Food reviewers have been dining lavishly for the past few weeks at Tavern on the Green, the refurbished restaurant located inside Central Park at West 67th street. And, unfortunately, they’re not very impressed.
The Times, Daily News and Post have all chowed down and their reviews indicate that the food left a lot to be desired.
Pete Wells of the Times praised some of the dishes and the decor but expected more:
“The ceviches aren’t ceviches; they’re rough-sawn carpaccios of seafood covered with garnishes that are either thuggish (harsh pickled onions and acrid, stale fried garlic chips on yellowfin tuna) or useless (avocado lumps on salmon). Then acid is thrown at them. The directive seems to be: terminate with extreme prejudice.
Is it too late to bring back the sheep?”
But some dishes stood out as winners:
“The most enjoyable dishes tend to be the simplest. The Serrano ham and melted Gruyère sandwich was totally likable, which is my clever way of saying it was fried in butter. I couldn’t taste any wood smoke in the hearth-roasted mussels, but they were tender and flavorful in their Spanish-leaning sauce of garlic and chopped almonds. The $56 strip steak was excellent, too, although it probably helped that it was the only main course that arrived hot that night.”
Stan Sagner of the News was a bit more harsh:
“Local Duck Egg on a Spring Onion and Smoked Ricotta Crostata ($16) was a bigger mouthful to order than to eat. Instead of offering her take on the classic French pissaladière, Sparks deconstructs the dish, strewing about ingredients that never come back together. The gluey, vegetable-topped pancake couldn’t be saved, even by the creamy sunny-side-up egg atop…
The well-meaning servers maintain the deer-in-the-headlights look of a losing high school basketball team after being chewed out by the coach. You can’t help but pull for them — until the mishaps start adding up.”
But he liked the cake:
“If, by the end, you’re still in the game, order the Birthday Cake ($12). This ethereal, lemony treat is the best thing on the menu — a sweet glimmer of what might have been.”
“Meat was overcooked: dry beef brisket and rubbery, plancha-cooked pork chop faded after the first few nibbles. ‘Caramelized’ anchovies lay on the tongue like cardboard. Most every plate came with one element too cold for the others.”
Level the place, and make the whole lot a place for good food trucks. Could easily fit 15-20 in there. Good, fresh food. Diverse selection. Reasonable prices. They do this in Austin and it works great.
There were food trucks there for at least two seasons. Didn’t seem too popular.
Should be a rustic farmhouse cooking restaurant. No frills!
I agree! In fact, I wish Good Enough To Eat took this space instead of the one on Columbus.
; )
Love this idea. Or at least make it like “Freemans” down on the LES (no relation to me).
Has Oliver Platt reviewed it yet? 🙂
Possibly you mean Adam Platt, the restaurant critic for NEW YORK magazine? Oliver Platt, the actor, is his brother. And yes, Adam P. did review it. Here’s a link: https://www.grubstreet.com/2014/06/platt-on-tavern-on-the-green.html
Zero stars for their Accounting Dept and lack of customer service after I was charged incorrectly ($208 not mine) and they didn’t even return my daily phone calls x 7 days which forced me to contest the charges.
And you blindly signed for the $208?
I may not be a “certified? restaurant reviewer but I am an avid diner. I LOVE the new Tavern on the Green. The food was good; the service spectacular, and of course, the views magical. I think everyone should give this wonderful iconic New York restaurant a try.
I agree Karen, I LOVE The new Tavern on the Green. Been there 3 times and the food is fabulous, service impeccable, and the décor (especially the Garden) is divine. I also feel the prices are reasonable, and the wine list interesting and affordable. I have even made reservations for my parent’s anniversary, and they were very accommodating. Reviewers get paid to critique…listen to the “real people”.
I’m sorry to hear about how disappointed some people were at Tavern On The Green. My girlfriend and I were there a few weeks ago, and had a delightful evening, with good food well prepared, and excellent red wine. Service was excellent, and we thought the place looked beautiful. Give ’em a break, and a little more time to get into their comfort zone.
Went with a group early in the morning. The food was mediocre, the waiter was rude, seems he wasn’t in the mood for a group, and the decor is boring. I really wanted to like it. My prediction is it won’t last a year unless they do something outstanding with one of the most outstanding locations in the city.
Been for dinner and for lunch. Indoors I thought I was at the Grand Floridian at Disney World with all the white washed slightly tacky wood. They were out of some key menu items and my party was not impressed. Went for Saturday lunch and it was delish! Sat on outdoor patio- views beautiful, pancakes wonderful and salad with a grilled chicken super yummy. Waiter did seem overwhelmed, but ended up pleasant. I’m with Jake, let’s give this place a chance. They just need to simplify. The bar is super cool as well.
Old news. Read Times and NY reviews more than a week ago. I am not surprised by the bad reviews.
Took a tour a couple of week ago, before reviews, and looked at new menu and various spaces. Walked out quickly. Overpriced tourist dive.
I trust the opinion of the people on here. Not the “critics”. Deer in the headlights look of a losing basketball team? Way to mix your metaphors Stan. Go back to writing class, then maybe your reviews will be more believable. Maybe.
We went a week ago and it was delicious. Really enjoyed the food and the outside patio.
blame the landlord!