment aside from being plopped into the bowl raw, but the mushrooms were ample and the broth extremely flavorful. Overall a simple but perfectly executed dish - the flavors and components paired together masterfully. Roasted duck breast: my favorite dish of the meal! The serving size of duck breast was definitely petite, but I didn't mind that at all, since the velvety sweet corn puree and the addictive salty/sweet hash of corn, peaches, bacon, and okra were the stars of the plate. I have to admit, I found myself trying to mop up every last bit with bread! Palette cleanser - cherry tomato with cream cheese frosting and dehydrated raspberries: tasted exactly how it sounds, but such an inventive and unique bite! Dessert: the selection featured on the menu was an apricot panna cotta, but we were offered our choice from the full dessert menu. We opted for the "cherry" (cherry infused almond cake, vermouth sabayon, berry sorbet, vanilla ricotta) and the "blueberry & peach" (3 little bites of shortbread topped with vanilla cream, candied pecans, fresh peaches, fresh and dehydrated blueberries, verbena ice cream). Both were SO delicious - and surprisingly ample in portion size! It was impressive how many different components were incorporated into each dessert: a baked item, ice cream, fruit, a creamy element. With so many different flavors, textures, and elements in each dish, it's hard to imagine going wrong with any of the selections if you're overwhelmed by all the choices like we were. :) Though I admit I probably wouldn't be as enthused if I came for dinner based on the somewhat perplexing menu pricing, Gramercy Tavern is probably my favorite restaurant in NYC - the ambience exudes the classy, luxurious elegance you'd expect from New York, but its rustic country charm lends it enough coziness that it still retains a neighborhood-y vibe. Between that and the excellent ingredient-driven, locally-sourced food, Gramercy Tavern is a definite must-visit!
(5)Sue C.
My boss was shocked to find an opening on OpenTable and booked it right away for later that night. It was a business dinner for 3, but I would go back again! We ordered the Chef's tasting menu. I don't know how else to describe the food, the experience, and the ambience except unbelievably amazing...My favorite dishes of the night were: - Halibut - fish was cooked just perfectly, tender and flaky with great sauce - Duck Breast - tender and perfect medium rare. There was also so much flavor packed in the mushrooms; I could have eaten a bowl of them - Pear Panna Cotta - It came in this clear cup and when you pick up a spoonful with all the layers - just gorgeous This is food at its best, showcasing the beauty of American cuisine. I would come back again...but probably only for a special occasion. It's not a place I can frequently visit (even though I would gladly do so) with that price hah.
(5)Jason B.
Celebrated my anniversary here with my wife, and had a wonderful evening. 6-course prix fixe for $120 a plate took 3+ hours, and the staff made every moment a breeze. Our selections (August '14) included arctic char, scallops, halibut, squid ink pasta, duck, and an apricot-based dessert. The food was delicious and interesting, wine selections for any budget, tasteful and interesting amuse-bouches as one would expect at a restaurant of this caliber. All in all it was a great experience. Not precisely a value pick, but for the whole package of fine dining of this type, you can't go wrong.
(5)Stephanie M.
If you've tried tasting menus at 1, 2 and 3 Michelin star restaurants before, you will be very disappointed here. If it is your first tasting menu experience, you will love all the "extras" that you are not expecting such as the amuse, the dessert cookies, and the petit fours. You will likely not call home about the food itself, but at the quantity of good you are getting.
(2)Mike K.
Blown away, food, service, wine list,everything was executed perfectly and with ease. Even with the place packed to the rafters never felt rushed or forgotten about. Prime example of a perfectly run establishment.
(5)Carolina V.
I went alone on my birthday last Friday for a celebratory luncheon. I made reservations at the Gramercy Dining Room by accident, and they quickly moved me over to the tavern. The service was impeccable. I ordered a glass of rose champagne, and the waiter brought out the bread which was delicious and soft butter with a side of sea salt. I ordered the burger - which was heavenly! I would say my new favorite burger in NYC without a doubt. For dessert I couldn't decide between the cookies or the peanut butter mousse - they not only brought me a candle and "Happy Birthday" written on the plate but had packed up the cookies for me to go! The staff was so wonderful! What a wonderful way to start off my birthday! Thank-you Gramercy Tavern - you guys rock!
(5)Joleen Z.
What can I possibly add in a review of Gramercy Tavern that hasn't already been stated in 191 reviews?! It's classic New York--old time ballads playing in the background, old time people eating classic dishes. I'm obsessed. I really begrudge people that say Gramercy Tavern is "too sceny" and are intimidated by it because it's well, "Gramercy Tavern." Let's be real, any place that has "tavern," "Inn", "mill" or "hut" in the title, can't take itself too seriously! The menu is always classic and very well executed each and every time. I have ordered the carrot and calamari salad forever and each time it always lives up to its expectations and never changes. Same flavor, same perfection delivered to me every time. Also, the bartender (the bald one, yes you, i love you and I never ask your name because I am salivating at the thought of the martini you are about to shake for me) is fantastic. He also has delicious forearms which in my amateur opinion is the true sign of a great tender of said bar. I'm not going to reiterate everything that has already been said about Gramercy Tavern in the 191 reviews that precede my own, but I will say if you have lived in New York and have yet to pop in, now is the time. The recession is freeing up usually packed seats left and right so walking in on a Thursday night without a rezzie and prayer isn't totally unheard of. Cheers!
(4)Richard B.
There's not a lot to not like about Gramercy Tavern. The Margaritas are perfect. The cheese selection is probably the best I've ever had. And while I'd love to give it 5 out of 5 stars, I have to say that my last visit, last night, left something to be desired. But that's true of any place that offers a taster menu. The time before that i went was perfect, as was the time before that. But last night the veal was over-cooked, the deserts (I tasted 2) were just off, and i wasn't quite sure who our waiter was, as we seemed to have about 4 of them. None-the-less, I will go again, and if it is better again next time, I will bump it to a 5. It beats the pants off Jean-Georges!
(4)Kate D.
My friend suggested we went here for dinner this evening as she remembered it as being good about 4 years ago but friends had refused to go with her since as they deemed it pretentious. As a newbie I had no such pre-conceptions and our verdict is that they are 100% wrong! The atmosphere, service, food were all fantastic, only the wait for a table was a bummer so don't go hungry if you don't have a reservation! I'll be back and planning to eat my way through the menu!
(5)Sienna K.
If I can think of one grievance against Gramercy Tavern, it would be that throughout the dinner, my date was fawning more over the restaurant than over me. And despite my (unwarranted) large ego and jealousy to match a particular god of the Old Testament, I have forgiven my date for such a grave offense. Because, all jokes aside, Gramercy Tavern not only matched our high expectations, it exceeded them in its perfect execution and flawless delivery of all aspects of the dining experience. As with Jean Georges and Nougatine, Gramercy Tavern offers two dining experiences-- the tavern and the dining room. Each has its own space, unique decor, individualized menu, and a different price tag. Closer to the entrance of the restaurant and encompassing the bar, the tavern is the more casual side of the restaurant. Decorated with colorful contemporary paintings of fruits and vegetables, the tavern is charmingly lively and fun. Although the date and I only stayed at the tavern for drinks, I actually much more enjoyed the atmosphere here than in the dining room. The cocktails that we had at the bar were absolutely superb. I ordered the Orange Blossom (sparkling wine, elderflower, orange bitters) and the date got Peach Basil Fizz (bourbon, peaches, basil, soda), but ended up switching drinks with the date partly because I ended up enjoying his drink more and partly because I kept teasing him of how masculine he looked with a champagne flute. For both drinks, they were subtle and delicious. The date also later got the Tradewind (rum, cucumber, ginger, lime) which was spicy and refreshing. With dimmer lights and a quieter crowd, the dining room is the elegant and intimate counterweight to the lively and casual tavern. The charming grace of the dining room is derived from its subtlety. Unlike the other famed colonial themed restaurant, One if By Land Two if By Sea, Gramercy Tavern doesn't capitalize on the antique decorations to a point of garishness. Rather, the restaurant decor is a tasteful balance of modern and colonial that serves as a visual representation of the restaurant's culinary philosophy. Simply stated, the dinner was absolutely amazing. Since both the date and I preferred the larger selection of options form the dinner menu than the tasting menus, we ended up getting the $82 dinner menus rather than the season tasting menu or the vegetarian tasting menu. For the first course, I ordered the veal cappelletti, and the date ordered the black tagliatelle. For the main course, I ordered the smoked lobster while my companion got the rack of pork and braised belly. With all the dishes, I was floored by how meticulously thought out and exquisitely prepared everything was. Though gracefully subtle, the flavors were by no means lacking. Each ingredient played off another so well to bring out the most in its flavor and texture. As for my veal cappelletti, the veal was so tender, I'd describe it as being soft as velvet. The pasta was cooked al dente and the sauce was light and really brought out the flavors of the veal. The lobster entree was, without any competition, the best lobster I've ever had. Tack on any appetizing adjective applicable to a crustacean dish, because the lobster here really was perfect. And the desserts! *swoon* I ordered the Grand Marnier Mascarpone Cheesecake (Gentlemen, let's get serious. Mascarpone cheesecake is a fail proof dessert on it's own, but if you add Grand Marnier into the mix, the end result is what I'd call [if I may be so lewd] the panty-dropper of sweets. Learn to make it.) while my date got the chocolate bread pudding. The cheesecake was phenomenal (soft, sweet, flavorful), and I really loved the brittle with which it came (crispy, crunchy, lasting caramelized sugar taste that reminds me of the white grandmother I imagined having). The only thing not orgasmic was the lemon-raspberry sorbet, which was just fine. I've never been a big fan of bread pudding so I didn't steal my date's food as I've been shamelessly doing all night (all in the name of research, I swear!), but the ice cream that came along was absolutely divine. Throughout the night, the service was impeccable. The servers were not only polite, knowledgeable, helpful, but they were also very well versed in the art of short polite conversations armed with rapid wit. Of course, not everything was perfect. The upholstery looks like those of a dentist from the 1990s. And I also found an eyelash in my dessert. But since I did get another dish with apologies, and since the ordeal was handled with commendable courtesy, I can't find much else to complain. Gramercy Tavern absolutely delivered. And seriously speaking, I can't be mad at my date. I mean, shoot, I'm fawning more over Gramercy Tavern than over him. Hell, I'm so in love with this place, if I ever make those silly "5 people I'm allowed to sleep with" list, I'm adding Gramercy Tavern onto the it. Right after Eric Bana.
(5)Tom C.
If you sit at the bar, you stare at a lot of bottles of red wines. If Mr. Meyer were that concerned about hospitality, he would not insult his customers by serving them warm red wine either by the glass or bottle. Storing red wine at the proper temperature is an elementary wine basic. Does not Mr. Meyer with all his years as a restauranteur not know this? Or does he not care and cynically avoid spending some money to properly store his wines? Either way the customer is doubly gypped by paying for warm wine and being bombarded with the message that this man care so much about their dining experience. The food is fine.
(2)Merlina R.
Absolute best dining experience of my life! I reserved a table to celebrate my anniversary and they were so wonderful. We were a bit early and we were asked to wait at the bar area, we were given delicious drinks and then taken to our table. Everyone seems to know who you are, making the night extra special, we were given complimentary champagne to start our meal with. The meal was absolutely fantastic, I started with the trout and my husband with the lobster pappardelle, then continued with the chicken and sausage dish and the flounder, all of which were perfect. My favorite part, the gorgeous desserts. We ordered the delicious chocolate banana slice and the cookie plate which came accompanied with a complimentary coconut cream cake with a beautiful "happy anniversary" written on it. The service, food, decor, all on point, completely perfect, the night could not have been any better! (AND we found free parking right across the street)
(5)M W.
This place fell flat for me. I made reservations and was waiting for a friend to arrive, notifying the hosts. I offered to sit at the bar in the meantime, but the three hosts behind the stand promptly ignored me. Hmm....a chance to monetize a customer's waiting time was ignored. Well done, hosts! Anyway, after my friend arrived, we were seated by a bubbly and nice server in a "bleh" dining room. I thought she would be the saving grace of our experience. Then I tasted the food. Mediocre beet salad and lamb entree along with a hair in my friend's soup (which was quickly replaced but not comped) all made me feel ripped off. On top of that, a green tea dessert that was not paired well with fruit and had a very strong matcha taste (despite being described as a "light green tea" flavor by our server) dampened the end of the less-than-stellar meal. The highlight of our experience was the cocktail selection. It was thoughtful and appetizing, for which I am granting this place +1 star.
(2)Joanne M.
Thank you Gramercy for the wonderful birthday experience. We ordered the tasting menu, and we were smitten with both the meat and veggie option. Service was the one of the best experiences I've had, attentive yet not crowding us. And that complimentary coconut birthday cake, so good!! Some of the dishes within the tasting menu could be improved (pasta & dessert courses), but overall I would recommend this restaurant.
(4)Marybelle P.
Came here with two other people on a random Saturday night and asked to be seated at either the tavern or the dining room... whichever was open first. To our surprise, there were cancellations to the dining room and we were seated in 20 minutes. There's quite a difference between the tavern and the dining room. The dining room is fancier and serves either 3 course pre-fixe for $92 or seasonal or vegetarian 7 course pre-fixed for $120 and $102, respectively. I had the seasonal menu and one person in the party had the vegetarian. For the most part, the food was great but there was a dish in each of the menus that was not spectacular - radish salad and squid ink spaghetti. My favorite was either the scallops or halibut. So fresh. Buy for the price we paid for 3 people, over $600, I would've thought I was eating somewhere else. Our service was also good. We put the servers on the spot, having them chose wine pairings that would go well with both vegetarian and seasonal options. Kudos to them for doing that. They just seemed a tad frazzled when trying to clear our plates and we weren't quite finished. I think I would like to try the tavern if I go back. Looking at the menu, the price point is worth it...a $48 four course meal and $20 beer pairing. The food is also off the grill and appeared to be delicious as well . Lastly, thanks for the free umbrellas! It was raining out and they gave us nice umbrellas!
(4)Lisa H.
Attentive service. Notice details and work hard to perfect the experience. Did tasting menu for a birthday gift. It was delicious and they through in a lot of things to fluff up the Neal that were both tasty and appreciated. I love it when a retsaurant meets its expectations. And an extra dessert was on the house ! Will definitely go back for an occasion. Truly special
(5)Jacinta H.
Came here for lunch on a weekday around 12:30 and was seated right away. I loved every single dish we had. It was perfect. We shared 2 appetizers and 1 main dish between 2 people. They also serve bread made in heaven while you wait for your food. We had: Tuna tartare (crazy good. They have their fish imported from somewhere that gets there in less than 10 hours) Porchetta flat bread (I think the bread is deep fried. Amazing texture and flavour) Arctic char (Every ingredient served a purpose. Very well thought out but simple at the same time) The atmosphere was very cozy and casual. The servers were very attentive.
(5)Brenda L.
Impeccable service and food! This place definitely deserves 5 stars and nothing less. My fiancé and I came here for our anniversary date and had a great experience. We even got a few extras, champagne, appetizer and even take home muffins for the next morning!
(5)Melissa F.
I've been here a few times now just because it comes so highly recommended. I wanted to provide a lower-ish review to provide perspective of this place. I've been on a few dates here, over the course of a few years. I have had both the prix fixe experience as well as just off the regular menu. Everytime I have been here the bill comes up above how much I pay rent per month. This is for a meal for 2 people. Let me start with some of the undeniable glamour: 1) The room is beautiful, classy, comfortable without being pretentious. 2) Service is gracious and incredibly helpful. For the most part sommeliers know their stuff and the menu recommendations are great- they aren't the type to recommend you something more expensive than what you are asking for just because they want to gouge you. 3) The experience is impeccable. It really is. You feel pampered. It's like the first rate spa of restaurants. What I take issue is with general value- and that is why I will never be a "fan" or give this place a 5 star rating. There is nothing particularly special about this place that you can't get at other places for much much cheaper. Yes, the experience is very nice- but nothing is so spectacular that it will have me coming back over and over again (except for the yelp rating, apparently!) It's a great one time experience, but I certainly would not be a repeat customer just because the value isn't there. I'm not the type to go to a pricey place just because it's pricey- even when not on my dime. Next date that suggests this place... I'll kindly steer them towards a more affordable restaurant.
(3)Joseph P.
I was very disappointed by the bar menu and price of drinks. $71.00 for a small slice of Squash Lasagna and 3 Sidecars. And the bartender had such an attitude, like he was doing me a favor by serving. I made a comment that I wasn't crazy about menu and things went downhill from there - the bartender never recovered. He actually recoiled when I simply said it was very heavily seafood influenced - which it is. Will not rush back.
(1)Julia E.
This has become the go-to celebration/birthday spot for my boyfriend and me. We sit in the front of house and get the ~$60 tasting menu plus drink pairing and it never fails to please or impress. I've eaten many a thing here I hadn't dared to before, including roasted oysters (smoky and not too weird!) and mussels (swimming in a divine lemongrass Thai-inspired broth). The service is always spot on, the drink pairings are great, and the food is phenomenal.
(5)Anne G.
Great food. Great atmosphere. Had the Concord Grape vodka cocktail. So good- I had another. The steak tartare was fabulous and so was the lamb our server was attentive and the service was impeccable. The dessert was excellent. At the end of the meal we were surprised with an additional selection of treats. After paying the bill we were given another treat- a cinnamon muffin which made a wonderful snack the next day. A wonderful experience. I will definitely return
(5)Mo S.
I used to go here more often. It's been 5 yrs since my last visit. The food has changed since the beginning from rustic American, under Tom Colicchio, to more farm to table, under Michael Anthony. It certainly hasn't affected the crowds which are still making this a tough reservation. Unfortunately, the dining room appears tired, and in desperate need of a facelift. The food, which is very solid....seems very dated, and need I say....boring. The service, which used to be a hallmark, has slipped.... perhaps the dining room is too big to keep the level of service this restaurant they used to exhibit.. The service isn't bad.....but there are huge lulls where no one shows up to your table, or finished plates sit for 15 minutes plus to be cleared.. No Foie Gras at NY's premiere American restaurant? No Pork Belly (bacon), despite the on line menu showing it was there. All the flavors are very subtle.. No big flavors.. Nothing bad...just nothing worthy of The buzz or the price.. Perhaps Danny Meyer needs to focus on his flagship, as his attention has been taken away by his new bar, or his burger franchise (great).. Perhaps Mr Anthony needs to be more populist.. Right now he competes with Blue Hill. He needs to compete with Jean George, EMP, and Ko. Not the same food, but More exciting, bold food. Fine Dining has evolved over the past 15 years.....but Gramercy has not.. I don't want this the place I go every 5 years for nostalgia......I want to go for great, consistent, food that is exciting and worth paying big bucks for. I think how Gotham Bar and Grill, which is a much easier reservation, produces a much more enticing menu with many fireworks and big flavors, at a cheaper price point. That said, the tavern room is a great place that I will gladly go for duck liver moose and a pork chop a few times a year.
(3)Monica C.
I've been to several michelin star restaurants in New York City, being a big foodie. I'd have to say of the top notch restaurants in NYC, this restaurant has the best service I have ever received. I tried the tasting menu which was great, but I wouldn't say the food was any better than the other michelin star restaurants in the area. However, the service was impeccable. The waiter was attentive, polite, and gave great recommendations. When water was accidentally spilled, he politely asked if it was ok for him to clean up the water, and set down a completely new tablecloth for us as to not take away from our dining experience. When an error was made with the order, he apologized and said "please, do you mind if I leave the wrong dish on the table in case it interests you while I bring out the correct order right away?" And I happily accepted and ate two appetizers, one of which was free! I recommend anyone who wishes to treat their significant other on a special night to come here. You won't be disappointed.
(4)J. B.
Superb experience! We went here for our anniversary dinner and it did not disappoint. The food was absolutely stunning and every bite was delicious. Every staff member we encountered was pleasant and attentive. We had the three course meal (I had the smoked trout, lamb loin & shoulder, rhubarb dessert and my husband had the pork bolognese, striped bass, pecan dessert). They even served us a complimentary glass of champagne to start the night and brought a coconut mini cake with Happy Anniversary wishes at the end. This restaurant works like a fine oiled machine and they've perfected quality fine dining! Best fine dining experience we've had yet!
(5)Valerie S.
Jeff C and I were in New York for vacation, and I wanted to treat him to a nice dinner for his birthday. I had another restaurant in mind, but was unable to get a last minute reservation. SO happy about that because we never would have ended up at Gramercy Tavern! We've been to stuffy, snooty Michelin restaurants before, but this place was definitely different.. and in such a wonderful way! The ambience was HOMEY & COMFORTABLE, yet ELEGANT at the same time. We ordered the seasonal tasting menu. Every course was as beautiful as it was delicious. The service was absolutely perfect. I'd say I've had one of the best dining experiences in my life here at Gramercy Tavern. I highly recommend! If I lived on the East coast, I would return again and again.
(5)Ben S.
First. The service was impeccable. Everyone is polite. It is generally hard to get a table or space at the bar. But we got one quickly. Lucky. We sat at the bar and shared our plates. The food was stellar. Eric the bartender was great and helped us with great suggestions. Fish croquettes and roasted oysters were fantastic. The lobster broth with grilled calamari was spot on. Corvina with golden rice was outstanding. Dessert was chocolate trifle... omg. And the assorted cookies with milk... wow. Be patient. Wait for a spot. Eat. And enjoy.
(5)Heather S.
Gramercy Tavern is as good as it gets. It's the best place to bring visitors, to grab drinks, have a casual lunch, do a more extensive dinner, or even just to enjoy desserts. I have nothing but great things to say about GT (not only because I know someone who works there). Their hospitality and food are beyond words. We have dined there many times and all of their fish dishes are excellent and many of their pasta and vegetable options are fresh and tasty. I ALWAYS save room for dessert and love that the menu (both savory and sweet) highlights the freshest foods of the season.
(5)Beret K.
The food smelled great and it looked lovely. It was packed. After waiting awkwardly at the bar for 30 min, with our bums literally in the folks food behind us, a few people got up and left the bar area. So we sat down. We were VERY rudely told there was a waiting list at the bar for seats. While I totally get waiting for a seat, hey news flash if your going to do things differently than the rest of New York then the hostess should have informed us, or you should likely put out a reserved sign when you drop the check, or at least be nice about it. When I ordered a second drink and went to pay for it I was given a bill for 60 bucks... And had to tell the bartender, 'no that was our last round, this is a single drink, we have already paid for that'. Crowded, rude, sloppy.
(3)Dan G.
Damn I'm on a hot streak! My anniversary celebration continued with another amazing meal, this time at Gramercy Tavern. And I thought we were pampered at Tru. The place is beautiful, decorated with paintings, copper sconces and wooden ceilings and floors. Our table was nicely spaced and easy to hear a conversation, which is a must in these big leagues. The menu had a few tasting options, and a prix fixe side. There was also an impressive wine and cocktail list. If bourbon is your thing, you will be pleased by the huuuuuuuuge selection that includes such hits as the Pappy 23 yr, Booker's, Blanton's and the Wild Turkey rare breed. Just a bottle of the Huia Pinot Noir for us, thanks. After ordering the first of many amuses arrived. I've forgotten what it was. But, it was very good. We opened with the Ruby Red Shrimp with Black Kale, Polenta and Salsa Verde and Warm Maine Crab with Egg Crêpe and Carrots. A very nice start to what would be a memorable meal. Our entrees were the Sea Bass with Spaghetti Squash, Walnuts and Sherry Sauce and Duck Breast with Sweet Potato and Sherry-Maple Endive. My wife loved the fish. The duck was incredible. There were moist red slices of the breast with crispy skin and a succulent confit of leg. So very good. We had a hard time deciding on desserts and this is where the impeccable service took it to another level. It seemed that our entire row of tables were couples celebrating anniversaries or birthdays. Our server picked up on our friendly chats with the other patrons and our indecisiveness on the dessert options. Before we know it, he had brought out all three of the items we were torn between and had "Happy Anniversary" across the bowl of one of them and a couple of glasses of champagne to compliment our table full of sinful goodness. Major points for that. We ended up with the Cherry Brown Butter Cake with Red Verjus Chocolate Chip Sherbet, the Warm Chocolate Bread Pudding with Cacao Nib Ice Cream, and the Kiwi Sorbet Sundae with Macadamia Cookie Crumbles and White Chocolate Sauce. All were excellent and very different. The complimentary champagne paired quite nicely, thanks. Then they brought over a few petit fours and even handed us a coconut caramel muffin on the way out. What a fantastic meal! One of the best we've had anywhere.
(5)Mike R.
The dining room at Gramercy Tavern has been a regular place for me and family to take guests. They seat parties of six well, the food is good, the menu sufficiently diverse and unassuming. Unfortunately, last time we went things weren't so great---they're uneven, not consistent. The atmosphere and service are still excellent, but I think we'll look for somewhere with better, more consistent food.
(3)Lindsay K.
How do you impress a girl on a first date? The Gramercy Tavern. Now all other first dates will lack. Sorry boys. We went through the entire wine list glass by glass... tasting and swirling and discussing the beautiful Alsacian white. The bartenders were top-notch, albeit a bit smug, but I suppose I would be snug if I had that sort of bartending job, too. The food was divine. The carrot and calamari salad was delicately tossed with an intriguing meyer lemon vinaigrette which smelled acidic with notes of wasabi. The corn soup was a rich, heavenly blend of sweet corn, cream and oyster mushrooms topped with smoky bacon shavings. This soup was so good I just want to bathe in it. That good. For our second course, we had the fontina stuffed meatball over a potato puree which was great. I wouldn't say it is the best meatball I have ever had, but I think that is due in part to the recent New York City meatball craze of 2006-2007. The pork chop was stunning. This was one of the most flavorful pieces of meat I have eaten this year. Plump and fork-tender, smoky, succulent and without a doubt meaty, this was plated on a warm zucchini and served with crisp haricot vert. It was perfection. Ugh. I am disgusted with how good this dish is. Men, have you been taking notes? Are you properly equipped with $250 and a lot of good jokes? Spare me of designer bags. I will forgo all the nice clothes in the world for a fantastic night of drinking and eating such glorious food. So the question remains: Will I go out on a second date with him? Well, that unfortunately depends less on the food and more on the chemistry.
(5)Britt X.
All I can add is that the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake with Frozen Milk is probably the best dessert I have had in my life. In fact, this dessert encouraged me to start Yelping because I loved it so much that I was taking pictures of it just to remind myself of the experience later. How do you do that with MILK! I mean, I used to work at a place called the Creamery, where we served everything having to do with Milk and Ice Cream, yet I have never encountered such a simple and delightful fluff of complete oral satisfaction. The drinks are great too, never forget about those. I tried the Applejack Rabbit and the Amarita -- both I highly recommend. The Cheese platters are also top notch. So are the matchbooks -- steal a few of these on your way out.
(4)Peter C.
Spring 2011 Tasting Menu What to go there for: the experience The first course is brought to the table. It is a fluke tartare shaped into a perfect circle dotted with fresh chives, juiced with splashes of citrus, and finish with a mint garnish. The fish is creamy, fatty counterbalanced by the bite and acidity of the chives and citrus. They don't overpower the tartare. The fish is still the main event. I can detect, ever so slightly, the freshness of the ocean waters permeating through the gossamer flesh. It's fresh. It's juicy. It's gone too quickly and I'm hungry for more. Next comes a carrot soup swirled with some lime yogurt garnished with some shaved baby carrots. Sweet spring carrots, the sour bite of lime, and the tartness of the yogurt come together in a marvelous harmony of balanced flavor under a smooth texture of puree'd soup. The shaved carrots add an additional texture of crunch. A hint of cumin makes a sudden appearance as the soup travels easily down the throat. The soup is warm and inviting and playful from the contrasting flavors. A long plate housing a trout fillet with a ciopollini onion and raspberry puree and pickled onions comes afterward. How could one imagine that trout and raspberry would pair well together? Apparently they do. Perfectly. If there ever was a zenith for umami it would be this. The warm bite of soft trout fillet; the pillowy softness of the puree; the sweet crunch of the pickled onions; a combination of sweet, salty, and savory literally melts in your mouth. The trout is cooked perfect - soft, buttery, rich, and moist in flavor. I can barely wait for the next bite but take time to savor this moment. Peace is further prolonged by another comforting dish: green garlic broth with rabbit dumplings. Cutting a dumpling in half and gathering some broth on my spoon I put it in my mouth. I am suddenly sitting in a warm sunny field overlooking the ocean on a summer afternoon in France, rabbit dumpling soup in hand. Usually comfort food takes you to places where you've been before; grandma's kitchen, picnic at a park, your favorite uncle's restaurant. This takes me to a totally unfamiliar place. And still it is comforting. The broth is light but rich in garlic and chicken flavor. The dumpling skins are not soggy but cooked at a perfect al dente. The meat is gamey but not pungent. I give my respect to the rabbit that gave its life for this moment. Comfort now has a new meaning. The final savory dish is a sirloin steak. The steak is perfectly cooked served with sweet potatoes, and spring squash. The steak is so soft that a fork will suffice in cutting them into bite sized pieces. The sauce is a light demiglace which isn't too heavy as though not a single drop of butter was used yet still rich in flavor. What could go wrong with meat and potatoes? This was exactly that; just at a heightened level. The meat is juicy, moist, made possible but soaking up the wonderful sauce. The potatoes, saturated by the sauce as well, go down like mashed potatoes. The squash brings a sense of completion by rounding out the flavors with its freshness and bitterness. By now my stomach has had its fill but there are two more desserts on their way. The first dessert is a tarragon meringue with orange sorbet. It is a palate cleanser; a precursor to the main explosion of sweet indulgence that is to come. The meringue is not sweet; it's refreshing. The freshness of the tarragon rids my mouth of any residue of steak, rabbit bits, or trout that would adulterate the flavors of sweetness. The coolness of the sorbet lightens my mouth and the citrus creates even more saliva. I am beginning to wonder if my taste buds have any more juice left after such explosive experiences of flavor. And now, the finale. It is like the final movement of Shostakovich's fourth symphony. Where do I get to the strength to muster through the finale after enduring hours of such intense yet joyous music? I suppose it is called a "finale" for a reason. I am presented with a banana chocolate cake with hazelnut crème. It doesn't sound impressive. It doesn't even look stunning. A bark colored wedge of moist cake layered with hardened chocolate sauce accompanied by a small pool of hazelnuts covered lavishly with crème. My fork slowly cuts through the tip of the cake. I gather a piece of hazelnut and dip the cake with a touch of crème. My taste buds are invigorated suddenly with a new found energy. The rich chocolate and sweet crème swirl together into the moist cake and suddenly there is an unexpected crunch as my teeth bite into the fragile banana brittle that is hidden between layers of guilty pleasure. There is final crunch of nutty sweetness thanks to the presence of hazelnut bits that were lingering in the side of my mouth. I close my eyes to try and understand why bananas, chocolate, and nuts go so well together. At this point, who cares? Who would have thought a simple chocolate banana cake could taste this goo
(5)Mog C.
Don't think I can say anything that hasn't already been said. Gramercy Tavern is a classic for a reason. It's not just a meal. It's an experience from the moment you walk in, get greeted warmly by the hostess and get seated. When the dishes start arriving, everything from service to the actual food could not be better planned/executed. I remember the peek toe crab as being just one of the most perfect combinations of sensations, the sweetness of the crab offset marvelously by the accompanying soup. The wine list is appropriate for an establishment of this stature. Bottles are opened as though they were long lost friends the sommelier is getting reaquainted with. And my favorite part is always the muffin you get sent home with. Some might find this too stuffy but this is the perfect place for that special dinner.
(5)Hannah L.
came here for my sisters birthday. i knew that this place is known as one of the best in all of NYC and was soooo excited to be here finally. also excited because this was a free meal (thanks daddy)! we sat next to henry winkler aka "the fonz", and reveled in the very upscale decor and very polite/professional wait staff. anyway, everything here is AMAZING. be prepared to drop cash though, as the menu is pre-fix 3 courses or family tasting style. i got a 3 course, and honestly the portions were perfect. and my pre dinner cocktail, HOP TO IT (Racer Five IPA, Stone Pine Liqueur, Gin, Lemon) was AWESOME. first course was the Chilled Zucchini Soup, and it was delish. i got it with okra instead of the oysters, as my parents are kosher style and did not want to offend! second course was the Sea Bass - Rainbow Swiss Chard, Pine Nuts and Sweet Onion Sauce. it was pretty perfect, melt in your mouth style. and lastly, dessert was the amaaaaaaaazing Warm Chocolate Bread Pudding with Cacao Nib Ice Cream. Gah. OMFG. this is my new favorite dessert in NY. wish i could have ate the whole thing. i'd also like to add that they serve SF's own blue bottle coffee, the best coffee i've ever had. the gramercy tavern sure knows their stuff.
(5)Claire C.
All of us self-respecting Yelpers living in Chelsea/Flatiron have heard of The Gramercy Tavern; known as one of the best restaurants in the City, this New American joint serves up quite delicious, albeit expensive food. The restaurant itself is huge, although don't think this guarantees you a table. Reservations are a must, especially on Friday/Saturday/Sunday night. I preferred the Summer menu to the current winter one but all of the food is still great!
(4)Michael H.
Don't get me started. Don't even get me started. (Name that quote.) Have been to GT a few times now, but only to the bar area, which is more my style. Much more casual, but with the great service, good drinks, and perfect food you'd expect from an institution like this. While I was upset to see that the filet had disappeared from the bar menu, the meatball that replaced it is inexplicably delicious. Cheese wrapped in meat served over potato deliciousness is hard not to like. Eat here immediately.
(5)Tom M.
Ate there tonight ... Great, again! Wine: Chablis, 1st Cru Les forets, Patrick Piuze. Wonderful. Trout, meltingly Delish. Halibut, perfect. All light as feathers. Perfect service; perfect restaurant!
(5)Alicia L.
I came here with my mom during a trip to NY after college graduation in June 2007. Because I'm writing this review one year after my actual meal, I can only sum up my experience with abstract descriptions left in my memory -- tasting menu, great flavors, interesting and tasty dishes, excellent customer service, comfy interior, Michael Chiklis at the next table. The cool thing is the night my mom and I ate here was the day Frank Bruni's 3-star review of Gramercy Tavern was published. It was awesome to see the whole kitchen staff partying and having fun. The owner, Danny Myer, even came by our table to say "hello" and ask about our meal. He later sent a card back to California thanking my mom and I for dining at Gramercy Tavern and congratulating me on graduating. Talk about customer service and a great memory! Now that I live in New York, I can't wait to return.
(5)serena l.
I went to the cafe side of Gramercy Tavern a week ago while on a visit to New York. I had heard AMAZING things about it ( of the it-is-the-best-restaurant-in-NY camp) so I was very excited to try it. Eh. We started off with some sparkling rose which was nice, but nothing special. My app was a grilled calamari which was actually quite delicious. My main was a gigantic cheese stuffed meatball - it was pretty tasty but nothing mind-blowing. The meat had the consistency of meatloaf - it had more of a puree'd texture than I'm used to. I had a taste of my dining companion's pork chops - I don't even remember it, probably because it was so-so. On a good note, the service was pretty good. Our water guy was on top of things. The decor was pretty kitchy though. More gaudy and old school than I expected. Maybe it's not my style. So all in all, my entire experience didn't quite live up to the fame of this place. Maybe the more formal side has better food?
(3)check p.
This is our second visit to Gramercy. First was at the bar on a sunday afternoon. Ambience was just terrific, because the bar is nicely connected to the table area in the bar (there's also a couple small tables and couches). And then there's the dining room. We ordered drinks and two appetizers, the octopus (perfectly charred) and sweetbreads (juicy and rich). Pear Tart for dessert (they offered a second plate with an extra scoop of gelato). Moderately priced for a fine leisurely winter afternoon. Last week we were there on a wintry afternoon, for lunch. We ordered the soup and sandwich, not on the menu as such, but what a deal. The sandwich was their ham and egg, and the soup was the cream of parsnip. I often order soup, and make a bunch, and this is among the top four I've ever had (Legal Sea Food's chowder is great, and there's a delicious french onion at cafe claude in SF), very smooth and creamy, but not overly starched or rich with cream, just real essence of parsnip. The sandwich was something else: great bread, house cured ham (not salty, just sweet enough), cheese, and a beautiful sunny side up egg right on top. It was open faced, so essentially you get two smaller open faced sandwiches. We also had the kielbasa, house made, with a really unusual sweet mustard sauce on top, and potatoes on the side. Each slice eaten with a bit of the bread was perfect. We finished off lunch with an apple pie ala mode (again extra plate with a scoop of ice cream), made with in season apples (waitress named off the apples, but I forget now). Since we held off on any coffee, the whole lunch was about forty dollars for two... excellent value. Eating like this is an inexpensive way to experience a really stylish, cozy, and professionally run restaurant. Even though we didn't spend alot, we weren't rushed at all by the staff, even thought he tavern was full, which was super professional. Oh, and eating in the couch area, was an unusual and appealing experience as well.
(5)Scott R.
The only time I am ever disappointed in Gramercy Tavern is when I don't plan ahead, just pop in and can't get a table. It is such a refreshing balance between fine and casual dinning. I always feel comfortable and welcomed like I'm in a friends place.
(4)Berkeley B.
This place is just amazing. My favorite restaurant. You can't go wrong. Dishes are incredible, atmosphere is very warm and inviting. Drinks are delectable. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Lu H.
The main dining room and the tavern room are two completely different experiences, both worthwhile in their own right. The dining room is formal and you will feel like royalty here. Semi-full disclosure (as full as I can get on Yelp): this is the only meal where an element was so good, it brought tears to my eyes. I cried over the carrot soup here. I'm not sure what that does for my Yelp credibility, but I will also say that I was a little buzzed on the free champagne provided. It was to celebrate a special occasion that was indeed made more special by an otherworldly soup. They will also replace, without question or fuss, any aspect of the tasting menu. The dishes are simple ingredients, I got the feeling they weren't trying too hard to impress with fancy ingredients. They were just executing good food, and doing it well. This is as much as I will say about the main dining room. That, and, if they mess up and give you and your dining partner the same dessert, they will more than make up for it by giving you both a serving of the second dessert on the house. As for the tavern room, definitely a fun place to stop by for a nicer meal in a bustling atmosphere. I think they changed their menu so that it's no longer $38 for three courses (a steal, it was like Restaurant Week prices but all the time). It's more expensive now but still a nice option for checking out Gramercy without going to the dining room. I haven't had a meal in the tavern that disappointed. Cocktails are also amazing here - finding a spot at the bar is what's tough. And Sour Cream ice cream? If you're going to get it anywhere, get it here.
(5)Bailey Z.
Ah-mazing. Do not mistake the tavern menu for being of any less quality than the dining room. It was one of the most complete and enjoyable meals I've had. The tasting menu at the time was themed around celebrating and pairings with craft beer. I opted for the a la carte menu, but they did accomodate my request to order the soup appetizer from the craft beer tasting menu. Let's recount my most memorable meal in NYC: Shrimp & mussels with carrots, quinoa and coconut broth - the depth of flavor was extraordinary. The broth was so creamy and blended so well with the seafood offering. Duck liver mousse, pickled vegetables and grilled bread - the duck liver had the perfect texture and flavor. I couldn't get enough of it on the grilled bread, and when I ran out of that, I spread it on the table side bread. Cobia, mushrooms, ramps and potato dumplings - the fish was cooked perfectly and the mushrooms gave it a pleasant earthy, yet salty contrast. The potato dumplings were perfectly light and airy. Arctic char, sunchokes, yellow eyed peas and lobster sauce - beautifully large flakes. This is how you cook fish. Everything on every plate was perfectly balanced. The 4 course tavern menu offering for $48 is more than reasonable. On top of that, service was great. Gramercy Tavern is a must visit for any foodie. I wouldn't hesitate to come back to try the dining room menu the next time I'm in New York.
(5)Michelle H.
Love this place! Went in the late afternoon with my cousin and sat at the bar. The bartender was really personable and funny. Super helpful with beer selection and made great recommendations! The duck liver mousse is to die for!
(5)Frances B.
For my boyfriend and me, it really doesn't get better than Gramercy Tavern. It doesn't have the glitz of Eleven Madison Park or Le Bernardin, but it is just as good. It's one of the things we like about it, it's a fine dining establishment that's a tad laid back. Meaning I don't have to wear heels, and my boyfriend doesn't have to wear a tie. Life is about the little things. We had the tasting menu at the advice of our server, and he did not steer us wrong. He advised us on wine as well, and it was all lovely. The menu constantly changes, so I can't tell you exactly what we had, but I know we want to come back once a season to try their new menu. Our experience was spectacular, can't recommend it enough.
(5)Deborah C.
Had lunch at the bar of the Tavern today. In spite of the long waiting list, Brooks, our bartender, kept everyone happy. When we finished a glass of wine standing at the front window, our spot at the bar opened up. Had one of my favorite burgers ever in a gorgeous setting. Our server was charming and listened to my worship of Nancy Fleming, the former pastry chef. At the end of our meal, she brought us two fabulous desserts on the house, saying they still put their dessert course on a par with any restaurant in NY. Can't wait to get back.
(5)Gwen G.
We had six people for dinner in dinning room and the waiter told us we can only order the same price prix fixe. So we ordered the tasting menu. The service there was very informative and food presentation was very nice for the qusai modern classic American theme, with early American furniture and paintings for decor. However we don't think we would prefer to go there again since the food didn't live up to the thousand bill. For the money many other restaurants exceed the experience but then again most people don't go to a restaurant like this for the quality of the meal but to be seen and heard.
(4)Cassandra P.
Did the seasonal tasting (not the vegetarian one) and it, as well as the service, was impeccable. I don't remember which bottle of red we ordered, but it was heavenly. And the Bulleit cocktail on their menu was superbly done as well. I can't say enough how great everything was. I'm mad I'm not there right now.
(5)Eva L.
Exceptional service and fantastic food. We waited about an hour for a table in the tavern after enjoying a glass of wine over at the bar. We were seated just as I had ordered a second glass of wine, but our server was able to cancel that to upgrade us to a bottle. I had the artic char which was fantastic, but my husband's order of kielbasa and spaetzle was even better. The desserts were fantastic. I only wish I had room to try what looked like an impressive cheese selection.
(5)Bill S.
Excellent restaurant, I recommend the bar area, its much more reasonable and has great food. Get the chicken!!
(5)Mirai S.
Another super famous upscale restaurant of NYC. The food (beef) was a bit too salty in my opinion, and the dessert was good but nothing spectacular. The service was top notch. 4 stars for the experience!
(4)Mark C.
One word: Masterpiece. Service was very professional, polite, and proactive. Had lunch, started with a winter salad which was so fresh and the dressing so subtle but the combination gave off a fantastically natural taste with a hint of sweet aftertaste. Amazing. I had the salmon for entree and again, it was very fresh, unlike any I have had before. The noticeable thing about this place is that it doesn't try too hard. In other words, other places might add 20 ingredients to a dish to make it more "sophisticated," this place might execute it in a much simpler fashion but achieve greater results. The desserts were great as well. Can't remember exactly what I had but I do remember my wife raving over them for a few weeks so it must have been great!
(5)Erin A.
I came here with my aunt on a Sunday afternoon. My favorite item was the duck liver on bread. We also ordered roasted vegetables that came with three sauces on the side. My aunt ordered the soup that came with the brussel sprouts and celery. It was very tasty and tasted healthy. The sea bass we ordered here was very tender and delicious. We had one order but the chef split it up into two plates so the presentation looked wonderful. For drinks we ordered a orange spritzee cocktail and I ordered a sweet white wine. Our favorite drink however was the ginger beer. The ginger beer was sweet carbonated I felt like a party in your mouth. My aunt ordered the Honduras French press coffee. The coffee was robust spicy sweet and tropical. For dessert we had the chocolate cake with almond ice cream on the side. I wasn't too big of a fan of the chocolate cake. I had maximum one bite and it didn't capture my attention. However, I loved the almond ice cream on the side. The service here was excellent. My aunt had an iPhone 5 she needed to charge and they had a plug so she didn't have to offer her plug to get her phone charged. Ambiance has an old New York flavor to it. We went during early December so we had a tree in the background and ornaments hanging from the ceiling. Having lunch here so cozy and comforting. We enjoyed our experience here and I can see myself bringing back visitors to this place.
(4)Jennifer S.
When I go to my happy place, I think about a ham sandwich I once had at the Gramercy Tavern. And I don't especially like ham. I ordered it because it was the lunch special. The meat was cured on the property, the bread made that morning down the street. It had an aioli and a chutney and lots of other ingredients, and the only way to describe it is that each bite was a party in my mouth. We went to the restaurant for lunch, and managed to spend more than $100 without dessert (too full, but I'm still longing for the treats I saw) and I count it as some of the best money I've ever spent. One of the top five meals of my life. My husband has since bought me a cookbook from the restaurant, and the recipes are supposed to be suitable for a home kitchen, but maybe not my kitchen. I fantasize about going back to New York and eating there again.
(5)Emily B.
Went there for a Saturday brunch. The cocktail was well presented and had interesting ingredients. The waiter was great at presenting the menu and drink selection and service was overall good. There was a short line so we waited out in the lobby until we were able to sit. I really dislike waiting for brunch, but the lobby and study were so nice I didn't mind at all. We grabbed coffees from the pastry/coffee counter in the restaurant and read out by the fire until our seats were ready. If only all of NYC was this gentile. The food was good with lots of fresh ingredients and had a healthy bent that I liked a lot. Overall would recommend for a high-brow, relaxing destination brunch.
(4)Felicia B.
Great service, great food, great ambiance. I would definitely put this restaurant on par with Gotham, the decor here is simply more... rustic? I had the beef carpaccio and squid ink spaghetti, both of which were fantastic. I wanted a Riesling on the sweeter side and the waiter picked something delightful for me. For dessert; stone fruit paired with their fabulous espresso. Gramercy Tavern will not disappoint!
(5)Gabby B.
This place is a pretty penny, and there is almost always a wait to get in. It's full of suits. The off-the-menu burger is what I am here to talk about really. It's wonderful. I sat at the bar with my cousin and we ordered the burgers. They run out of them toward the end of the day, and since we heard they were amazing we decided to get them. They were made perfectly, with oozing cheese and delicious bread. They also make their own ketchups so it was really good and went well with the fries. It was a surprisingly good portion too. Not microscopic like you'd expect in a place of this caliber. Good experience, the non-alcoholic "cocktails" were delicious and refreshing and the bartender that served us was a nice guy. However, I am pretty sure I wouldn't return unless someone was paying for me :) Def not a fan of how expensive it is.
(4)Diane S.
Going to Gramercy Tavern is like going home for a visit when I'm in NYC. It's been a perennial favorite for many years to the point where my husband and I often skip trying other NY spots opting instead to return to this place we know and love. Until my visit two weeks ago I had always taken my meals in the dining room, my husband usually opting for the regular tasting menu and me for the vegetable menu. What Gramercy Tavern does with vegetables is stunning and beautiful, enough to bring occasional tears to one's eyes. The kitchen at Gramercy is absolutely masterful at handling ingredients with a light touch, keeping them intact while elevating them to the finest things they can be. It is exactly the way of handling and approaching food that I look for and no one does it better. The dining rooms are comfortable, gracious and pretty in an eased and relaxed way. There is nothing stuffy about the spaces. They are enjoyable rooms to be in. The service is also comfortable, gracious, easy and I will add generous. Servers are gracious and friendly without being overly so. They are professional without being stuffy or aloof. The service is usually quite intuitive and one doesn't go into a course without beverage service for that course or silverware. Pacing has always been enjoyable, not rushed and not overly slow. The gracious hospitality found at Gramercy is what one hopes to find in all fine dining establishments but rarely does. This past visit I sat in the tavern area with friends. We ordered the daily menu/pre fixe. The cocktails, meal, wine and atmosphere were all most enjoyable. It was nice to see this favorite restaurant from another perspective. Our small group had some issues with the service that night. Not enough that we were going to say anything but enough that apparently when asked by a manager how everything was we hesitated enough for her to pick up that something was amiss. She delicately but deftly got the story from us and handled the issue in a most gracious manner. She took what was a minor blemish over the span of many visits (but one that would have been remembered) and turned it into an opportunity for her to show us the graciousness of Gramercy Tavern that we know and love and she did so without making us for one moment feel awkward about saying anything. I love the space of Gramercy Tavern, appreciate the impeccable and gracious service and adore the magic the kitchen makes. I marvel at each of those things every visit and also that it all comes at such a modest price. The a la carte and tasting menus represent what I think are incredible values, some of the best values in the city. Cocktails are prices as one would expect and the prices on the wine list are fair. Gramercy Tavern gives the experience you hope for in finer dining but don't often find. It is why we happily return again and again.
(5)Erik S.
I showed up on a December Thursday in the early evening with high hopes for some great food, and, knowing the popularity of Gramercy Tavern, high hopes that I could get a seat at the bar for some drinks and some dinner, at least at some point before the sun came back up. The friendly and accommodating bartender handed me a Stone IPA and took my name, saying he'd let me know when a bar seat was ready. 10 minutes later I was following that IPA up with a Cabernet, and in a bar spot with plenty of elbow room, as well as plenty of friendly counter-dining types. I was initially disappointed that there wasn't a steak for offer in the limited bar menu, but the magnificent pork chop sufficed very, very well. In between bites, talking with the bar neighbors about NYC around Xmas, etc., I glanced behind the bar... and what was THIS? Am I seeing part of a label of one of my favorite wines of all time winking at me from within the wine-by-the-glass zone? Holy hellfire shit... it's that Turley Zin. All is well.
(5)Candi D.
We didn't realize that they don't have a "traditional brunch" menu items, and my friend was initially disappointed. Kevin - who we think is the manager was kind enough to make sure that everyone's experience was wonderful - including my friend who was craving brunch. I live down the street and have always had great meals at Gramercy Tavern - and they didn't disappoint today :). Thank u for a great meal ...we hope u add eggs and sausage for Sunday lunch/brunch :)
(5)Lea A.
Had a wonderful meal here last month for an alternate valentine's day. My bf and I are both in the restaurant industry and had some of the best service from our server and bartender, Ivan. Was quoted a 45 min wait at the door, was sat at a table in 15 minutes if that. Flawless service and food, I honestly can't think of anything that needed improving upon. I wish I remembered the name of our excellent server!! He was so great with his food recommendations and was very attentive for our entire meal. The food was absolutely delicious, plated so beautifully and there was not one disappointing dish . It's totally apparent that you're in the hands of industry professionals from the bussers to the host, everything was excellent. No wonder it's been around for 20 years and still on a wait on a Tuesday night at 9pm.
(5)Lexi H.
I loved it! I was discouraged by the hotel concierge first to go there for my birthday, but I was determined to get a reservation! I loved it. Ambiance, food, staff was great! My friend and I even made friends with the couple next to us. Truly one of the best places in NYC.
(5)Naomi C.
Favorite restaurant in Manhattan - always a great experience at the bar! Food always excellent, desserts too. Host always so welcoming no matter what attire we in and that's so refreshing in NYC! It's our go-to place for special occasion, happen to be passing so let's treat ourselves and when somewhere else has disappointed, pop to the bar for wine and dessert! Can't recommend enough!
(5)Blake L.
Excellent experience and Food. After sitting down in a beautiful dining room, I was somewhat concerned by the $100+ per person meals and limited selection, but after some great explanations from our smooth waiter, we ordered the Seasonal Tasting menu. Let me tell you, this food is ridiculously good. Food taste and quality were excellent. Presentation was spot on and the service matched. Would highly recommend if you are looking to fancy it up while in NYC.
(5)Will C.
Gramercy Tavern is rated Michelin 1-Star. Its executive chef is Michael Anthony. To celebrate our anniversary, my lovely girlfriend was very much looking forward to dining here. Reservations are hard to come by here, and even the day of our dinner, we received a call from Gramercy Tavern to confirm that in fact, we were dining later that evening. As you walk through the bar, and then into the dining room, you're immediately thrust into a very warm environment full of various woods and divine smells. The 6-course seasonal menu is $120 The 3-course tasting menu is $92 She selected the 6-course seasonal menu, while I selected the 3-course tasting menu. The portions for each dish on the 3-course tasting menu are larger and more substantial than those of the 6-course seasonal menu. Here's what we ordered: 3-course tasting menu: Smoked Trout, Cipollini Purée and Pickled Onion Roasted Lamb, Sunchokes, Hen of the Woods Mushrooms and Spring Greens Strawberry, Green Tea Custard, Honey Crunch and Caramelized Brioche 6-course tasting menu: Arctic Char: New Potatoes, Spinach and Capers Lobster Salad: Asparagus, Spring Onion and Pickled Ramps Sea Scallops: Bok Choy, Green Garlic and Mushroom Broth Squid Ink Spaghetti: Grilled Calamari, Sesame and Sweet Peas Roasted Duck Breast & Thigh: Turnips, Almonds and Wheat Berries Apricot: Panna Cotta, Tapioca Pudding, Coconut and Thyme The service here is impeccable. Our waitress was knowledgeable, easy to accommodate to our needs, and on top of making sure our dining experience was befitting of this restaurant's 1 Michelin Star. To celebrate out anniversary, the staff gave us two glasses of complimentary Prosecco as well as a divine coconut and hazelnut cake for dessert. Unfortunately, we both thought the FREE coconut and hazelnut cake was the best dessert of the three. My only gripe was that given the high cost of the tasting menus, we were both disappointed that the food didn't blow our minds. While the dining experience remains excellent, and the food is very good, I do believe that this restaurant is a bit over-hyped.
(4)Erich D.
We opted for dining in the vibrant tavern area with a much more casual setting as opposed to the dining room. Different menus for both -- more inexpensive tasting menu in the tavern -- but it's also first come first served so you can expect to wait. Tasting Menu ($48) - fluke tartare - duck consommé with buckwheat dumplings and root vegetables - grilled and braised flat iron steak with sunchoke, quinoa and hazelnuts - lemon icebox pie with chocolate hazelnut crumbs I enjoyed all of the food thoroughly. Because we weren't too crazy about the lemon icebox pie upon reading the description, we asked if we could opt out and choose a dessert from the a la carte menu which they happily let us do. We ended up selecting the sticky toffee cake and pumpkin whoopie pies which were both delicious. Despite our reservations on the lemon icebox pie our server gave one to us anyway, gratis, because he thought it was a great dessert and that we really should try it. He was right, it was very good. Good food and friendly, topnotch service.
(4)Gaby F.
See and 'want to be seen' crowd is just too much hard work for a hefty price tag. Wait for 'cafe' table can be huge. Ultimately the food is decent but not worth the price tag and wait. I'm happy sticking to very good options available within 10 blocks. Plenty of tourists and folk in from burbs for a treat..I'll pass.
(2)Kiki P.
Gramercy Tavern is one of my top spots to dine at in Manhattan. Excellent value!! When I went to Gramercy Tavern, we ended up eating in the tavern because we could not get reservations in the restaurant. It ended up working out because I enjoyed the casual and laid back ambiance of the tavern much better than the restaurant. It's the best of both worlds...amazing food in a relaxing pub-like setting. If you are dining in the tavern, you MUST check out the 4 course tasting menu. I mean it's only $48...what a great deal for a Michelin Star restaurant in NYC. Even if you decide not to do the tasting, the prices are extremely reasonable. And the journey begins... First course: Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Goat Cheese, Pecans and Pickled Onions Second course: Chicken Sausage with Beans, Butternut Squash and Ramps Third course: Cobia, Mushrooms, Ramps and Potato Dumplings Fourth course: Chocolate Layer Cake Sour Cream Ice Cream I really enjoyed all of my meals. The food was fresh and well prepared. The dessert was the only part of my meal which was okay. The chocolate cake was nothing special. I wonder how the other desserts. Overall, I was really impressed with the value of this place. If you decide to dine here, I highly recommend the tavern because the prices in the restaurant are about double what you pay in the tavern...and the chef is the same. You are basically paying the extra bucks for better service and a formal dining room. Who needs that? I don't think I will visit Gramercy Tavern again soon only because there are a billion other restaurants in NYC that are also on my list. However if I lived in Manhattan, this would definitely be a repeat spot. I will certainly be back here at some point!
(4)Jeff S.
Service 4/5 - overall pretty good, nice waitstaff Food 2/5 - portions were small to reasonable and items certainly seemed perfectly fresh it's just that I can't recommend most of the dishes I sampled: Appetizers Flatbread, Braised Lamb, Pickled Peppers and Crispy Potatoes 3/5 -- bland, nothing memorable Raw & Roasted Root Vegetables 2/5 -- visually appealing though the dipping sauces were bland the actual vegetables weren't anything special Entrees Duck Confit, Broccoli, Emmer and Asian Pear 3/5 -- duck was well cooked and presented but had little flavor Cheese Kielbasa, Braised Red Cabbage and Pickled Yellow Eye Beans 3/5 -- bland, not very strongly seasoned or flavored at all Desserts Pear Betty, Cinnamon Bread Pudding, Blueberries and Madeira Ice Cream 2/5 -- bland, could not even taste any strawberries and barely any cinnamon Cheesecake 3.5/5 -- pretty good, very small portion though Perhaps my palette isn't sophisticated enough for this type of cuisine though my companions all agreed that the food wasn't sufficiently seasoned
(2)Jionglivia L.
Made a reservation at the dining room over the phone 28 days ahead at 10am. Phew.. Unlike some fine dine places, the environment is not too serious. It's nice and cozy. We had the seasonal tasting menu. Every dish is a wow. The taste was not too heavy and well balanced. The portions are not too large that make you feel too full after the full meal. Definitely worth going!
(5)Elizabeth N.
One of the greatest restaurants in New York City is Gramercy Tavern. We dined at The Tavern that offers the a la carte menu throughout the day during the weekend. Their dishes are all made from the grill and are delightful :) For appetizer, we ordered the fluke tartare is excellent and for the entrée we got the fish (arctic char and bass). Wine options are amazing :) Definitely too bad for those who need to be on a diet lolol
(4)Trish S.
It's my favorite restaurant... ever! Yes that's a bold statement but my goodness, the food here is amazing. If I were to compare it to say Daniel, I would say that both are just as tasty. Daniel would be much more formal and the service is top notch. Gramercy is much more relaxed compared to Daniel. I feel like you can talk and laugh with each other without holding back. The food is just out of this world. Simple, yet extremely fresh and the taste is just so bold and satisfying like nothing else you have ever had.
(5)Ryan L.
I stumbled upon Gramercy Tavern and decided to venture in. Yes, I stumbled into it. I was slightly intoxicated after a wine tasting followed up by a keg party at the Metropolitan Pavilion and decided to start walking to find a good place to dine. I'm a Jersey guy - I don't know much about NYC but remember hearing about this place. It lived up to any and all hype I've heard. The food was awesome and the wine list is sick! I don't know how this got a $$$$ rating - the menu had a ton of affordable meals!
(5)E R.
I came here a while ago for lunch. This is definitely a celeb hangout. I saw Debra Messing at 1 table and Michael Douglas at a different table. I had the lunch tasting. The first 3 courses were absolute perfection. Unfortunately the main course, which I believe was pork, fell short, as did the dessert which was some icy fruity thing. Before the dessert came out the waitress asked us if we wanted to order another dessert, which I found annoying because this is supposed to be a 5 course lunch that includes a dessert. It was as if she was warning us the dessert wouldn't be that good. Despite that, I would definitely recommend the lunch deal anyway, since the first few courses were amazing and they probably changed the menu around anyway.
(4)John S.
Pretty expensive, but worth it. Little bit of an older crowd, but worth it. I've only eaten in The tavern area with colleagues, so haven't tried the fixed dining room menu. The tavern is delicious, I had the cheese stuffed sausage. The bread is fantastic which is a hallmark of a good restaurant in my opinion. Place feels high end, but is affordable. Unbelievable cocktails too, great whiskey drinks. Great place for dinner with colleagues in the tavern or clients in the dining room.
(5)Niko X.
I'll need to come back for the tasting menu, but I did get the opportunity to dine in the tavern room during happy hour recently. The full menu was available, but given we had just arrived from LA hours before and had our one year old son in tow, we kept it casual and rather quick, so we went a la carte. First off, if you bring a child here be sure they are very, very well behaved. The staff gave us a bit of a look when we strolled my son in, but he being the charmer he is had them all smiling and coming by to talk to him by the end of the meal. The day we were there I chose a fennel based seafood stew that really hit the spot. Initially, I found the staff a bit formal and stuffy, but quickly realized I was suffering from LA - Manhattan culture shock. The fact that the staff seemed to enjoy my son's presence after feeling us out a bit, heavily influenced my attitude adjustment. I can't wait til our next NY trip when I take my wife here for a date night!
(5)Karmen P.
Great, rather amazingly prepared. Only thing i didn't enjoy much was the duck. It wasn't what i was expecting but it wasn't all that horrible. Service was a little slow at times, not what i would expect from a one star. Dessert was on point. In would still go back!
(4)James T.
Not only one of NY's best, but Gramercy Tavern ranks among the best culinary destinations in the country. They've been providing our great city with delectable American cuisine since 1994 in a beautiful, rustic setting. Chef Michael Anthony showcases only the freshest, most flavorful produce and protein from local farms and purveyors and thus changes the menu quite often. The restaurant is split between The Tavern and the Dining Room. The Tavern features an à la carte menu in a more casual setting, while The Dining Room offers prix-fix menus and tasting menus with an à la carte option only served during lunch.
(5)Ken S.
KenScale: 8.5/10 Gramercy Tavern is one of the most iconic American restaurants in New York City, a long-time Danny Meyer instittuion headed by chef Michael Anthony, who is one of the pioneers in farm-to-table, seasonal cooking that has defined New American cuisine for more than a decade. It also happened to one of the first restaurants that I visited during my time in New York, while I was still a summer intern with almost no experience in fine dining. Obviously, I was blown away by the sophistication of food coming out from the restaurant. How do I feel now after having visited over 200 restaurants in the city? Gramercy Tavern is still a great restaurant but, just like the way I felt for Jean-Georges, the wow factor has dissipated somewhat. I felt that way during a year-end dinner with friends a couple of years ago, but my recent visit for a weekday lunch (coincidentally, a work event) also confirmed my impression. My dining group went with seasonal lunch tasting menu, a relative bargain at $58 given that the tasting menu for dinner goes above $100 per head. The tasting menu started with snap pea salad with carrots, leeks and cucumber dressing (just light but otherwise plain little salad) and lobster salad with pole beans, snow peas and pickled ramps (this I really did like, with juicy lobster). Next came halibut with bok choy, green garlic and mushroom broth, which was very well executed with great balance of flavor and texture. Duck breast and thigh along with radishes, almonds and wheat berries that came next was also perfectly cooked. The dessert consisted of apricot with panna cotta, tapioca pudding, coconut and thyme. All of these dishes displayed the essence of farm-to-table New American cooking very well. Perhaps because I've been too spoiled by the culinary versatility of New York dining scene, but I wasn't blown away either. Don't get me wrong, I would totally bring a friend visiting from out of town to the restaurant to show a classic New American establishment. It's just that the food coming out of Gramercy Tavern had that been-there-done-that feel to me when I was constantly looking for either something truly unique or something classic that was flawlessly executed. The restaurant has a beautiful dining room that is very Manhattan. Getting a reservation can still be a challenge for dinner, but lunch time is relatively more manageable (apparently, they serve a highly acclaimed secret menu burger during lunch time only) and you can always try your luck in the tavern area, which is first-come-first-serve only. The restaurant has a huge selection of wine menu, so definitely try a glass or two. The atmosphere is definitely on the more gentler side with older crowd in suits and dresses (although there is no dress code), so I recommend the restaurant for a special occasion splurge. After my last visit to Gramercy Tavern, I kept wondering whether I am just too spoiled at this point, in my third year living in the city having been all sorts of restaurants. Maybe the problem is my taste; however, on an objective basis, I still think Gramercy Tavern is definitely a place worth visiting every once in a while if you want to have the New York-style fine dining experience.
(4)Anna N.
Yes, it is worth the hype and money!!! I made RSVP 28 days in advance, flew in from ATL, and I had an excellent experience. Exceptional service and food. The decor wasn't my style; the decor didn't seem to have a coherent theme, but that's not important. I had the 3 course menu. Everything was cooked to perfection. Smoked Trout, Cipollini Purée and Pickled Onions Roasted Lamb, Sunchokes, Hen of the Woods Mushrooms and Spring Greens Chocolate, Devil's Food Cake, Black Cardamom, Rum and Banana Ice Cream What I really liked about the experience was that the restaurant gives you bonus foods that aren't on the menu. Everybody loves surprises! What a great place. I can't wait to come back one day!
(5)Eric S.
A perfect Birthday dinner for my Girlfriend. The service, atmosphere and of course the food were all as expected, top notch. The wine selection was great, as was the drink selection. We went with the 3 course but the full tasting menu did look good. Only slight was the portions were small even for your normal fine dinning experience.
(5)Liam C.
Now, my meal was the daily prix-fixe meal. The cocktail I had (the Buzzworthy) was excellent, with a subtle flavor while packing a bit of heft. None of the dishes were bad, but oddly enough, the main course was the weakest link. The salad, appetizer and dessert were delicious though.
(4)Lawrence P.
Gramercy Tavern would be a regular of mine if it resided in my neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale. However, in New York? I don't think so. We were coming off a weekend in NY where we went to Per Se and ABC Kitchen and Le Bernardin and Eleven Madison and Marea. Gramercy Tavern just didn't measure up. We were given a round table (in the middle of the dining room) which I love as it promotes conversation. As a party of eight, you can imagine, we tried pretty much everything on the menu. The best in show finalists were the Seafood Bisque with the Oyster, the Smoked Trout, the Braised Lamb, and the Pork Loin & Belly. And the winner is... the pork loin. But there were many dishes that didn't get it done like the Sea Bass and that's my favorite fish. Service was perfect. Perfect!!! At one point our waiter came to tell us to lower our voices. I guess we were getting a bit loud why with a party of eight with a few Cubans, an Argentinean, and a girl from Iceland... what else did you expect? She, the waiter, was so nice. She said "look it's not us, we don't care and actually rather have enjoyed serving you and laughing with you but could you please lower your voices please"... Whether true or not, just perfect! In the end, we had a great 3 hour meal inside a very nice restaurant and drank lots of wine. We just didn't have a sensational meal.
(4)J T.
Always amazing service, traditionally trained staff and many of them so you are never without. Menu is clean, portion appropriate and local. The combinations are fresh and tasty! Love!
(5)Shing Yiing O.
I didn't know that they serve a special menu at the tavern with such a reasonable price.. I came here with my girl friend for my birthday celebration.. Thanks to her.. She waited 2 hours and surprised me by bringing me to gramercy tavern... Appetizer: - oysters - I swear that you can't get oysters that are as fresh as the ones here.. it's not too special.. but it was sooooo fresh that I might just finish a dozen of it by myself.. :p - DUCK LIVER MOUSSE - my friend told me I gotta try this.. in my mind.. "DUCK LIVER??? Errr.. whatever.. I will just try it once.. if i don't like it.. I will not eat it again.." the way I was thought to eat it was to spread it on a bread, with a few sour pickle (I think so).. OMG.. till today.. I am still craving for the duck liver mousse.. if yelp allowed me to give 10 stars.. I will.. we ran out of bread and I just dip it with the bread that the waiter brought me before they served the meal... we even asked for more bread.. I think I ate most of it.. Entree: - crispy duck - It reminds me of french food.. I always order duck confit when I was in a french restaurant.. maybe I am Asian and I always like the duck skin to be crispy and the meat to be soft and tender. just like how gramercy tavern has it.. I took a few bites of my friend's portion.. and I think I went back again and ask for more.. :p - pork chop - before I put in my order.. I was like.. err pork chop?? just some grill pork?? but well.. I guess I had too little faith.. Their pork chop was really different.. it was as huge as a "filet mignon".. I was bloated at the end of my meal.. the pork meat was so lean when I ate it... Mmmm... It has barley and apples with it.. which make it sweet, just like sweet honey and bbq sauce.. but not too sweet.. Desserts: - apple pie - apple pie wasn't that special.. but it was still good.. it's just like another apple pie you would get.. - chocolate pudding - I am bias because I love chocolate.. they even topped it with caramel pop corn.. DOUBLE FAVORITE.. so i definitely prefer chocolate pudding.. They have huge selection of wine.. I really enjoyed my time here.. I SWEAR I WILL BE BACK.. I just don't know when.. if I am feeling rich some time in the future.. I will go for their dining menu.. :D SERVICE.. EXCELLENT.. yea.. you will expect it even though you are sitting in the tavern.. they treated every customer just as right.. I remembered our bread was way to burnt.. they replaced it and even got us more.. FAVORITE RESTAURANT NOW!!
(5)Anita S.
Wow. To say what hasn't been said in the 1462 reviews before mine. I can just add that for someone eating gluten-free it's a slice of heaven. They had delicious corn muffins for the likes of me so I could enjoy the bread-butter-salt combo that starts every meal, and even brought out their special dessert made of almond flour that killed. We came with 5 of us and ordered off the left of the menu, which has the 2-dish prix fixe with multiple dishes to choose from. The smoked fish - trout for appetizer and arctic char for main - were heavenly.
(5)Cynthia S.
Gramercy Tavern is one of those legendary players in the New York restaurant scene, and I had heard SO much about it before I came. Perhaps that's why I was not as floored by the experience as some others. Don't get me wrong - all the food was solidly in the "very good" category and tasted very fresh, but nothing stood out to me as the most amazing or unique dish I had ever had. I guess when it comes to super hyped restaurants at this price point that is what I am expecting - for at least one of the dishes to be rave-worthy. Aside from the food, the restaurant is really beautiful, in an east coast kind of way. By that I mean there's a lot of darker wood and some modern touches, some large seasonal flowers and plants that are really pretty. I guess it's called a "tavern" but I was expecting something more modern. The service was also very nice, as you would expect. If you come here I don't doubt that you will enjoy the experience and the food, but I wouldn't place it at the very top of your list if the food, not the scene, is what you're going for.
(4)Jennifer W.
Four friends went for a special lunch. What an excellent decision!!! The service was perfect, not to 'hoovering' but attentive. The food - from the appetizers to the dessert were an adventure in taste. We can't wait to go back!
(5)Dhara S.
So for millions-ok thousands-ok! Hundreds of people in the city who have still not lost their "Veg"inity ;) ...it is always difficult to find an upscale restaurant that does fantastic tasting portions! I know the pain and I write on their behalf. This place nails it! Let me start with the food because that is undoubtedly the best part about this *legendary* establishment. I have lost count of the food courses that form a part of the tasting menu, but every course had just the right amount of "zing". I think a plate has five essential elements - presentation, flavors, freshness Of the ingredients, portion size and taste. All of these five elements are equally balanced in every dish at the Tavern. The wine list! Is pretty exhaustive! Period. The ambience and the way this place is done up is old school; it feels very warm and inviting without being pretentious. Dark wooden floor at any restaurant is always a brownie point! Having said that, I would have wished for the tables to be laid out a little far from each other. One would expect that from a Michelin starred place. The wait staff knows their food and service is very close to impeccable. However, the bar staff looks over worked (May be I am judging! Or it was because of the Friday evening) In any case, I had to wait for seven odd minutes just to be handed over the drinks menu!) Needs improvement - for sure. They say, people bond best over food :) and wine! So if you looking for a fantastic dining experience with one of your favorite people, you should definitely book a table at Gramercy Tavern. (Though remember to book a month in advance! Yes that's the time it takes. Thankfully for me, my friend booked it! And don't fret over loosening up the purse strings for once - because you will be handed a big fat cheque at the end).
(4)Cat L.
Had dinner here this past Saturday night to celebrate 1 year anniversary with my boyfriend. I made reservations here 30 days in advance, and surprisingly was very easy (compared to Eleven Madison Park). We were promptly seated and the waiter took a lot of care and notice for our anniversary, and felt very cared for. We selected one seasonal tasting menu and one vegetarian seasoning tasting menu, so that we can try all the dishes. As a meat eater girl, it was hard for me to not start eating from my boyfriend's plate.. the vegetable menu was good, but after tasting the seasonal menu.. I couldn't help to love it more. The seasonal menu is definitely something that appealed to my palette. It was fresh, tender, and creamy concoctions. He had the Arctic Char, Lobster Salad, Squid Ink, Duck Breast, and Scallops. The meat in every dish, especially the lobster, were extremely tender, cooked to perfection. I had the Cucumbers, Eggplant, Fried Green Tomato, Carrots, and the Gnocchi (very fresh)! The vegetable dishes were a lot more delicate and the combinations were very good. The waitress allowed us to select two different types of desserts from the regular dessert menu, because we would both receive the same for our tastings. That's so accommodating! We also received a free anniversary coconut cake, which was light and decadent. During the meal, the waitress had forgotten a cocktail we ordered in the beginning of the meal, and had comped the drink for us. After the courses were over, we got petit four chocolate desserts and Gramercy Tavern apple muffins to take home. All in all, great experience, lovely dinner, made it very intimate and special for us. The only thing I noticed was that, aside from our main waitress.. the other waitstaff, they're all so very stoic. No one smiled when they came over to bring the dishes or take our dishes away, it was sort of a poker-face robotic manner. So serious! Anyway, our waitress was more than sunshine and the experience overall exceeded my expectations. Would definitely return and try other seasonal menus. The price point of $100-$120 person is also extremely attractive for the quality of food and service you receive.
(5)John S.
Went to gramercy for dinner recently. I have been in there in the past but never wrote a review. They are the reason why I don't mind paying for an expensive meal. Everything from start to finish is done with perfection. Service excellent. Had the 6 course tasting menu- the food is so good -it is the best tasting menu I have ever had. Would love to go back soon. One favorites. I here they have a burger during lunch that I would like to try soon.
(5)Jen L.
Good experience! Came here for lunch for graduation. Tried tasting menu for the first time and really enjoyed the appetizers and main course. We had scallops, spinach pasta, attic char and duck confit. They were small portions as expected of a tasting menu and was super delicious. It was pretty light so definitely don't go there if you're super hungry or else it won't be that filling. The desserts were decent but nothing amazing. I'm deducting a star for that because I expected to be a little more full and desserts that would taste even better. Still, nice service and classic decor. I would be willing to try the tavern part some time!
(4)Malcolm K.
"The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world that he didn't exist." Danny Meyer is not a restaurateur; he's a master of the dark arts. There is no other rational explanation for the inevitable, often inexplicable experience that you'll have dining in one of his restaurants. This is particularly the case with Gramercy Tavern. No matter who you are, who you're with, where you're from, or what you're doing, the minute you step foot into Gramercy Tavern, you're Danny's. and he won't let go until you pry yourself back out of the doorway. Dining at Gramercy Tavern is like stepping into an early scene of "The Devil's Advocate", when everything is going just a little too right. Backwaiters just happen to enter the restroom seconds after you do, smiling warmly as they ask you quite unexpectedly, 'Is this your first time here, sir? We hope you come back to visit us." Bartenders at the perfectly-packed bar anticipate your arrival, guiding you to a seat that didn't appear to be there five minutes beforehand. Mysterious strangers who have been coming there for eternity charm their way into your conversations, no matter how determined you are to be left alone, and you'll eventually thank them for it. Have I mentioned the food? Try picturing the most fantastically roasted, tender sweetbreads you've ever had, delicately garnished with razor thin pear slices and bits of walnut. Try picturing an elegant fish filet doused in mushroom broth and bok choy, with a dusting of oats to boot. And try not to worry; because Gramercy Tavern won't let you. Gramercy Tavern will distract you at every turn. Gramercy Tavern will hypnotize you with its worn-in bar, its seasoned staff and its towering floral bouquets. Gramercy Tavern will force you to stare out of its dramatic windows; it will lure you into the trance of its veteran operation, and you won't stand a chance trying to find something wrong. Danny Meyer is determined to convince you that Gramercy Tavern is one of the best restaurants in New York. Maybe you'll find a way to prove him otherwise. I couldn't.
(5)Gloria L.
We chose the prix fixe tasting menu for brunch that day, and it was amazing! This place is definitely on the upper end in terms of pricing though, so keep that in mind when you decide to pay it a visit. However, it is very delicious and definitely deserves it's one Michelin star ranking. Do try out the tasting menu to get a good sense of what they have to offer. However, also note that it may not exactly fill you up since the portions are tiny.
(5)Elmerissa S.
My sister and I dined here last week when visiting NYC for a few days. The ambience is beautiful with its rustic decor. We had the 3 course meal in the dining room. We had the Beet Salad and Beef Tartare for the first course--both were perfect and light. For the second course, we had the Striped Bass and the Lamb, which I had medium well. I appreciated that the food server explained that they tend to do the lamb more on the rare side. But both of the main courses were to die for, melt in your mouth experience with all the flavors just bursting in your mouth! For dessert, we had the coconut something and I cannot remember the 2nd one! The food servers were attentive and we had our water filled several times and never had to look up to find someone. It seemed like they anticipated our needs. We loved the breakfast muffin they sent us home with--great touch! Definitely a memorable meal for our short get-away!
(5)Tofa S.
OVERPRICED! Everything is great but not the main - food. The food from 3 course menu (92$ per pers) was on the lowest level for such restaurant. The choice of main course is poor. You can see the beans ( taste like heinz actually) in every dish. Starters was not bad but after that a disaster became. I had a lamb loin (2 piec sized like baby's palm) with smelly cabbage like in USSR. Second party had a pork loin . It tasted like smoked turkey breast wich was cooked couple of days ago. Cocktails was 80% ice Desert? I think you can guess. The only plus its service.
(2)Amy P.
I've only ever dined in the "pub" section for lunch so I (sadly) cannot comment on the entire GT ambiance/ tasting menu experience, but the food here is A+. My dad works nearby and has dubbed this place his go-to lunch spot. How nice. One afternoon I had the pleasure of joining him- obviously my best lunch break ever. I found the sea bass to be a tad salty, but nevertheless it was cooked to perfection and the vegetables were a nice accompaniment. The wine didn't hurt matters either. Regarding the "pub" area, this atmosphere is more relaxed but the food served is the same great quality. Gramercy Tavern is an ideal lunch spot if you have a client that needs impressing. The space is open with high ceilings and is brightly lit with pleasant music playing softly in the background allowing for casual conversations to be had. The staff bend over backwards to accommodate your every need. I look forward to returning for dinner and trying their famed tasting menu!
(4)Bruce C.
We had the fixed course dinner and it was nice, but have to say, underwhelming. Space is gorgeous; it's a lovely setting, but food doesn't quite match. Not to say it was bad, just not particularly memorable. Next...
(4)Peter R.
I mulled this decision for some time. It's a tough one. I can only give Gramercy 4 stars vs 5 because of my drink pour at the end of the evening. It's my only complaint, but I think it warrants dinging them a star. My bourbon pour measured only about 3/4 of a finger (and it wasn't a wide glass). Like my Dad always says, two fingers is a drink. It's a little cheap to measure pours when you're forking over $15+ for one beverage (let alone what you pay for the meal!). This trend of measuring pours is getting out of control. Everything else was exceptional - the food, the service, ambiance, etc. Treat yourself to the tasting menu. Top notch. I'm looking forward to returning as soon as i can refill the piggy bank...but I'm sticking with wine next time.
(4)Dave L.
Dinner with friends in the main dining room is not an experience I will soon forget. Much has been said about Gramercy Tavern's excellent food, service and atmosphere, and on that night I found all of them to be true. The makings of a top restaurant is not just the quality of the food but how they deliver it and how you enjoy the dining experience, and this is where GT truly excels. The service was highly attentive and extremely competent--down to the choreography of bringing the courses to the table--but not overbearing. The atmosphere was subdued but anything but stuffy. We had the three course menu, which was accentuated by an amuse bouche, palate cleanser, and petit fours at the start, middle and end of the meal. It's a lot of food but each course was light and we left with full but not heavy stomachs. It's almost impossible to get dinner reservations here without an "in" but I would gladly come back and plunk down my hard earned cash for a special occasion.
(5)James C.
The Gramercy Tavern is a great place to eat. We were lucky to snag an open table in the bar area on a Wednesday night, reservations are highly recommended. The bar was full as well as the dining room. The service was very good, offering drinks just as we sat down. Several people inquired upon us throughout the evening. The menu is short but the food is delicious. I had the pork chop, thick and juicy prepared in the open kitchen next to our table. The only drawback was when we didn't order a second round of pricey drinks instead of the dessert menu we received out check. So we went somewhere else for dessert. Dinner for two with one round of drinks and tip came to $100. Plan on spending some money if you are there with several people getting drinks, apps, meals and desserts.
(4)Jennifer H.
Gramercy was the one place that I had to go to on our NYC visit. It did not disappoint. Elegant and well designed space. Impeccable service. My husband and I had the veg and meat tasting menus respectively. They were outstanding. So inventive and delicious- even ingredients I normally don't like won me over. Great cocktails and wine list. Desert was the only let down- nor on par with quality of rest of meal. Definitely pricey ($400 for two) but worth it. Lives up to the hype, try it.
(5)G L.
The lamb was perfectly cooked and the lobster pappardelle was delicious. Service was fantastic. For dessert get the pear custard for sure. The hot chocolate is insanely thick and is def a dessert in and of itself. I was much less impressed with the black bass and chocolate and banana dessert.
(4)Nanye E.
Had dinner here for my fiance's birthday, and they went above and beyond. They brought her a special cake and the wait staff wished her a happy birthday every opportunity they got. Outside of the amazing service, the food did not dissapoint. We went with the tasting menu, and the portions are perfect. You're not full or apologetic of your calorie count until you're done with the dessert course. It's a science, and these people have it down. Great vibe for special and romantic occassions.
(5)Cisco L.
Very fancy schmancy :) great place to take someone on a serious date. Had the 3 course pre-fix dinner. Lobster pasta starter was great as was the main lamb shoulder dish. Dessert of egg nog rolls was also good. Only thing that dropped the 4 stars to 3.5 (I rounded up): - atmosphere is very uppity which wife and I enjoy most of times but that doesn't mean we like snotty and cold. The service felt too... industrial or cold. Too uppity maybe? Wait staff never excused themselves when interrupting conversation and hardly smiled. - perhaps needed to sit downstairs cos the atmosphere upstairs felt less inviting. - not a place to be free and a little boisterous. But then again maybe the wife and I are simply drunken louts haha Conclusion - very classy place have to try it if you haven't. Food is great. If you hit the right night with great wait staff and more lively guests it could turn things around and hit the 4 stars easily. I'll give this place another shot with a group.
(4)Martin L.
Although i've heard the name thrown away, nothing really inspired me to go before. I'm glad to say that i was pleasantly surprised and thankful my friend gave me the chance. The environment is cozy. It's a decent size restaurant and they manage to fit plenty of tables in there. This means plenty of staffs too for service, which were busy but friendly and helpful. You have the option of 2 5-course seasonal menu (regular or vegetarian) or some al la carte items (or what was referred to as 2 + dessert). The price isn't all that different and i'm sure most would opt for one of the seasonal menu. Also, i believe the menu change routinely, if not daily. For the food, I was expecting it more to be a traditional American style but most of the dishes tasted of Asian influence to me. But everything was delicious and super flavorful, especially to my asian palate. We had a 2 fish and a lobster course, finishing off with duck. I couldn't have picked a better menu for myself. Everything was cooked just right, I'm not sure how they manage to pack so much flavors in fish. It's pretty simple when is on the plate, although judging from the taste i'm sure it's more than meets the eye. The dessert was a preset from the seasonal menu but the waitress said that we could switch it with something else on the dessert menu if we want. This is a nice touch since we had a table of 5 and all would've had the same dessert. Everything was great. I cannot think of any downers. This is American cuisine done right.
(5)Vanni P.
There is no way you can beat Gramercy Tavern's bang for the buck. Haute cuisine at ridiculously low prices? Abso-you better your knickers-lutely. Superb service, exceptional wine list... And it's walk-ins only! Which means no booking 3 months in advance (and selling your car to afford dinner). No honestly, we each had a cocktail, split 1 bottle of wine ($90), and had appetizer, entree, dessert, and limoncello. All for $120 a person. Try Tocqueville: easily over $200. And the food is delightful, complex, but made with exceptionally fresh seasonal ingredients. Win.
(5)Mel R.
I was in the tavern not the restaurant for Saturday lunch. Surprisingly it was not packed however in winter I could imagine this as a go to place. I had the best seat in the house by the window on the couch. The menu is season I had the chicken dish which was divine. My friend had the spinach lasagne, which she thoroughly enjoyed. To top it off we both had a strawberry crumble. I would go back for the crumble it was amazing! Can't wait until winter this venue will make me feel cosy! Great serving size, such fresh ingredients and not a bad price.
(5)Izaak M.
Went to the bar and had the tasting+beer pairing menu a few years back. One of the best dinners I've ever had. This place is really something special.
(5)Lawrence Y.
We made a reservation a few weeks out for the dinner tasting menu. I must say the service and quality of the food was superb. I personally thought the décor was very elegant with the high ceiling. We got there around 7:50 (20 minutes late) for our reservation and they still held the seat for us (granted we called ahead telling them we were stuck in traffic). Surprisingly the food was very filling and we spent a good 2 hours there. Would certainly try a different seasonal tasting menu in the near future. Appetizers: A shot of carrot mixed juice, Arctic Char, Lobster Salad. Entrée: Sea Scallops (tasted a bit Asian cooking style), Squid Ink Spaghetti (very flavorful); Roasted Duck Breast & Thigh (very juicy and not dry). Dessert: Apricot Tapioca Pudding (was not too sweet but the tapioca was heavy). I couldn't finish the dessert and they offered to give us some cookies to-go along with 2 home baked muffins which were really good the next day. Give it a try.
(5)Angel C.
Lunchtime at GT is a veritable celebrity hotspot (Tory Burch sat at the table next to us) with a very casual cool kids in the cafeteria vibe. We were feeling adventurous so I went with the mushroom custard with sea urchin to start and the chicken with apples and kohlrabi with a glass of the reisling. My fiance had the potato and parsnip soup and arctic char with a glass of the Oregon Gewurztraminer. Mine was refreshing and unlike anything I'd had before - precisely what I was going for, and the chicken was the moistest fowl I've ever had the pleasure of consuming. Then I had the kohlrabi and I realized I could have that for days given its astonishing depth of flavor. My fiance also was enchanted with the cold/hot preparation of char and with his Russian soul, felt at home with the starter soup. The trio of sorbet was a miss - concord grape, pear, and peach - paired with complimentary chocolates and macarons. Too bad it ended on a misguided note, but the majority of the meal was just stellar. Service could have been warmer too but it was not a dealbreaker.
(4)Aaron S.
I've been hearing great things about this place for years. I was excited to finally check it out this past Saturday. We ordered a couple cocktails, 2 appetizers, we each got our own meal, and we shared a desert. The cocktails were great and the dessert was pretty damn good, but everything else was average. It was extremely disappointing. It's not that it was bad, it just wasn't anything beyond mediocre. I've had better food in the Suburbs. Definitely not one of NYCs best or even one of NYCs better restaurants. I wouldn't advise wasting your time and money at this place. There are hundreds of places better than this in NYC.
(2)Justin H.
I work nearby, so I go to Gramercy Tavern occasionally for the bar lunch and recently had the opportunity to try the tasting menu for my birthday with my wonderful girlfriend. This review is for... both. Lunch in the bar first: getting lunch at GT is one of the best things about working in flatiron. You can get a delicious, reasonably priced sit-down lunch and come out feeling content in almost every way. The atmosphere is casual, the service good, and the soup/sandwich special combo and burger are very good and delicious deals (if you don't get a drink, you can get out for ~$20). I highly recommend it. Now, dinner in the main dining room: this is the Michelin-starred part of the restaurant, and for good reason. Sure, every dish we received was delicious and interesting, but what really makes a fine restaurant (for me, anyway) is the service. Our waiter was always attentive and available, and did his utmost to make sure we were comfortable; water was magically refilled; dishes presented quickly and in a well-timed manner; questions or concerns immediately addressed; free birthday cake (mmm); and a muffin for the following morning. Basically just nice touches that made you feel comfortable and not have to worry about anything - you were just there to be with your dining partner(s). That's what makes it. I highly recommend either section for anyone.
(5)zi x.
This is the place where I can enjoy amazing food, amazing service and the same time I can feel so comfortable so that I don't need to worry if I am dressed up enough or if I am out of place. Simply nobody cares and you will still get the same best treatment as anybody else. I really appreciate this kind of down to earth feeling that is hard to find in new york city. The food was really flavorful. I can feel that chef really put a lot of effort to make sure the taste priority and not just good presentations. I had the three courses prefix, but after that, I still felt that I wanted to taste more dishes because I enjoyed the food so much I wanted to explore more although I was pretty full. ( from another side you can see that I really loved my dishes). The server told me I can choose anything I Iike on the prefix or tasting menu. That was very nice, very flexible to customer. So all the dishes I had: Smoked trout, very well made, simple, clean, but has very delicate flavor, the garnish went very well with the fish, complemented the fish very well. Flounder, pretty much the best flounder I have ever had. The fish was cooked perfectly, I love the combination of squash and brussels spouts, which brought a little bit sweetness and freshness to the dish and same time enhanced the flavor of the fish without overpowering. Chestnut creme brulee, anyway, l love the chestnut, so I may be biased on this dish. Duck breast ( extra dish I ordered) was so tasty, it was a little bit more complicated compared to other dishes, but I was so surprised that how bacon, mushroom, and hazelnuts went well with each other so perfectly. I almost forgot that I was eating duck because the dish as whole had this robust flavor, I even didn't know where this flavor came from, the duck, the bacon, or the hazelnut, or the combination of all? I absolute loved this dish. The service was truly amazing. The servers were very helpful, very friendly, very attentive. They were very professional but din't give you any stuffy feeling. At the end they gave me some granola to bring home( normally would be a cake but they realized that I didn't like dairy)
(5)Cathy W.
I have never been to a place that had excellent dinner and mouth-watering dessert. Not to mention a lovely atmosphere and great customer service. Felt like royalty. Make a trip here!!!!
(4)Michael T.
Absolutely outstanding!!!! The service was excellent, our waiter "Steven" was engaging and thoughtful, and the food was superb. Equally impressive, was the demonstration of service excellence by Manny, a waiter, who proactively avoided guests from tripping over the coat tail of a man dining with his coat hung on the back of his chair. It was good to see that the staff were concerned about the entire dining experience.
(5)Dan O.
If there was ever a restaurant that defines New York City Dining- GT has to be it, or at least in the conversation. Not going to bore you with a detailed review- I would just be telling you something everyone else have said before - it is in every sense of the word- a great dining restaurant. The food is executed well- the service is impeccable and the overall ambiance is warm- if there is a complaint- well- it is pricey. Have eaten here several times and it has changed from Colicchio to Schaefer and of course Michael Anthony-but it never disappointed.
(5)Kathleen H.
Simply phenomenal from the moment you walk in until the last lingering minute when you finally leave. The bar/tavern area can be very crowded, but somehow the bartenders manage to spot you right away and a well-made drink will be in your hand in no time. Don't want to stand around the bar? You can find a spot to stand anywhere in the general tavern area and the host will still find you when your table is ready. The dining room is large and appropriately lit, buzzing but not too loud, busy but still intimate. It has a very casual feel that makes you instantly feel comfortable and welcomed. The menu includes two tasting menus (one is vegetarian) or you can do a three course and choose from some impressive options. I am not a vegetarian, but I went for the vegetable tasting menu and thoroughly enjoyed every dish. Each was truly vegetable-focused- with seasonal tomatoes, summer squash, beans, carrots, eggplant, beets... all beautifully presented and combined with wonderful flavors and textures. It's a 5-star experience, notably because of the seamless service. I think no less than 6 different people interacted with us in some way, and everyone has impeccable timing and solid professionalism.
(5)Lydia H.
Absolutely the best meal my bf and I have ever had! We got the seasonal tasting menu.
(5)H P.
Gramercy blows Le Bernardin out of the water! We were so much more impressed by this place over LB. We had the chefs tasting menu. The food was to die for, some of the best we have ever had. The atmosphere was fantastic and comfortable. Not pretentious at all. Staff was fantastic. I have never had a hostess work so hard to seat us even though we didn't have a reservation. Thank you for finding us a spot! If you want creative, delicious, food full of amazing flavor this is the place to go.
(5)Rebecca L.
This is for a Lunch review. Service and food were stellar. I've rarely been to a restaurant that's truly lived up to it's hype. The food made me feel like I was a judge on Top Chef, (when you just want to reach into your TV to get a small taste of the amazing food creations). 5 course Lunch tasting menu ($58): Lobster salad, one of my favorites. It looks like a dessert, but tastes nothing like what it looks like. The combined layers create an explosion of flavors in your mouth, with huge fresh chunks of lobster. Sea Scallops, GET IT! Although it only came with 1 scallop, you can really taste and appreciate each individual ingredient. The sauce was so good, I was tempted to lick the dish afterwards. Halibut. Fish was flaky, soft, and moist, but lacking in flavor. Roasted Pork Loins, melts in your mouth. Blood Orange dessert, I'm not much of a dessert person but this was pretty good. Not too sweet. Tastes like a bitter orange popsicle. Mushroom Custard salad (lunch first course): DEF get this, one of my favorites! The sauce is amazing, wished I could've licked the plate. Char (lunch second course): the best dish of the night! I don't usually like char because the fish usually comes overcooked, but this one just melts in your mouth. The glazed nuts on top and bedded spinach below compliments the fish nicely. Tip: Ask for the baguette flat bread instead of the rolls.
(5)Eric W.
Had dinner here for the first time in a few years. Happy to say they have not slipped even a little bit, which explains why they are as crowded as ever. Even have a wait list for the bar, which is not particularly amusing if you want to have a drink while you wait for your table; and you will. The bar is now part of the Restuarant as most people are eating dinner at the bar. Better pre game if you want a cocktail and a place to sit. Started with a simple kale and ancient grain salad. Healthy, I know, but still tasty and obviously fresh. Then had the sea bass with a peanut curry sauce. Not spicy but added a really nice and unusual flavor to the fish. Excellent bottle of White Burgundy, not too badly marked up, an excellent chocolate thing, really good for dessert and good to go. A little poorer but well worth it.
(5)Michael J.
I am a native new yorker and have been living in Manhattan for the last 10 yrs, this is the best restaurant in NYC. Amazing food, amazing staff and amazing ambiance. Go for lunch sit at the bar order the soup and sandwich its always amazing, ask for the soup first then the sandwich will come with a side salad ... satisfaction guaranteed. If you are unaware of the aforementioned you are welcome.
(5)Namrata A.
Why I decided to go to Gramercy Tavern: I absolutely believe in Yelp and its reviews. I've been yelping for YEARS - 2007 to be specific. So when I always see Gramercy Tavern appear on the top ten of all time NYC restaurants, I figured it must be hands down great and I must save it for a special occasion. My boyfriend turned 30 and I took him here this past Wednesday. We were both very excited. He got the $120 tasting menu and I picked the $102 vegetable tasting menu. His remarks were simple: 2 out of the 5 dishes were good (lobster salad and duck breast). Mine were as follows.... so brace yourself: yes, I'm a vegetarian but this tasting menu should be called "bland vegetables aka peas tasting menu" as I had a lot of peas and for paying $102, I cringed. This was the worst decision as I did not think any of my options were hitting home - at least the shiitake lasagna was fine, but again, is this worth this hype? No way. The desserts just became abundant with special chocolates and a take home muffin for breakfast. I just walked away dropped about $400 (including a bottle of wine that was $70) and felt really upset. To be honest, I felt outraged that this is where I took him. Mind you, the 2 stars is for service, but I just felt very taken advantage of by Danny Meyers and his hospitality group. If food is that expensive, I wish it had taste and creativity. I ate bland vegetables that could have cost me $10, let alone $102. Please avoid at all costs.
(2)Amanda N.
I got the lunch summer tasting menu at Gramercy Tavern and was thoroughly impressed! I made a reservation a week before on Open Table for lunch. As a single diner, it wasn't difficult to book, and the dining room seems less crowded for lunch. Service was pretty good - friendly and attentive. The dining room is a more formal atmosphere - they request business casual attire - while the tavern area seems more relaxed. The prices at lunch are beyond reasonable, and I really recommend coming here for lunch if you want to try Gramercy Tavern but are on a budget (using the term "budget" loosely, of course =P). Ordering a la carte is definitely a lot cheaper, but even the tasting menu is a good deal. You get tons of food - I had an amuse bouche, four courses, plus cheese, dessert, and petite fours. It was a ton of food, especially for lunch, and I was stuffed. Definitely worth the $60 in my opinion, both in terms of quality and quantity. On to the food! I really loved every single one of my dishes at Gramercy Tavern. Top notch ingredients and execution all around. The tasting menu consisted of: -Amuse bouche: some sort of corn custard. -Arctic char with spinach, ramps, and radish -Ruby red shrimp with tasso, corn, and peppers -Red snapper with zucchini, black olives, and lobster sauce (came with a few pieces of lobster as well!) -Pork loin with pork belly -Ricotta & raspberries -Strawberries & chocolate ice cream -Petit fours I loved how all the accompanying sides and garnishes were so meticulously prepared in every dish. The ingredients were all fresh and the flavors came together quite perfectly. My favorite was probably the shrimp, surprisingly. I have never been that crazy about shrimp, but Gramercy Tavern gave me a new found appreciation for the ingredient. It was very clean and refreshing. I also enjoyed the red snapper a lot - quite unexpected, since I am not a huge fan of fish either. I already knew I would enjoy the pork loin dish, but I especially loved the mix of textures with the fatty pork belly and emulsified pork skin atop the pork loin. The dessert dishes were great as well, though I was quite stuffed by the time I got to them. The ricotta was probably my favorite. My meal at Gramercy Tavern was absolutely memorable and I am glad I got to try the summer tasting menu for lunch. The service is great, prices are reasonable, and the tasting menu is well thought-out, delicious, and well-executed. I definitely plan to return soon, hopefully for the dinner tasting menu & to try out the tavern as well.
(5)Liana J.
We got the first course and second course. The beef carpaccio was delicious and the pork bolognese was really yummy - nicely cooked pasta with tasty sauce. The complimentary bread was nice, soft fluffy center. Chicken had crispy skin and was also tender. Lamb was cooked really well. I liked the puree that came with it. Amuse Bouche was really nice too. Dessert was also tasty. The complimentary desserts...like little chocolate truffles were velvety. We appreciated it. Gave us to go muffins as well which were tasty.
(4)Azita K.
Very inviting staff. The hostess very friendly and down to earth. They do not send you away if you don't have reservation. Although the food portions are small it is one of the best meals you will ever have. I like the front of the tavern that takes people without the reservation better than the back. The décor is more modern and new and the food is better. Love the place
(5)Julio C.
A bit pricey, But well worth the experience!
(5)S K.
This review is based on dining back in Feb 2014, mostly due to the poor service of our table captain. My past visits at Gramercy Tavern had mostly ups. Usually the food is over the top excellent, rarely at times too salty or saucy. But the last visit we had made few weeks before was great, so when we had to find a quiet place for an important dinner, we decided to go for Gramercy Tavern. And this is how our evening went down. Our table captain (or head waiter), came to explain the menu and he was speaking very fast so I asked him whether he could slow down a bit as our guests do not speak English very well. Then he responded with some words, like should I even speak or bother reading or something along those lines. I was shocked and thought I must have misheard his joke. Anyway, this continued throughout the night. Our guests had brought a couple bottles of wine as a gift to the guests and when we asked our head waiter to serve them, he gave the expression that he was annoyed. I can understand, but expressly showing was just classless. Our guests had flown and brought the wine in the bubble bag which one of the guests quietly asked whether he could return it, instead of quietly responding, he interrupted the conversation and made a loud statement to the whole table that why we would want it back, when we can easily buy this elsewhere (with laughter making it sound like a joke but no one at the table was laughing). Then continued interruptions throughout this serious dinner. Other guests also commented what was wrong with our head waiter. I was very angry and upset, at a point I wanted to call the general manager and ask to change our server. I had to sit through - several additional interruptions without excuse me or pardon me while the guests were speaking, again instead of asking one person whether the different vintage wine can be poured in same glass or not, announcing to everyone on the table. He seemed very comfortable being crudely casual with guests and now, writing this review makes me furious once again thinking of that evening. I don't even remember what the food tasted like. Our guests were clearly annoyed and we left as soon as the dessert was served. I apologized to everyone after the dinner for the poor service and selection of the restaurant. That's how bad and obvious it was. To be fair to the restaurant, I had not received this level of service before at Gramercy. But will I ever host an important meeting or dinner at this restaurant? Probably not. And if Gramercy Tavern reads this review, it is too bad that you have a staff like this working at your restaurant. We were party of 6 in the right-center of the main room on a Monday evening. If this helps, you could provide a better training opportunity for this person.
(1)Micahel T.
Had heard a lot about Gramercy Tavern for years so decided to dive in on a random Thursday night with my girlfriend. I was able to get a reservation relatively easy on open table which was great last minute. My first impressions were very positive warm, cozy with an upscale touch. Ordered a nice Amorone $120 which i felt was good value. Had the steak tartare and the lamb. I thought the meal was very good but again getting down to the fact that it's gonna be $500 for two people, michelin star category and they don't give me the description of the dish when it arrives. i may be picky but if i go to a spot in the michelin star category i want the bells and whistles. So i knocked a star off for no description of app or main course other than that we had a great time.
(4)Matt B.
4.5. Been here twice, both for dinner with the tasting menu Getting in: - Made a reservation by calling - Seated within 5-10 minutes of our reservation time. They have a bar which you can wait at Atmosphere: - Clean, nice, vibe with a rustic feeling - Upscale without being pretentious Service: - First time we went we had spectacular service that was sincere and friendly - Second time we had service that felt forced and awkward (which was sad b/c it was to celebrate my sister's new job); took off 0.5 points for this - bad service sticks with you Food: - Had the tasting menu each time, which were very similar - Warm lobster salad was perfectly prepared, nice and tender - Halibut was delicious and cooked exactly right. The beet dashi really tied the dish together - Duck breast perfectly cooked, medium rare - leaning towards rare, and fat rendered and skin crispy. Throw the cherries in there and it was a well executed dish - As a whole presentation was spectacular - Left full, but not busting at the seams Drinks: - Extensive wine list, truly impressive - We opted for a wine pairing with each course which worked nicely and allowed us to have some wines we would never have selected - The first time we went, the server (who was also a Somm) provided us with a great back story on the wines and why the pairing worked. I always appreciate that sort of attention to detail Other: - Really professional, upscale experience - Felt you were getting good value for your money, this place is certainly not cheap - They give you a small coffee cake to take home with you - A special place for special occasions Great food. Great place. I'll be back.
(4)christopher h.
Got the seasonal tasting for 120. I came here with work so ya know, got to splurge. This place is just good dude. I liked that concord crush drink too. waiter was super nice and food was fantastic. I dont know if I'd come back unless I was with work or a special occasion, but it was real good.
(5)Dina R.
A few weeks ago, my boyfriend and I dined at Gramercy Tavern for our anniversary dinner. We made reservations a month in advance (literally called the 25th of March for a spot on the 25th of April) and could only get a 5:30 reservation. It was good. Everything was good. We did the seasonal tasting menu, at $120 a person. That, with a bottle of wine, the additional cheese course, and an after dinner wine, landed us at just under $500 total for the meal. So while everything was good, I'm just not sold. Every dish was executed perfectly. And the service was on point. But we literally left, had a dozen oysters, a chicken liver pate, and a steak tartare (at nearby places) before we felt full. As usual, the full review of my experience, with photos and details, is up on my website ( baconboozer.com ), but that pretty much sums it up. I am over places getting away with charging obscene prices for miniature food, just because of their reputation. But, as I said in my review, maybe I just can only be happy in a casual hipster haven.
(3)Gill C.
Took my girlfriend here for her birthday. SLAM DUNK! We did one of the tastings, not the vegetarian, about $140 a person I believe. Everything was absolutely delicious. My favorite was probably the Lobster Salad. The cheese platter was also spectacular. In fact, I'm normally a fan of cheeses on the softer sizes but I found a new favorite cheese of all time, a Romano that I can't find anywhere else. It had an orange tint to it and a nice sharp taste. The waitress was lovely the entire evening and her knowledge of everything on the menu was really quite impressive. She certainly could describe all the textures and tastes much better than I can in this review. I made the reservation through Yelp and noted that it was my girlfriends birthday. At the end of our meal a complimentary coconut cake was brought out with her name written out on the plate. Very nice touch. All in all, if you're looking for fine dining, then this is a great option. Definitely on the pricey side. I believe the total was around $500 which included a bottle of wine and two additional glasses.
(5)Ruggy J.
Wow. I should really just end the review there as that's likely what you'll be saying when you leave Gramercy Tavern yourself. Just a remarkable group of professionals who've been providing an unparalleled dining experience for darn near 20 years. And for those keeping track at home... 20 years ago equals 1994 - well before Top Chef and Hell's Kitchen alums dominated the media and created crazy demand to dine in their establishments after being evicted from prime time. Without any ties to Gordon Ramsay, Anthony Bourdain, or a high-profile network TV show, Gramercy Tavern somehow doesn't get the love that places like Daniel, Eleven Madison Park, and Le Bernardin do. They really should, though. If you're there for dinner, you really need to do their seven course tasting menu. It changes seasonally and I won't bore you with every course that was included (if you're curious, click their menu link here: gramercytavern.com/_medi… ), but it lived up to everything our server (Ãlvaro) had promised. And compared to tasting menus of similar ilk, it was actually pretty affordable (that's not to say it was cheap by any means). We were in good hands. Of the several courses my lady and I dipped into, the standouts included the warm lobster salad with ribboned carrots and fingerling potatoes and the ricotta tortellini with squash, tomatoes, and heirloom beans. Just everything you could ask for in progressive dinner. Great texture and mouth feels, amazing flavor, inventive presentation, good pace, et al. They nailed it. For dessert, we opted for the blueberry corn ice cream sundae with toffee popcorn. It may have been one of the best sweet dishes I've had the pleasure of eating in recent memory. If you manage to grab a spot at the bar and order just a single dish, you need to make it this as a nightcap. While the food was superb, the service was even better. Just a class act all around that should be studied by any millennial-era chef with sleeved tattoos and 15 minutes of Food Network fame. It's what every experience dining out should be. Bravo!
(5)Juan J.
This is a place that is special. This required special days with special people, unless you are just filthy rich. Three of us got the tasting menu, and we ordered a nice bottle of Moscato for dessert. I loved the lobster the best (so tender), and duck the least (a little too tough). The place was filled with fresh cherry blossom and peonies (two of my favorite). Service is typical "I know how much you are paying for your meal so I will make sure you don't regret it"
(4)Chris E.
This restaurant is absolutely awesome! Fantastic décor, vibrant/lively atmosphere, great service and amazing food! I came here to dine for a friend's birthday and the second I walked in I was in love with the restaurant, specifically the tavern, even though we ate in the main dining room. There are 2 areas to the restaurant, the tavern and dining room. The tavern is a more casual environment with a long bar. People who were eating in this area mostly wore jeans, casual shoes/sneakers and a button down shirt. Women were in casual attire as well. Nothing too fancy there. The décor was very nice though, with dimmed lighting and fresh flowers draped on parts of the walls. The crowd was vibrant, in that everyone was dressed classy, but not in suits or anything like that. The age groups ranged, but I saw a predominantly younger crowd here with many late 20-early 30ish customers. The crowd was very chatty and the noise level was about average, which is what you want, unless you are looking for a super romantic evening. For the dining room, the patrons were a bit older, but mostly still very diverse in age. Most people in the dining room were dressed up as the men mostly wore a jacket, with some having jeans and some in slacks. Women were very classy as well in their dinner attires/dresses/slacks. I didn't see many women, if any, wearing jeans. I won't comment too much on the service, except to say that we were given great service. There were no hitches and the fact I was dining with someone who worked for the parent company of Gramercy Tavern didn't hurt either as the employees at Gramercy Tavern were very well aware . The waiters/waitresses were very attentive and always filling up our water as well, which is always a good sign. The food was extraordinary! In the main dining room you can either choose from the pre-fixe menu or tasting menu. We chose the pre-fixe as we were aware it was going to be plenty filling with the number of extra dishes that would be coming out. We probably had a total of 6-7 dishes in total, including our appetizer, main course and dessert. For the main course, I had the roasted lamb. The meat was very tender and I loved the sauce on it which really brought out the flavors. The meat wasn't overly drowned in the sauce, plus there was another green sauce on the plate as well. For dessert, I had the Plum Upside Down Cake, which included a strawberry sorbet. The cake was extremely soft and the sorbet was just perfect. They blended together really well. The sorbet was some of the best strawberry sorbet I had ever tried. At the end of the night they handed out muffins to each customer, which was a nice touch. All in all, a great experience, and I definitely want to come back to try out the tavern because it looks like a great place to just have a casual dinner, yet still keeping it classy.
(5)Diane Z.
Came back to try the tavern part of the restaurant, and definitely the same as my experience in the main dining room. Again, I was impressed by the hostess service. They were so friendly and helpful. Again, I was unimpressed by the actual wait staff. Not especially helpful, and a little frazzled. I guess the food is supposed to come out lukewarm. I do NOT like this. I know the plates have to look nice and be wiped down, but that doesn't mean that the food should not be hot! The choices were a bit limited. We had the sweetbreads and baked clams to start. Both were lukewarm. The clams were a mix of breaded scallop, clam and just kind of tasted like an oceany-mush. I really didn't like it, but that could just be my personal preference. The sweetbreads were good, but could have had more of a sear. The monkfish was very simple, a bit on the bland side. The pork chop was very good though, it was cooked well with a nice caramelization on the edges, although the meat near the bone was near raw. Overall, I won't be back. I could get better food elsewhere without the wait of the tavern and without the price of the dining room. I definitely don't hate this place, but the cons outweigh the pros.
(3)FortSki G.
My job takes me all over the country and I'm fortunate enough to enjoy a week or two a month in NYC which means some really good dining experiences (at least for a Texas dude). Albeit, I am ready for the city to thaw out... it does leave room for my favorite food season which is winter (it seems like most chefs are still churning out the warmth). That being said, I hadn't ever grabbed at bite at Gramercy Tavern which seemed to be somewhat legendary with my local colleagues. We luckily found a last minute table in the dining room. Damn if my colleagues weren't right. The meal was simply - exceptional. Our service was overly attentive although pleasant and very kept on the menu. The group decided to nix the tasting menu and stick with the pre-set double course. We had a good group... which I typically define as a group that tries everything so each person could grab bite. First Course: Beef Tartare, Pine Nuts, Capers and Pickled Mushrooms Lobster Pappardelle, Chorizo, Scallions and Mussels Smoked Trout, Cipollini Purée and Pickled Onions (highlight)* Mushroom Custard, Sunchokes, Trout Roe and Pickled Burdock Second Course: Black Bass, Sweet Potatoes, Bok Choy and Peanut Curry Sauce Roasted Lamb Loin, Sunchokes, Tatsoi and Hen of the Woods Mushrooms (highlight)* Smoked Arctic Char, Carrots, Lentils and Preserved Citrus Pork Loin & Deckle, Collard Greens, Black Lentils and Kohlrabi It was one of the best food experiences I have enjoyed in a long time and I will surely be back.
(5)Mike S.
My job takes me to NYC quite often, so every time I find myself in the city, I like to try new places. I had recently dined at the Modern, one of Danny Meyer's other establishments, and was very impressed, so I decided to give the Gramercy Tavern a go. The space is split between the 'tavern' and the 'dining room'. If possible, choose the dining room. The decor is truly rustic with warm colors and rich wood. It is very quaint and has a real 'homey' feel too it. The menu is short, but you should be able to find a meal to appease most pallets. My party chose the 3 course menu. The lobster papardelle and the roast lamb are the way to go here. Both delectable. The service was fantastic. The servers are very knowledgeable and buzzing around happy to answer any questions you may have with the menu, wine, pairings etc. Bottom line, trust Danny Meyer. He knows what he's doing.
(4)Anthony P.
Let me start by saying the staff of Gramercy Tavern is incredible! The service is just simply awesome! You are treated like royalty. The attention to detail and class of service is impeccable. We decided on the seasonal tasting menu and everything was delicious. Smaller portions but the six courses add up to a filling meal at the end. Great flavors, quality ingredients and perfect preparation made for a great dining experience. They chose a great beer pairing with each course and for a very reasonable price. They didn't throw in any beers that cost a fortune. The attention to detail in everything done at Gramercy is something to experience for sure. A great example is when we could not decide on the tasting menu dessert or cheese and opted for the dessert they gave us the cheese on the house and said we needed to have both, awesome!! Ana our server was amazing. Let me say again, the staff was fantastic and the best service i have ever had. All the little touches make Gramercy Tavern a must try.
(5)Christine M.
This place has a ton of reviews, which probably goes to show how popular it is. Not a place I could afford myself, but was treated to a dinner by the boyfriend's parents. we ordered from the regular 3 course menu. I started with the french onion soup which was delicious and definitely lighter than expected, which was good. A couple of people at the table got the trout and loved it. My main course was the lamb and though supposedly cooked medium rare, it was more on the rare side. Even my boyfriend's mom, who is totally fine with medium rare meats, said the same. I couldn't finish one of the pieces due to this. But it was still quite delicious. We had a nice appertif to cleanse the palette before dessert that was a lime meringue with grapefruit. Since we all 6 got a choice of dessert, we had 2 of the chocolate, one of the coconut, one of the pear and one of the lemon, and then they brought out a complimentary small coconut cake for my boyfriend's brother for his birthday. All was delicious, my favorite being the coconut cake and the pear desserts. after THAT they brought out petite fours, which we couldn't even eat at that point and then they give you lovely muffins to take home which we had for breakfast the next morning. Very attentive, constantly refilled and taken care of, and our waitress was fantastic. Also, if you like champagne cocktails, have the Orange Blossom. It is delicious! If not for the undercooked lamb, I'd give this place 5 stars. Overall though it's quite an experience, just expect dinner to take a couple of hours!
(4)Ammi R.
Gramercy Tavern is in my humble opinion one of the best places in Manhattan if you want to get great food and service. My girlfriend took me out for my birthday and it was incredible. I love the yellowtail appetizers and the Arctic Char. My friend ordered Seabass and Gramercy Tavern complimented us with free dessert for my birthday. Such a great and pleasant experience. :)
(5)Jenny T.
Overview: I live in San Jose, CA and came to NYC to try different restaurants and so far, this is the best one on my short 6-day visit. Food was amazing, with different layers of deliciousness and texture. The staff was awesomely friendly and accommodating. This place is a must try for a foodie! Food: I had the tasting menu: Lobster Salad, Ruby Red Shrimp, Halibut, Pork Bolognese, Roasted and Braised Beef/Pasture Raised Chicken & Sausage and Pear Custard/Baboon Lemon Sherbet. My friend is allergic to certain nuts so they were very accommodating in letting us switch out the desserts from the 3-course menu. I also am not a beef fan so they let me switch out the beef course to anything from the 3-course menu and I chose the Pasture Raised Chicken & Sausage. We had the cheese puff amuse bouche to start the meal. It was creamy and buttery (a great sign of what to come). Then we had the Lobster Salad and it was layers of creamy delciousness. All the ingredients complimented each other such that every bite had a unique experience. And the surprise came when I bit into some roe that completed the whole experience of the first course. Then, we moved onto the Ruby Red Shrimp and it was perfectly paired with brussels sprouts. I normally eat brussels sprouts with bacon, but now I know it goes really well with shrimp too. The Halibut dish was so creamy and melt-in-your-mouth good. The caviar perfectly complimented the amount of saltiness to the creaminess of the fish. That was my 2nd favorite dish of the night. My favorite dish of the night was the Pork Bolognese. It's a simple dish, which makes perfecting it the hardest. The handmade pasta was made perfectly! I was sad when I didn't proportion my pasta to the sauce properly. It left me crying for more! I can eat a whole bowl of this! Then, I ended my savory adventure with the Pasture Raised Chicken & Sausage over polenta. I usually don't like polenta, but it gave the chicken and sausage a good creamy compliment. The chicken was really tender and it really melted in my mouth. It was a perfect savory ending. For the final course, I had the Pear Custard. The pear sorbet was comprised of the essence of pear (peary goodness) and the custard was like a creme brulee (so good!). Tiny cubes and pear and crumbled sugar and caramel topped off the custard and sorbet. It was the perfect balance of sweetness and not too sweet. And just when I thought we were done, there were a bunch of petit fours that were served. I had to order another pot of tea to go with the additional desserts. And they gave us a coffee cake as a parting gift. The tasting menu was an amazing adventure. It's a must try for all foodies. Place: The restaurant is in the Flat Iron district along with other well known restaurants. It's pretty big with bar in the front. I think it's a good balance between "old-school" charm and modern setting. There are candles everywhere so it's pretty romantic, but not so dark such that you can't see what you're eating. Service: The service was exceptional! The wait staff was really friendly and accommodating. We called in advanced to inform them of our allergies and food preferences. They were very accommodating to allow us to switch out certain courses. We had a great time. The night was great, except there was a couple that sat next to us that annoyed my friend and I because one of them kept customizing her entire order. There is really only 2 types of dinner you can have: the 3-course meal that has a variety of choices or the tasting menu that they let you substitute out if you really don't prefer a particular meal. The person next to us literally changed out everything she ordered not because she was allergic. It was because she didn't want to eat a lot of things. I'm not even sure why she was there. But the staff handled them well. They always had a smile on their faces and they kept going into the kitchen to see how they can accommodate their needs. So even though I didn't consider myself very picky or needy, I can see that the staff at Gramercy are very accommodating and patient. Overall: I highly recommend this place to any foodie. The food is just amazing and the staff is super friendly. I asked about the cookbook "Gramercy Tavern" after the first few courses and my waiter described how this cookbook came to be. I was so impressed with the food and the effort that the chef Michael Anthony put into his food and cookbook, I had to get it! I can't wait to try some recipes.
(5)S W.
This place is just amazing! I went there with my boss and colleagues during the holidays and it was just a memorable moment. We went on a weeknight and got a round table, which was nice since we could all talk and drink wine together. We all ordered from the pre-fixe menu and it was amazing!! I had the duck and it was cooked to perfection! The service was great and the food was better!
(5)Tamar K.
I have to tell you what a wonderful experience I had last night here. Forgive me for the long review, it'll be worth reading. It was my birthday and my boyfriend likes to surprise me with where we go. I haven't been here before, and he didn't know I always wanted to go, so I was pretty excited. I was immediately overwhelmed with how beautiful the place is. There are flowers everywhere, the expedite station with food for the front restaurant is right there to pass a few times, which was exciting, and the staff was so lovely (shout out to Angela, our waitress). My boyfriend had warned them ahead that I am gluten free and dairy free and they were SO on top of it. It just points out to me, again, the difference between a well trained staff and an untrained staff at so many other restaurants. Any question I had, they knew the answer off the top of their heads. Every server knows exactly what's in every dish and how it can be adjusted. No delays, no asking the chef, no attitude. That alone is worth the price of admission for me. GT has 2 menu options, a 3 course price fix (plenty of choices) and 2 tasting menus (1 veg, 1 everything). We picked the 3 course, not knowing you also get an amuse bouche (for me, the most stunning little veg skewer. That doesn't sound good, but it was amazing, and for my BF, a cheese puff), a selection of bread (without a doubt, the BEST gluten free muffin, made in house, that I've ever had.), even 2 kinds for ME! You also get a pallet cleanser (citrus shot, super refreshing), a little assortment of tiny dessert bites, and a TO GO goody (for me, Gluten Free granola). So even though I was little shocked by the sticker price, it was a lot of food over all, and a tremendous amount of care and work. Dinner. I had the smoked trout. It's almost a misnomer, because this was the most luscious piece of fish I've ever had. Like crack. No clue how they did that. Totally melts in your mouth. Then the lamb, with sausage, mushrooms, and sunchokes. Remarkably perfect texture of the lamb. My boyfriend had the tartare, classic and beautiful. The black bass with sweet potato. Stunning and again, perfectly cooked. And when I say each thing was perfectly cooked, I mean they redefine the way something should be cooked. Like I'd never HAD a proper piece of properly cooked protein before. For dessert, I had a very limited choice considering all my food intolerance, but they kept it a secret that the pastry chef made me something special: a 7 layer coconut cream cake with marzipan. Absolutely stunning. And a little, "Happy birthday tamar" in chocolate on the plate. they have better handwriting than I do, WRITING IN CHOCOLATE! I watch every TV show with food involved. I love watching Chefs Robert Irvine and Gordon Ramsey save restaurants from the brink of failure. Every time, the cooks in these restaurants say, "my food is great. I don't know why people aren't coming." and then they taste something made by Robert and Gordon and realize, oh, my food's not nearly at their level. And that's what I always think. A lot of people who eat at chain restaurants, or fast food, or packaged food from the grocery store just don't know what good food is. Because REALLY good food redefines what that means to you. Gramercy Tavern just redefined what good food and a good restaurant is to me. So damn! How am I ever supposed to eat again! Danny Meyer, you're way too smart. Thanks for a fantastic meal. And thanks to my bf!
(5)Brenda P.
This is a tough review to write. Gramercy Tavern is a great restaurant, but I also feel it is overrated. In a nutshell, yes, I enjoyed most of my courses. Given the choice though, it would probably not be my top choice the next time I am in the city. For me, it has to do a lot with location. If this restaurant was in South Florida (my home), it would be one of my favorites (because of the lack of comparable selection there). However, there are way too many restaurants in NYC that easily blow this one away. If I am comparing this to other Michelin Starred restaurants, then it just doesn't make the cut. Maybe I am putting too much importance on it's Michelin Star? Hmmmmm We visited last year. Our party of 8 tried almost everything on the menu. For the first course, the Seafood Bisque (accompanied by a Crispy Island Creek Oyster) was a clear standout. The Smoked Trout was also exceptional. The rest was good, but not as outstanding as I hoped it would be. (Beef Tartare & Beef & Pork Bolognese). For the second course, the Pork Loin & Belly (with navy beans, tasso and kale) was our favorite, followed by the Braised Lamb. The Flounder and Sea Bass were both underwhelming. I need to be clear and say that they were all cooked and plated to perfection. Not a single drop out of place and not a single dish over or under cooked. We felt it just lacked in flavor. Perhaps we were expecting stronger seasoning? more salt? more anything? Everything seemed very "vanilla." Dessert was OK. We did enjoy the cookie platter with the rest of our wine and espressos. Before we left, we each received a muffin (forgot the flavor) for the next morning. I love when restaurants do that! The restaurant is absolutely stunning: elegant, but inviting. We arrived on time for our reservation, but still had to wait about 30 minutes to be seated. Our large, round table was set right in the middle of the room. The restaurant is not the snotty hush-hush quiet type. I would describe the sound level to be lively, but some nearby diners still complained that we were being a little too rowdy. Gramercy Tavern, however, handled it beautifully. Someone gracefully approached our table, apologized for having to mention it (even though they did not agree). I forgot her name, but she stayed for a while talking to us some and, oops, eventually got caught up in our fun and laughter as well. I'm not sure those other diners were loving this. What can I say, other than we were having a good time. Service was wonderful. They were really on top of everything all night long. Overall, it was a special night. I look forward to perhaps giving it another go in the future. I am not rushing to do so just yet though.
(4)Juanita T.
100% Amazing! Me and my husband sat at the bar and had the most amazing cocktails and food. All the food and drinks had pretty low prices for the quality provided so I was very pleasantly surprised. The service and decoration of the restaurant are also incredible. Me and my husband are definitely coming back
(5)Kimberly L.
Came here for a private party in the back room and was very pleased with the outstanding fare! This restaurant truly is a gem in the heart of Gramercy. I feel like I'm at an upscale rustic farm restaurant which I guess helps go with the fact that they only serve seasonal foods. For the starter I tried the squash soup with chunks of lobster. Fantastic combo. For the main I had Lamb. It was basically lamb five ways. For dessert chocolate cake. Service was very good. Food was delightful and the experience was very memorable.
(5)Jeremy K.
You definitely don't need me to tell you this, but this place is doing something right. We opted for the Tavern and everything was amazing...from the bartenders, to the waiters, and of the course the food. Cheese, oysters, red snapper, and "the meatball"..all were wonderful, especially the complimentary apple pie. I could have polished off 30 pieces but I showed restraint. Highly recommended. We'll be back.
(5)Elle P.
Really beautiful restaurant located in a great part of town. Food is fresh and delicious. Service from the start to finish is excellent.
(4)Ameena D.
In attempt to make up for leaving his dirty socks everywhere (I finally reached my limit) my husband and I had lunch at Gramercy Tavern today. Just as I do not understand why my husband can't put his socks away, I do not get the hype about Gramercy Tavern. In any case, my husband now has two things to make up for: leaving his socks everywhere and taking me for a sub-par lunch for leaving his socks everywhere. Ambiance: Let's start with the good. This place is beautiful! The decor is really just stunning, kind of like Tavern in Brentwood, CA (maybe the same owners?) but less packed. Open, airy, spacious. Service: Can't complain. Servers were on it at all times. Food: Mostly terrible. *Warm Lobster Salad - The lobster was very chewy and the portion was tiny for $18. I was utterly underwhelmed with the lack of salt and flavor. *Cauliflower Soup - Not my thing at all. The soup had a strange bitter taste. My husband seemed okay with it. Or maybe he was too scared to say anything? * Smoked Arctic Char - This entree was almost not edible. The smoked flavor was just too much...it tasted like smoked salmon (which I love) but magnified 10 times. It was just wrong. * Halibut - Finally something tasty! My husband ordered this as his main and it was nearly perfect. I loved the tomato water and the potatoes. The eggplant was a bit greasy but I'm splitting hairs here. So maybe my palate isn't elevated enough or something but seriously, I wished I was at Chipotle during the entire lunch, where I could have had 5 burrito bowls for the price of my chewy lobster and too-smoky char. Obviously I'm the only one on Yelp who feels this way but I (and my husband) have no plans to return to Gramercy Tavern.
(2)Ladybugnyc A.
Absolutely love this place. Food and drinks are amazing (food is fresh everytime!). And service is just exceptional! I definitely recommend this place to anyone for drinks & fine food. This is one of our favorite places for drinks, as well as lunch or dinner. We haven't had a single bad experience. This is where other bad restaurants should send their staff to observe as to how a service-oriented establishment should run a business! :*)
(5)Joanna M.
Gramercy Tavern is amazing. Impeccable service. Beautiful decor. Comfortable and inviting ambience. Amazing staff. My friend and I came for dinner (had a reservation and were seated in the dining room) and we left feeling perfectly full and so, so happy. We both opted for the seasonal tasting menu. Beautifully executed, everything. From start to finish. We thoroughly enjoyed every course! (We were especially impressed with how they took into account our plans for a show that evening, and thus, they timed our meal PERFECTLY so we'd be out in time--and we didn't feel rushed at all.) I can't wait to go back!
(5)Cap i.
An amazing meal. Flavors and textures I have never experienced before. I would go back the next time I am in the area and recommend anyone visiting not miss the opportunity. I enjoyed the lamb (signature dish), amazing cheeses and special coconut cake which is only offered on special occasions. Also, they offer a top notch list of foreign beers from Europe that can keep you entertained for a while.
(5)Pat C.
The wife and I came here March of '14, just a few months after having visited Thomas Keller's French Laundry. We were in town to visit friends in Brooklyn but ran into my wife's colleagues as well ; to dinner we went. Honestly, having visited Ink in L.A. + TFL that same year the bar had been raised for me somewhat (...although we don't eat out that much and tend to cook most days of the week, and are by no means connoisseurs of dining out or anything like that...) WOW... What more can I add to these reviews really? impeccable service, on-point cocktails, unpretentious high-end dining at it's very finest. Been to many alike but this place takes the cake in terms of staffing / service. Guess these city folks know what they're doing. Hats off to the pastry chef. Outstanding.
(5)Lori L.
Gramercy Tavern had taken on semi-ethereal qualities from the moment I first learned of this restaurant a few years ago. At the time, since I was still stuck in my third year of college and completely uncertain of my future prospects, I had resigned the thought of it to the back of my mind; a wish with no substance and little possibility. Fast forward a few years: With the excuse of hitting my 6-month mark at work and a little bit of luck on OpenTable, I eventually found myself outside the doors of Gramercy on a Tuesday evening with a more than willing dining companion. Even at first glance, the interior is warm, bustling, and, quite simply, gorgeous. The important part of the night, I suppose, is the food. We had decided before arriving on the Seasonal Tasting Menu, which is the best opportunity to get a myriad of flavors and ingredients into a meal. While they do also offer a three-course prix fix and have options a la carte, this is probably the best option for those who don't forsee a return visit anytime too soon in the future. After taking away our menus, we were given sourdough slices and butter; nothing too memorable about this, as the star of the evening were the courses that followed. Amuse-Bouche - We started off with an amuse bouche, a small gougère. The outside shell was flaky and easily gave way to the farmer's cheese in the center. One - A small vase-like bowl featuring Nantucket Bay Scallops. The scallops should have been the centerpiece, but the choice to serve them cold forced my attention to the additional components: the clams, nori strips, salmon roe, and shiitake mushrooms. A diverse array of ingredients and textures, it could have been a very discordant dish. but the cilantro broth was able to tie in all the elements and ended the course on an uplifting note. Two - Our second course was one of the most memorable dishes I can recall. The root vegetables were so perfectly cooked that each bite sang of the pure, unaltered flavors and the lobster so unbelievably tender that it almost melted the moment it hit my tongue. This is the dish that made me regret avoiding seafood for the first two decades of my life. Three - A block of halibut served over black-eyed peas and squash, and garnished with slightly charred brussels sprouts. The halibut was well-cooked and tender, but it would have been incomplete to stand alone. While an overall lightly flavored dish, I was most surprised and pleased by the smoky flavor in the brussels sprouts. Four - The Sweet Potato Agnolotti was a deceptively simple dish, but the filling inside this pasta was mind-blowing. Creamy, sweet, with hints of spice, each bite contrasted perfectly with the pine nuts and the crosne. Five - I had yet to have duck in any form other than well-done, but the Roasted Duck Breast may have spoiled me. Tender, perfectly seared, it was paired well with the oyster mushrooms and accompanying lentils and parsnips. The overall flavor of this dish played on the milder, safer side, but the ingredients were able to speak for themselves. Intermezzo - A Mandarin Orange Panna Cotta. A tiny, tiny cup bearing a miniscule amount of food, but the flavor packed into each bite was unbelievable. The wafer on top was a nice touch, and dissolved on your tongue instantly. Six - Chocolate-based desserts aren't my first choice, but I was pleasantly surprised by Gramercy's Chocolate Pecan Coconut Cake. Not overly sweet with a good balance of denseness, it was a five bites of heaven that disappeared all too quickly, even when paired with the butter pecan ice cream. Each dish was exquisitely presented, a treat for both the eyes and the taste buds. And not only was each individual plate a success, but they each melded with the others; it wasn't until the end that we realized how meticulously plated each course was, in addition to how perfectly each segued into the next. The transition between courses which initially appeared so seamless was, in fact, a wonderfully orchestrated masterpiece. I'm also grateful for the fact that despite its association with fine dining, there is none of that unnecessary pretentiousness here at Gramercy. Service is genuine, knowledgeable, and perfectly timed. Despite the numerous courses and the change in silverware that it entailed, our servers handled it with grace and efficiency. Yet another mark of distinction for a Michelin-starred restaurant. The diners themselves are an eclectic yet gregarious group, from the old couple who leaned over to admire our desserts, to the pair who mistakenly thought my friend was sliding an engagement ring onto my finger (which resulted in a good ten minutes of laughter for all of us). All of this, however, resulted in an unforgettable evening. Gramercy, you were definitely worth the wait.
(5)Natalie K.
I came alone to Gramercy Tavern and left with what was hands down the greatest dining experience of my life. I had the seabass as my entree (which was AMAZING flavor) and the chocolate cake for dessert. So rich and delicious. All was incredible. The staff was so accommodating and friendly, and gave free samples of many things to help me decide what was best. Best dining experience in Manhattan--one of the best of my life. Highly recommend to anyone looking for an astounding solo dining experience or a night out with friends.
(5)Tanjila F.
Thank you Carrie for making our anniversary amazing :) Our waitress was perfect, she suggested great wine and helped us make our tasting menu awesome I surprised my husband for our anniversary for lunch here and soon as we came in everyone was all smiles and warmth When we sat down we were wished by our waitress and was served a glass of prosecco each to start of the experience We went for the 5 course tasting menu and every lil bite was amazing I had a glass of Sauvignon blanc and he has a glass Smuddy Nose Imperial IPA Dessert was the best part, not only did we get our dessert from the tasting menu but the restaurant surprised us with an amazing delicious mini coconut cake with happy anni written on the plate It was a beautiful experience and we would come back again Thank you guys for a great afternoon :)
(5)Chinku G.
After spending $250 for two people (including tip and one cheap bottle of wine), I should've been satisfied, to say the least. Instead, I am left with no delicious memories from yesterday's dinner - probably because it wasn't all that delicious. Definitely not delicious enough for the value. The food was good, but not even close to great (I agree with the previous review), and after all the hype I've heard and read about this restaurant, it leaves me wondering... The best and only memorable part of the meal was the complementary muffin for the next days' breakfast. Not recommended.
(2)Mona W.
I finally made lunch reservations after hearing rave reviews about Gramercy Tavern. I was slightly disappointed by it when I first got there. The service was subpar and the waitress I got was a bit snobbish. The food was just ok, nothing too memorable. I left feeling unfullfilled.
(3)Jones D.
Wowwowow...amazing food, atmosphere, service...I could go on. But I won't. Just go.
(5)Audrey J.
An unintimidating restaurant with unbelievable everything, this "tavern" had a warm and inviting feel. I had the rabbit. (Sorry to those of you freaking out about my eating Thumper.) The rabbit was amaaaazing. It was so soft and juicy. It wasn't tough at all, and I could just picture a fat, fluffy bunny who did nothing but sit there and eat carrot after carrot. I'm sorry, Thumper. For dessert, I had the apricot tart, and it was reeeally awesome. It was beautifully presented and tasted even more wonderful. My tummy says thankee to Thumper & Co.
(5)Karen G.
Exceeded our expectations. Went for Sunday late lunch. Great cocktails and food. Had fish croquettes and duck liver mousse 1st course. Burger and kielbasa 2nd course. Glorious! For dessert a perfect flan with blackberries and a peach and tomato cobbler. Loved both. I was surprised at the size of the portions as other reviewers found it expensive. I think reasonable given quality and quantity. Our waiter was knowledgeable of the menu and wine list. Cannot wait to return for dinner!
(5)Kimberly K.
One of my favorites in the city. Everything is always perfect.. go for the tasting menu :)
(5)Stephanie S.
Right off the bat I have a major negative and major positive. Positive: Exceptional service! Negative: Ridiculously small portions! So Big Daddy Pops took us kids (bro and sis) into the city for a lovely pre-Holiday dinner. We parked right in front! We were greeted by SUCH a friendly, handsome host who wasn't a snob in the slightest. Normally when going to fancy places, especially in NY, I expect noses in the air. Not at all; the staff was great. We started with a bottle of Malbec which was yum; we ended up getting two. It was graciously served to us. The bread was alright. I'm not a huge sourdough fan. We ordered the Fish Croquettes and 1/2 Dozen Oysters. All great! They even gave us 4 complimentary baked Oysters. The main meal, I had Monkfish with Cauliflower in a Curry Sauce. It tasted fine, but the portion was SO tiny. I tasted the Ricotta Cavatelli with Lamb and loved it. My sis wasn't impressed though. Dessert was Half Moon Ice Cream Sandwich, I didn't care for this at all and the Cookie Platter was just OK. Although they gave us this delicious complimentary Chocolate Mousse with Caramel Popcorn dessert. I liked that the most. Atmosphere here is just gorgeous! Since it's the Holiday season, they really hooked up the place with Holiday decor. Large decked out trees, ceiling garland, lights, etc. The bathroom is very clean and nice. Overall this place, food wise, is OK but the portions are just too small for the price. I wasn't satisfied. The service is outstanding though. I probably wouldn't come back here too willingly because I don't like leaving hungry...
(3)Jeremy S.
We were able to order the amazing lobster salad off the tasting menu while still sticking to the more manageable two course meal. I went with the black bass for my main, boneless, simple, tasty. The chocolate cake with hazelnuts provided a decadent finish. Definitely have some work to do in the gym when I get back to SF. Service was well coordinated and unobtrusive. Great meal!
(5)Valarie G.
Sat at the bar for lunch. The first impression is great! Wonderful ambiance and it just got better and better from there. Great wine list and friendly bartender. I had the beet salad and the pappardelle. It was delicious! This is one of my new favorite spots in NYC.
(4)Cate M.
I came to visit some friends - by way of Miami- so my expectations for dining in general are pretty low thanks to the Miami dining scene. I was blown away. Dining in NYC is always amazing, but they really take it to a higher level. We decided to do the tasting menu for dinner- I seriously still cannot figure out which course was my favorite. Since everyone has gushed on the food already- I'll gush on the service. Solomon took care of us, and was flawless. He explained every bite to precision, timed everything perfectly, and had great recommendations. This place is worth every penny.
(5)Emmarose S.
I went here for my birthday yesterday it was awesome! The food was great and the waiters were very accommodating and kind.
(5)Robert C.
Caveat - this is a lunch review, midweek, late afternoon - so not peak busy time. We were seated in the Tavern Room, as the main dining room was closed. This is and "old world" location and while there is much that has been updated, it retains and old world charm and a certain class that is hard to describe but evident in the experience. In for lunch along with a NY Times "very good" chef and restaurant owner for lunch. Anonymously. We shared a 1/2 bottle of a 2006 Mayacamas Cabernet with a typical NY CIty 3x cost markup. Lovely wine, but a bit pricey. I know, it's NY... Making this a bit of a culinary adventure, we announced we would share our entire meal - the appetizer soup with mushroom dumplings, the main course ricotta cavatelli with roast lamb, and and for dessert, a peanut butter mouse with chocolate sauce, banana ice cream and Rice Krispies crumble. Pics of all but the soup were posted. All courses we pre-split in the kitchen - a nice touch. Service was attentive throughout - our water glasses filled, and our wine replenished. Food was very good. The soup was delicate enough to let the earthiness of the ingredients shine through, the dumplings were tender and thin-skinned. The cavatelli was terrific, albeit a bit over-salted. It was definitely enough to feed two. And dessert, while entirely unnecessary (as we were both pretty full) was delicious. The peanut butter mouse married well without being heavy (like a "lite" Reese's peanut butter cup). Nicely done and definitely a great lunch spot.
(4)Jennifer B.
New York offers so many different restaurants, how is one to choose. I want to eat at them all! Somehow I think "all" is almost impossible, especially since I'm not a local. With that said, I'm sure going to try for "all"! A girls gotta have goals after all. My first night in New York and BF treated me to a night out at Gramercy Tavern. I knew reservations were full since I did my research the week or so before. I was pleasantly surprised that around 6:30 on Friday night we were able to snag one of the last tables on the Tavern side. We started with cocktails and I opted to start with the Jalisco Pear with Herradura Blanco Tequila, Pear Liqueur, Allspice Dram, and lemon. It was perfectly balanced and had the right amount of sweetness that kept me craving sip after sip. We were on the East Coast so I couldn't resist the oysters, and we had to try both preparations, two iced and two roasted. Both preparations were exquisite, the iced ones were served with a flavorful mignonette that I wanted to drink as a single shot. The other two oysters were lightly roasted and were served warm with a pesto like sauce that made each one sensational. Next was the Fluke Tartare with radish, kumquat and trout roe. Since we were sharing all the dishes for the evening they split the dish for us, a nice touch if you ask me. The Fluke had a wonderful citrus essence throughout and was complimented by the thinly sliced radish and trout roe. We kept on going with the appetizers and shared the Duck Liver Mousse with pickled vegetables and grilled bread. We received a generous portion of creamy duck liver mousse with crispy grilled bread. We enjoyed each bite as we slowly spread each piece of bread with the luscious mousse and varied each bite with a different pickled vegetable. We kept the evening moving and made our way to entrees. We opted to share the Cobia with king trumpet mushrooms an oat risotto and bok choy. I was curious about the nontraditional use of oats to make a risotto and how the whole dish would come together. The Cobia was flaky and moist and the king trumpet mushrooms added an earthy note. The oat risotto was a stand out and was a wonderful vessel for the entire dish. The whole dish was well thought out and executed with every detail in mind. We couldn't end the evening without dessert and thankfully we both eyed the same dessert on the menu, the Lemon Pudding Cake with pinenut nougatine, yogurt and rosemary. I want and need this recipe so badly, the Lemon Pudding Cake had a moist cake texture with a rich lemon flavor. The pinenut nougatine added superb texture to the entire dish. I cannot emphasize enough how tantalizing this dish was. We scraped the plate clean wanting to find every last morsel of cake. The menu and the food are sensational and that alone would keep me coming back here for years to come. The service was impeccable with everyone working in unison and taking care of each patron as if they were part of large family.
(5)Tracey D.
AMAZING food and beautiful atmosphere! Was here on business, and will definitely be back next time I'm in town!
(5)Ashley L.
Probably the best meal I've ever had! Came in for an early dinner on a Saturday, around 5pm and were seated in the tavern (bar tables) without any wait. We thoroughly enjoyed everything we tried. The flavor combinations are unbelievable! Light and so delicious! Pretty sure you can't go wrong with anything on the menu here. Love that they offer "tastes" of the wines by the glass -- 3 oz size, I think. Service is a little slow, but you're here for the experience so that's ok. Absolutely love this place!!!
(5)Carol C.
Came here Thursday for an unconventional pre-marathon dinner, but it fit the need - protein & carbs masterly prepared. My cousin and I dined in the lively tavern/bar area at one of the banquettes, perfect for people watching! As luck would have it, there was a 4-course Cider Celebration menu with optional cider pairing. To save myself from decision making and to sample a wide variety of dishes, I chose the tasting menu with cider pairings. My cousin chose a Clam Flatbread with Leeks & Brussels Sprouts appetizer and Butternut Squash Lasagna entree. Some dishes on the tasting menu featured apples and portion sizes were just right so you felt satisfied, yet not stuffed. All dishes were excellent, and I'm surprised, in a good way, that the Grilled Goat Loin was my favorite dish of the evening! The Eve's cider from from Buckhorn Hollow was also my favorite cider. My cousin enjoyed her dishes and was fortunate to be presented an Artic Char dish to taste while I enjoyed my Flounder. For dessert, I polished off my Applesauce Cake with Sorghum Toffee Sauce and a most unusual, delicious Apple Fennel Sorbet. My cousin enjoyed a lovely Chocolate Cake accompanied with Vanilla Gelato & Berry sauce. The Blue Bottle coffee was a nice touch. I can see why Gramercy Tavern is a favorite of many - it is now my favorite as well.
(5)Paul E.
Came here for my birthday dinner while visiting New York. I knew it was a quality place when they had hand towels (which they launder) in the bathroom, and they switch out the cutlery between courses (even when we had flatbread and ate it with our hands) We got there around 5:00-5:30 on a Saturday, and planned to sit in the tavern section at the front which is walkin only. We had to wait a little while. Maybe around 30 minutes, but we definitely got there at a good time as it would have been longer a little later. For an appetizer we shared the Spring Onion Flatbread, Duck Confit, Ricotta and Ramps. The crust was pretty thin, and crispy and there was an appropriate amount of toppings on it. And it was perfect to share as it was cut into many little pieces. I liked it, but I wouldn't say it's a must order. For our mains I had the Cheese Kelbassa with Rye Spaetzle, and Sauerkraut. And my girlfriend had the Ricotta Cavatelli with Braised Lamb, Merguez and Broccoli Rabe. It was definitely the best kelbassa I've ever had. It was cooked perfectly. It was nice and moist in the middle, and cheesey, and had a great crust on the exterior. The spaetzle was also nice, especially when mixed with the sauce/juices from the kelbassa. I only wish there had been a little more sauerkraut on the plate as I love that stuff! The Ricotta Cavatelli had a really nice smooth texture. The pasta definitely melted in your mouth. I also liked the tomato broth the pasta was sitting in, instead of just a thick tomato sauce. Both were filling and definitely worth ordering. For dessert we had the Peanut Butter Mousse with Chocolate, Rice Krispies and Banana Ice Cream. It is a very pretty dessert and I love that it has a lot of elements. If you like peanut butter, chocolate, banana, ice cream, and something crunchy this is for you. There is even a little brownie base for the mousse. So in a way, this dessert has everything.
(5)Felix M.
Great time with the in-laws! The prix fixe menu in the main dining room is excellent! Food was excellent, service was awesome and the "to go" treat was an added surprise. If you haven't gone, definitely recommend dining here. You will enjoy yourself!
(5)Cuthbert W.
Lovely staff, nice room, but the $88 prix fixe is not worth it. What I had was oversalted and tough.
(2)C T.
Food was amazing as always and topped off by incredible service. Have always had an amazing time when going to Gramercy Tavern.
(5)Angie P.
Excellent food, great service and great ambiance! Literally, as good as it gets.
(5)Tia B.
Sooo good! I can't wait to go back. Food was creatively delish, with all its ambient flavors from around the world. I really suggest eating the fish but I will need to go back to try everything else
(5)Stacey L.
One of the most interesting and great dining experiences I've ever had. It was my boyfriend and my 5 year anniversary. We wanted to go big and celebrate it in NYC. I've heard great things about this place, and heard that they have a great tasting menu. At 125$ a person, you can enjoy a 7 course meal, while feeling pampered and generously served on, and for 110$, you can get the vegetarian tasting menu which was equally as good. Service here is impeccable. Instantly after you finish your dish, someone is there to clear your plate with all your utensils, and place a new plate and utensils in front of you. It was a truly unique experience. Also, once a dish is put in front of you a server is there to discuss the contents of the dish to you in great detail. I enjoyed all of my courses thoroughly, but by far my favorite of the night was my first dish, the lobster salad. When the waiter brought it out I was expecting a salad with greens and lobster. Was I wrong, I don't know how to describe it but it was a parfait type thing with this delicious lobster cream and chunks of lobster in it. It was absolutely divine. Everything was perfectly plated to perfection and every plate kept me interested. The night ended with a blood orange type dessert and two extra plates of assorted chocolates, cookies, and jellies. They also offer you a complementary muffin to take home with you. Gramercy Tavern, you create a great experience for my boyfriend and I, and you very much live up to all your hype.
(4)Kaylyn A.
Yummy food and fantastic service. I had the Atlantic char - delicious - paired with a glass of red wine which was okay (it was also the least expensive, so no complaints). I was still a little hungry afterwards, so one star deduction. Also got the cheesecake which was freaking delicious, even if a little pricey. Way better than Junior's. For a $45 meal I wish I was a little fuller when I left. I probably won't be back but wouldn't dissuade anyone from giving it a go.
(4)Nikki A.
I came here for my 25th birthday dinner last night with my boyfriend and we had a lovely meal. They had my favorite bottle of Riesling: Dragonstone J. Leitz, Rheingau, Germany 2011, so we began with a bottle of that. Our waitress, Toni, was extremely attentive and kind. We both opted for the six course season tasting menu, which came with the following: -Arctic Char:New Potatoes, Spinach and Capers -Lobster Salad:Pole Beans, Snow Peas and Pickled Ramps -Halibut Green Garlic and Mushroom Broth -Squid Ink Spaghetti:Grilled Calamari, Sesame and Green Chick Peas -Roasted Duck Breast & Thigh:Radish, Almonds and Wheat Berries -Apricot,Panna Cotta, Tapioca Pudding, Coconut and Thyme My favorite dishes were the arctic char and the roasted duck breast. Everything else was good, but not exceptional. The bread they served was delicious, and so was my orange blossom cocktail. Toni also brought out a complimentary coconut cake for my birthday, which was a very nice touch. All in all, it is a beautiful restaurant with good food and great service, but I have had better meals of this caliber before at Tocqueville and Perry St.
(4)Sam H.
My boyfriend and I came here for his 26th birthday and the experience was delightful ! The service and food was amazing. The place itself is so nice ! We decided to go with the 3 course pre fix dinner. We ordered the lobster salad & smoked trout for the first entree, amazing ! For the main course red snapper and flounder and those were great but definitely the red snapper is highly recommended. Dessert selection is limited but we got the sorbet and a complimentary coconut cake for his birthday which is really good. I would highly recommend this place ! They also have an amazing wine selection. Can't wait to go back again.
(5)sylvia s.
I treated my boyfriend to dinner at the dining room for his promotion. We did the pre fix. The pork bolognese and lobster salad were very delicious and the right amount of serving. We got the sea bass and flounder for main dish. The sea bass was ok, a bit underwhelming while we enjoyed the flounder with the sugar snap peas more. For dessert we got the panna cotta and the chocolate, out of the two the chocolate was by far the winner. The panna cotta was like a soup in the watermelon consommé. Service was excellent and top notch and very attentive. They gave us special complimentary bites between meals and we were super stuffed by the end of our meal. Glad we tried it out but definitely a steep price for a meal. :)
(4)Laura A.
Whenever someone asks me to recommend one of my favorite restaurants in NYC for fine dining or just a nice place to eat, this is the place. I originally came here for a nice steak meal but I came during lunch and it was a slightly altered menu so I didn't end up with a succulent steak. Worry not, basically anything you order here is delicious and plated beautifully. I had my first experience eating sweetbreads here and glad I tried at Gramercy Tavern rather than elsewhere. Their duck leg was cooked perfectly and the dish was flavorful. P.s. Save room for dessert!! (I'm serious) P.p.s. You can cap your meal off with a coffee to help digest a bit. Their cortado was well made.
(5)Kevin M.
Lived up to the hype and reputation. Very reasonable tasting menu price but I went for two course lunch. Had lobster pasta very tasty and lamb loin - one of the best piece of lamb I had in a while Very friendly service lovely decor
(5)Julianne B.
Ate in the bar area (Tavern) vs. the dining room. Really enjoyed dinner here. Opted to order a la carte vs. the set menu for the evening. Ordered an Appetizer, fish as an entree, and shared 2 1/2 orders of pasta as a mid course with my dinner partner. 2 coffees and a cookie plate for dessert. This was a great way to order. The pastas were both amazing. Butternut squash lasagna with hen of the woods mushrooms and cavatelli with braised lamb. Both dishes were very different and equally delicious. I had the cobia for my entree and my girlfriend had the artic char. Loved eating such fancy food in a casual atmosphere. Service was amazing. We arrived at about 6pm on Monday and sat right down but by the time we left at 8:30 it was packed so definitely recommend to come early, if possible.
(5)Carolina S.
My husband and I wanted to celebrate our anniversary and picked the Gramercy Tavern for an early dinner this last Friday. As we walked in they told us it would be a 45 minute wait. We went to see a friend and after 15 minutes I got a text that our table was almost ready. We came back to the restaurant and it was another 10 minutes. Still a lot less than 45 minutes. When we walked to our table I noticed the breakfast buffet, covered in fresh flowers, pumpkins and vegetables and at the end was a large platter of beautiful chesses. It's the kinda place that awakens all your senses. We sat at the perfect table. I had a view of the buffet and then we could see right into the kitchen. We always love seeing the chefs create their art. When the bread came it was a hearty, wheat bread slice. And then we had tiny bowls, one with a soft butter and one with a nice flaky salt. We looked over the menu and there was so many options. It was nice to see that Gremercy Tavern is very vegetarian/pescatarian friendly. And it melted my heart to see such a seasonal menu. I decided on the littleneck clam flatbread with leeks, cabbage and potatoes. I was expecting a small appetizer. It was large and scrumptious. For my entree I went for the sea bass with cauliflower, hazelnuts and quinoa. The fish was perfectly cooked. And the cauliflower was grilled in slices. The quinoa and hazelnuts added a nice earthy texture to the meal. My husband was happy with all his choices too. We were full but we couldn't skip dessert. We ordered cortados. And when they came out one was the classic "tulip" design and the second was a "heart". When the dessert came out is was a decadent chocolate, with a few slivers of almonds and the concord grape sauce was a sweet, fruity compliment. An then ice cream added another layer to the dessert. There is so much thought put into the flavor combinations and flavors here. My husband and I both enjoyed our experience and will definitely be returning.
(5)Lyn R.
What an amazing experience. Thank you everyone at Gramercy Tavern for giving me and my boyfriend an unforgettable memory. Everything that we were looking for and expected was above and beyond. Customer service was the best I've ever received dining out in the city. My boyfriend, who gets easily upset by poor service was raving about Gramercy Tavern all night. As for the food we both got the prixe fixed menu. He got the beef carpaccio, lamb, and assorted cheeses while I got the spinach farfalle, sea bass, and strawberry dessert. It's was delicious, unique, and artfully plated. We received complimentary prosecco and coconut cake which were delicious. I loved that Gramercy provides top notch food and service and makes you feel comfortable without all that boujie vibe.
(5)K S.
I came here for a weekday brunch. Service was superb! Decoration was beautiful. I went out the night before so I was kinda hangover. We had a tasting menu and through the middle of it, I was literally passing out. I got super sick all a sudden n I think it had to do with me going all out the night before. They packed the rest of my tasting menu up and My friend carried me into a cab with boxes of what's left of my meal. 8 hours later I woke up and finished the whole meal. That's when I realized how amazing it was. 8 hours leftover food straight out of a refrigerator (not even heated coz I was too out of it to heat it) n it was sooo good! One of the best ducks I ever tasted! Ricotta was also great. And the dessert was on point. I'd definitely go back again!
(5)Jay I.
Following the trend, Gramercy tavern added the "tavern" (bar section: the casual section of the restaurant... well now a while ago) and started serving lunch a la carte. I lined up first during my day off to get the taste of one of the well acclaimed restaurant in new YOrk. I ordered some gingerale soda before getting to the food. I ordered some appetizer which I don't remember anymore, but the pork chop was cooked very well. It was perfectly medium cooked (still feel a bit strange eating medium cooked pork, but I guess they know what they are doing), and perfectly seasoned. I wasn't fully satisfied with the service. There was a long interval between the appetizer and the entree, then I had to wait to get the check after finishing my last bite for 20 minutes (I am not exaggerating on this part). Otherwise it was a good meal.
(4)Ashley L.
Came for dinner to celebrate my 9 yr anniversary. Service was great and the staff went above and beyond with free bubbly and a mini coconut cake to celebrate. I'd recommend the 5 course tasting menu --we ordered the chef tasting and the vegetable tasting, both AMAZING. One might think the vegetable tasting would not be worth it but so many of the dishes were creative takes on preparing vegetables--you'll never look at veggies the same again! No disappointments and a few good surprises. Gramercy is definitely one of my top 5 favorite restaurants in NYC. Definitely make a reservation in advance, even if you're planning to dine at Tavern (the more causal section of the restaurant).
(5)Sam R.
Came here once for dinner in the formal dining room. I wasn't all that impressed by the food--some of the flavor pairings even made my stomach turn (I think they were pushing Spring "freshness" a little too hard in combination with ingredients that were strong on their own). However, what won me over was their bar program. I had the "Tradewinds" cocktail, and to this day, I make it at home for my friends when entertaining. IT WAS SO. GOOD. This killer drink is made from Batavia arrack (a very strong Indonesian sugarcane rum), velvet falernum, and ginger liqueur garnished with some cucumber blocks. I came back to Gramercy Tavern to grab drinks with friends maybe a year after eating there, and the bartender obliged me in mixing up the Tradewinds, despite it being off the menu for 6+months. I think if I were to eat there again, I'd do the a la carte menu in their more casual, "provencale kitchen" dining room.
(4)Christina N.
My boyfriend and I thoroughly enjoyed this place and our dining experience last night, but unfortunately the fact is that we both suffered stomach problems after the meal. I'm not sure what could have caused it since we had shared everything throughout dinner, and we both did not eat during the hours prior to the meal (in anticipation for it). We were seated promptly at 9:45pm. My boyfriend had already started feeling uneasy in the middle of the 2nd course and ended up only eating half of his entree. Around 1am, when I got home, was when I started getting gut-wrenching pain and was confined to the bathroom for a while. However, this doesn't take away from what was otherwise a wonderful evening at the restaurant. There were complimentary treats peppered in between courses which was a nice touch. Our server noticed that my boyfriend didn't like his cocktail very much and removed it from the bill for us. Attentive and great service all around. Our courses were also good, but dessert was just alright. What we ordered (Dining Room pre-fixe) + drinks: passion iced tea, crossfire cocktail + 1st course: pasta w/ bolognese, beef tartare + 2nd course: pork loin, striped bass + dessert: chocolate plate, selection of sorbets Hopefully, the aftereffects were just a one time mishap. For a place of such prestige, I did not expect to go home and feel sick after my meal.
(2)DK S.
The 6 course seasonal tasting menu is just perfect! Fresh, intense and concentrate flavors in each dish, my favorite would be the warm lobster salad, the lobster is a bit chewy, soft and flavorful. The duck breast is spot on, crunchy skin and tender meat, service is excellent too! A must visit restaurant in NYC.
(5)rob s.
Amazing food and a real nyc atmosphere. Always busy and worth waiting. Great beer selection.
(5)Eva C.
I had pretty high expectations coming into Gramercy Tavern and I was not disappointed. I didn't have reservations and just walked in around 630pm on a Monday for a table of two. They have a designated area in the dining room for walkins so if you come early enough you might be able to get a spot. You can also sit in the tavern but the menu is not the same and you can't order the tasting menus available in the dining room. I thought the seasonal tasting menu of 6 courses was perfect. It was just enough to really get a full taste of what the restaurant has to offer without being overwhelmed as you would with say a 16 course menu. We had the artic char, scallop, halibut, squid ink lobster tagliatelle, duck breast and cheesecake/chocolate raspberry tart. Even though they list a dessert in the tasting menu, you can choose from any one you want in their dessert menu. All the seasonal ingredients made the dishes so delicious. I could go on and talk about how each dish was awesome but you have to try it for yourself. The progression of flavors in each dish was on point and well executed from light to heavy. They time everything so by the end of your meal you are really full even though the portions were not enormous. I like that the atmosphere doesn't feel too stuffy or pretentious even if it is considered fine dining. I can see why they don't have 3 Michelin stars based on the overall feel of the restaurant compared to say EMP or Per Se. But the food itself is definitely on par. 5 stars because I intend on returning for the next seasonal menu.
(5)Baris C.
Fantastic superb experience! the food was amazing as well as the service. very professional team. we ate duck mousse, duck leg, sea-bass and sundae are recommended!! We will visit again next time we are in town.
(5)Carlen M.
Gramercy Tavern was exceptional from the moment we walked in. The ambiance was very rustic, casual, and warm. It felt very inviting and the service was top notch. Our waiter was also extremely accommodating to our large group of different personalities and needs. We had two gluten-free women at our table, and also a 9 year old who was looking for less extreme dishes. The waiter was very willing to customize the tasting menus for the 9 year old so that he could enjoy the dinner experience as well. I thought it was very nice of the waiter to be so helpful and patient with our table. We brought a few bottles of wine to dinner since they do offer a corking fee for BYOB. When it came time for them to serve us the bread and the butter, I already knew I was in for a fabulous meal. Just the butter and bread were amazing to start. The bread was served with salt on the side to sprinkle onto the bread, which added a delicious salty flavor to the creamiest butter that probably exists. Phenomenal! The restaurant also had gluten-free bread available, which was nice. When we ordered our meals, the waiter was advised of the gluten allergies at the table and the restaurant should have been prepared to deliver the gluten-free bread at the same time as everyone else's bread. Instead, the gluten-free bread was not ready and had to be requested at the time the bread was served to the table. Because of this late request, it did not come out until the bus boys were clearing away everyone else's bread plates and serving the next course. We were given an Amuse Bouche of a buckwheat puff over a sprinkling of pimento cheese. The puff was warm and airy. It melted in your mouth! The beef tartare was one of the best dishes we were served all night. It was super fresh, chilled to the perfect temperature, and had a little bit of spiciness to it. I loved the textural interest the chestnuts added and the savory flavor the brussel sprouts added. We both wanted to lick the plate when we were done. The squid ink spaghetti was unbelievable! It was served with mussels, calamari, kale, chorizo, and also chives. The sauce that it sat in, we both wanted to drink. We both loved the mixture of seafood, meat, and also vegetables all together over the spaghetti which made for a feast of flavors and gluttony. This dish definitely had a nice kick to it, and we both think it was from the chorizo, which was exceptional. The ramp and mushroom broth I only tried a taste of, since I did not order this as my first course. The broth was extremely flavorful, and the ramp added a nice onion-like flavor. The broth was similar to that of a miso soup, but much much better! The pork loin & deckle was extremely tender and flavorful. It wasn't overly fatty like most pork dishes are, and was the perfect cut of the meat. It was seasoned with apples, pecans, and pureed parsnip. Dipping it into all the flavors and sauces on the plate added to each juicy bite of pork! The plate presentation was also extremely beautiful. The lamb loin and shoulder was also an exceptional dish. It was served over pureed chickpeas, pureed carrots, and pureed pistachio sauce. The pureed vegetables made for a beautiful plate presentation and also a delicious sauce to dip each bite into. The lamb was cooked perfectly with a nice pink center, just like we wanted. Each bite was juicier than the last! From the entree menu, my fiancé and I definitely chose the best two choices, especially from all the dishes at our table. We were very happy! Before dessert, we were given a second amuse bouche of pomegranate consommé, which was sort of like a pomegranate pureed juice floating over champagne, prosecco, or some type of sparkling refreshment. It was extremely sweet and refreshing and a nice way to get our taste buds ready for dessert after our extremely savory dinner. For dessert, we chose the chocolate option, which was a peanut butter mousse, banana cake, and blood orange frozen yogurt. All I can say is wow! The banana flavor of the cake was a nice addition to the chocolate and peanut butter flavor and made this dessert just melt into your mouth. The pecan dessert was almost like eating an oversized and over-thick pancake. It was so soft and filled with pecans with a delicious cinnamon, chocolate, and bourbon flavor. Additionally, the clementine marmalade made for a nice citrusy contrasting flavor. The chestnut dessert was the most tart dessert because of the cranberry sorbet, but it was very good. The puff pastry and creme brûlée were delicious, especially with the hard sugar top layer which is one of my favorite things! Also, the plate presentation was exceptional. At the end of dessert, we were also given a plate of chocolates and caramels on the house. These weren't anything special, but definitely a nice touch to the end of the evening. Additionally, as we were paying our bill we were given beautiful cinnamon flavored muffins were definitely enjoyed the next day for breakfast :)
(5)Susan L.
I stopped by with a friend for lunch. It was decorated adorably for fall. The inside of this place is very cozy and warm, and I loved the way the bar area looked. As for food, I got the roasted root vegetables as an appetizer, and the honeynut squash lasagna for the main course. He had the fish croquette and sea bass with quinoa (I tasted both). The fish croquette and sea bass were delicious, I was a huge fan. I loved my roasted root vegetables with the cauliflower puree although I wasn't a huge fan of the other two sauces that came with the dish. My butternut squash lasagna was amazing, and filling... although the mushrooms on it were a bit too salty for my taste. The bread was not warm. Overall, the food here is excellent and of excellent quality. It seemed they had a good wine selection, although I needed a pick-me-up coffee rather than a relaxing glass of wine (full day ahead). They have blue bottle coffee! I would definitely come back here again.
(4)Kelly B.
We did the $92 tasting menu in the dining room during the Easter long weekend. Let me first off just say that the service was SPECTACULAR. It was one of the most fantastic service experiences of my life, and for that, the visit is 3 stars. If I was rating this on the food? I don't know that I would give it beyond a 1.5 (if I could give half stars). Let me explain: The $92 price point gets you 3 courses: an app, a main and a dessert. Unless exquisite ingredients, or unusual or pricey elements are being served, you can not justify that cost. For example, the main course menu consisted of 4 fish dishes, a pork loin (and we all know pork loin is about $4) and a lamb dish. Not one red meat? Not a filet? A tenderloin? Seared scallops? Tuna steak? Anything interesting and remotely 'luxury'? I found it extremely odd, and cheap of the establishment, frankly. While the steak tartare I had for my appetizer was delicious, it was maybe 4 small bites of food, no more than a palm size in circumference and sitting only about half inch off the plate. At the time I wasn't too bummed about that knowing I had 2 more courses to go. I had flounder for my main course and it was cooked PERFECTLY. Moist, beautiful piece of meat. However, it sat in almost a soup amount of sauce that completely overpowered the delicateness of the fish and made it too heavy to eat. My boyfriend had the lamb and he said it was fine, but nothing to write home about. Dessert I had a chocolate dessert that was too dry and bland. My boyfriend had the selection of sorbets or gelatos that again were just 'ok'. We had a beautiful bottle of Amarone that the incredible waiter tried 3 bottles of before he was satisfied enough with it to serve it. (Do they have a wine storage issue that 2 out of 3 bottles were corked? Anyway, not my problem and they were fantastic about discovering the issue themselves so I wasn't "that" asshole that sent back 2 bottles of wine in a row). We were also given a complimentary glass of ice wine and a baked good to take with us when we left. Oh, and the cocktails off the special cocktails menu we had just prior to dinner were also fantastic. I can't rave enough about the service - and I am more than happy to pay extra for the experience of dining somewhere where the staff is so committed to rocking the shit out of their job. That being said, it didn't make up for the 'meh' culinary experience. Go to the Tavern, order a la carte, and enjoy the wonderful service for less than $400 for 2 people.
(3)Erum R.
Had an amazing birthday dinner here during the holidays. My bday was the weekend before Christmas so I was lucky to get a table but Gramercy Tavern handles it well. Our own personal hostess seated us for the first dinner seating and I noticed immediately how much space and privacy we had in the restaurant. You can tell they are very particular about not crowding folks which was definitely appreciated. We ordered off the 3 course prix fixe which offered a wide array of options. I might have preferred a few more but realized quickly that because everything is made so fresh they can tweak and change whatever you'd need in case you have dietary restrictions. We do not eat pork and our waiter noted the lamb sausage which came in one of the entrees and even confirmed the casing wasn't pork. Really impressed with this attention to detail. Food was delicious. Beef tartare, snapper in peanut sauce (with insanely fresh, seasonal veggies - yum!), apple cake as a dessert and the most delicious and beautiful coconut cake as a surprise for my birthday. They didn't skimp a bit and we were happily stuffed at the end of our meal. Also worth noting is when we were originally sitting down my husband nicked his finger on his chair. We found a small screw sticking out of the chair, so he simply asked if it could be replaced. The staff were so apologetic and word got out to the manager, who apologized personally and offered us a free round of drinks. We hadn't said a thing, and had moved on from the encounter, but they were so polite. What great service!
(5)Kristen P.
Last minute on a Saturday night I decided to take myself to dinner as my company would be arriving late. I had no problem grabbing a seat at the bar around 8PM (probably because I was solo... the place was crowded otherwise). The bartenders were very attentive and friendly and brought my "by the glass" pinot noir right over (which was excellent). I was in the mood for cheese so I opted for 3 cheeses while I had my first glass of wine. All of them were very good and the portions were large. After some indecisiveness, I ordered the sea bass which was accompanied by a cold salad of grilled pole beans, cucumber and dill. I wasn't sure how the hot fish would taste with a cold salad but I was completely floored. I could confidently say it was the best piece of fish I can remember eating. The whole experience was wonderful and I can't wait to return!
(5)JR P.
Great food! I had the burger and it was perfection! The bread and butter is amazing, asked for seconds. Service was great and the restaurant itself is very nice and clean. Great place!
(5)Michelle L.
Drinks: had a spiked apple cider (forgot which one it was, but it's from California) and it was delightful - it went very well with the meal. The Old Orleans cocktail was a good pre-meal drink and very apple-y, but I was more impressed with the former. Service: impeccable attentiveness from our waiter, who was very knowledgeable about the dishes and drinks - although I won't expect anything less from a place like this. Didn't feel rushed at all, which is something I always appreciate. Food (ie, the most important factor): - Bread: go with the onion brioche roll, at least that's what I think it was. The country sourdough wasn't memorable and a bit on the dry side. - Amuse: a tiny puff filled with smoked salmon (?) and cheese... I think. A good start to the meal. - App: I got the beef tartare. It's probably one of the best beef tartare I've had because the flavor cut through without being too overwhelming that I can't taste the freshness and quality of the beef. I also liked that the beef wasn't hacked too much and there were still distinct pieces (as opposed to being overly chopped/had a ground meat texture). The crisp brussel sprouts chips accented the dish well. - Main: The smoked Arctic char was a perfectly cooked piece of salmon. I can't emphasize enough how perfectly cooked it was, with a hint of smoke that really upped the fish game. - Palette cleanser: Can't go wrong with grape granita. - Dessert: Apple "pie" with hickory ice cream and black currant jam garnish. Good but not memorable. Someone ordered the cute cookie plate (there were so many cookies!) and I had a taste of the chocolate cookie, which was enough to convince me that I should've ordered that instead.
(5)Judi G.
My two NYC favorites are Eataly and Gramercy tavern. Loved the Tavern when Tom Collicio was Chef and still love it. The atmosphere alone is wonderful and usually the service very good. (although every now and then you find someone a bit shall we say "full of themselves." Seasonal menus are the best way to go and worth waiting an hour or two for a tavern table.
(4)Tammy K.
This review is for the dining room - I loved the space, and I wish I loved the experience, but Gramercy Tavern didn't quite live up to its hype for me. We waited 20 minutes for our reserved table, and the service during the meal was a bit spotty. In terms of food, we did the seasonal tasting menu - while most dishes were delicious and well cooked, none were particularly memorable, and the dessert (some sort of tapioca pudding) was a miss. I'm wondering if the high ratings on Yelp are actually for the tavern part of the restaurant, which I'll have to come back to try.
(3)Jing H.
Not a happy camper. Smoked trout was meh. Lamb was meh. Everything about it was meh. Except for the dishes that I didn't order (i.e. gf's dishes, free between-courses dishes, for you to try desert dishes). Was seated in the classier section, ambience was fine. Service was fine. But food was meh.
(2)Denny S.
We were just here earlier today for our anniversary date, we were at the main dining toom. I just have to give three stars and i will explain why. First, the three stars is actually for the attentive service, warm decor, very kind comp as the anniversary gift. If it weren't for the service I really don't think gramercy would get the three stars. Second, to me when you are dining out at a place like Gramercy Tavern- I would rather see a well executed dish than all other things. I think the food should be the center of everything, i would rather recieve an okay service but awesome food and not the other way around. First course: squid ink pasta with whatever it was- it was just okay there was nothing special. Ruby red shrimp-the shrimp was cooked perfectly but it was just bleh..it's coated in sesame and some peas puree. I was disappointed. Second course: sea bass with peanut curry sauce. I appreciate the freshness and a perfectly cooked bass but come on...the curry just killed the whole dish. Lamb was good but it could use a little bit more component-i have to say that i enjoyed the tatsoi and hen of the wood mushroom. Maybe it was just a fluke that I had to experienced, i hope it was since its coming from one michelin star restaurant, at least get the food right. I would probably be back to try the tavern menu, hopefully it's not as disappointing as the main dining room.
(3)Rhoda B.
I liked Gramercy. The staff were helpful. I was sat in 20 minutes after arrival with no reservation on a busy Saturday around 5 PM. They didnt rush to get me in and out. Everything was organized. The staff didnt argue, seemed to get along despite the chaos which made me feel comfortable that they were comfortable, professional and under control. The food was great. I tried the chef's tasting menu and was pleased. The decor inside is beautiful. Plenty of space to breathe despite the restaraunt's popularity. Everything was great, but my favorites were the selection of cheeses I had afterwards. From appetizer to dessert wine, it was a pleasurable 2 hour solo dinner for me that was worth every penny. Treat yo' self!
(5)Thomas Joseph P.
It is not easy to go into detail about how extremely amazing dining at Gramercy Tavern is. The experience is like something you see in the movies or in a dream. The dining room has the seasonal tasting menu which was excellent and the beer pairing with each course was amazing thanks to the awesome staff. The staff here is beyond incredible. Very grateful for their greatness at what they do because they made the experience one to remember for life. I wish that I could explain how the entire operation functions, but I would be going on and on for a long time. My advice, just make a reservation in the dining room and see for yourself. I wish I could dine here every evening. Will be definitely be back. Thank you to the entire and awesome staff at Gramercy Tavern.
(5)Luz C.
Perfect!
(5)Julien P.
This is a review for the tavern, not the dining room. I REALLY wanted to like this place...but unfortunately it didn't meet my expectations. I found the staff at the entrance snotty, rather than welcoming, and this brought down the whole experience a notch. The atmosphere is nice, with wooden tables and a dark and intimate general feel (one star for that). The menu is interesting and the food was tasty. Good selection of wines, too (another star). The portions however are VERY small. I had the duck and the rhubarb crumble and left hungry. Definitely plan to take an appetizer or go for the menu. For a restaurant with such good reputation, I was hoping for a much better overall experience.
(2)Jesse N.
I had the privilege of dinning at this fine establishment for a private dinner one evening for a work related event. The passed bite sized hors d'oeuvre were delicious, but that was the highlight of the evening. The portions of the entrees were rather small and much less flavorful. The wine selection was excellent and paired well with the meal. The caramel and salt bites for dessert were outstanding and rounded out the meal nicely. For the price there are a million alternatives in the city that I'd prefer to visit especially if I was paying out of my own wallet.
(3)A Z.
Today I brought my mother to gramercy tavern. I've been here several times with friends and had great meals, but I love knowing family is taken care of. We had a superb lunch here. The honeynut squash lasagna with mushrooms Brussels sprouts and pecorino was outstanding, not to mention my sea bass was cooked perfectly. I also really like how they catered to my Mothers wine palette (which isn't so refined) and let her try a couple different wines to make sure she got the glass she wanted. Impeccable service, stellar meal. Thanks gramercy tavern for living up to your reputation. I left anticipating my return.
(5)Justin A.
Upon graduating culinary school I remember vividly our graduating class being brought to the Gramercy Tavern as a treat, and to demonstrate to us exceptional quality in dessert. Nevertheless I have been a fan ever since. A design that can only be described as elegantly rustic, this is a nice place to be the atmosphere and service grabs your attention immediately in a nice toned elegant way. As a Chef of Pastry I can be very critical toward dessert when I know I have to pay a lump some. However I genuinely cannot give critical counsel or constructive criticism, everything is cooked and baked with precision. And bold captivating flavors fuel my passion for culinary every.single.time. My last dessert ordered was a blackout cake with sour cream ice cream. In baking a cake as example sour cream is used as an emulsifier. Being cultured by cream it acts as a great way to bind ingredients together more smoothly without sacrificing flavor as it has none. In ice cream though this ingredient adds a very smooth and delicious taste. Sour cream has a good source of fat, an added bonus. My cake was moist as delicious. Oven Timing was spot on on this dessert and everything was plated with military like precision. Excellent plating crew. Not overdone which is key. This will be my go to spot for excellent dessert, and Im sure I will brag about the food when the time comes to pull me away from the desert menu.
(5)Eric J.
Might as well jump on the bandwagon. I had high expectations coming in, and they were all met. Came here with a few friends for a treat yo' self lunch. Decided to get some hot chocolate with vanilla marshmallows, since it was quite cold outside. My friends were like "Seriously? You're gonna get hot chocolate instead of a cocktail?" But my friends were dumbfounded after they tried it. Never give in to peer pressure. Anyways, it was super rich and decadent, I probably should have saved it for the end, just as a dessert or something. And at about $5, that's definitely worth a taste if it's cold outside. Speaking of the prices, I came here fully expecting to pay up the wazoo for my meal, but I was pleasantly surprised that the lunch menus were very reasonable priced, even à la carte. I know the dinner menus are a bit more expensive, but with the quality of ingredients and cooking techniques, I can't really make an argument against the higher than average pricing. Service was very attentive and helpful, and you might expect an air of pretentiousness among the waitstaff at a place like Gramercy Tavern, but they were all very friendly and easygoing, yet still maintaining the air of professionalism. Also, one of the waiters was like a ninja with the water. We seriously did not know how he knew to fill our glasses just as we were about to run out. Pretty awesome. Onto the food. I ordered the lobster pappardelle as my first course and the duck breast with as my second course. The pappardelle was cooked a perfect al dente, with very large lobster chunks. The chorizo was pretty tender, but not mushy, and the bit of broth that it came in was so good, I reached for a spoon to scoop it up. The duck breast was also cooked quite well, and the skin was very crispy and delicious. The beans were a little less tender than I liked, but the flavors were phenomenal. The wild rice underneath was also delicious, since it had a bit more chew and texture than normal white rice grains. The portions looked pretty small, but in the end, I was so full that I did not order dessert. However, at the end of the meal, we were treated with some mini macarons, chocolates, and pistachio bark. Not too shabby. Pistachio bark was likely my favorite, simply because it was an interesting flavor and different from anything I had tasted before. I will have to try the tasting menus later on, and I'm very excited to do so. Just have to be on the lookout for an open reservation. Seems like the only times I can eat here with a reservation are at lunch and at 9:30pm. One of these days, it's gonna happen. So yeah, I recommend this place. Just like everyone else on Yelp minus the one or two haters.
(5)Tyler L.
Little known facts: Danny Meyer bowls overhand, never wears a watch because time is on his side, and If he were to punch you in the face you would have to fight off a strong urge to thank him. Came in for my birthday with a couple of close friends to sit in the Tavern part of the restaurant (front, less formal part). Other than waiting two hours for these fedora wearing, coffee sipping, no restaurant etiquette patrons to leave their seat, I loved the whole experience. After the meal, I don't blame them as much, as you just want to sit and drink and enjoy the great service and atmosphere that Gramercy Tavern delivers. No detail goes uncovered by their amazing team...the servers to captains to managers are all involved with your meal, and the service is genuine. On top of some delectable freebies that were sent our way, they capped it with a nice happy birthday Tyler dessert. The drinks are pricey and the tables are tough to get, but it is worth it.
(5)Michael L.
Let me begin by saying Gramercy Tavern is now my favorite restaurant in NYC. I went last year for my birthday and at the end of the meal declared I wanted to come back every year. True to my word the wife and I went this year and it was amazing again. Gramercy Tavern is what you (I) want a really nice restaurant to be, it's not just delicious food, but a real dining experience. It's fancy but never feels stuffy. Instead it feels comfortable and relaxing (hence the "Tavern"). The service is excellent, not because there are 12 people taking care of your table, but because the staff is very friendly and will accommodate almost any request. By the time you read this the menu will probably look completely different than my menu so I'll save you the dish by dish details. What you need to know is that you can completely customize your tasting menu. You can pull things off the three course menu, veg menu, and seasonal menu to build your own menu of exactly what you want. You can also go crazy with the drink pairing. They don't have a fixed (inflated) price wine pairing. Instead all the wines are priced by the 5oz glass or 3oz taste. I give the server carte blanche and tell them whatever they think is best. I've had wine, cider, and beer paired with dishes throughout the meal. Even still, it ends up being surprisingly reasonable and way less than so many places where the fixed wine pairing is almost as much as the price of dinner. I really want to come for lunch before then, but at a minimum we'll be back next year!
(5)Samantha T.
GENERAL: Gramercy Tavern has two dining spaces: the Tavern, and the dining room itself. The outer room has a very trendy feel to it, with a wall of greenery and beautiful oak floors, and a busy bar with delicious cocktails. It is walk-in only, so try your luck here! The dining room is significantly more sophisticated, with the understated elegance of a timeless space that offers fantastic a la carte and prix fixe meals. MY VISIT: We ate in the dining room, and chose to indulge in both tasting menus. Two at our table ordered the all vegetarian menu, while two others opted for the seasonal choices. While expensive, both were exceptional, and it was great to be able to taste that many dishes, and it was well worth treating ourselves. The service was quirky and impeccably timed. Each dish was well explained as it was presented, and our waiter allowed us to substitute our desserts for anything from the menu, which was a nice surprise. Finally, the bottles and individual glasses of wine he suggested as pairing were confidently presented and very well matched. Some standouts throughout the dinner were - the halibut in a garlic and mushroom broth that had a beautifully smooth finish, the fried green tomato that tasted like comfort food to the n-th scale of classy, and the squid ink tagliatelle topped with a rich lobster and tomato confit. Finally, the finishing touch of fresh strawberries, green tea custard and a soft caramelized brioche was airy and smooth, and clearly crafted with great fresh ingredients. I can't wait to be back to try a new seasonal menu!
(5)Max L.
My favorite place to get drinks in Manhattan, the wine list is great (emphasis on natural wines) and by the glass prices are awesome, the cocktails are great too and the beer selection can be amazing at times (I've had hill farmstead on tap here multiple times) and bleh at others. The atmosphere here is unmatched, really welcoming and beautiful place among the best in the city. I would skip the food and really come here for an afternoon drink or two as in the evenings it gets packed.
(5)Erick N.
I was really impressed with Gramercy Tavern's reaction following a less than stellar experience (see my previous review). Based on the general manager's kind and sincere response and all the wonderful things I had heard about this restaurant from friends who have dined here I decided to partake in a second dinner during a recent brief stay in New York City. Definitely a far superior experience. While it certainly helped that my wife was feeling a lot better, both the service (different team of servers) and food quality were vastly improved. Our wait staff was far more attentive and much friendlier; the GM stopped by a couple of times as well to ensure things were progressing smoothly but also was very jovial. Our lead server had solid command of the menu and helped guide us with our selections (we again opted for the three course prix fixe as we had indulged in lengthy tasting menus the night before and had one scheduled for the night after - but in the future I would opt for the tasting menu; not a lot more money but double the courses and they had some delicious sounding offerings on the tasting menu). My starter of tagliatelle pasta with pork bolognese was phenomenal and definitely my favorite course of the night (the sauce was amazing), though my sea bass entree with bok choy, sweet potatoes and a peanut curry sauce was perfectly cooked and had wonderful flavors as well. I was glad to be able to enjoy the dessert course and the mignardises this time though; while not quite as high a note as the entrees, still solid. We added a cheese course and this was another highlight; our server selected three different cheeses for each of us based on our preferences and both of us loved all of them. Bread service contained the same two selections as before, but this time was replenished and definitely tasted better; there also was an intermezzo course this time. Definitely a lot of food and we left plenty satisfied. Beverage wise we began with a cocktail (which we both enjoyed) and then took advantage of Gramercy Tavern offering their wine's by the glass in half pours (for just a fraction over half price) to create our own mini pairings with the courses. Again our server was very helpful making recommendations (the wines by the glass list is fairly large) and I really appreciated that they factored in what varietals we enjoy best more so than what would necessarily be the best match from purely a wine pairing perspective; I also liked that they poured a small taste first after making a recommendation to ensure we were satisfied. The only negatives on the night included some occasional lengthy gaps between courses and at times beverages taking a while to arrive after ordering (on one occasion we were midway through the course before having the wine present). While we were seeking a leisurely meal (and we started with a pre dinner cocktail and had an amuse, cheese course, intermezzo and mignardises in addition to the three courses) we were in house for nearly four hours. Gramercy Tavern can be a bit noisy (as it is often full and tables are close together) but definitely a beautiful space and nice ambiance; fortunately we did not have to endure a nearby rowdy, obnoxious table as with the prior visit and everybody appeared to be having a good time. Overall it was mainly a very positive experience; we enjoyed our meal and were happy we decided to return.
(4)Jessica Y.
I came here for my 6 year anniversary with my boyfriend. There's really nothing more to say that hasn't been said already. The experience was nothing short of amazing, exactly as you'd expect from a Danny Meyer establishment. Because it was our anniversary, we were given complimentary champagne throughout the night. On top of the painfully stunning meal, we finished the night with a complimentary cake courtesy of the chef. This almost made cry. It was so beautiful! It looked like a small wedding cake with the words "happy anniversary" written in chocolatey script. The service was spot on, and I will be back for certain. Thank you Gramercy Tavern for the experience of a lifetime.
(5)Loren A.
Theres a reason GT has been around for 20 years and has a Michelin star. It's for stellar service, amazing food (the chefs are all rockstars) and an ambience so unique, you feel like you are transported someplace magical. From the moment we walked and were seated in the Tavern, to the surprise (and allergy sensitive) amuse bouches, to the service and attentiveness, to the bonus sunchokes they sent us from the Dining Room, to the extra specialized mini birthday cake for my friend, it was an amazing experience. We all enjoyed it very much and plan to come back (the 7 course tasting menu is callingmy name!) If you haven't been here yet, you need to go now!!
(5)Ted S.
This review is based on at least 5 visits; dates, celebrations and one couples event. The minute I walked in Gramercy Tavern, I felt at home. The warm smile of the hostess instantly disarms any apprehensions you would feel as a first-time visitor to a new restaurant. And it is not a fake smile, she and the wait staff have a genuine concern that the meal is enjoyable and to your liking. There are two sections to Gramercy Tavern; the first is the front end where the atmosphere is less formal and does not require a reservation and the more formal, main dining room section in the back where a reservation is recommended. I am sure it is an absolute necessity for dinner since they are always booked. I ate in the formal section in the back. The great thing about Gramercy is that if you want something from the other menu they had no problem serving it to you. Do have any allergies? No Problem! Do you need your food cooked without salt? No Problem! I am sure if I needed my jacket dry cleaned during dinner they would have found a way to do it. I had a variety of the seafood choices (Trout, Sturgeon, Sea Bass) and they were all excellent. Excellent being an understatement. I am not a food critic but I am an avid restaurant patron so I am reviewing this from that perspective. Yesterday I had the chicken dish. Their chicken is slow cooked for over 24 hours and it is so moist it could rival butter as a spread. And it is so white you would think it was not cooked. My grandmother used to cook food slowly like this and the taste achieved by such a technique is unparalleled. The lamb, was equally delicious, according to my dinner companions. It was also slow cooked. What else make dining at Gramercy Tavern so worthwhile, is the balance they achieve in your portion size. From a nutrition point of view the balance between protein and vegetables is ideal. Of course you have the option to make-up for it with some of the most delicious desserts you will have had the pleasure of eating. All in all I after 5+ visits I have yet to go wrong with anything at Gramercy Tavern. The service is a pleasure; professional and personal without the air of "professional coldness" that some high end restaurants have. The food is amazing and Chef Michael Anthony's dedication to flavor through natural ingredients, not salt, is evident. The deserts will make you feel like such richness should be illegal. Oh and the ambiance is definitely upscale and not one cell phone rang at any time that I was there. That alone says a lot about the place since it made people forget to multitask. If you haven't gone you should definitely put it on your bucket list.
(5)Debbie W.
There is a good reason Gramercy Tavern consistently gets amazing ratings. Its amazing. Its comfortable, the staff is friendly and quick, and the food is creative without being weird, and more importantly-- delicious. But the real excitement on this trip to Gramercy Tavern came from the desserts. My god-- corn ice cream with blueberries, carmel corn and black pepper whipped cream may sound odd, but it was outstanding as were the cookies and the german chocolate cake with german chocolate cake ice cream on the side. Oh-- skip the scallops if they're on the menu. They were good but there are much better things to choose from.
(4)Ina L.
The first and most important thing you need to know about dining in at the Gramercy Tavern is that there are 2 different sections- the Dining Room and the Tavern. The Tavern is a bit more laid back and have a la carte options, whereas the Dining Room only serves prix fixe. The Dining Room is usually only open for dinner but I've seen people have a la carte in the Dining Room section during lunch, but something tells me that they're the top 1% of Manhattan who either personally know Chef Michael or have the money to pretend to know Chef Michael. I have not yet had the opportunity to eat at the 'Tavern' portion of the restaurant, but it's always packed, even during lunch hours, with people dressed to the nines, just as you would see at ABC Kitchen (which is just a block or two away!) The Tavern is a small area of the restaurant, right behind the hostess. And it's bit more lively than the back 'Dining Room' section, because 1. the bar is in the Tavern and 2. the tables are closer together than they are in the Dining Room so you'll have to speak up amongst many other audible conversations. Depending on what type of dinner you are in the mood for, you can either wait for a table at the Tavern section or call in as soon as 30 days prior to your desired reservation date and set aside a table at the Dining Room. I wanted to spend my boyfriend's 31st birthday in an uber romantic way, so I called exactly 30 days in advance at 11AM to make the dinner reservation. It's a challenge to make dinner reservations at the Gramercy Tavern, so please call 30 days in advance promptly at 11AM, or you better know someone who can pull strings for you! If a 7-course dinner tasting menu is a bit much for you, you can opt for a 3-course meal. I wanted to go all out, so my boyfriend and I ordered a bottle of wine, and waited for one seasonal dinner tasting menu and one vegetarian dinner tasting menu. Each course was a delight and I've taken photos of each course to upload onto Yelp for all your kind folks. After our meal, the restaurant also surprised my boyfriend, whose 31st birthday we were celebrating, with a 2-3 inch coconut cake! It was a great finale to a great dinner. The service was phenomenal and surprisingly, I didn't feel like a little fishy swimming in a big sea with big sharks, like I thought I would, while dining at the Gramercy Tavern. The wait staff did an incredible job, especially the one man designated to walk around the room with a basket of carbs, asking each table if we'd like another piece of bread. As much as I loved the 7-courses, I think I'll opt to have an a la carte meal at the Tavern portion of the restaurant next time. When I do, I will definitely write a review update to share with you my experience.
(5)Jaime M.
Umm if you know anything about food and 5 star dining , then you will go to Gramercy Tavern . It's the ALL around 5 star. I won't even spoil it - JUST GO ! And yes , it's worth all the money ! ; )
(5)Greg G.
Typical Danny Meyer fare. Start out with the onion soup and then had the Seabass both were done perfectly had no room for dessert
(5)Louis P.
The food, the service, the ambiance... everything about this place was amazing. I had been wanting to go for a while and it did not disappoint. The waitstaff is amazing and the food is really, really delicious. For what you get, the price is not bad. I was expecting it to be pricier, to be honest.
(5)Lea N.
I tried Gramercy Tavern's tasting menu in the dining area during my first visit and I had to admit that I was highly disappointed. This time around we tried the entrees served in the tavern part of the restaurant and I got to admit, it was a lot better than my previous visit. The ingredients are noticeably fresh, and the plating is just beautiful. I love their creativity of bringing together comforting yet complex flavors. But, the quality of service is not satisfactory. There was no drama or any complaints to make, however, for a restaurant with such a reputation and on such a scale it is my opinion that they need to better train their staff. For while the food gives me a sense of a new experience, the staff is unable to accommodate and meet up to the food's standards.
(4)Carolina M.
Excellent. I had mentioned on the phone when i made reservations that it was our anniversary celebration and we were greeted when we got there with "Happy Anniversary" and complimentary glass of champagne. Nice touch!. Needless to say this set the tone for the night. Great service, great wine, great crowd, people watching galore!. food was delicious. I had the best piece of fish i have had in a while!. Restaurant was packed on a Tuesday night. After a great meal, we were even gifted a couple of muffins made by the chef for breakfast next day. Awesome!. We sat at the main dining room but the tavern side of the restaurant was also happening. Fun, fun. Will be back when in NY, next time maybe will try the tasting menu.
(5)Samantha L.
What else can I say but thank you Gramercy Tavern! My boyfriend surprised me with this impeccable choice of reservation only to be further supported by the restaurant. Knowing it was our anniversary, this establishment welcomed us and celebrated our anniversary by setting us up with a glass of Prosecco! We opted for the 3 Course meal - Our appetizers: 1) Beef tartar 2) Squid ink spaghetti Our entree: 1) Sea bass with curried 2) Lamb Loin and Shoulder with carrots and puréed squash Our Dessert: 1) Pana cotta with grape fruit sorbet 2) Black sesame and Hickory Ice cream on the house: Anniversary coconut cake!!! The Beef tartar blew me out of the water. The tenderness and sweetness of the meat coupled with little cabbage bowls and dried garlic bits. It was just an incredible experience. The Lamb just melted as you cut into it. The texture of puréed squash threw me for a loop only bc I don't like squash. But the carrot was perfect. It was candied with a crunch! Finally the desserts, Pana cotta has been my running favorite. However, the tartness and the Pana cotta wasn't a winning combo for me. When I ate it separately, little bits of heaven. I want a tub of the grapefruit sorbet!! The sesame ice cream was fanatic -creamy with a light sweetness that left you craving for more. They truly outdone themselves spoiling us with a Happy Anniversary cake, topped with chocolate bites and followed up with coconut muffins to bring home. The service quality could not be topped - you feel coddled without being overbearing. You feel elevated as a patron but without snootiness. You feel at home but serviced. Most of all, you feel appreciated.
(5)Ally G.
Came here for my birthday and went with the seasonal tasting menu which included seven courses and it was absolutely perfect!! the food was delicious, impeccable service and the ambiance was amazing. highly recommend trying the milk and cookies for dessert!
(5)Christine T.
So I heard about the off menu burger during lunch at Gramercy Tavern. I had half day on friday last week and had to go since the burger is only during lunch and they only serve 20 each day. My gfs and I were lucky enough to get a table within 10 mins and we all had our own burger. The burger is served with blue chips. For an $18 burger, it's definitely worth it! Very tasty, juicy and of course fatty but filling. The burger is only at the bar section, not the dining area, and they don't take reservations. FINALLYYYYY came here for dinner on 3/28 for my birthday. The boyfriend made reservations and I was overly excited. The pre fixe was more then enough food, so no need for the tasting menu. The food was phenomenal!! I had the squid ink pasta, and striped bass. Before each entree there are complimetnary items that they give you and whatever they were it was all amazing. For dessert, I had the grapefruit dessert and they also gave us a complimentary pecan tart dessert. What great service because we also got the coconut birthday cake, and I think that was probably the best dessert. The service was amazing, the staff were all very nice and tentative. They even sent us a muffin to go home with. Gramercy Tavern is definitely the best experience I've had in NY and for such a great price too.
(5)Tabitha M.
Impeccable. That's the only way to describe my Gramercy Tavern experience. I spent a week in NYC, and the food here was at the top of the very best things we had. The service was incredible--inobtrusive and yet still warm. I would go back again in a heartbeat.
(5)Dan M.
Great service and great food await you at this New York standard, although I wish it was in slightly-larger portions to justify the steep price. I had the trout and lamb and both tasted great and were excellently-paired with side veggies. The Tavern also does everything extra that a true top-tier restaurant could bring, from the pre-meal shooters to the take-home extras. The wine and cocktail menu was great as well, really loved the Buzzworthy's subtle take on coffee-flavored cocktails. PS: This is probably my demarcation line of 5-star restaurants. Anything equal of above this experience is a five, any lower is a four. I'm picky about stars and Gramercy Tavern is a great example of that five-star border, where any inner-thought criticism gets met with an equally-powerful "what are you talking about, this is great." PPS: My hundredth review! Here's to 100 more.
(5)Lytc L.
i have been coming to gramercy for almost every week for the passed year and i always like to come by myself. for a great restaurant like this, food is my company. I have been eating in their dinning room for sometimes now and their service have always been great!! after dine in with gramercy for over a year, i felt that the head chef chef goes light on the salt and dressing, which i like a lot, no one want to eat salt and drink heavy creams.They keep their menu fresh, you will hardly get bored even if you will come every week. and if you know what to eat and how to eat, believe me, you will have a good time here. if you are coming for a date, you will be taking cared if you are here for business, their dining room is quite and if you are here just for great food, you will not be disappointed. but if you are here to meet your stupid expectation--- fuck off :)
(5)Brom B.
This review is based on over twenty meals at Gramercy Tavern, about half were business lunches. Best restaurant in NYC, hands down. Atmosphere is spacious and stylish, with a scent of freshness form the moment you walk in. Fancy but not pretentious. Service is supple and attentive; you feel welcomed . Servers explain what's in a dish and the preparation easily. Cuisine is delicious; varied, seasonal, generous, fresh, and artfully presented. Lamb dishes are great, as is the fish in all four seasons. Soups are unique and outstanding. Save room for dessert, but if not they bring out a cookie plate for nibbling. Drawbacks include sitting in the café section: don't settle for it. Bartenders are great mixologists and good company. The bar is nice for people watching or to hang out and enjoy a meal. Special occasion place, or just any occasion. Gramercy Tavern is tops.
(5)Andrew G.
Went for the first time last night, and did the tasting menu. It was absolutely outstanding, in every way. One of the best tasting menu experiences I have had, including those of the 2-3 Michelin star variety (Gramercy Tavern has 1). Food: The food was spectacular. I found each course to be interesting, have a good balance of flavors, and the sequencing of the meal was great as well. The meal started with 4 seafood courses, followed by 1 meat, and 1 dessert. The best seafood course was a halibut that was perfectly tender (but not mushy) in a rich mushroom broth. The lobster salad with pickled ramps was also excellent. The meat course was duck breast and a small cube of de-boned duck thigh. The duck was served perfectly medium rare, with crisp skin, and a pleasantly sweet note from honey. It was served with some radishes that were relatively unremarkable). Dessert was a very layered custard dish with blood orange, tapioca, shaved orange ice and pistacio. It had a lot going on, but the flavors worked well together. A great finish to a great meal. One of the best aspects of the meal was that I was completely full, but not even a little bit stuffed. This is a product of the restrained # of courses (6), as well as the heavy seafood component, and reasonable portion sizing. Leaving a restaurant overstuffed is one of my biggest frustrations with tasting menus, no matter how good the food. Well done Gramercy Tavern! Service: Attentive but not overbearing, and very knowledgeable about the food and wine. It was a longer meal (2.5 hours), but the pace was steady, with dishes showing up just as you were starting to wonder when the next dish would arrive. Overall, I was super impressed. While the food might not be quite "cutting-edge" by some standards, it is well-imagined and executed to perfection. Definitely will plan on returning to Gramercy Tavern time and again.
(5)Chris C.
What can I say other than my birthday event was perfection. Service from our waiter, Michael, was top notch. The entire staff were 'present' and attentive the entire evening. Cuisine was superb. The pecan bourbon desert was to die for. Just a spectacular experience all around. Gramercy Tavern really is one of the finest restaurants in the world.
(5)Kasey R.
Went to Gramercy Tavern last night while my parents were in town - we stayed for about 3.5 hours to enjoy the great food, tasty drinks and impeccable service. The restaurant offers two dining format options: 3-course or a 7-course tasting menu. They do ask that tables choose the same format so that everyone has the same dining experience. The food was very good, but it was actually the service that really stood out and made this a 5-star experience. For dinner, we got the apps: chilled soup, corn custard and ricotta agnolotti and entrees: pork belly, flounder and chicken & sausage. I really liked my meal, though my mom's chicken was undercooked and she didn't end up eating much of it. The waiter asked if there was a problem, and even after mom said it was fine, the manager came over to check on us, asking if she could re-do the dish or get her anything else. They ended up taking the entree off of our bill (though we told them that wasn't necessary) and also brought out complimentary desserts and drinks - truly above and beyond. For dessert, we got the ice cream sampler, coconut pudding and cherry cake, as well as a complimentary nectarine cobbler and NY eiswein (sweet dessert wine) on the house. My favorite ended up being the nectarine cobbler. I can't wait to come back here when my parents are in town and footing the bill (the 3-course was $92 before alcohol), and I'm interested to see how their seasonal menu changes come fall/winter. Would love to see these guys offer a nice steak option - that was the only thing I kind of missed having available on the summer menu.
(5)Lu H.
This is a long overdue review because we came here back in August and both had the seasonal tasting menu. After the dinner, I've decided Gramercy Tavern is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. If I remember correctly, I think it's 6 courses. A couple of standouts that I still remember include the YUMMY chive bread rolls (and I don't even like chives that much), lobster salad with tomatoes (LOVE the tomatoes), duck breast (perfectly cooked and perfectly seasoned). The dessert was amazing, also they gave us some coffee cake to take home, which I ate as breakfast the next day. I'd like to be back soon to see what they've changed for the seasonal menu. Maybe some pumpkin for Nov?
(5)Laura H.
One of the best dining experiences I've ever had! We arrived 30 minutes early for our 8:30 dinner reservation on a Sunday night, and had no trouble finding 2 empty seats at the bar as we waited on our table. Bar service was excellent! The decor here is just lovely! The nature theme of flowers/plants and fruit & vegetables made it warm and inviting. I had the 3 course menu for $92. First course- Pork Bolognese Tagliatelle Second course- Striped Bass Dessert- Rhubarb Almond Cake The striped bass came in the most savory garlic butter type sauce. It was so delicious! I also tried my friend's smoked trout, lamb, and devil's food cake, which were even better. One of the best parts about the experience was that the chef sent out 3 bonus treats during the course of our meal, including a cinnamon muffin to take home for breakfast the next day. Awesome! Service was top notch. I can't wait to go back next time I'm in NY!
(5)Jen S.
i heard this was one of the best restaurants in nyc and was recommended to go here from a friend who had lived in nyc for ten years.. so i decided to go - best decision ever. i was expecting to spend at least $100 b/c their menu is set at $86 and their tasting menu is set at $112/92. What i didn't know was that this menu was for reservations only. there are two areas in the restaurant: one for reservations and one for drop-in. when my friend and i arrived, the next reservation was at 930pm so we decided to just get seated and eat off the a la carte menu instead of the fixed menu. best decision ever because they were offering a three course meal for $35!! i got the risotto, halibut, and dessert. the halibut was the BEST i've ever had. the portions were small as expected but filled me up and i was completely satisfied. the food all comes from the same kitchen but i paid so much less! this is seriously the best deal ever. and its only because the economy is like this that there is such a good offer. everyone should eat there b/c its so affordable! not only is the food good, the waiter/ess are extremely friendly and helpful. the ambiance is not snobby like some expensive restaurants tend to be. they do not rush you either, my friend and i ate slowly and chatted for a while. this place is seriously as good as everyone says.
(5)Brian B.
The food and atmosphere are amazing. The customer service is superb.
(4)Sam P.
I'm so lucky to have people like Heather H in my life who continue to introduce me to some of the best restaurants around. She's been raving about Gramercy Tavern for some years now, and I had the pleasure of joining her for a Restaurant Week lunch date last Friday. And Gramercy lived up to the hype in spades. One of my dining pet-peeves is restaurants that try way too hard. Perhaps the reason I liked Gramercy Tavern so much is that it makes everything seem effortless. It also has the distinction of successfully combining elements of old school upscale dining (synchronous food arrival, swarms of busboys swapping plates and silverware, etc.) with a friendly relaxed feel. I feel like you'd be just as comfortable here in a suit as you would in jeans and flip-flops. That's a hard balance to strike. Finally, the food is just excellent. Classic yet innovative, balanced portions, and very well executed. I started with a calamari and carrot salad, fresh light and yummy and had the sirloin for my main dish - the highlight of which was the three buttery ravioli underneath. Dessert deserves a special mention as the most delectable, rich, and ridiculously good bread pudding I have ever had. This is a great meal for an expense account or a place to take your parents if you're not eating here during Restaurant Week (but thank god we were! All that for $40? Yes please). But still, it's nice when the legendary places live up to expectations. Well done.
(5)Catherine W.
Couldn't get enough of the rum & cider, which added to the charm of a winter lunch with friends. The christmas decorations and flowers were STUNNING, the environment warm and engaging without being too noisy. Encore ...
(5)Andrew W.
After many years of yearning for the right occassion and opportunity to eat in the main dining room, I finally got to Gramercy Tavern on a recent milestone celebration with my girlfriend. We dutifully exactly 28 days before at 10 AM to get our table and rewarded with a wonderful table for two in a prime spot in one of the main dining rooms. For an appetizer, I had Lamb Pappardelle and for my main, sirloin and flat-iron steak that had been braised for 28 hours. Both were absolutely fantastic, but the portions were quite small especially considering the fact that flat-iron and sirloin are considered second-rate cuts of steak. I still felt quite hungry after the main course and it took a massive desert, the chocolate/peanut butter semifredo to make me feel like I'd had a real meal. Perhaps sensing my disappointment or as a standard move, they offered us desert wines, which was a nice touch. Still, I didn't care for the fact that I was basically filled up on sweets for such an expensive prix fixe. After the meal, I dutifully filled out the comment cards with my constructive criticism and did get a response in the mail a few weeks later from the chef. Still, though the service was good and the reply was a nice touch, the whole hospitality experience seemed mechanical and almost overtrained. The response was hand-written, but almost seemed like it was a form letter. Though I still hold GT in high regard, the prix fixe is probably overpriced. Stick with the casual front section and I think you'll get a better meal for less.
(3)Ayelet B.
We really enjoyed the bar here and would love to come back for a meal since the menu looks great. The atmosphere is fantastic especially on a Sunday afternoon. I had my first ever hot chocolate Martini, which was amazing. My friend enjoyed a hot cider with bourbon. Fantastic!
(4)Fer M.
I was curious about this restaurant but for some reason I never made a point to kill my curiosity... until I discovered that one of the cooks Felipe Saint-Martin is BRAZILIAN! Of course I was only sad I did not come to this place earlier. It's beautiful and happening without being snobby and the service is impeccable. If you love cheese like me order the cheese selection which is to die for. Great for lunch and the eye candy is NOT TO BE MISSED!
(5)Mike R.
Exquisite setting, perfect service, astonishing food
(5)Raffi K.
I've been using Yelp religiously for a few years to plan my dining, so I thought it's time I contribute with a review. After all the research I'd done and lists I'd made for the various cities we visited, the first place that popped in my head was Gramercy Tavern. My wife and I ate from their tavern menu almost three years ago, and we still talk about it to this day. For me, the sign of a great meal is one that's memorable and this definitely hit the mark. I remember eating the meal and thinking to myself, I wouldn't even know where to start to try and create flavors like this. Amazing. My only regret was skipping the dining room menu the next time we were in New York. That mistake won't be repeated...we'll be back eventually!
(5)Travis C.
Took my girlfriend here the night I proposed. Fantastic food, on point service and great ambiance for the special occasion. Will be returning next time we are In town.
(5)David Y.
Executive Chef Michael Anthony's virtuousity is on full display at NYC's perrenial favorite restaurant. Due to a scheduling mixup at another restaurant of Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group, our server started the evening with a nice gesture and poured complementary glasses of 2005 Domaine Carneros Vintage Brut sparkling wine for my party. We then proceeded to culinary heaven with the Autumn Tasting Menu ($112): Olive Starter Citrus Cured Arctic Char with Lemon Confit Pumpkin Soup with Peekytoe Crab and Celery Root Smoked Trout with Cippollini Purée and Pickled Onion Vinaigrette Grilled Sturgeon with Brussel Sprouts and Chestnuts Rack of Veal with Rustabaga Crab Apple Purée and Wild Mushrooms Sherbert with Cranberry Purée and Ginger White Chocolate Macadamia Brittle Mousse with Kiwi Sorbet German Chocolate Cake with Milk Chocolate Coconut Ice Cream Tasting Dessert Candies A spectacular lineup, I was particularly fond of the the Pumpkin Soup with Peekytoe Crab and Celery Root and the Smoked Trout with Cippollini Purée and Pickled Onion Vinaigrette. The Sherbert with Cranberry Purée and Ginger was quite refreshing with the subtle ginger. The ambience and the magnificent murals that decorate the ceiling above the bar complete the rich culinary scene. $$$$
(5)Desi M.
After coming here a handful of times and being very impressed, or not (depending on the visit), by the food and the service, I did not feel at all compelled to add my voice to the din that is over 300 reviews.... UNTIL NOW. I only hope that my words find you before they remove this from the menu, read: go now. And so.... If you like red meats, please, because I probably won't make it back before it is gone- go tonight and order the venison! I won't try to articulate how it melted in my mouth because you should just go taste it for yourself. I hope for your sake (and mine because I will be tasting through you & you might hurt me if I lead you astray) that you love it as much as I did. Let's just say it's the best piece of meat I have ever had.... and I eat enough red meat to be embarrassed. note: I had it medium rare If you are unhappy with it, you can always drown your sorrows in a cheese plate, wine, and dessert... I'll try to join you.
(4)Chunwoo K.
Yesterday, it was reported by many that the city's most popular restaurant, Gramercy Tavern, didn't do so well on their last Heath Department inspection. They scored 35 points for violations like live roaches and flies, which falls in to C grade territory.
(1)Nina H.
There really isn't much to complain about this place. For such a high profile restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised that our servers were down to earth with personality- not the cookie-cutter 5-star dining servers who may say and do all the right things, but because they have to. Very refreshing. And the food was really great too! We did the summer tasting menu which started out with a gaspachio that was really tasty. It moved on to other dishes which currently escape me. I'd definitely come back here because it was such a pleasant experience. High-end food, comfortable atmosphere, great non-stuffy service.
(5)Ryan K.
Recommended by my NY friend Ian. Whoa, Nothing like it in Hawaii. Everything was awesome. Service top notch. I didn't check out the bathrooms but those are low on the list. Some of the best dishes in my life.
(5)Radford T.
My friends were legally married at City Hall one beautiful Friday, and they invited close friends to join them and witness the occasion together with their parents. To celebrate the happy event, they made a reservation at Gramercy Tavern for all 13 of us and we had lunch there. The bride and groom were characteristically late, even to their own marriage registration, which I and their other friends found pretty funny. But this was their day, so we can't be angry. We had to move the reservation back by more than an hour, and the restaurant was actually able to accommodate this, despite the size of our party and the last-minute change of time. By the time we arrived there, it was basically brunch time, and they had our tables ready for us - they gave us two round tables. Champagne was poured for everybody about a minute after we sat down. Lunch at Gramercy Tavern offered us the option of either five dishes, including dessert, from a tasting menu, or dishes from a two-course menu, with seven or eight dishes to choose from for each of the two courses. Since we had such a large party, we were encouraged to all choose one or the other option. We collectively decided on the two-course menu, and I chose the Whole Spelt Spaghetti as the first course and the Roasted Hangar Steak as the second course. The sauce for the spaghetti dish consisted of tomatoes, artichokes, and orange. Yes, orange. The result was a citrus-flavour spaghetti. I can't say it especially enhanced the flavour, but it certainly produced a unique tasting spaghetti dish. The Roasted Hangar Steak came with fingerling potatoes, red russian kale, and bourbon sauce. I had asked for medium rare, and unfortunately I thought it was more medium well instead. The fingerling potatoes and kale were kind of bland, to be honest. The portions for both of these dishes were very small, but then again, I suppose small portions are to be expected at a restaurant like Gramercy Tavern. For dessert we decided to order a few items to be shared: Pear Upside Down Cake, Warm Chocolate Bread Pudding, and Peanut Butter Semifreddo. All were very good, but I must admit the semifreddo was my favourite. I would love to give this restaurant more stars, especially since they were able to move our reservation on such short notice, but I really just was not that impressed with the food, considering the price tag. I guess I don't really understand the high rating it has gotten. Is this one of those restaurants where those four grandmas from Sex In The City like to have brunch in?
(3)Nadia M.
Yummy all the way. Started with a delicious goat cheese pastry on the house and then we went for the 7 course with wine pairing and loved it. The service was also exceptional. It is pricey but well worth saving up for. Great food and amazing desserts. Try the concord grape sorbet! We've gone back twice now.
(5)Henry P.
2/14/12 I brought a friend here for a birthday lunch and we sat at the bar. I started with an excellent recommendation for wine, then we received a apple, pear and walnut salad, compliments of the house. It was simple, but so delicious. After about 45 minutes, we still hadn't received our entrees. It turns out that there was a miscommunication somewhere between the kitchen and server. Finally, the manager personally handed us our meals. She was extremely apologetic and insisted on covering the entire meal. Covering half would have been generous enough, but taking care of the whole meal brought the customer service element to a whole different level. Aside from being so appreciative of the kind gesture, I left fully content with the meal as well. I had the chicken/butternut squash/fingerling potatoes and my friend had the mushroom lasagna. Both meals were so delicious. I'll certainly be coming and back and recommending that all my friends go as well.
(5)Joan M.
A belated anniversary dinner and a very enjoyable and memorable one. I had heard of Gramercy Tavern, close to my old stomping grounds near Union Square. The place is decorated cool, with an American flare, not too busy and yet not too formal, plain or stuffy. We got reservations last minute and got there an hour early so we had 2 glasses of champagne at the bar. Nice wine list. We sat in back area on the side room in the corner, perfect little snug with a view of all the going ons of the restaurant. A complimentary glass of sparkling wine was served and an amuse bouch of a ball of warm baked crusted cheese. We both had the 3 course tasting menu, starting off with the special scallops: 5 little Nantucket scallops seared perfectly on one side only and the otter side tender and juicy yummy! With a buttery creme sauce, not too heavy, just right a few delicate julienned veggies. Awesome dish! My hubby started with the smoked trout. Very tasty, not too salty, and just right texture, not dry, just tender enough- delicious!! Entrees were lamb & duck. I liked the lamb better. It was lamb 3 ways w a sausage, a grilled piece & on the bone. Fantastic!! The flavors were so rich & deep. It came w a sweet potato and some small veg and the flavors were well into those too. THe duck was very good too. Tasty. Some fatty bits but that's duck :) Paired w a nice bottle of Duban:) * although we can't stand when the waiter uncorks it in the back or out of view of us/customers. A pet peeve of ours. Has only happened once before at the new Tasting Room, not the original one. Our desserts were a warm chocolate cake with peanut butter crunch round moon cake, awesome! Delightfully light, not heavy, gone fast! And the 3 cheese plate-yummy! The bleu cheese was not strong but salty. My hubby liked it. One cheese like a Brie and the 3rd like a Gouda/regianno. Came w 3 assorted breads w raisin nuts plain & rye-like. Mix & match, a nice treat instead of sweet dessert to go with a glass of Port!! Another complimentary plate of chocolate writing Happy Anniversary and little chocolate bonbons. A lovely meal. Great atmosphere. Service attentive. Food a tasty treat! Definitely would go back after trying all the other michelin starred restaurants heehee!
(5)Lilly L.
This place is the la creme de la creme of Top New York Hot Spots. You need a reservation to hold a spot so plan ahead as it can get very busy and space is limited. Upon arrival you felt a romantic glimmer and the seating is very intimate. The setting is lovely and you have two wait staff per table. The menu was fixed and the chef's choice was wonderful. I was able to order a half glass of every champagne they had on the menu. I wanted to indulge in the finest. The food was amazing and the courses kept coming. The service was 5 star and as for the price it was steep but well worth it. My best friend and I ate and enjoyed and still talk about our best meal ever. Be aware that you could eat here and spend as much on a flight to Europe. If your a foodie then you would ditch the European vacation and dine here!
(4)Holly K.
Wow! Excellent food, great service, and not hoity toity. What more can you ask for...
(5)Jen M.
Had dinner for two in the tavern part (the front room by the bar). The service was great and attentive. Very clean and amiable. I started with oysters and white wine. The oysters were amazing... (sometimes it's hard to find entirely clean and clear tasting oysters in NYC... I like to eat all kinds and try different locations and most times the various places are ok, but it's nice when they are just 'right on' like here). My dinner companion had the pork chop and liked it. I had the arctic char and it was good. I would probably try a different fish or a meat next time as I don't think I'm a general fan of arctic char, though. The flavors in the sauces and ingredients were buttery and savory, though, so... it was enjoyable. We got out of there after having a really sweet and nice pecan dessert with some kind of spice ice cream, for about $80 altogether. Not terrible for the quantity, satisfying taste, ambiance, and nice waitstaff. Liked the high ceilings. Was laid back and not too loud.
(4)Paolo M.
Gramercy Tavern never dissapoints. The service is top notch, without being overly intrusive or formal. The casual elegance of the dining room is reinforced by the very knowledgeable staff. The dining room, even when completely booked, is tranquil and extremely enjoyable. The food is an exercise in perfection as far as the construction and ingredients go, but the portions are getting smaller. While no doubt one of the city's very best restaurants, in my view, Union Square Cafe has the edge when it comes to the food.
(4)King C.
Overrated. Great service, but lackluster food. More of a place to impress out-of-town business clients. Not really a romantic place.
(2)Brian G.
really enjoyed our dinner at this fantastic spot; perfect service and ambiance to fulfill any special occasion. apps, main and dessert were great. the type of place where you can sit all night.
(5)Christina Y.
Really enjoyed everything about this meal, from the food to the drinks to the service to the atmosphere to the company. The three of us had a ladies' lunch on Friday around 2 pm. I tried the Ginger Swizzle, which is ginger beer (nonalcoholic) mixed with mint and lime and lots of crushed ice. Very much like a mojito, and it was quite refreshing. I had the sea bass entree, which came on a bed of amazing orangey spaghetti squash. The fish was absolutely perfect, and the squash was wonderful. I had never had anything like it before. For dessert, we shared the chocolate bread pudding, which came with vanilla ice cream with cocoa nibs. The kitchen thoughtfully gave us not just the standard one scoop of ice cream, but THREE so we could each have our own. Awesome. They also gave us a little plate of petit fours to try. Yum, though we were too full to finish all of them. The service was truly impeccable, which is of course expected at a restaurant like Gramercy, but it was also friendly and unpretentious, which I really liked. Reminded me of eating at the Four Seasons, where the service was similarly fantastic. The decor of the restaurant is very warm and classical, and though it was late, the restaurant was relatively full. Would highly recommend making reservations in advance, particularly if you want to go during meal rush hour.
(5)C.J. T.
Heather H. brought me (and a million other people) here for Restaurant Week, and I have to say, she was not exaggerating about how great it is. It's no doubt one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. Service: Fantastic! Friendly and attentive but not in-your-face. Atmosphere: High-class but also inviting and unpretentious. Food: OMG SO GOOOOOD Get the chocolate bread pudding! And thanks, Heather! :-)
(5)C. T.
Definitely an institution in it's own league
(5)Ben W.
Gramercy Tavern is nothing short of amazing. I've been there twice, once during Restaurant Week (in the Tavern Bar) and once in the main dining room. They really don't pull any stops with RW and put foward their best menu. The waiter was attentive, friendly, and quick-witted -- all good things to have in a server. He walked through the entire menu with us, and helped us pick out an amazing meal. You have to try their in-house aged pastrami. I know -- what's so great about pastrami right? I thought the same thing, until I had it and now I can't stop thinking about it. Damnit pastrami, get out of my daydreams -- that's usually reserved only for Charlize Theron. This place is what I would think of where Nick Carraway and Gatsby would have dinner -- comfortable yet posh, delicious yet cool. Definitely on my top 3 list of restaurants ever.
(5)She-Ra P.
The smoked trout!!!! Awesome! Such an inviting establishment. You feel welcome from entrance to exit. Enjoy!
(4)Donald T.
Had a reservation for lunch at 2 this week on Tuesday. My spouse and I chose the seasonal tasting menu which consisted of tartare of fluke, halibut, bay scallops, duck all finished off with chocolate cake and butter pecan ice cream. The portions were just right and the quality was excellent. Ate in the dining room and will try to get into the bar area next time.(no reservations taken). Wonderful dining experience!
(5)Clarence K.
I went on a decadent tour of a few nice restaurants including Per Se, Babbo, Sushi Yasuda, and Gramercy Tavern. All in all, I felt that Gramercy Tavern was the best experience overall as it's reasonably priced, but it was also the tastiest to me. The other big part about Gramercy Tavern is the service can't be beat. It's not stuffy, and they are quite accommodating. I don't know if it's just me, but at some restaurants I feel like they can be a bit snobby cause I look young or something. Or maybe they're mad cause of good genes? Anyhow, 3 of the 4 of us ordered the prix fixe, and they actually let us do that! Other restaurants get super-strict that everyone must do it. Plus they even offered a few extra dishes to the person who didn't go prix fixe. So service was excellent, but how was the food? Amazing! There were some nice raw fish dishes as well as cooked fish. There was some veal and duck. The dessert was some mousse-ish type thing that was amazing as well. I could eat that meal all over again. I've only gone once so far, so it's hard to say whether it is consistent, but I intend to find out! Bottom line - if you like straightforward but amazing flavors and a less-formal friendly environment, come here!
(5)smlyc s.
Food as good as ever. Extremely proper service, with great friendliness and no pretension -- quite a trick. Companion,a 30-year-plus New Yorker, called it all-time best & favorite NY meal; I couldn't have been happier if it were my place. Only cavil: meal did start a bit slow (longer waits for things than usual).
(5)Ben B.
My favorite restaurant in New York. Everybody knows the food and drink are great, so instead of fawning ad nauseum I'll try to offer up a few tips from personal experience: 1. A good time to go is Sunday sort of middle-of-the-day. Like 2:30 or 3 PM. I know this is a weird time but have a banana for breakfast, suck it up for a few hours, then prepare to eat and drink for three solid hours in the afternoon. Sit at the bar with anywhere from one to three friends. The bartenders will really take care of you. 2. Explore the beer menu. Gramercy is one of the very few upscale restaurants in New York that boasts about giving beer its due and actually pulls it off. They know what they're doing. Start with a few drafts, which are always fresh, almost always local, and never mass-produced crap. Explore the bottle list. Pair a bottle or two with a cheese plate. The staff are well-trained and will show you the way. In fact, though I would never recommend completely eschewing the outrageously good wine list, try and have a meal sometime there paired entirely with beer. It will be worth it. 3. If you're going to sit in the back room, the fancy-pants part of the restaurant, and you're doing so for a special occasion (anniversary, birthday, etc.), then tell them beforehand. The staff will be sure to add some classy touches in honor of your celebration that you will remember. 4. Move out of New York and visit frequently with an expense account. 5. Okay, never mind what I said about not fawning ad nauseum. Lavender-infused gin martini. Braised pork belly with apples and cabbage. The free spiced nuts at the bar. Giant ricotta-stuffed meatball. Classic ice cream sundae with blueberries and caramel corn. Pear tart with ginger ice cream. These are some of the best things I have ordered at Gramercy, and although you likely won't find these items on the menu when you go because they change the menu so frequently, I needed to give you a small idea of the deliciousness that awaits you. Go.
(5)Audrey E.
Gramercy Tavern gets top honors for pulling off a 5 star dining experience without all the attitude of other high-profile NY restaurants. Unrivaled excellence in cuisine and service, all done in a setting where anyone would feel welcome and comfortable. We chose Gramercy for our parents' 50th anniversary, and I made my reservation easily through Open Table. I was pleasantly surprised when I called to confirm and they had actually checked the notes I had submitted, and they asked if I wanted them to do something special for the occasion. The person I spoke to told me they would do "Happy 50th Anniversary" in Chocolate Script, which is always a nice touch. We had celebrated earlier in the year, because nobody knew if we'd be together, and being at Gramercy for the actual day just made it more special. Entering the restaurant on a Friday, there was a small crowd... things are getting tougher in this economy. Soon after we were seated and given menus, the main waiter came over with a bottle of bubbly and my brother gave me a questioning look that said, "hey did you order this, and why?". Turns out it was on the house! Nice touch. We all decided to do the Autumn tasting menu, which oddly had almost ALL fish dishes. For most of my family that's great, but we were told that any one person, or the group could ask for a substitution as long as it was just one dish and not half the menu. Totally reasonable, and my father was able to get a beautiful filet of beef dish as one of his tastings and was a happy camper as a result. Also great was the wine service. We weren't really sure what we wanted, and we were given several different tastes so that we could make a choice without guessing... Very nice ... some restaurants will scoff at that, wondering why the customer doesn't know.. but this was a great customer service gesture. A good amuse bouche, followed by Arctic Char, Salmon two ways, Halibut (best fish dish all night... slow roasted), veal and god only knows what else... I had lost track. Impeccable service, the wait staff always knew when we needed something, and they gracefully answered our numerous questions about preparation and ingredients. (This is what happens when you have developing foodies/ oenophiles in the crowd) One of the best dining experiences I've had...
(5)Todd S.
We visited in the Spring and had the tasting menu. The service was impeccable and the food fabulous. I was particularly fond of the Rabbit dumpling with green garlic. This had to be in my top three for my recent visit to NYC. I would definitely return.
(5)Mike T.
Located in a great neighborhood, is this great restaurant. The nice thing, is that the bar area is done just as professionally as the rest of the restaurant. A menu that is well above average, served by a professional staff with smiles on their faces. Though, you are highly likely to find this place crowded, it is worth checking out at least once.
(4)daily r.
I heard that Gramercy Tavern was serving Blue Bottle coffee and decided to head over with my wife to check it out. We arrived for lunch on a weekday. The GT crowd was a good looking, well dressed lot. Since we were a bit grubby (wearing jeans...shame on us) from schlepping all over the city, we figured we'd receive a bit of the stink-eye and get a table tucked away in a hidden corner. Not so! The hostess was warm and gave us a great table near the window. We inquired about the coffee and she confirmed that they were indeed serving BB. What followed was a fantastic lunch of: heirloom cauliflower (think purple and delicious), sea bream, and smoked kielbasa. The kielbasa brought a little tear to my eye. We drank a pinot blanc and an italian rose (nice wine and spirits list). Our waitress was excellent. During lunch a very friendly and elegant looking man approached our table and introduced himself. He was Scott, the GT manager. The hostess had mentioned to him that we were fans of BB coffee. We chatted briefly about the restaurant, he recommended a few other places to eat, and then (with a warning to us to save room for dessert) he was off. Fantastic guy! For dessert Scott sent out an ice-cream assortment to go with our espresso. The espresso? They did BB proud. Delicious. All-in-all a great experience; can't wait to go back. Scott et al -- bless you.
(5)O A.
I went here for a special occasion with my family. The food was great and the service was good as well.
(5)Amber M.
i've eaten here twice the last two times i've been in new york, and i would honestly have to say that this is the best food i've ever had IN MY LIFE. EVER. the first meal was in may 2008 - my fella's birthday dinner. we still talk about the arctic char tartare to this day. the smoked trout was superb and the special that night was ragut that i still dream about and crave completely. i don't remember what wine we had, but i know it was excellent. the staff treated us like royalty - and brought us a cookie plate for my fella's birthday. everything was just perfect! we were just in nyc in august and this time instead of dinner, we had lunch at grammercy tavern. again - SUPERB. PHENOMENAL. AMAZING. PERFECT. i started out with a summer green bean salad that i am also still talking about. how do you make green bean salad worth talking about!?! i don't know, but i think it was the orange vinagrette. it was so good i actually considered ordering another one and just skipping the entree. i didn't. but i wanted to... for my entree i had a fish dish that was also very summery. to be honest, i can't remember what type of fish it was... i think drum, but i'm not sure. it had a delightful dill sauce on it, however that was perfect for a light summer lunch. we keep saying the next time we go to new york we'' try something new, but i mean, honestly... if ain't broke don't fix it. did i mention this is the THE BEST FOOD I'VE EVER EATEN....
(5)Blake B.
This is a review for the front of house only (at lunch). We did not eat in the dining room. This was the best meal I have had in a while. The restaurant is really nice, yet understated. The wait staff is fantastic, and the food is excellent. In fact, I was a bit surprised by the prices after hearing all of the rave reviews. I expected to drop some serious cash, however each of our meals came out to roughly $25-$30 a person... WORTH EVERY PENNY.
(5)Meaghan R.
Been dying to try GF for ages, as most people probably have. Decided to chance it last monday night for our first anniversary. Got all dolled up for the Tavern room (note: the scene was stylish, hip ny. Lots of model/fashion world/business types. You could wear a nice Theory dress or even a good pair of jeans with some great shoes. We chose to get fancier but people were stylishly, comfortably attired. Open to interpretation. Lots of gorgeous accessories, great haircuts, that kind of thing). Got there around 8, told it was an hour and a half wait. We said it was okay, it was our special night and this was how we wanted to celebrate. They said congrats, invited us to get a drink at the bar and wait. We were seated about 35 minutes later, and they checked on us the whole time. I need to say this: the room is stunning. Everyone should go and see what all the fuss is about, even just for a $12 cocktail (very good, by the way). It was just beautiful, not overdone. Spectacular. Saw the formal room through the open doors and it was more subtle and traditionally elegant (white linen, muted palate as opposed to the Tavern room's more rustic appeal). We started with 2 cocktails each. Can't really go wrong with any of them, but I loved the margarita interpretation and the orange champagne cocktail. I started with the duck mousse, with some perfectly chosen pickeled ginger on the side. My boyfriend had the foccacia special which was nothing special but good and warm. I chose the chicken for dinner, and he had the meatball. The meatball wins hands down. The chicken was better than anything you'll cook at home, and although I despise cooked carrots, the ones on my plate were to die for. His meatball though....well, I won't say much more, but it was amazing and well worth ordering. For dessert: german chocolate cake and chocolate pudding. My pudding had salted caramel crutons which I think were a bit too salty. I understand and appreciate the flavor profile they were going for, but it was a tad overdone, sadly. Special notes: waitress was supberb, just like I expected. It is worth it to say that I had exceedingly high expectations of GT and they were all met. My wine choice was made easy as my waitress allowed me to sample two at her suggestion and my choosing before deciding on one for my entree. She gave us a complimentary glass of sherry to go with our chocolate desserts for our anniversary. They wrote on the plates in chocolate. The chef came out and talked to us about our meals and our evening. Also, the tavern was completely affordable for this kind of atmosphere and food. You must try. Sorry for the long review. Go and visit! You won't regret it!
(5)Diablo L.
I know there are many reviews about this place but just wanted to add if you've never been here and thinking about it , you need to stop in...had the Rabbit Fettuccine, with the pork loin/belly , ended with a excellent tri flavor sorbet to end a very unique flavorful dinner.....can't wait to go back.
(5)Justine H.
seriously guys? shit. best friggin meal i've had in a REALLY long time. no question about the stars on this one. lets walk through it together. this is gonna be a long one - Free on the Table - butter. that butter. butter that pulled apart and spread more like lardo. tiny crystals of salt that would surprise me and delight me. Amuse Bouche - a bite sized fried little morsel of potato with truffle. yummy little thing. Wine - A white burgandy - hints of green apple & unripened pear. Appetizers - my smoked trout appetizer was perfectly cooked through. so moist. so flavorful. the pickled onions added immense flavor and really really complimented the fish. - the foie gras custard with plum compote? good enough to have as dessert. melts away in your mouth, and with each passing nanosecond, the "mm" noises leaving your mouth get louder and louder. the layers of flavor in that dish and the way it hits your tongue are insane. absolutely insane. - the lamb pappardelle was probably the least memorable of the 3 apps. i absolutely loved my trout, and was envious of the man with the foie gras next to me, but did not look back too many times at the pappardelle. Wine - Red Burgandy - the nose of a port. the taste of a pinot. perfect transition from the white burgandy - Brunello - need i say more. the second i took my first whiff, i knew i was in love. Entrees - venison loin & homemade sausages with a side of a potato pancake for everyone. are you freaking kidding me. the potato pancake looked like it came out of a pie-mold. i wanted to take the entire thing home. the homemade sausages were divine, and one of the more interesting things i've tasted in my day. the venison loin had very little gamey-ness, and was cooked moist & med rare. perfect. perfect perfect perfect!! Wine - Barolo - beautifully full and delicious. Dessert - Sardinian pecans with honey dipping sauce - 5 cheese platter - the one from wisconsin was amazing. and that caveman blue. man oh man i love those blue swirls. - chocolate bread pudding - SO good. bread pudding is one of my all time fave desserts, and this was one of the best i've ever had. - goat cheese cheesecake - terrrrrific. goat cheese was flavorful and apparent enough, but not toooo apparent for a cheesecake. - blueberry corn ice cream sunday with toffee popcorn - about as crazy as it sounds. - peanut butter semifreddo & chocolate macaroon - desserts with peanut butter nearly never go wrong 4.5 hours later, we finally got out of there. guys. in all honestly, the meal was so f-ing good that i feel like i got away with something really really bad. if only every meal could make me feel this horribly wonderful.
(5)Bojo T.
Great fun, good food, cozy atmosphere, considerate servers and not as bad on the wallet as I expected ($217 + tip = $250). Everything we ordered was simple, and tasteful. The scallops were not fantastic - but then everything else more than made up for it. We really enjoyed our time.
(5)Michael L.
I love the feel and look of this place and I have no idea why I went here. It is odd for me to go anywhere that would have the word Tavern in it, but I am happy I did. From the person seating us to the wait staff just grand. Not often eating Lamb as it tends to tear my stomach up I took a risk since I love it and had the Lamb Pappardelle, yummy. There are so many places to try in NY when visiting, I am just glad this turned out so well and would go back.
(5)Ishan G.
Excellent service, great wine list, delicious food.... expensive outing. I've been dying to visit this place for ages, and when I finally made the trek the experience was nothing short of fabulous. From the time you walk into to the restaurant the service is excellent. Our waiter was a breath of fresh air. Extremely helpful and super nice (an endangered breed in NYC) The only two options for the night was the 3 course menu and the tasting menus. We (4 of us) decided to do the 3 course menu. The food was delicious. But I guess I was more blown away by all the fine touches. The goat cheese puffs before the appetizers, the tray of sweets after desserts, the take home breakfast muffins. It was one surprise after another. So the real question is, is it all worth the $150 tab per person? If you take away all the fine touches and rate purely based on food, the answer is probably no. Don't get me wrong the food was delicious, not a $150 wow-factor delicious. But (and its a big BUT) you cant ignore the ambiance and the service. All that extra effort deserves some reward. So all in all the experience was fully worth every $ spent. A great place to impress your out-of-town work colleagues or clients.
(4)Tim L.
I wish i could give you 6 stars. This place was fantastic. We were lucky enough to sit in the front area and save about 60% of our bill. The Meatball is amazing (One giant meatball fille with cheese). But to be honest, they make the best chicken breast i have ever had. They suvee the chicken breast so it is extremely moist and tender but cooked, then they flash sear it on a wood flame to create a contrast of textures with crunchy and moist (Friggin Amazing) and only 18 bucks! They served the chicken break over a chicken stock reduction sauce. The waiter explained that they don't use butter or any thickening agents, but they reduce stock by about 80% just to go some perfect pure tasting broth. Damn it was delicious. Wines - I hate drinking wine at restaurants because they usally aren't very good, or they are ridiuclkously overpriced, or you have to buy a whole friggin bottle. Gramercy does wine correct. Every wine we had was phenomenal (Cab, Rose, Pinot, Zin, Champagne). They let you purchase half glasses which is awesome! You can definitely tell that they put a lot of effot into making sure every wine is superior. The same goes with their cheeses as they get tons of imported cheese. I wish i could give you 6 stars!
(5)Paige W.
My, my, my. I can't believe I didn't review this glorious establishment before. But after my mom and grandma returned from New York City with a Gramercy Tavern tasting menu under their belts, I had to relay my experience. Danny Meyer, how I miss the joy of having you in my life. The enchanting Sara Y. and I made reservations here in late September for a last-hurrah dinner before I left NYC for good, a celebration of my departure from a job at a hip-hop magazine and return to the real world. I walked in, sweaty and lugging a huge box of old office supplies, the plug from my desk lamp dragging behind me like Linus' blankie. With all appropriate politesse, they offered to put my "things" in the coat check, and I sat down to gape at the Tavern dining room for a few. Now, I don't really know what "haute barnyard" means, but I suppose this is the height of it. The height of haute. Heh. Oh, French. We walked past Gramercy's gorgeous open kitchen -- I can always get behind a restaurant willing to bare its most private parts to its patrons -- and I also seem to remember a glorious selection of cheeses laid out on a marble slab on our way to the table. I wasn't into that back then, though. Alors, pas de fromage. We were seated in the main dining room, which feels more like a hunting lodge than a restaurant, and constantly fawned over by server after server. The bread tong-er, the water filler, the sommelier...the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker. The staff seemed to know the perfect times to whisk by our table; lulls in conversation were always filled with a little banter from our server, a polite nod from a silent passing busboy. Sara and I both ordered the vegetable tasting menu with wine pairings. Brilliant. The pinnacle of the meal: Corn chowder poured tableside over a lump of the most gorgeous lobster I've ever seen. I don't even LIKE lobster. The wine pairings were explained to us in detail as they arrived at the table, and each complemented our food perfectly. The Danny Meyer experience always ends with a little package of breakfast goodies brought to the table, something sweet to wake up to. I never eat them (wtf?) but it's such a delightful gesture, I always have to mention it. The crushingly sad lack of Danny Meyer in my life now that I live in Chicago is part of the reason I bother missing New York at all. Gramercy Tavern, come to Chicago and visit me.
(5)Tatyana M.
I don't know what I could possibly add to all the positive reviews that wasn't already been mentioned. The only thing I know that from now on all our Anniversary celebrations will be held in this place. The food, the service, the ambiance, the vibe of their dining room is above and beyond of anything we've experienced before. PURE PERFECTION that what it was. What impressed us the most was total absence of stuffiness or pretentiousness on behalf of everyone who served us. That's what I call the highest level of professionalism. BRAVO! Gramercy Tavern, BRAVO!
(5)Evelyn W.
E-Scale: 10/10 Is it pricey? Yes. But is it good? YES! My favorite is the sweetbreads. If you've never had pancreas, you must try it. It is amazing. The atmosphere is very whimsical with all the greenery. Definitely save up for it but it will be worth it.
(5)Christina L.
came here for lunch on monday - i was on a michelin mission and not many spots open for lunch. such a cute area in flatiron! and the atmosphere of the tavern and the restaurant both are great! we had the spring tasting menu - scallop, pasta, poached hake, duck and dessert. though i opted for the cheese course and it was so good! totally do that if you're dying for sweets. awesome chive roll with butter and sea salt. they're very efficient with filling our water glasses. cocktails a bit pricey at $15. but overall good experience and glad we did it! i would be down to try the tavern menu as well!
(4)Princess Banana H.
Went here for a school project (I'm a hospitality management major). My classmates and I each ordered from the pre-fixe lunch menu. I had the autumn soup which was pretty good and creamy. My next dish was steak with roasted root vegetables. It was ok. I only got 1 piece of potato; my classmate got 5. The steak had a nice crispy exterior, but was too rare inside. For dessert, I had the sorbet trio. The flavors were more palate cleansing than dessert-like. The service was good, but not what I expected for a fine dining restaurant. Would I go here again? Probably not. In my opinion, the prices are not worth revisiting the experience.
(3)Shuchi K.
I've been here three times now and the first two times were a bit of a disappointment as the food was over salted. However, this last time (this past summer), we booked out the private dining room to celebrate my engagement and the food and service were both impeccable. I would definitely go back again! Definitely consider this restaurant for a private dining experience.
(4)Nathan L.
WOW...JUST WOW. This place is amazing. I think I have never been to such a great place for such a great price. This place beats the socks off of any nice restaurant when you compare price and quality. I ate the duck which was just amazing. It was cooked just right and the side dishes were awesome. If you are looking for appetizers, def. choose the brussle sprouts. They will def. surprise you. It was my first time trying them and it was awesome! Words does not do this place justice so therefore I will just not say any more haha. Just go and try it.
(5)Kerry C.
Wow! Amazing place. The meal was ridiculously good and our waiter made excellent recommendations for both food and wine. We had the tasting menu which was perfect for both my husband and I. Every single thing we had was wonderful and unique. I'm still dreaming about the dessert - popcorn ice cream with blueberries and carmel popcorn- it may have been the best dessert I have ever had. So good. I can't imagine leaving this place even mildly unsatisfied. The only disappointing thing was the muffin they gave me for the next day. It was a nice thought, but the muffin was a bit dry. ;(
(5)Carl C.
amazing food..great service...I'll definitely be back
(5)Chris N.
I think everything that needs to be said about this place is covered in the reviews. My experience is every bit awesome as everyone says it is as per reviews. We went with the seasonal tasting menu in November. The service was fantastic, very friendly and accommodating. Everything we had on the tasting menu melded together perfectly. Everything tasted very fresh and organic. Must reserve 1-2 months in advance. Goodluck
(5)Sam S.
rightfully one of new york's most beloved gastronomic institutions. $55 five-course lunch is my favorite fine dining deal in the whole of the city. yes, even over the $28 2-course lunch at jean-georges. this is seasonal american cuisine at it's absolute finest. i ordered two additional desserts on top of the tasting menu dessert because the meal was so fantastic i didn't want to stop eating. all good things (in flatiron) come from danny meyer.
(5)Kate B.
Uh mah gawd My favorite restaurant. Anywhere. Need more stars.
(5)S. D.
A bit disappointing given all of the rave reviews. We had the tasting menu that was comprised of the arctic char, a chilled pea soup, smoked trout, soft shell crab, and a meat dish that I don't remember. Besides the smoked trout all of the dishes were pretty average and forgettable. Nothing was bad but nothing was superb either which was disappointing given the price. I am surprised that this place is considered one of the best restaurants in the city.
(3)Dimitrios Z.
Best dining experience of my life. Went with my girlfriend on her birthday and what an excellent night it was! Friendly staff, exceptional service, and the food AMAZING! Great selection of wines too! Definitely a must!
(5)Clint B.
This was a pity vote, and it mostly stems from the service. GT has been around forever, and isn't going anywhere for good reason. It's a wonderful restaurant. But I have to say I've been there a few times and have more often than not found my meals to be just a little lacking. That said, the food in general is very good, and the service is the best you'll ever find, anywhere - NY or otherwise. I suggest eating in the outer area by the bar instead of the dining room which is a little stuff for my taste. But either way GT is a classic and deserves credit for that.
(4)Oscar C.
Amazing food, preparation and service... had the summer tasting menu and the pacing was excellent as well. Even the little muffin they give you for the morning is worth enjoying ^^
(5)Stephan H.
The menu hasn't changed in ages, and the quality of the food is slipping.
(3)J T.
We had a early reservation and were seated right away. I had informed the restaurant that it was a birthday celebration and they were very nice about extending good wishes as we sat down. Service was outstanding from all. The atmosphere is that of a private club where you have been welcomed as a regular visitor . The portions are not huge but hey, this is NYC. They have a huge business whether you have 4 ounces of fish or 8. Just the reality of fine dining in this area with a restaurant with this reputation ! Go enjoy! The quality of ingredients shined through. Make your reservation well in advance and enjoy !
(5)Nicholas G.
This place lives up to the hype. Great space, great food, great service pretty much sum up my experience at Gramercy Tavern. I ate in the Tavern on a recent Sunday night and had a memorable dinning experience. I plan on going back to eat in the dinning room.
(4)M S.
Amazing! One of the best restaurants in New York. Stellar service, beautiful atmosphere, and perfection in terms of a well executed meal. You sort of feel like you are at home when you go there. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. I've lterally tried almost everything there. I love that this restaurant is not snobby or pretentious. Would def recommend it to anyone.
(5)Dina D.
I recently ate lunch at Gramercy Tavern. My party and I tried each other's food, so we got to sample a lot. We had the Warm Squash Salad Black Lentils, Apple Salad Radicchio, Hazelnuts and Cider Vinaigrette, Lamb Pappardelle Olives, Lemon Confit and Swiss Chard, Red Kuri Squash Soup Brussels Sprouts and Apples, Roasted Hanger Steak Fingerling Potatoes, Red Russian Kale and Bourbon Sauce, a flounder dish, Spiced Cranberry Brown Butter Cake Cranberry Lime Sorbet, Chocolate Almond Tart Coffee Ice Cream and Toffee Mousse, and Vanilla Bourbon Ice Cream & Mandarin Orange Sundae Earl Grey Meringues and Cranberry Compote. This was my first time dining at Gramercy, but my companions were regulars. The appetizers were mediocre at best. The apple salad was very basic; the squash salad was a colorful mishmash of squashes and radishes that wasn't very flavorful. The flounder wasn't very good. We ordered a side order of fingerling potatoes that were not good. The desserts were much better than the meal, the sundae being the highlight and the one thing we all agreed upon as being delicious. The decor here is so classicly lovely. I just wish the food was as good to match. Perhaps, like many restaurants, it used to be better. The service is very good.
(2)Harry H.
Where'd you get those clothes? At the...toilet......store? Come here for a late lunch & TRY to tell me we're still in a recession. Gramercy Tavern lives up to its name, boasting a 'hood-epitomizing spot with a we-please-all Tavernous feel to it (along with Minetta, another upscale Tavern named for the area in which it's situated). Upon entering, you're met with a wood-burning fragrance providing an enchanting but not offensive or intrusive complement to a phenomenal culinary adventure. Minus the awkward & imposing adjacent orderers, everyone dining @ GT was in good spirits, and for good reason. GT is a beautiful Space, and I was seated early and situated quickly. Here we go... A remarkably pleasant and extraordinary experience all around...unfortunately met with no vegetarian tasting menu for lunch, I remembered I did have a $20 OT check and took advantage with an extra course..or three. Save Some Cash And Your Palate, But Arrive With A Semi-satiated Appetite, As The Portions Are Far From Enormous, But Certainly Satisfying Beyond Belief.. Up front I'll say that the only Detractor from the entire experience Was the consistently inconsistent service, namely The Lag Between Commonly non-lagging Things (check, Courses, Etc.). Overall, though, very Friendly, on point, & Efficient, with well-dressed staff & Beautiful Restrooms As Expected. Great Olive Bread Upon Selection, Excellent Butter And Sea Salt To Taste...triple Amuse Bouche was an incontestable Sign Of Unbelievable Things To Come. The trio of Guys quickly Noticed the Repletion Of Water And Gracefully Sped Over (not at the same time, of course), Though The Bread Was Never Re-offered :(..wait---Scratch That..they returned With Sourdough to Hold Me Over...and then, even The Plain Roll, Of Which I Admittedly Had Very Low Expectations, Wowed. An Already Remarkably Fast Eater, I Struggled To Pace Myself, But It Wasn't Hard To Savor The Perfect Warm Maine Crab. The Sea Bass was rich But Subdued; Overall Delicious At Every Level, Literally & Figuratively. Stuck with the Cherry Brown Butter Cake pending the Anticipation of some BGICT action Quelling My Other Lusts, my status as a Recovering Chocoholic Also Coming Into Play. In many ways, it was initially reminiscent of a template lower-class Dessert, albeit @ a $12 Level in terms of quality & Taste. The Trio Of Dessert Amuse Bouches made for An Epic Finale. While I'd come back for the vegetable tasting menu for dinner in a heartbeat, I am not worthy.
(5)James H.
Finally went to Gramercy Tavern, after a good year of trying to find the right time. Friends from LA were in town and made reservations this past Monday so took care of my indecision for me. I was seriously undressed in sneakers and jeans, but luckily they sat us since we had reservations (though the manager or host did give me the stare down). The atmosphere and decor is geared more towards the stuffy side, but wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be. Although the restaurant was filled with older suits there were a bunch of younger professionals inside the restaurant. As far as the food goes, you have three choices in terms of the type of prix fixe menu, the standard 3 course for $82 or the seasonal tasting menu ($116 or something) and a vegetarian one for $88. We all went with the standard menu and I chose the grilled octopus appetizer, which was nothing note worthy, though the portions were fairly small. For the entree I got the halibut, which was again fairly good, but not great. My friends got the pork with foisgras, which I tried... and liked more than my halibut. I also sampled some of the lobster, which was also very good. I think where Gramercy Tavern excels and differentiates itself from other high end restaurants is the desserts and service. We all chose something different. Our server suggested the warm chocolate bread pudding, which I found to be surprisingly good, but too filling. We also ordered the pineapple upside down cake, chocolate tart and the coconut tapioca. The latter was probably the consensus favorite in it's originality and taste. About the service, as it seems all of the reviewers have mentioned, it was far and above the best service I've ever had. Thorough would be an understatement, which I hear is the calling card of a Danny Meyer restaurant. Servers were always omnipresent yet not visible and lurking (like it is at some restaurants). The food runners came in unison with each course of our prix fix meal. Definitely worthy of a Michelin star.
(4)George G.
Amazing from the minute we arrived. The tasting menu was perfect.
(5)Lisa Y.
I love Gramercy Tavern. The restaurant is so beautiful and the service is always so friendly, attentive and professional. I especially like Alan and Denise. Alan has particularly fun and funny sense of humor. I think GT has the best cocktails in the city. The food is divine. Even though the restaurant is so elegant and refined, I always feel like welcomed guest.
(5)Andrea W.
I came here for lunch on a Thursday with a friend and we both had the tasting menu. For $55, this is a steal. There were at least 4-5 courses, each one uniquely prepared and delicious! Not a huge fan of the interior decorating though.
(5)Jeff S.
Had the 5-course lunch here and was thoroughly impressed. First of all - not something you'd usually associate with a restaurant of this caliber - but very reasonable prices! $55 5-course tasting menu that doesn't skimp on the portions and actually gets you full, now that's quite a find already. Not to mention the drink menu lets you get by with $8 beers and $10 glasses of wine, no need to splurge on that $200 bottle if you don't want to! The food, of course, as has been said countless times here, is spectacular. Sable fish was some of the most tender fish I've ever had, pork chop was great, and even the squid salad to start was very interesting and unique. You definitely have to try this 'New American' cuisine, I'd say it's easily on par to the best French you'll ever eat (if you're into that), if not better. Service was perfect, atmosphere very comfortable, 5 stars all around for this gem.
(5)Ameen H.
Our evening began with cocktails at the bar. I had the Rickshaw and the Slow Storm - they were crisp and refreshing. Especially the Rickshaw, which I highly recommend. For appetizers, we had the Red Ruby Shrimp. It literally felt as if I died and went to heaven! Next we had a palate cleanser which consisted of goat cheese stuffed into a puff pastry. It was very delicious and left me wanting for more. For the main course, I had the sea bass with a yogurt based sauce. Light and refreshing - it was simply amazing. This was followed by another palate cleaner - a cream tart with blueberries and raspberries. The atmosphere was great! I highly recommend this place if you're in New York.
(5)Tammy S.
We came to this place to have an after dinner drinks after having sushi dinner. It was a fun filled night trying to fit everything in. The bar was packed, then we were sitted in the middle of the restaurant having some awesome desserts as well. It is a great place for people watching and lounging. Great location, great atmospher, great service. I look forward to return and will recommend the restaurant to some friends to meet for happy hours or for dinner in the near future.
(4)Lin W.
Best of the best for high end fine dining. The wood-burning grill in the front smells like a log cabin. And the food that comes from it is divine. Crostini with chcken liver is great, so was their steak.
(5)Suburban R.
i treated my former roommate for putting me up and graciously accommodating me [yet again in his east village apartment] in my latest visit to NYC. so that i would not be rushed, we planned the day so that we'd view some art in the morning and reserve for the last seating for lunch at 2pm. amous bouche was an exquisite show of Morandi at the Met-- hundreds of them, works of impeccable restraint and subtlety to be all sublime. As if these Morandi's were not enough, we revisited the many Cezannes in the other wing so that by 1:30pm, having ingested all that were visually arresting, we caught the bus towards dowtown on a cold Fall afternoon, Gramercy Tavernwas to finish the day properly and most satisfactorily. The experience is depicted here: tinyurl.com/9ol4dp . Overall, it was nice returning to GT after a six-years absence! While we ordered the 5-courses prix fix lunch, we probably got 4 extra courses of desserts because the waiter made a mistake in mentioning a desert that was not part of the normal offering. [After feigning dissapointment that i had been really really looking forward to tasting it, he happily and readily obliged to serve it 'on the house'.] I will definitely return; I am still grinning from the sublime culinary experience at Gramercy Tavern.
(5)Bon V.
One of those 'great NY dining experiences'....especially since I was on an expense account. Dined in the tavern part of the restaurant and service was still impeccable and thorough. Also, at the next table was John C. Reilly (before Step Brothers...when I had more respect for him as an actor) so I did not feel so bad not getting into the dining room. Actually, the tavern area was quite lively but still pleasant and I was glad to get a table there last minute. Started with the calamari and carrot salad which was a combo I never imagined trying but was quite delightful an refreshing. The carrots lended a sweetness which melded well with the sea-saltyness of the calamari. For entree I enjoyed the pulled pork sandwich and sorbet assortment for dessert. Still, when I am reminiscing on this experience, I often get things confused with an equally delicious meal I had at Union Square Cafe. Hhhmmm.....are these establishments somehow related?
(4)Gracie-C Y.
Talk about a power lunch scene. I think I was the only gentleman in the entire dining room who wasn't wearing a shirt and tie (this includes the waitstaff). I was expecting to have a decent lunch followed by a stiff price gouging as the hype surrounding this place seemed almost insurmountable. After all, this was THE legendary Gramercy Tavern! A New York institution! The exterior was austere and not nearly as daunting as I'd imagined. Interior was clean, business-like, and functional but surprisingly warm and inviting. Menu is no-nonsense. Fresh ingredients, familiar items, but with just enough of a twist to raise your eyebrows. Wifey ordered a lemon risotto that literally knocked my socks off. I was stunned by how good it was. Moved on to a pappardelle with beef ragu that moved me to tears. I hadn't been this emotional since George Lucas killed the Star Wars franchise. Service was professional but never intrusive, and prices were reasonable considering the quality of ingredients. Folks, Gramercy Tavern is one place that lives up to the hype.
(4)Courtney J.
Delicious food :) I am food addict and I been around city almost everywhere and want to tell you all that the service is great food is awsome !!! I suggest people to try it and then you would love it
(5)C B.
Executive chef Michael Anthony has helped revive this New York classic. It's as close to farm-to-table dining as you can get with a mid-sized restaurant. Warning, eating on the Tavern side you will find yourself feeling like you're on a "meatastic" adventure. How can you not order: the famed meatball (fontina cheese center over potato puree), house-made and smoked kielbasa and pastrami, and the chicken liver patee? Before you know it there's not a single-vegetarian plate on your table, and as a "delicate" young woman I suddenly feel like a hearty, burly man! Kudos to sous chef Chris Bradley for the kielbasa and pastrami - hoping he'll start serving those from a street cart in Soho one day soon.
(4)Linda W.
It was just a fabulous meal, the service, the decor, the food. The entire experience was just amazing. It's not the knock your socks off amazing, it creeps up on you, and by the end of the night, you realize you've experience excellent service, food, and ambiance. We had both the summer tasting menu and the vegetable tasting menu. The service was wonderful, I mentioned once I didn't like potatoes, and he waiter took care to remove all potatoes from my order, including the gnocchi. With the vegetable tasting menu, they were able to make everything vegetarian (remove razor clams and terraine from the asparagus terraine). I mentioned I don't eat nuts, and they were careful about all nut products. Summer tasting menu: Citrus Cured Arctic Char (Lemon Confit) - so good - very light flavorful Smoked Trout (Cippollini Purée and Pickled Onion Vinaigrette) Grilled Sturgeon (Leeks, Potatoes and American Caviar) - so so Duck Confit (Potato Gnocchi, Honshimejii and Quail Egg) Rack of Veal (Morels and Asparagus) Tasting Dessert Vegetable tasting menu Asparagus Terrine (Fresh Goat Cheese and Pickled Ramp Vinaigrette) Nettle Soup (Pea Shoots) Celery and Lemon Risotto (Razor Clams) Warm Salad of Vegetables and Farro Mushroom Ravioli (Wild Mushrooms and Aged Balsamic) Tasting Dessert The food was good, but not amazing. The reason I give it 5 stars is the ambiance, and overall experience. And thanks to GT, I've learned I have a new allergy. It was something in the rhubarb tasting dessert, because they give you a little take house muffin/cake, and I totally was allergic to whatever was in that, and it contained rhubard as well. I learn something new every day.
(5)Andy Z.
Popped in for a cocktail on our way out to dinner. Lots of great craft cocktails. Wonderful decor as well. Will definitely try and eat there during our next trip to NYC.
(4)Nancy O.
It's really as good as it gets. I decided to take my husband here (been many times before, but no in ages) for his birthday. There is a reason why this place remains a staple to Gramercy. It's excellent. The service, attention to detail, and amazing dishes have a wonderful way of making you feel special. The food was not overly prepared, but exploded with taste. As always, I love the little muffins they send you home with for breakfast. Best meal of 2009 so far!
(5)Jenn C.
Gramercy Tavern is a classic for a reason. The food is thoughtful, well executed, and delicious. The space is beautiful. And the service is top notch- my waiter was friendly, helpful, well versed on the menu and attentive without being overbearing. You feel well fed and well taken care of.
(5)Kavin P.
Came here with J for our 1 year dating anniversary. Made a note when booking thru opentable that it was our anniversary and as soon as we sat down, the waiter came by with glasses of sparkling wine with their compliments. a great welcome. we ordered the special tasting menu and it was a great choice. the citrus cured arctic char was absolutely phenomenal. it was one of the best starters i've ever tasted. j loves trout but had never had it smoked before and it was so tender. she was a big fan. we weren't huge fans of the duck confit because i think i was expecting the usual duck confit with the crispy skin and the fatty duck. this was more like a "stew" since it was in a broth with mushrooms. maybe if i had been expecting that, it would have been better, but i was a little disappointed. the rack of veal that followed was tasty, but truthfully, i was still thinking about the arctic char. after all these courses, we had a dessert amuse of rhubarb shortcake which was tasty, but then the chocolate dessert at the end was awesome. it came on plates with "happy anniversary" written in chocolate, nice touch. this chocolate dessert was like mousse with a layer of something slightly crispy inside which made it. the crispy layer had the texture of the top of creme brulee. so good, we just sat there smiling at each other until the plates were empty. after all this, we got little truffles and then the coffee cakes "for breakfast the next day". what a great touch. i knew it was coming but it's still very cool. all in all, what a perfect restaurant to celebrate a special occasioin.
(5)Ailin C.
Summer tasting menu was pretty good with the standouts being the scallop tartars and hubby's favorite the Maine blue crab soup! The desserts (peach summer salad with lime granita and a chocolate mousse) were both refreshing and decadent as was the service! Shout out to the yummy petit fours and apple oatmeal cake they send home with you!
(4)Paul K.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in NYC. The menu was not unusual, but the food is some of the best for the price. Service was also excellent. The night we were there, the kitchen had accidentally screwed up our main course (brought the wrong ones). The server apologized and brought us an extra app (we already order apps) while we were waiting for the main course to be prepared. It was nice. On top of that, they also brought us dessert on the house. The food is excellent here and I would eat here again when I'm in NYC.
(5)K P.
This is about the front room, I've never eaten in the fancy back dining room...but with how good the front area is, I don't care. If I only ordered a meal, I could afford to eat here everyday, oh, ok, every other...but the selection is just too good and the rose champagne & lambrusco make it hard to just have one drink...daxx you, Gramercy and thank you at the same time. Simple things - you make them so much better...the pastrami appetizer was delicious, the heirloom cauliflower (I never knew such a thing existed, have they genetically altered cauliflower a lot?) with the golden raisins, almonds, hint of lemon - flavors melding and harmonious, cauliflower steamed perfectly... Beautiful, plump scallops - in a beet reduction (I like beets, though) But the masterpiece of the evening was the duck confit with pork belly...oh man. The duck was crispy on the outside, tender and moist on the inside (kinda like me...) The white beans and pork belly reduction underneath -- yummmm! If it wasn't in poor manners to lick the bowl, I might have-- but I didn't want to embarrass my friend... And you wanna know the best part? All the entrees were all in the $18-low $20 range! SCORE! Onto dessert - I don't really stray too much, bread pudding for me & my friend had the chocolate pudding, which had a distinct caramel flavor - that was delish! I'm now obsessed... Service was really good too, everyone was v. nice and fun - really good vibe.
(5)matty c.
We sat at the tavern instead of the dining room. Atmosphere is slightly more casual and lively. Our server was nice but forgetful. We had to remind her twice for our wine after waiting patiently. We had three course tasting menu and sea bass entree. For tasting menu, we got ravioli, hanger steak and chocolate cake for dessert. Overall, everything came out on the salty side for my taste. If it wasn't overly seasoned, it would have been way more successful meal.
(3)Emilie L.
Service: The waitress here was attentive and knowledgable. A few of us in our party had questions and she was able to answer them (and even offered to go confirm something with the kitchen). I think we had at least 3 members of the staff clearing our table of 5 - I was pleasantly surprised at how attentive they were. They made sure we had plenty of bread and water. Food: I started with the celery root soup. I personally don't like celery but I love the rich flavor celery root provides. It was a hearty soup with small chunks of celery root. It came with a fried oyster which complemented the soup very well. I also liked the texture it added to my appetizer. I had the hanger steak as my entree. It was tender and flavorful. I felt it was a little on the salty side but still enjoyable. For dessert, we asked our waitress for a recommendation. We ended up going with the chocolate raspberry cake, cheese plate, and sorbet (she had recommended the peanut butter custard). To our surprise, she brought out one of the peanut butter custards compliments of hte chef. I sorta felt like she wanted to prove to us how great it is cause we ended up not taking her recommendation at first. To be honest, it was the best dessert of the three we ordered. Overall, it was a fantastic meal. I'd love to go back and try some more of their appetizers!
(4)Catherine K.
Minus one star because I'm pretty sure we were seated at the single worst table in the "fancy" part of the restaurant due to my husband's loud circa-1972 ski sweater and my Air Walk Uggs, bought the day of the blizzard at Payless when I realized I forgot my Timberlands in Cali. It was the table right in the middle of the archway, just a skosh away from the far more appealing "tavern" section, and right in the main thoroughfare where the servers are *constantly* walking behind you. I asked my husband "Is this table OK for you?" and the hostess cut him off and said "They will stop walking behind you - it's not a problem." It was an outright lie, and was so utterly dismissive it set a bad tone that took us a few glasses of wine to overcome. That said, wow. We did the tasting menu, and it was divine - lobster over a borscht-like beet puree, scallops served over rutabaga puree with parsnips, arctic char over Jerusalem artichoke puree with mustard seeds... and ALL of the fish cooked perfectly. Squab was the last course and - to be honest, I think I don't really like squab. I ate the smaller piece and gave the other to my husband (who *loves* squab) but everything the squab came on was fantastic. I should add that I've never been to a restaurant that served wines by the glass in such a proper way. The proper glass is placed down, and the server comes to the table with the bottles and gives you a taste first. I appreciated this, especially because it was clear that their whites veered toward the off-dry/sweeter zone - a place we don't often venture in our Quincy loving quaffing, but if I'm offered a taste, I'm game for adventure! Our server (her name escapes me - lunch on December 28th) was supreme. When we were ready for a red wine with the squab we were debating about a pinot, when she suggested the Brunello di Montelcino - which at $28/glass was pricey but it's my husband's favorite wine and, hey, it was his birthday. And it was *perfect* - we were afraid it was going to be too big, but she told us that wasn't the case and she was right. For dessert we were offered desserts or a cheese plate. We (of course) chose cheese and asked the server to choose her favorites. May I say WOW again? The cheeses were fantastic - my only regret was not having enough room in my stomach to eat ever last morsel. Plus, they brought out cookies for hubby's birthday, which we brought home to the kids. Overall, the food and service were phenomenal. The hostess? Meh. But I think we are, at heart, front-of-Gramercy-Tavern people with fancy-pants food taste - and as a result we hit a bump at the very beginning of the meal that we struggled to get over. But we did.
(4)Alexandra H.
Are you into a multi-cheese filled exploding meatball the size of a baseball? You are?! OK! Then you had better get your ass to Gramercy Tavern because you will not be disappointed. It is a signature dish of theirs and I've probably never seen my boyfriend as happy as he was when he took his first bite. I have only eaten in the Tavern room and never in the back for the tasting menu (which I am dying to do at some point and hear is heaven on earth) but I thoroughly enjoyed every single bite I have had to eat here. Delicious food, wonderful service, great atmosphere, and something on the menu for just about everyone. An absolute must. LOVED it!
(5)Elizabeth B.
I don't know what happened to Gramercy. I've been a bunch of times, each one more spectacular than the next. However, my visit on Wednesday was not a bad meal, per se, but if all I wanted was a decent meal, there are many places in Manhattan that do that for under $84pp. First of all, we would have loved the tasting menu, but we had a vegetarian in the group and 4 of the 5 dishes on the vegetable menu had meat. Not just chicken stock, but lardo, razor clams, etc. etc. We know they will make substitutions, but substituting 4 of 5 dishes is extreme. Further, it seems that Gramcery has embraced the recession - the whole menu, which now costs $112 was utterly not worth it in terms of what was served. We ordered off the regular menu and everyone was pleased well enough, but nobody wowed, as we usually are. The flat iron steak tasted like pot roast. The duck breast was crusted with some random crunchy things that destroyed the texture of duck breast. The food seemed scaled back on quality, but upped way high to foodie land. Leave the weird foodie stuff to wd-50 and its ilk. That's not why people go to Gramercy. But the most disappointing part was the lackluster service. The reason Gramercy was my favorite restaurant is because going there is a pure experience. We felt rushed to order, the menu was not explained well, the options were not presented well, our waiter forgot stuff, the cheeses are not longer presented tableside and our waiter royally screwed up our plate (had no idea what was on it after he told us he would make a selection of 5). The fish entree was served cold and we couldn't find our waiter to warm it up. We eventually flagged down a different waiter who, it seems, just popped the whole thing in the microwave, partially picked apart and all. And finally, the signature coffee cakes were practically thrown at us and not explained. In the past, we have been given a small spiel that wrapped up the evening. It looked like this waiter couldn't wait to get out. It's a disappointment. Gramercy has effectively lost it's billing as our special splurge restaurant. We'll give it another try in the future, but our experience left us with a bitter taste.
(3)Leslie P.
I had a wonderful evening with my friends/co-workers. The first course shrimp - amazing, the pork tenderloin/pork belly second course, very well seasoned, and perfectly cooked. I am not a dessert person for the most part, but the chocolate bread pudding was beyond expectations. The only thing better is the staff, the service was impeccable. One of the best meals I've ever had!
(5)Richard M.
This place was really, really good...yeah it ain't cheap, but it's worth it! Great wait staff, super freindly host, excellent wine list, perfectly prepared dishes...go! you'll be glad you did! Have the pork belly.. off the hook! they have a cheaper menu if you sit in the bar area.
(4)Matthew D.
Ate here recently (April 2011) and had a nice meal. Good, attentive service, and cuisine done with a fine touch. Impressive consistentcy, considering that I last ate here more than 13 years ago, and recall that it had more or less tha same appeal. One note: the menu-writer presented the food in an off-putting manner -- literally every item seemed to have some weird flavor or ingredient combination. Had I read the menu on-line I think I would not have made a reservation. Since it was someone else hosting, I didn't bother checking before hand. It took me two read-throughs to find a starter and a main course that I didn't think I would actively dislike. Then, our host ordered a bunch of the other dishes as appetizers for the table, and the were all delicious.
(4)Bradley H.
A beautiful and satisfying lunch with Roast Beef on Focaccia w/ Pecorino Cheese and Mustard Aioli. A nice IPA to round things out made for a very cozy afternoon. The interior reminds me of the family restaurants we frequented while visiting relatives in the countryside of rural Illinois as a kid. A pure delight and great value, ordering their soup and sandwich lunch special ($14.) I will definitely return!
(4)Natalia H.
I've only been once and just to the tavern section and while I'm willing to give it another shot I'm not in a rush to go back. Looking back I should have ordered differently but oh well, next time. I remember the appetizers and wine being wonderful. My main course was some heavy meat dish (the meatball i think?) and unfortunately I got very sick afterwards (I wanted to pull my stomach out of my body and curl up in a little ball) I'm not positive it was due to the food but it sure seemed like it...totally ruined my otherwise wonderful GT experience. The ambiance and service were great, my main course...not so much. I so want to be a fan of this place so I will have to try it again soon.
(3)J B.
I went there the first year it opened - have never been disappointed - adore it - one of the first places I hit when I get to NYC. Expensive - but so well worth it.
(5)Laur T.
While I had the most attentive, professional and one-of-a-kind service from my server "Jadelyn" - (sp), I couldn't say the same for the maitre'd who kept me waiting for a tad too long while getting my table ready. I had the following: - Barley and butternut squash risotto (good) - Pork croquette (alright, a tad salty for me - I could have done better with another dish. I guess I was thinking more schnitzel-like when I ordered this) - Mango lime cheesecake with salty macadamia nuts, mange cubes and a mango sorbet (super way to end the meal) Nevertheless, Jadelyn made the meal a fantastic experience. I was even given a gift card for my next return. How sweet. I look forward to trying another entree so look out for the upcoming 5-stars :)
(4)Pam W.
Once again, Danny Meyer has proven to be the king of hospitality. Came here to celebrate my parents anniversary, and upon being seated, our waitress immediately congratulated them (not in an obligatory manner but rather seemingly sincere) and offered to pour some sparkling white wine for each of us. Definitely a nice touch and great beginning to the meal. Our waitress was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, patient and professional. We opted to go with the Spring tasting menu, but inquired as to whether substitutions could be made. The kitchen was very accommodating and we all skipped the trout, replacing it with items we were looking forward to trying had we gone the three course menu route. We were first offered a choice of sourdough or ciabatta bread. The bread was nothing special, cold and a little hard, but nothing that the butter couldn't solve (I heard Daniel Humm recently started making his own bread over at EMP, which I'm dying to try...) nevertheless, this was followed by an amuse bouche of a goat cheese puff, reminiscent of those served at EMP, but with goat cheese. The cheese was surprisingly very mild and it was a nice first bite. Our first course was an arctic char with cucumber and radish. The slightly pickled cucumbers and radish added a nice refreshing crunch contrasting with the texture of the char. It was a very well balanced dish and a light dish perfect for the summer heat. Next we were served the lightly fried softshell crab. It was very nicely fried, not greasy and not heavy, and the viniagrette complimented the crab very well. Not too sour, but providing just enough tartness to please the palate. The third course was suppose to be the smoked trout, but none of us are really fans of trout, nor smoked fish. Two of us had the duck fettucine and the other two had the open ravioli. Both were great. The open ravioli was a little on the salty side, but still very good. It had chunks of pulled braised beef shin, which were very tender and flavorful (perhaps the folks at Porsena could take a lesson here). The pasta sheets above and below (hence the "open" ravioli) were homemade and tender. However, my favorite of the two was the duck fettucine. An ample serving of homemade pasta (consistency was a perfect al dente, similar to what you'd expect at Meyer's Maialino) with a duck ragu. Tender pieces of duck meat mixed in, and it was an incredibly tasty and satisfying dish. The fourth course was a green garlic broth with rabbit dumpings. Three dumping served in a light broth with only a hint of garlic and scallions. This dish was ok. Nothing too special. It included a few chunks of rabbit in the soup as well which were quite tender. The final savory dish was the piedmontese beef. The meat was tender and a perfect medium rare, and the dish overall was quite flavorful. There were also sugar snap peas and Lima beans adding both a nice visual and textural contrast. Overall a satisfying way to cap off the savory portion of our meal. After being given time to let the food settle we were then provided choices for dessert. Before bringing the main desserts we were given a small strawberry shortcake. This was more of a deconstructed version. A small piece of cake sitting on cream with a hint of citrus, strawberry jam and a small amount of pesto, which was a little odd, but strangely worked with the dish. The strawberry jam and cream were fresh and delightful. For dessert we had the French toast style brioche (exactly what you'd imagine), the peppermint and brownie ice cream sundae (proved to be much better than anticipated - the small chunks of chewy brownie, with the crunch chunks of meringue and the smoothness of the ice cream all contributed to well executed sundae). We also tried the selection of ice creams which were all very flavorful and smooth, and the chocolate bread pudding which was incredibly delicious. Moist and not too sweet, it was one of the better bread puddings I've ever had. Lastly, the restaurant was kind enough to also provide the other dessert option on the tasting menu for us to share. This was a chocolate pudding-like dessert with a black sesame ice cream. Nothing too out of this world, but if you're a fan of black sesame, you'd definitely like the ice cream. Just when we thought the meal was over, a plate a petit fours were placed before us. Some peanut butter truffles, a dark chocolate ganache one, and a fruity one as well. All were great but we were already stuffed by then. To cap off the night, we were each given a cinnamon oatmeal muffin to take home for breakfast the next morning. This was just as good as everything else, and a pleasant reminder of the great meal we had. Overall, Gramercy deserves a 4 1/2. It's so very close to being as perfect as Eleven Madison. Definitely recommend it as a great spot to celebrate any special occassion.
(4)David S.
I was very impatient to check out Gramercy Tavern after hearing so much about it and reading all the rave reviews on Yelp. So my bf and I went on a Sunday night around 9, and managed to get a table right away without making a reservation. We sat in the tavern: there is also a dining room in the back, which looks somewhat nicer/quieter and also has a different, supposedly better, but also more expensive menu. Our waitress was very friendly and did a great job at telling us about the various specials and at recommending items on the menu. We started with 6 oysters on the half shell: they were quite delicious, though I was surprised to see that the only sauce offered was cocktail sauce (don't take me wrong, cocktail sauce is great with shrimp, but IMO it's a little too overpowering with raw oysters). We also shared the calamari salad, which was also delicious, though I was a little surprised as I expected the calamari to be fried (again don't take me wrong: I love squid in all its forms... I just somehow always expect it to be fried when it's called calamari). For our entrees, we got the bacon wrapped trout, which came with lentils. It was great, but small... I expected a whole trout, but it only amounted to three little pieces. The thin bacon wrap however tasted great (but then again, when doesn't bacon taste great?!), as did the side of lentil, which had a very unusual but delicious sauce. We also got one of the specials: seared Nantucket scallops which came with potatoes and greens (very similar to baby spinach, although I think it was something else). Not to forget, we finished our meal with the creme caramel, which was once again delicious. We also got our share of drinks: Williams Pear sours (which come with a slice of dried preserved pear... just delicious), a good glass of Australian shiraz (I forget the name of it), and with our dessert a pear brandy. They have a pretty amazing selection... we'd probably have ordered a bottle if we hadn't been on a budget. So: delicious food (but not cheap by any means, especially if you get drinks), great service, and very nice atmosphere (great place for a nice romantic date!). But: the portions are on the smaller side, which I suppose is often the case at a restaurant of this standing. 4-1/2 stars.
(5)Jeffrey C.
The ambiance, lighting and noise level of the restaurant are just right. We had the lunch winter tasting menu. Overall, the food is pretty good. Here is what we had: First course: calamari and carrot salad with lemon vinaigrette. The subtle dressing on it brought out the flavor of squid very well and pieces of carrot added a nice contrast to the texture. Second course: smoked trout with onion puree. Quite good. The trout was smoked just right. The onion puree is quite original and bold. The flavor was a bit on the strong side but my companion liked it. Third course: sea bream with white sweet potato and american caviar. The sauce with caviar was a letdown. It killed off any flavor of sweet potato and tasted just similarly to soy sauce. The fourth and main course: guinea hen with heirloom cauliflower. This was a homerun. The meat was marinated well and tasted juicy and delicious and grilled just right. The cauliflower puree complements the meat very well. Dessert: Pear Tart with toasted almonds, almond cream and lemon ice cream. Very good (If you like almond that is) despite the overloaded almonds on the tart whose crunchiness masked pears. The service was just fine. I think chef Anthony is doing an excellent job now. I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because although the food is very solid, to me for the same price it doesn't have the wow factor or originality of some of the top restaurants in the city. Perhaps dinner here will achieve that level?
(4)Paul W.
Just really great food. My wife and I lucked out when we headed there after apps at Veritas across the street ... we got right into the cafe, which is usually an hour wait! But the food is worth the wait, and the lovely bustle and high ceilings in the cafe area make for a festive atmosphere. Attentive wait staff without hovering, and the manager hit on my lovely bride while I was in the rest room (she's cute, I can't blame him). By "hit on", I mean, showed her charming attention that enhanced her experience. Helped make it an overall great food AND human encounter for both of us! We'll be going back, for sure.
(4)Danielle O.
Absolutely unbelievable dining experience. There's really nothing I can say that hasn't already been said... We did the tasting menu & we were WOWed during every course..(especially dessert!) Our amazing (and super friendly) server, Al was so attentive & accommodating. I found out later on in the evening after we had already left that he even took candid iPhone pictures of our table during dessert (by the boyfriend's request). How cute is that?? My favorite course aside from dessert was the lobster... cooked to perfection & complemented by its components perfectly! We really had the ultimate experience. Can't wait to come back here someday!!!
(5)Cassy C.
The food is so delicious every time I go but it's the atmosphere that cinches it. ALWAYS feels like a celebration. Grand restaurant. Thanks.
(5)Lucia Z.
Came here for lunch and ordered the spring tasting menu, which was perfection. All of the courses were really light (except for dessert) which was nice for lunch. My favorites were probably the chilled asparagus soup or the soft shell crab, but everything was phenomenal and I would highly recommend it. Also, the dessert was to die for. I ordered the rhubarb cake but a bunch of other desserts came out as well including a gigantic peanut butter macaroon type thing which was so rich and amazing that I couldn't take consecutive bites. But it was so good. Great, not pretentious service. Loved everything about the experience. Compliments to the chef!
(5)Bobby H.
I have 3 words to describe the Gramercy Tavern...Awesome, awesome, awesome !!!! The food and service is amazing !!! We had the short ribs which were to die for, lobster main course which was amazing, and the parapella with a beef stew was my favorite item. Everything was served to perfection !! For dessert, we had the apple tart with sour cream ice cream which was good. The most amazing dessert was the chocolate (and I am not a chocolate fan) and ice cream. This was one of the best desserts I have ever had !!! In between courses, Gramercy serves little dishes (and I mean little) such as sausage with pistachio, lemon meraigne, and chocolate..All were amazing.. Finally, you get a muffin (ok, really it is coffee cake) to take home for breakfast the next day !! This place ranks above Aqua in SF and would recommend to anyone looking for a great dining experience for a special occassion. The drinks were good as well. I had a Ginger tini and it was just right... You won't regret it !!!
(5)Ms. M.
I went last night and had the vegetable tasting menu. To say the least, the food was fantastic. Amuse: A toothpick of beets, radish, mint, and tomato with a dot of beet vinaigrette. It was refreshing, but I've had better and more interesting amuses. First course: Heirloom Cauliflower & House Cured Ham with Sherry Vinaigrette. The cauliflower was cooked perfectly and still retained a great amount of crispness. The house cured ham was excellent. The dressing was very light and did not overpower. Second course: Parsnip Soup with Brussel Sprouts and Nantucket Bay Scallops. This was my favorite savory dish of the night. The soup was creamy, tangy, but light. The scallops were cooked perfectly and simply melted in my mouth. The brussel sprouts were delicious and not at all bitter. Third course: Fennel and Lemon Risotto with Razor Clams. This was a close second for me in terms of savory dishes. This lemon risotto was unlike any I have had; it did not have that sort of artificial tasting lemon flavor. There is only a hint of the tartness of the lemon, which was wonderful because it did not overpower. The thin slivers of crystallized orange peels on top were the perfect complement. I also thoroughly enjoyed the taste and texture of the razor clams which really made the dish more meaty and filling. Fourth course: Warm Salad of Vegetables and Farro. This was probably the most disappointing dish, but I did appreciate the variety of vegetables used. Each different vegetable tasted like it was a different dish, which made what is otherwise just a simple warm salad more interesting. Fifth course: Ricotta Ravioli in a Butternut Squash Sauce with Spinach and Lardo atop a thin toast. The butternut squash sauce was deliciously sweet. The ravioli were small but cooked perfectly; you could really taste the fresh and al dente pasta wrapper. The thin slice of lardo atop an equally thin slice of toast offered a good contrasting texture and flavor. Sixth (surprise) course: Concord grape granita and ginger ice cream! Yes, this course deserves an exclamation point because it was such a pleasant and comforting surprise to be served what is the equivalent of a grape sno-cone for dessert (higher quality, of course). I preferred to eat the ginger ice cream separately from the ice, but the two did go well together. Seventh course: Chocolate praline mousse with roasted hazelnut creme and a scoop of mocha-Grand Marnier ice cream. This is by far the best dessert I have ever had at an upscale restaurant, where the dessert course is almost always a disappointment. The chocolate hazelnut flavor really comes through; the mousse was delightfully fluffy; the super-thin slice of praline provided an ever so slight crispness to each bite; and the little sliver of chocolate cake at the bottom simply made my day. Mignardise: Chocolate peanut butter truffles, almond cakes, pear gelee, almond and chocolate covered toffee, and gold-dusted chocolate with cherry filling. This was by far the best mignardise collection I have ever been offered at any restaurant -- super high quality ingredients, great execution, and wonderful variety. Final little surprise: A little to-go bag containing a cinnamon swirl coffee cake muffin for breakfast the next day. With the grape sno-cone equivalent already making me so giddy I could hardly contain myself, this simply pushed me over the edge. Having now consumed it for breakfast along with some obligatory Earl Grey tea, I have to say it's not the best I've had, but it's decent, and it's the thought that counts. A dinner companion ordered the autumn tasting menu, and so we all had a bite of each of his dishes. The Citrus Cured Arctic Char, the Pumpkin Soup with fresh Peekytoe Crab and Celery Root, the Smoked Trout with Cippollini Puree and Pickled Onion Vinaigrette, the Grilled Sturgeon with Brussel Sprouts and Chestnuts were all excellent. I don't eat veal, so I did not taste the Rack of Veal with Rutabega Crab Apple and Wild Mushrooms that came as the final savory course, but the review from the diner was quite positive. The other tasting dessert that came to the table was an excellent Pear Tart with Almond Creme and Lemon Sorbet. I typically do not like cooked pears in desserts, but this one was delicious. Overally, Gramercy Tavern really won me over more with its sweet rather than savory offerings, but I thoroughly enjoyed everything I had. It's more of a special occasion restaurant given the price and setting, so I don't see myself going back again, but it was still a memorable meal and I highly recommend it to others who are in NY searching for a meal that will make them feel "light as a feather."
(5)Lila H.
I don't get it. Maybe I just came with really high expectations and that's why I was disappointed. I hate when that happens in my life! Anyways, the bread was nothing special and I actually thought it was kind of tough to eat. For apps we shared the warm salad of vegetables and farro. I thought this was ok, the presentation was colorful. I ordered the chicken with butternut squash and crosnes-I've never heard of or seen this weird tuber vegetable before so that was probably the most interesting part of the dish. The other entree that was ordered was the triggerfish which I did not like because of the overwhelming sauce they used. Oh and I got the ginger swizzle which was refreshing but too much ice. The best part of the whole meal was dessert. I got the chocolate zucchini cake with walnut ice cream. The cake was so moist and light and I enjoyed the unique flavor of the ice cream. Now that I think back on the whole meal, I think I was annoyed at the service. Our waitress was mia most of the time and the servers did not quickly bring or clear our table, as I watched them take care of people that came in after us much faster. I felt as if I was waiting a long time between each course and had to ask for things before they noticed it. Maybe it was an off day.
(3)Larry H.
I didn't even know I was coming here until the day of. Some friends already made reservation for the place since we couldn't add more to the existing reservation to Jean-Georges. Our waiter Jason, was fantastic. He knew his food well and was great with recommendations. If you're coming here with a bigger group and some of you are fixed on doing the tasting menu and some on the dinner menu, you're going to have a problem. It is recommended that you all decide to do one or the other. From the website: "Tasting Menus require the participation of the entire table." We elected to do the dinner menu (I preferred it since it was a larger portion and I was hungry). I had the Beef Tartare (Sorrel and Farm Egg) and the Rack & Shoulder of Lamb (Hen of the Woods Mushrooms, Sunchokes, Hazelnuts and Collard Greens) by Executive Chef Michael Anthony. For dessert, Peanut Butter Semifreddo with Chocolate Macaroon by Pastry Chef Nancy Olson. And boy was it good. I'd do it all over again if I could. I'm a sucker for lamb and mushroom and that dish won me over. Overall, the staff was very attentive and was always there if you needed. My water was refilled all the time, fresh bread was always brought over, and I just had a good time here. One day I'll come back and try the lunch menu.
(4)Overeater S.
I ate here for my birthday last month after months of anticipation. I had heard great things from friends so was excited to finally try the food. My husband and I both opted for the tasting menu. Since we are both not fans of venison they were gracious enough to let us substitute for another protein. Although the food was good, overall it was unremarkable. In fact, all I remember from that day is leaving the restaurant, going home and not being able to recall what it was I had eaten. True it is a more casual setting and not filled with as pretentious of a crowd as lets say Daniel, but overall I think there are much better restaurants in the city. Aside from that, I've been hearing about their sub-par ratings with the Dept of Health which in my book is never a good thing.
(3)Abby W.
Delicious food, great service. Went for lunch yesterday and they were happy to accommodate a 5th person at a 4-top table who joined us for coffee at the end. Really liked the fall themed decor and murals in the cafe (right next to the restaurant). Enjoyed the lamb with pappardelle for my first course and the fish as my second, also yummy. Everyone else seemed to really enjoy their meals as well. The coffee and dessert were also delicious. They provided delicious complimentary petit fours as well. We weren't rushed at all and had a nice chance to catch up with some family we hadn't seen in a while. Actually this place had to have the most attentive water service ever! I left very hydrated and never had to ask for more water. Great food, great service, nice atmosphere for visiting with people you like. I highly recommend GT!
(4)Lara R.
A friend was in town and I learned this was her *spot*. The must-do thing on the line-up. Having never been, sounded good to me. Everything was under complete control here. You walked in and you either had a reservation for the full-on restaurant or you could put your name in to be seated in the tavern area or put your name in to be seated at the bar. We did both and were able to quickly score a couple of seats at the bar. The menu at the tavern and bar is different from that of the back restaurant area. Everything on the bar/tavern menu looked great and was under $20 (save the steak my friend was able to talk the bartender into requesting of the kitchen - which came to $25). They had a fabulous holiday-esque appetizer of some variety of sausage complimented by herbs and nutmeg. It just tasted like holiday in a sausage form. Delicious. The cocktail listing was very impressive and varied. I tried their cranberry margarita, which was amazing. It used a house-made cranberry syrup, fresh cranberries, and vodka. When a drink is $12 it had better deliver, and deliver it did. For main course, I had their bacon-wrapped trout. If I had one critique of the menu it would be that for a menu that is seasonal and ever-changing, they did not offer descriptives that fully did the dish justice. I inquired to the bartender about the preparation of the trout and it was only then that I learned that it was not only bacon wrapped, but also stuffed with spinach inside. Extra selling point almost missed. And it was amazing. We topped off the evening with their brownie which came with toasted marshmallows and graham cracker ice cream. It was so good. And kudos for the restaurant for through-and-through splitting our split courses (appetizer + dessert). The dessert was like s'mores with a grown-up flair. Loved it!
(5)Dana F.
I was pleasantly surprised. The cocktails and wine menu were above avg.The food absolutely lived up to the hype. We ordered from the pre fixe in the tavern and I have to say, the shrimp was out of control. I would probably skip the fish next time and opt for the mushroom lasagna b/c others are raving about it on here. My bf had the lamb ragu and the porkchop and really enjoyed it. The crowd was a little difficult to define, however I'd definitely go back. Service was impeccable.
(4)Kathryn C.
This place is amazing! The menu is VERY pricey but the food is worth it. The drinks were particularly delicious. I tried the rickshaw (I would definitely recommend it!!). Then I had the vegetable tasting menu. Each dish was exciting and delicious with many combinations of vegetables and sauces that i had never tried.
(5)laquisha v.
I have been here about a dozen times in the past few years. 4 times in tavern, twice in dining room. I love this restaurant. The food is consistently wonderful. To work on: - At my last visit, seated back in the dining room, I felt neglected during my lunch. We were given a later reservation than I usually chose and I felt a difference in the attention I was given. We were left without water refills or second offering of bread. The staff was changing over for the dinner shift, and there was a tift going on between our waiter and bus boy that was noticeable. - Also... it's time for a decor facelift. I love the warm, cozy feeling of the dining room but it's become outdated. Maybe a change in the art and possibly the chairs would do the trick? In any case, I will be back. Just maybe not for special occasions. Thanks so much!
(4)Kate K.
Gramercy Tavern is an NYC classic. With the beautiful setting and perfectly executed dishes, it's a must try for a special night out. You have two options - sitting at the bar and eating a la carte off of the Tavern menu, or dining on the chef's tasting menu. We were able to walk right in and sit at the bar within 5 minutes. The Tavern menu has great options - we had the oysters, duck liver mousse, pork and fennel sausage and the chicken. For dessert we tried the strawberry pie with mint ice cream. Every dish was outstanding, so don't think by sitting at the bar you are getting shafted in the least. They also have great specialty cocktails and super friendly bartenders. So if you're looking to take your date out to some place really special, and are willing to shell out some extra cash, Gramercy Tavern should be at the top of your list. @datenitenyc
(5)B S.
I had high expectations, they were not let down, but gramercy tavern did not prove to be better then I thought. mostly what I expected, but with amazing seasonal floral decorations. the $48 tavern 5 course meal was very good for the price. I would recommend this for everyone as the portions are quite small for the price otherwise. 5 star service.
(4)Marta J.
A classic old New York restaurant (with "new" New York prices). Because of its reputation, my expectations for Gramercy Tavern were high. I suppose that on some level they were met but most of this I can attribute to the sensation I had of being there and because of the lovely rustic yet classical decor that surrounded me. The bathrooms are wonderful. The food is definitely good but why is it so hard to get a reservation here? Let's imagine that Gramercy Tavern were a new restaurant. It would face some tough competition. My point is that the allure of this place comes primarily from its history. Nice spot but nothing to wait hours over. Maybe go for lunch.
(4)Omega C.
Foods are delicious and made with just the right vibration. Customer service is exquisite. High end place with prices that fit into any budget. I had a great dinning experience and will definitely come back again. Thank you!
(5)Matt R.
Decent place, not sure about all the hype, same as every other upscale american place over in that neck of the woods.
(3)Winnie M.
I love coming here after dinner for drink and dessert. The foods and service are good and satisfying,we enjoyed all of them.service was very much on point the meal. All around wonderful experience that I look forward to taking again because everything here is just fantastic.
(5)Annette B.
Best service EVER, not to mention, the food is excellent. This is a very special restaurant. I would go back again and again...
(5)Mike T.
The quintessential New York dining experience. Everything about this place, the service, the food, the atmosphere was near-perfect. I have little more to add apart from what has already been mentioned, but again if you have yet to go, a trip to the Gramercy Tavern is something I think everyone should experience at one point in their lives. Truly a special meal.
(5)Alex G.
It is an elegant place and you will always get a fine dining experience. I have been coming here for almost ten years. Drinks/wines/deserts are the best. I feel that the menu and the meals are always consisent but not worth five stars. The staff and the location make for an overall good experience. I used to enjoy the fish stew but they changed the menu a little bit.
(4)Ted K.
Went for lunch where there was a substantial business crowd. The space is larger than I expected; the atmosphere was more bustling than romantic. The service was prompt, efficient and friendly. I had the ruby red shrimp and the striped bass. Both were flawless. LIked it a lot, great for business lunches, groups, not for a romantic date.
(5)Josue E.
You would think a place you have to book weeks in advance would be one the finest dining experiences you can have. Sadly, like many other NYC landmarks, this does not live up to the hype. A complete disappointment.
(3)Abner D.
If you're looking for a great restaurant with superb service and ambiance, then look no further!
(4)R K.
Marvelous staff, incredible ambiance, and great food. A perfect spot where you are welcomed with a smile.
(5)Karla S.
Decided to walk in on a Sunday night and managed to snag two seats at the bar after waiting for about 20 minutes. The bartenders were extremely knowledgeable and friendly and recommended a lot of great cocktails and dishes. Loved the corn cavatelli, duck meatloaf, and kielbasa!
(4)Joe D.
The food and service are great. my family and I love this place.
(5)Patrick M.
I recently went to Gramercy Tavern and was a little dissappointed with the food, which was good, but not great. However, the service was among the best, and the little extra treats are a nice touch.
(4)Stephen C.
one of the best food/service experiences ever.. a solid place for a family gathering or for a gf you have been going out with for a while . not a first date venue. choc pudding was the highlight
(4)June L.
I opened my Ipad and started to do a search. Knowing we had not made any reservations or decisions on where to dine, we decided perhaps a gastro-pub might be in order. Nothing came up that we had not already tried and then I searched the word tavern...which produced the GRAMERCY TAVERN. My husbands appointment concluded at 4:15 and by 4:45 we were at the Gramercy. The hotess was welcoming we were seated at a table in the back of the room where the bar is located (front room) and it was aligned with the short order cook station and the cheese platter. I went to the ladies room and was pleases with the cleanliness, the lightening and the towels for dry my clothes off from the downpour we encountered while getting from the car to the door of the Gramercy. My husband was immediately asked if he wanted water and a drink of some sort and when I returned my order was taken for a glass of wine. I asked for a Pino Grigio and told although they did not have one they did have a similar wine and would I like to try that. I did and it was spot on comparable to a Pino. We were served bread, butter and salt loose in a dish which I found to be a nice touch. The menu had about seven choices for a starter and seven choices for a main. While sitting there I noticed a room behind us and it was not a continuation of the room we were seated in. I asked if there was a different menu for that room and was told there was a prefixed menu for that room. I also noticed down the hallway to my right was a private dinning room. I asked to see the prefixed menu. We ordered three starters because they all seemed wonderful. My husband favorite Sweetbreads, the mussels, and the country pate. While waiting for our starters to arrive we tried the bread, hearty and fresh and as soon as my husband was finished with his the staff appeared to put another piece on his plate to which we replied no thank you. The server then suggested he take those bread plates or we would be offered another piece continually if our plates were empty. Our starters arrived and my husband's sweetbreads were the best he has ever had. They were served in a beef both just enough to enhance them without drowning them. I have never been a big fan of them but he was over joyed with them I had to try them. Perfectly cooked with a the inner being soft without being undercooked. the mussels were packed with flavor and accompanied with green beans, onions and in a cilantro broth with a little heat to them...amazing dish. The country pate was my cup of tea, the pate was a combination of duck and chicken livers, with very little fat throughout which made it for a creamy country pate which had caramelized onions on top to one side of it. It was served with pickled veggies, and the most amazing cooked cherries. There was a flat bread but incredibly think almost like lace....which I had to ask for more bread because it was a better way to eat it. Our plates were cleared in a almost dance like fashion without too much fuss. I ordered another glass of wine and my husband who had not forgotten my request to see the prefixed menu called the waitress over to remind her of it. We previewed the other menu and decided it was must to return to try all that this restaurant has to offer. There are several options on the other menu and quite different to the front room offerings. As, we sat there and talked I went to reach for my wine glass and just as I was guiding it to my lips, the stem which had some perspiration on it slipped and just hit the edge of the table in front of me....cracking the lower stem and falling forward with the top of the glass landing on the table and it contents of it. There were five servers in seconds all around me as if I was having an operation with napkins, people removing everything from the table and even sweeping of the floor...someone wanting to know if I was fine, hurt, wet from the wine and I was still just watching everyone around me....before I could even speak...the table was reset, the new waters poured and a new glass of wine appeared. That part of the evening for sure was worth it weight in gold~~~~ My husband and I looked at each other with a smile and proceeded on with our meal as the mains arrived. Chicken which looked like duck the way it was served and my husband stated he thought it was duck. It was severed with potatoes fluffy and hot in the middle and veggies cooked perfectly. I have the pork loin that was served in a bowl with broth in the bottom and once again not too much broth, I took my first bite and again pleased that it was moist with flavor to boot...as I dug in I discovered a jewel at the bottom a piece of broth soaked corn bread...delightful. Dessert was peach pie amazing contrast of salt and sweet. The coffee was the creamiest I have ever had. We will return for the food, the service and the atmosphere most definately....I have to end this now because the word limit has been reached~~~
(5)Pauline S.
Lovely time here! The staff are so gracious and warm (e.g. complimentary glass of champagne as we were celebrating a special occasion). The food was great, but I think the service and decor/ambiance are what help make this restaurant so well-rounded. There was a certain genuineness from the servers that I really appreciated; not stiff at all and very accommodating.
(5)michelle r.
I attended an xmas party here it was excellent. I have never had better chicken in my life it was perfect. Everything was absolutely great here.
(5)Cassin D.
OMFG. Oh master food gods! This place is sinfully delicious. The only way to go is the tasting menus if only to prolong the gastronomic experience. The party I was with went for the summer tasting menu (a mix if seafood and game dishes) and I went for the vegetarian - more then anything I was craving the delicious sounding pastas. Each one of the 7 courses was a stunning experience. No one was disappointed. Perfect portions that left you wanting more but still satisfied. OMFG!
(5)Kiyo O.
very good. a step below the likes of EMP, le bernadin, Daniel, etc but still excellent. price was not outrageous either
(4)Daniela C.
My husband and I had our anniversary dinner at this place and it was totally worth it. They have prepared something for us: champagne, nice and cozy table, a desert in the end congratulating us!!! And food, oh my god the food, incredible, like a masterpiece of the food, like art for the mouth! Excellent service!!! Love it and definitely recommend it!!!
(5)Lisa F.
I went to Gramercy Tavern for a Romantic diner with my honey. The experience was superb! The restaurant has a nice layout and high ceilings so it gives a really spacious feeling. We had the diner menu and it was plenty. I had the smoked Trout and I understand why people were raving about it; buttery and delicious Then the roasted and Braised Lamb. Perfectly cooked and a bigger portion than I expected. Last but not léast, the Tarte Tatin. Not the lightest but definitly good! I appreciated the fact we were recommanded a good wine and not the most expensive one.
(5)Allen F.
This place was recommended by a chef friend and it was amazing. The burger was 50% chuck, 25% brisket and 25% short rib and it was killer! Homemade ketchup and the service was excellent!
(5)Richon S.
I had the pleasure of dining here with my boyfriend several weeks ago. We decided on the seasonal tasting menu with wine pairings and it was a truly phenomenal meal! The warm lobster salad was one of the greatest salads we've ever eaten! The wines we drank were excellent, predominantly old world. Being from California I have a very new world palate, so it was really fun trying something new (and delicious). Our server, Anna, was wonderful. She answered all of our (many) questions and had serious knowledge of all the menus. She gave us perfect service from start to finish!
(5)Ashley B.
Read up on a lot f different "top" rated restaurants & decided to try Gramercy Tavern for my boyfriend's 30th birthday. Opted to make a reservation for lunch although. Don't think it would have been a problem if I didn't have one. The service was great, the interior decorating was simple and elegant. $58 on the lunch pre fix menu was reasonable and the portions were More than we expected. It was something around $200 for our bill with 2 glasses of champagne, 2 meals and dessert, lower than what I expected. I was overall pleased with the service & thought it was sweet they even wrote Happy Birthday & his name on the plate. We enjoyed it & will be back again.
(4)A R.
A group of 4 very hungry Asians came here for lunch without making any reservations. The place was busy but we were seated within just a few minutes :) I must say this place lives up to their reputation! Everything from the service, experience, to the food was excellent. If I go back to NYC again, I will definitely go back to Gramercy Tavern.
(5)Kitty K.
Loved Gramercy Tavern! The ambiance was fabulous- I felt comfortable right when I sat down. I went with a friend for lunch and sat at the bar. Jeremy, the bartender, was AMAZING. The food and drinks, spectacular. I would definitely suggest this to everyone- lunch or dinner!
(5)Samantha R.
Gramercy Tavern is perfection! I took my mom there for her birthday dinner and we each did the tasting menu. My mom, a fairly picky eater when it comes to different meats and raw fish, to my surprise loved everything we were served as did I! Every bite was delicious and they did not rush us at all. On top of the tasting dessert courses, for my mom's birthday they also brought a dessert specially presented to her. I could not have asked for a better dining experience, especially for my mom who so well deserved it!
(5)Sandy T.
My boyfriend took me here for my birthday and it was an incredible experience. Service was great and food was amazing. We had: Bread - both selections were very good and soft. I might have had thirds on the dinner rolls. Would have liked them to be warmer though. Concord Crush - I really liked this unique cocktail. Interesting flavors and just the right amount of sweetness. Smoked Trout - melt-in-your-mouth good. Beef Tartare - boyfriend enjoyed this as well. Pork Loin - a little dry, tough, and lacking in flavor, however, all of the other dishes we had made up for this slightly disappointing dish. Lamb Loin & Shoulder - boyfriend loved this. He didn't offer to share. Chestnut, Puff Pastry, Crème Brûlée and Cranberry Sorbet - Perfect. Even though I'm not a fan of cranberry or sorbet, that puff pastry was SO GOOD I didn't care. Gramercy Tavern Cookie Plate with Milk - cutest thing ever. All of the cookies were good except the Peanut butter one was dry and the server might have forgotten to notify us about the peanuts after we initially mentioned the peanut allergy my boyfriend has. Coconut cream cake - received this for my birthday. It was a very sweet gesture and was so much appreciated! Portion sizes were perfect and we left completely full. A very happy birthday dinner and great experience overall. Would love to try their lunch menu next time!
(5)Greg B.
There is always a lot of energy in the bar, friendly crowd and service. I have had the duck many times but it was particularly good tonight. Very crisp outside but moist and tender to the center; perfect. Vegetables crisp and fresh it was another great experience!
(5)Shivin K.
Not sure what the fuss is all about! May need to give it another try
(3)Parisa S.
Echoing what everyone's already said, this place has incredible service. I mean, seriously. I have never met waiters who are more on-top of their game. I think they all went to etiquette school. It's unreal. Food is fantastic if you're into the whole New American thing. They go a little too heavy on the odd meats for my taste. If I were into this genre of food, I'd probably be giving Gramercy Tavern 5 stars. I'm just not into it, but that's just me. The service, though, is divine. I can't say it enough.
(4)Wallace G.
Gamercy Tavern is a super-hip, fun atmosphere for lunch while in NYC. The food was great, but warning -- unlike other prefix menu locations, the serving sizes are comparatively small, so don't under order thinking you couldn't eat all of that food. The beer options were great for a micro brew fan. Highly recommend.
(4)Emily K.
I had high expectations for our meal at the Grammercy Tavern dining room, and they were met and even exceeded. I had the Vegetable Tasting Menu while my husband had the Autumn Tasting Menu. Both were wonderful. The staff was incredibly attentive. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)