TAVERN ON THE GREEN, A Most Romantic Restaurant !!
Written: Feb 02 '04 (Updated Nov 22 '07)
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Pros: Beautiful setting.
Cons: Entrance area gets too congested.
The Bottom Line: Tavern On the Green is a place that everyone should experience at least once. It is a special place.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Tavern on the Green |
Once again business brought me to Tavern on the Green. It's noted as a NYC icon of restaurants. It draws crowds during the day for lunch, especially in the summer, and at night it is a popular stop for New Yorkers and tourists all year round.
Tavern on the Green is is a restaurant and also does catering. Many of the cities most upscale events are planned and celebrated here in one of its six rooms.
THE SHORT OF IT
Food
There are many ways to rate a restaurant. If I had to answer the question, "Is the food good?", I would have to say its just that, good. It is not great. Tavern on the Green cannot boast great culinary skills of its chefs, yet I have found them to be consistently good. The menu is varied, the portions are quite adequate, the presentation is good, and the prices are mid to lower high for NYC. They do offer fixed menus or A la carte. The restaurant has what I am told, an excellent wine selection.
Service
What I like about this restaurant is that, though it is a NY landmark and does cater to some of NY's big names, the staff is friendly, warm, and attentive without being stuffy. You will not receive the service of staff always looking over your table. You will not have a waiter opening your napkin and placing it on your lap and you may have to call a waiter for that next glass of water. At the same time the staff does not disappear to the point where you will not find them. Your meals will be brought out with good timing, not too long a wait and not rushed. You will be asked if you would like another drink and "how is everything". Each time I have been to the Tavern, I have enjoyed engaging the staff with small talk they are quite pleasant.
Decor
First let me say that, "I do not believe there is a more romantic restaurant in all New York"
It is in the decor and atmosphere where the Tavern on the Green goes over the top. The restaurant has six rooms. Each is very special. Walking through the restaurant from one room to another is like taking a fantasy walk. The mazes of curved halls all in mirrored glass takes you to each of the rooms and the gift shop. Yes, the Tavern has its own gift shop too.
In the rooms you will find etched mirrors and paneled mirrors. Original paintings are throughout the restaurants halls and rooms. Prints abound. Stained Glass pieces with back lighting are throughout the restaurant. Some are unbelievably striking and yet more than any other eye catching pieces in the place are the chandeliers. They are abundant and amazing!! Some are Waterford Crystal and all are distinct. Even with all of this, I couldn't say the restaurant is garish or gaudy. It is aesthetically pleasing and very tastefully done, I think it's perfect!
The Crystal room , I believe, is the finest room of them all. It is like an atrium in that three sides of the room, that can hold about three hundred people, is surrounded with glass panels over twelve foot high. The windows are over eight foot straight up and then they continue up another six feet or so angled inward toward the ornate craft work on the ceiling and the beautiful chandeliers. During the day the room is flooded with light and the crystal in the chandeliers glow in multitudes of colours. At night you feel as though you are in the midst of a wonderland. The views of the park and garden area are unmatched in all NY.
Each of the six rooms have their own elegant, yet comfortable feel to them. Whether in a room with vaulted ceilings, open rafters and an "old time" feel looking out onto the park, or a fanciful room with gingerbread accents and railings that, though it is not open to the outside, makes you feel like you are outside, clouds and all, in a secret garden, the overall decor and feel of the rooms is quite impressive.
MORE INFORMATION FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO KNOW
Last night there was still snow on the ground. The views from the Crystal room as mentioned are the most beautiful in all Manhattan. You are looking out into a garden area with trees, about ten or twelve of them consumed by tightly wound lines of white lights. It was a true "Winter Wonderland" looking outside. Besides the lights you will see topiary pieces shaped in the form of a rabbit, two swans facing each other in a mirror image, a giant gorilla, a horse, and even an elephant. The figures are impressive. Good information tells me that at least a couple of the art forms were seen in the movie "Edward Scizzorhands", the swan and the horse. People do wander through the garden area, day and night and take photos. Out beyond the garden area is a section of Central Park that is known as Sheep Meadow. This is an area where all New Yorkers seem to relax in the sun on warm spring, summer and fall days.
SOME HISTORY
Back in 1870 a rural Gothic building was constructed. This was to be the home of 200 sheep that grazed in the area of Central Park still known as Sheep Meadow.
Going into the 1930's Robert Moses, a city planner, was doing extensive renovations of Central Park. The sheep were asked to leave and the building was stripped out and made into a restaurant October of 1934. It did well for years with some additions in the 1950's. Finally the restaurant noted as "no longer being in sinc with the times" according to some information I received at the tavern, it was closed.
This is when a 10 million dollar renovation was done building the Crystal and Terrace rooms. The stained glass, original paintings and chandeliers were brought in and installed. Ceilings were torn down to open up to the original vaulted roof lines supported by hand hewn rafters.
When you look at some of the paneling in the rooms you will notice the wormhole wood. This, I learned, is a very rare chestnut wood. These are 3/4 inch panels about six to ten inches wide. If you like woods, this place will "knock your sox off".
SIX ROOMS
Each of the rooms as described here, from their web site, are listed and can be viewed on that site.
http://web.tavernonthegreen.com/index.htm
THE CRYSTAL ROOM
A celebration of light and reflection with its shimmering crystal chandeliers and glass walls affording fabulous vistas of Central Park.
THE CRYSTAL PAVILION
An elaborate Victorian pavilion set in a beautiful trompe l'oeil garden. Its hand-painted mural of a secret garden creates a delightful atmosphere, and its hidden sliding walls can transform this very private nook into a wonderful extension to either the Crystal or the Rafters Room.
THE CHESTNUT ROOM
A rustic baroque fantasy of brass, copper, carved mirrors and glorious art overlooking the lovely Chestnut Garden.
THE RAFTERS ROOM
An elegant Great Hall in rare chestnut with hand-hewn rafters, stained glass wall panels and a captivating view of the gardens. With the gorgeous light of our famous four-tiered, colored, crystal chandeliers, the Rafters Room surrounds you with warm elegance.
THE TERRACE ROOM
A dazzling glass pavilion sparkling in Waterford crystal chandeliers, a magnificent hand-carved plaster ceiling and a panoramic view of the Park. It opens onto your own private garden, which may be tented year round.
THE PARK ROOM
An enchanting salute to a bygone era with a 52-foot mural depicting Central Park at the turn-of-the-century, antique Baccarat chandeliers and a private garden surrounding a period fountain.
Now please note, if you do see these rooms on the web site, they are dressed up with more floral arrangements than what is usually in the dining rooms for non function affairs. In any case the rooms are still magnificent.
At last nights private affair we used the Crystal Pavilion and Chestnut rooms for cocktail hour and the Crystal Room was used as the main dining room.
Having said this, you may realize that private affair use, of particular rooms, will determine which rooms are open to dining for the public. You can call ahead to see which rooms are available. They may not promise you a particular room but you can see if the option is there.
I stated that the Crystal Room is my favorite. I will say that the views from the Terrace Room also has a wonderful sweeping view of the park, while the Park Room has a lovely view of a garden that is beautifully lighted at night.
Maintenance
Mentioned earlier were the beautiful lights outside the rooms. Every spring all the white lights that are tightly wound around the trunk and branches of all the trees are cut off. This is done because of the new growth of the trees each year. The wires could hinder that growth. The restaurant for the spring, summer and early fall replace the lights with gorgeous Chinese lanterns. This gives the gardens a different look and another reason to return to Tavern on the Green.
On the inside, in reference to all the chandeliers, I was told that there is a schedule that gets each of the pieces hand cleaned every two months. You will be amazed at how many are in this place. They are all very different too.
MENUS
The fixed price three course Lunch Menu costs $28. It is a nice selection and a very reasonable price especially when you receive good service and choice seating.
Appetizer choice of one. Caesar Salad, Lobster Bisque, Penne alla Norma
Entree Herb Crust Salmon, Cobb Salad, Braised Lamb Shank
Dessert New York Cheesecake, Creme Brulee, or Dark Chocolate cake.
The Dinner Menu is much the same, however the price is $46.
The only difference between the fixed Lunch and Fixed Dinner is a substitution of choice changing with the entree. A dinner time the Cobb Salad is not offered and a Chicken Gruyere is available.
The prices last night Saturday Night February First were as follows.
Winter Menu Lunch Fixed served 11:30-3:00 $28.00 per person
Pre-Theatre Menu Fixed served 5:00-6:30 $32.00 per person
Dinner Menu Fixed served 5:00 till close $46.00 per person
You may also order from the A la carte menu which does offer many more selections. Entrees are from about $24.00 to $37.00 for the Filet Mignon. That is what I had last night. It was good, however I have had better.
Other A la carte offerings were pan seared scallops, braised lamb shank, crab cakes, roast rack of pork and more.
I have eaten at Tavern on the Green in the past. Though the food is good, it is not the finest of gourmet experiences. The filet was served on top of mashed potatoes with string beans also on the plate. The potatoes were real and tasty the veggies were cooked nicely with a touch of crunch.
I tasted the Striped Bass. It had a very, very light seasoning. What you tasted was the fish. This was also good but not "out of this world". Even though the food is not five star I still rate the restaurant as so. The ambiance is perfect in what I like in dining. Friendly and knowledgeable staff, good service, and an unbelievable atmosphere brings my rating way up.
OTHER OBSERVATIONS, SUGGESTIONS, and FACTS
Upstairs Bar
The weakest part of the restaurant, I feel, is the lobby area. It's not all that large and if you happen to be waiting for seating you can feel like you are one of those 200 sheep that were originally housed under the roof of this building. It can get a bit tight. If money is no object I strongly suggest waiting upstairs in the bar that is just above the coat room. Sorry, only steep stairs get you up there. This, like all the rooms of the restaurant, has a special atmosphere of its own with a juke box and special stained glass touches. For those waiting you are issued one of this pager thingies.
Rest rooms
There are clean restrooms right off the lobby area and in in a few other places in the building. These are much more convenient than the lobby ones, less crowded too. Expect to find an attendant inside.
Gift Shop
This restaurant also has a fine gift shop. T-shirts, hats, and pocketbooks with Tavern on the Green logos can be purchased as can, for you romantics, jewelry, candles, and chocolates.
Getting there
By subway there are two lines that stop at 72nd street and Central Park West. The Tavern is on 68th Street in the park just off Central Park West.
The Tavern does have its own convenient parking lot a rarity in Manhattan. This happens to be a real plus if you happen to be driving in NYC, which I don't usually recommend. The valet will take your car and the pricing will be about $20.00 for four hours. Taxi is the most convenient way of getting there from other city locations. In good weather it is a beautiful walk through Central Park during the day from major midtown hotels.
Guys take note. If you really want to give your gal a perfect romantic evening take a horse and carriage from across the street from the Plaza Hotel on 59th street to The Tavern on the Green. Have dinner or perhaps dance on one of the dance evenings that are now available during the summer at the Tavern. Afterward arrange for the horse and carriage to pick you up and take you back to the hotel area. The Plaza and Pierre Hotels are both very close to the southern end of Central Park.
Valentines Day
Now that I suggested a romantic place, I have to warn you about having that date on February 14th. Tavern on the Green has "special" prices that night. You have two hours of dining where you receive a three course meal, bottle of champagne per couple, complimentary roses and chocolate, and a romantic strolling guitar. You also get to keep two Tavern on the Green Champagne flutes. For a sitting in the Crystal Room from 7:00PM till 9:00PM or 9:00PM till 11:00 expect to pay $149 per person!!
You get much reduced price of $99 in other rooms at those same times with just a glass of champagne each plus everything else. The last sitting is at 11:PM get it all for just $58 per person. Reservations are a must!!
The door man at the Tavern on the Green is a very busy man at night getting taxis and other transportation for customers. In the lobby area is a courtesy Limo service phone.
During the day, from the Tavern, you are just minutes from "Strawberry Fields" a memorial in honor of John Lennon. Just another seven or eight minutes from there walking is the Boat House. This is another wonderful restaurant right in the middle of Central Park. What they also have at the boat house are Gondola Rides. Yes, that's right and its complete with a striped shirted godolier who will sing for you. Row boats are also available to rent by the hour.
I hope you get to enjoy The Tavern on the Green, it is a magical place.
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Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: No
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations Be there early and expect to wait.
Best Suited For: Trendy Crowd
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