Gramercy Tavern

Pros: Wonderful all-American dishes and awesome desserts. Warm, energetic vibe.
Cons: The Tavern's no-reservations policy translates into hour-long waits.

Non-New Yorkers frequently have the misconception that in order to dine well in Manhattan you have to be loaded or on an expense account. They read about Jean-Georges or Daniel, and assume that no one can pass through those privileged doors without his...

Pros: Top notch service and food
Cons: Difficult to obtain reservations

Located in Manhattan and part of the Danny Meyer restaurant empire (Union Square Café, Tabla, Eleven Madison Park), Gramercy Tavern is a wonderful, uniquely American restaurant. Unfortunately, to savor the wonders of Gramery Tavern, you must obtain...

Pros: original food packed with flavor
Cons: somewhat bland looking room, but you're looking at the food most of the time anyway

Saying "I'm going to Gramercy Tavern for dinner," is like saying "I'm going to Avery Fisher Hall to hear a live band." Dinner is an experience, and reservations are essential. The regular menu is prix fixe $56 for three...

Pros: The food, the decor, the service - romantic & fabulous
Cons: Not cheap

Gramercy Tavern is one of my favorite restaurants anywhere. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted pleasantly and you're looking at a large, wood table decorated magnificently - depending on the season. There might be leaves, squash, pumpkins set...

Pros: Great food, great service, fair prices.
Cons: Tough to get a reservation; try dropping into the grill room.

Gramercy Tavern is one of the restaurants that's redefining the American dining experience. The food, simply prepared (and often grilled) and using the finest locally-available ingredients, is never less than superb. The menu, which changes with the...

Pros: beautiful room, excellent food, perfect service
Cons: the tourist factor can be a little high on the weekends

For incredible, affordable food without the hassle of having to get too dressed up or managing to get a reservation, eat in the bar room at Gramercy Tavern. Entrees hover around $15 and are always excellent. My personal choice is the filet mignon with...

Pros: So much to try
Cons: A splurge

The back half of the Gramercy Tavern is the main dining room. Reservations are absolutely required. The food is "American New York" fare in style, meaning exquisite preparations of the standard categories-- there is always fish, beef, game,...

Pros: fabulous food, superb service, elegant ambiance
Cons: expensive

The restaurant is located inside the Gramercy Park Hotel. It is very elegant, with thick carpeting, plush Victorian armchairs to sit in at the tables, huge gorgeous crystal chandeliers overhead, and a live roaming violinist. You are treated like royalty...

Pros: Great food and extras a pleasant surprise.
Cons: The room is a little loud, and our asst. waiter was a little sloppy.

Our table of four ordered a nice variety off of the $68 per person price fixe menu. The food was great. I had sweetbreads as my appetizer, a lovely surprise as I am not from a large city and rarely get to try them. I had a game entree of rabbit which, along with a ragout of vegetables, came with an very good side of whipped potatoes. Trying the cheese course instead of dessert, I was sorry I hadn't picked a sweeter choice. The desserts I tried were very good, and after the sweetbreads and rabbit, the cheese was too much. (My own fault.) The above was served with a tasty mixture of amusements, intermezzos, other sweets, and a wonderful muffin to take home for the morning. With cocktails, wine and tip, the meal came to $540, a fair price for a memorable meal.