Tavern On The Green
(212) 873-3200
Central Park W
New York,
NY
10023
40.7688
-73.9813
Neighborhoods: Midtown, Central Park
What People Are Saying About Tavern On The Green
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
In Short
The fairy-tale Central Park backdrop and the lush private garden, filled with illuminated trees and Chinese lanterns, are the real draw here, particularly in warmer months. Menu items include lamb shank, duck and various seafood dishes, as well as starters like shrimp cocktail, lobster bisque and heirloom beets.
User Reviews
shellieshore1
May 07, 2009
We just got back from a trip to NYC for our first wedding anniversary and felt that we must warn others as soon as possible about dining at this 'restaurant.' 'Horrible' just really sums it up perfectly, but the details are as follows: We wanted to have dinner somewhere romantic, intimate, fancy and fun at the same time. Thinking that Tavern sounded wonderful, ("Twinkle lights and gourmet food in Cental Park- what could be more perfect?") we booked a reservation for our anniversary dinner there. We should have known what we were in for when we had to pass the cheap tourist gift shop just to get to the dining room. Ahh- the dining room... We were placed into the Crystal Room. "Shabby chic" without the chic. Dirty, worn carpet and furniture. Tables placed so close to each other that there was no chance of any private conversation whatsoever. All the lights kept on full blast even though it was late, so that there was zero atmosphere and plenty of opportunity to 'appreciate' the also dirty, cheap-looking chandeliers. And it was loud! They had so many people and tables crammed into the room that is sounded like a bee-hive in there. Not to mention the waitstaff.... I think that we would have found better personailty and attentiveness at a truckstop on 275 at 3am. Aside from borderline rudeness, most of the stewards wore dirty, wrinkled, ill-fitting polyester uniforms that fit right in with the run-down look of the restaurant. And then there was the pushy photographer who wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. Last and least: the food.... The dinner rolls arrived hard and cold and tasted about 2 days old. The dinner menu is extremely dissappointing- VERY overpriced, and there wasn't a thing on the menu I couldn't have made better by myself in my own kitchen- there was no imagination put into the dishes whatsoever. Chicken breast and green bean almondine for 30 bucks, SERIOUSLY?!?! So stuck as we were, we ordered the prime rib and seafood pasta. The dishes were bad at best, and there was zero thought or care given to the presentation of the dish. The ramekin of horseradish sauce was plopped literally right on top of the mashed potatoes and the "blue cheese popover" was so burnt it was black in spots. And best of all... wait for it... the hubby and I had the pleasure of spending the next few hours of our anniversary night... in the bathroom of our hotel room sick to our stomachs. Tavern on the Green is at best, a bad, run down catering hall. And, at worst, you too will end up spending the night in your bathroom. PLEASE think twice about dining here. It is just sad really... "Twinkle lights in Central Park" had such potential.
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TROJeff
February 16, 2009
I took my wife to TOTG for Valentine's Day after having received a review from a friend of horrible service, overpriced meals and average-at-best food. I thought maybe he had had a "one-off" experience and that on such a special occasion the experience woudl be different - WRONG!! We have lived here for 2 years now and TOTG was on our list of things to do while here. We often are asked for our list, but agreed this one should be taken off. The food truly was average-at-best and we could have had a much better meal for $110/person. The service was horrible and they added an automatic gratuity of 20% without the possibility of reducing the amount. The only reason I can think for doing so is that tips have been historically bad so they had to institute an automatic gratuity to ensure their staff are "rewarded" for the horrendous service. With the contract for this space going out to bid this year, we can only hope that someone outbids TOTG and brings a restaurant to this location that is worthy of the surroundings. Please do not waste your time and money on this restaurant. There are far too many great places to eat in NYC to even consider TOTG. Take it from a former tourist and current local!
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Oxlea
February 14, 2009
We are planning a trip to NYC in May and planned a visit to the Tavern for our wedding anniversary. After having read the majority of your reviews, we'll pass. It seems to me that New Yorkers get the better deal probably because they are "locals". Anybody from anywhere else across the States or Europe get a raw deal. I'm sure there are thousands of restaurants in NYC where the food and service is far superior, for half the price.
read full reviewThe Details on Tavern On The Green
Category:
Restaurants, Bars & Clubs, Bars & Pubs, Taverns
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Romantic Dining, Outdoor Dining, View Dining, Private Rooms, Live Music, Prix Fixe Menu
