Gramercy Tavern.....Classic American Tavern at its best

With high expectations my date and I met for lunch at this elegant gramercy locale. Restaurant week is one of those rare opportunities where you have the ability to try the best restaurants in NYC for a fraction of the cost; we were not disappointed. Gramercy Tavern is the reason that Restaurant week exists. It’s this kind of place that opens it doors to the less fortunate (or people who don’t wanna spend an arm and a leg to eat a good meal) for two weeks out of year and it lives up to the hype. The restaurant’s décor had a warm and inviting feeling not as uncomfortable and snooty as many top restaurants can come across. The walls were lined with old wood pillars similar to an early American horse stable; Antiques of all kinds were found throughout the historic landmark building.

APPETIZERS

Sunchoke Salad

Apples, Walnuts and Cured Pork

Not what I expected but quite good none-the-less This salad was light and delicious. The pork came sliced thin- almost air like and was sitting a top the salad. The dressing was not overwhelming and blended will with the flavors of the apples and sunchokes and the spiced walnuts added a great kick. I felt good after this dish- not too full but perhaps a little envious of my dining partner who had ordered the Papardelle.

Lamb Pappardelle

Olives, Lemon Confit and Beet Greens

Thick long sheets of al dente pappardelle (AKA Large Fettucine) noodles lay beneath a bed of thinly sliced black olives and lemon confit. This dish easily dwarfed my usual workday lunch of Boars head honey turkey from the Amish Market. The Small pieces of braised lamb rested atop the sheets of the large fettuccine noodles. The light meaty flavors from the lamb contrasted nicely with the rich, full-bodied flavors of the oversized pasta. I would highly recommend getting this dish.

ENTREES

Braised Shoulder of Lamb

Cabbage, Salsify and Turnips

Delicious. I was definitely not the jealous counterpart when this dish arrived at the table. The Lamb came as a circular cut of meat served in the center of a shallow bowl. The cabbage, salsify and turnips surrounded the meat and the plate looked inviting. I did not hesitate, with the first bite the meat fell apart (in a good way). It was soft and tender and the flavors were only enhanced by the sauce and surrounding accoutrements. Both the salisfy and turnips were tasty although the cabbage didn’t do much for the dish. The meat was a decent sized portion only left me wanting more because of how good it actually was (and maybe because I ordered a salad to start). I would go back and order this dish without hesitation.

Roasted Hanger Steak

Braised Flat Iron steak, Black beans and Swiss Chard

I was a little hesitant to order two red meats in one sitting, but I was confident that my arteries could handle such a feat. Hindsight is always 20/20. Immediately, I regretted my decision. I’ll admit when I make a bad decision and this was one of them. The lunch pre fix had tons of great options; all which came flooding back into my head when I took one look at the undercooked hanger steak. Three slices of rare and ultra rare hanger steak staring right up at me, just waiting to be sent back. Unfortunately, I was not man enough on this day and didn’t wanna be “that guy” to complain about every little detail. I managed to eat around the undercooked pieces and still enjoyed the meal.

DESSERT

Warm chocolate bread pudding with Cacao Nib Ice Cream

MMMMMMMAmazing. Warm, gooey, chocolatey and just incredible. A chocolate lovers wet dream. Sweet flavors bursting everywhere on this one. The texture of the bread pudding was mushy and was covered in warm melted chocolate morsels that just melted in your mouth. I am salivating while writing this. This dessert went perfectly with a cup of freshly brewed Ethiopian coffee. However, it may be too rich for just one person, so I would recommend sharing.

Overall, I loved everything about this place (except for the slightly undercooked hanger steak) and would come back whenever I get a chance. It lived up to my expectations and the hype I have been hearing for close to two years. This is the perfect place to go if your family is in town or for a special occasion dinner.

	Restaurant Review Rating Scale
			Total Points Available
Food	9		10
Service	9		10
Ambiance	9.5		10
Bang for the Buck	8		10
Overall	9		10
	44.5		50

42 E. 20th St., New York, NY 10003
nr. Park Ave. South
212-477-0777