Dining Out Review: Gramercy Tavern

For those who are visiting New York, or live in New York, I wanted to share my experience at Gramercy Tavern. If you plan enough far in advance, you might be able to snag a reservation in their main dining room, and I highly recommend that you do.

Upon first entering Gramercy Tavern, the sweet aroma of the wood-burning stove is usually the first thing you'll notice. The bar room, which is closest to the entrance, is a perfect spot for a high-end drinks and delightfully sophisticated meals. I was particularly impressed with the wine list and the vintage beer selection. Even better, you can order wines by the taste or by the full glass. The "taste" is actually a very generous portion. In truth the bar room is supposed to be informal, but it still manages to feel very upscale amongst the somewhat awkward couches and homey chairs.

It's pretty easy to land a table by the bar if you're a walk-in. And while you will definitely enjoy your meal there, you should know that the real show happens in the back of the restaurant — in their main dining room. The catch is that you almost always need to reserve a table often a month (to the weekday) in advance for the privilege of securing a decent time slot.

The audible noise level is actually quite low, thanks in part to the warmly lit and odd-sloping ceilings, which absorbs the chatter and adds a soothing romantic aura. On the whole, it's quite beautiful, but I won't attempt to convince you that it's stunning.

The decor is really a mishmash of eclectic elegance — closer to Tuscan medieval than a tavern. It's well done and carefully constructed, but I think there's still a little room for improvement — some of the upholstery seems a bit dowdy in my opinion. But, perhaps that's the tavern side of things trying to shine through.

The main waitstaff are particularly friendly and are quite capable. However, some of the lower members of the waitstaff could use some polishing. But, it's hard to get too caught up in such minor details when you recognize that Gramercy Tavern is delightfully informal. Perhaps London's The Ivy is the closest comparison I can make. There's just one minor difference between the two — the food is the star of the show at Gramercy Tavern (as opposed to the diners, who tend to actually be stars at The Ivy). The scene is not why people will clamor to book a table at Gramercy Tavern.

Executive Chef Michael Anthony — formally of Daniel, March and Blue Hill at Stone Barns — took the reins from Tom Colicchio awhile back and I have to say that I was thoroughly impressed with the transition. If I can offer one piece of advice, it would be that anything that's "braised" on the menu is worth having, without question.

There's likely little doubt that the food at Gramercy Tavern is far better than any other "tavern" you'll ever set foot in. I will go as far as to say that it's currently the finest dining you'll come across between Flatiron, Gramercy Park and Union Square. Not that there's a bevy of competition coming from those neighborhoods. But, based on what I sampled on my last visit to Gramercy Tavern, I couldn't have been happier with the food and the wine.

42 East 20th Street; New York, NY
http://gramercytavern.com/

Would love to hear some of your thoughts from others who have been. -Cheers!