Minetta Tavern

Recommends

Marcus S.

Joined 1 month ago

classy, easy, classic, lively.

cityneversleeps

Joined 2 years ago

I was in the village and looking for some black boots for fall. My feet were sore and I wandered into Minetta for a cold beer on tap. I was a bit hungry so I ordered the French Dip sandwich and was truly elated. Totally hit the spot. The service wasn't as good as the food and a bit slow.

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filmnyc11

Joined 5 years ago

What a great Meal and get the Dry Aged C. The Dry Aged C

Doesn't Recommend

oh212

Joined 5 years ago

thought i'd never "meat" a burger i didn't like!. ..but was disappointed with the one i got a minetta tavern, despite it having 2 burgers on the menu - one of which is $26.. it's really a consistency issue.. i'm sure others have really enjoyed their burger there - tho i feel its a roulette game for me now.. a Macnchis review is posted on worpress.. macnchis.wordpress-dotcom

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DMANBURGER

Joined 4 years ago

DMANBURGER "Minetta Tavern". A buff, but cordial doorman, stands shifting his weight from side to side, while a pretty reservationist with almond shaped eyes shares the aroma of charred beef and uncorked Bordeaux with awaiting patrons. These are images and sensations of Minetta Tavern.

This personified “classic steakhouse meets neighborhood” tavern by restaurateur virtuoso, Keith McNally, plays for a raucous sophisticated audience and its routine is flawless. Knowledgeable servers dressed penguin-like circulate hurriedly around the black and white checkered floors, a steadfast all-knowing manager, and a cheeky, yet comedic bartender-completes this cast of Minetta players. Like the set of a 40′s film, the stage is a grand ole tavern with faded frescos of a New York now past. Finishing’s of deep brooding oak enhance McNally’s trademark leather banquettes that are romantically positioned beneath littered charactertures of anonymous old neighborhood guys that reflect some of these past iconic patrons-nestled tightly around the room- each booth telling a story.

Co-chefs Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr team together to adequately float the now pride of McNally’s fleet-Balthazar being their maiden voyage together. The menu is a carefully constructed myriad of primeval gratification that instantly makes the diner hankering and hoggish at the mere sight of the menu-although additionally- subtlety teasing the palate with dainty flashes of hors d’oeuvres like; the Asparagus Vinaigrette [$16] with fresh ricotta, pickled honshimeji mushrooms, marcona almonds, lemon and micro shisu; the Dressed Prawns

[ $18 ] with Bibb lettuce.

On the contrast, my table stuck with the gluttonous “Flintstone- like” bone-marrow that arrived on a stark white plate. Two large shin bones gormandized with gelatinous goodness lay before you. The diner then sparingly spreads onto crusty baguette points and can then be dunked into a shallot confit. Other omnivores that were sitting in the vicinity were gorging on other “Grillades” menu items, like the Bone-In New York Strip [$45], and the bountiful Dry Aged Côte de Boeuf [$104] for two, with roasted marrow bones and sucrine salad.

Although all of these fore mentioned menu selections are stars in their own right, the crowd pleaser of Minetta, of late, has been the Black Label Burger. The clandestine blend exclusively created by La Frieda for McNally, has been talked about, admired, and unsuccessfully duplicated since its inception. A secret blend of highly selected aged beef cuts is molded into a patty and gently placed on a piping hot flat grill and generously mopped with clarified butter until pinkish red inside. The succulent plump patty is then perched on a soft toasted brioche.The complexity of flavor equals a brilliance and superiority against any other counterpart. At $26, the Minetta Burger may not be eaten on the regular, but should be tried at least once.

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prlgirl

Joined 7 years ago

Magnificent Minetta. I've gone to Minetta a few times now and have always had a wonderful time. Sure, the hosts look like they are in pain or bothered, but given New York's trend of snooty people at the door, I have become immune to it. I always make a reservation to try to downplay the beating my self-esteem takes from the host stand and so far its worked. We've sat at the bar, dining room and front room and by far our favorite seat was a cozy booth in the front room where you can watch all the entertainment at the door and bar. I love the black label burger, but have also had the regular burger and its pretty yummy too. But the black label burger is in a class of its own. On our most rcent visit we paired it with a salad with goat cheese and a pasta. The food is good but the scene is great, which is really what a trip to Minetta is about. Have a drink and a burger at the bar and it will be a great night!

Doesn't Recommend

Surettec

Joined 3 years ago

Nice food, nice waiter, terrible maitre d'. After hearing all the foodie hype about the Black Label Burger, my husband and I went to Minetta Tavern to try it. Despite the $26 price tag, it did not disappoint and was delicious. The accompanying fries were also superb. Cocktails were unique and tasty (I had the Murray Sour at my waiter's reco). And our waiter was gracious, friendly and very attentive.

Upon leaving, we explained to the hostess that we would like a menu to take home. Sure she said, and she went to check with the Maitre D'. While she was away, we noticed the Jerry Seinfeld was in the reservation book--due to arrive at any moment. The hostess hurried back and informed us the Maitre D' said no and that we should print one out online.

We explained that we have collected only a few menus from memorable meals framed in our dining room and that we'd be honored to add Minetta Tavern to our collection.

Again, she said no, sorry, and that we should go print one ourselves off of their website.

Come on! I guess Minetta Tavern will not be joining Per Se and Taillevent on my dining room wall. It was an ungracious end to an otherwise enjoyable evening.

Doesn't Recommend

luv2eat2010

Joined 3 years ago

How do you give 0 stars. I tried to make a reservation after reading this article entitled "The Minetta Tavern Burger Review."

I went to their website, saw they took reservations 30 days in advance and called. "Tommy" answered and nastily advised they were only taking reservations 2 weeks in advance. I pushed up my date and he gave me a few times, none of which worked for me. Halfway through my sentance of thank you but those dont work...do you have X date available, he hung up on me.

Needless to say, I have had amazing burgers in the city with great service. There is no need to ever frequent this establishment.

Doesn't Recommend

arbman

Joined 3 years ago

OK food, questionable attitude. Food was ok, with a decent non-standard selection, particularly the specials and mixed drinks. What was crappy was being rushed out by the maitre d RIGHT after we signed our large bill ("I'm sorry, but we have a lot of people waiting" --> translation: "leave"). That was completely classless. I understand the place is popular, but that's no way to treat customers who just spent a small fortune. If you must, try it later, but nothing like spoiling a decent night with that ending...

Doesn't Recommend

01smt

Joined 3 years ago

WORST PLACE EVER. HUSBAND GOT FOOD POISONING. DO NOT GO HERE.

My husband got the Black Label Burger, Medium Rare, and was vomiting all night from food poisoning. And it was his birthday! He had been looking forward to this dinner for a month.

When we called, ARNOLD, the manager, was completely unhelpful. Not to mention he never called back when he said he would.

He didn't even offer to refund our burger. We had a very large bill for the night, it was my husband's birthday, and Minetta Tavern didn't even have the decency to refund the price of the burger which made him vomit all night. They didn't offer anything. In fact, they weren't even that apologetic, because "they serve 40 of these burgers a night."

The place is waaaay over rated.

Both of us will never go back again.

We love going out in NYC for dinner and have never once posted a negative review on a website since we know restaurants have their good and bad nights. This is our first negative review because we feel so strongly people need to know how over rated this place is and unhelpful the management is.