The Strong Buzz

“Gramercy Taver”

March 1, 2003

Dining at Gramercy Tavern is for people who don’t have trouble being very well taken care of. Owner Danny Meyer’s perpetually bustling classic New York eatery oozes warmth and charm, without a smidge of pretension. Chef/owner Tom Colicchio, and his executive chef Joahn Schaefer who has been with him for almost ten years, deliver on the food in much the same way. While the menu is inventive, it is not over-fussed. Pristine, seasonal ingredients shine, and every bite allows the flavors to converse quietly, yet speak individually as well.

The main dining room offers a formal dinner experience. You can choose from a pair of seasonal tasting menus or a wide array of equally tempting à la carte selections. But the front Tavern room offers a chance to dine without reservations, and to rub elbows with the city’s smart and sexy locals—writers, publishers, lawyers, and assorted financial types. This is a crowd that loves the Tavern room for its energetic vibe, terrific food (the menu is different than the main dining room, but just as wonderful), and its amazing house cocktail list.

Gramercy Tavern, 42 East 20th Street, b/w Park & B'way, 212-477-0777

REPRINTED FROM MY REVIEW IN THE MOBIL TRAVEL GUIDE

Andrea Strong