Chef Jeremiah Tower and Tavern on the Green’s owners.
Tavern on the Green has rolled out its new menu since switching chefs a few months ago, and the first review is generally positive. Compared to the very rough reviews given to his predeecessor, new chef Jeremiah Tower is off to a strong start. “Tavern’s food won’t transport you, but it’s not meant to. Tower is cooking a highly skilled distillation of the Tavern brand, a blend of American bigness, New York authenticity, retro romance, and just a little fantasy to suit the still-magical surroundings. It’s solid, straightforward, and skilled. His California-cuisine background is turning out a good match for Gotham, with its emphasis on local sourcing and big, honest presentations.,” wrote Daily News critic Michael Kaminer, who gave the restaurant three stars out of a possible five. Here’s the menu.
The West Side Campaign Against Hunger is hosting a Valentine’s Fundraiser at Jacob’s Pickles on Feb. 10. Tickets here.
Thrillist listed the nine essential bars on the Upper West Side. The list includes Dive Bar, Blondie’s, Vanguard, The Dead Poet, Jacob’s Pickles, Dive 75, Jake’s Dilemma, The Manhattan Cricket Club, and the Empire Hotel.
Bill Telepan wanted to create a high-end version of Cheers on the UWS when he opened Telepan at 72 West 69th street — where everybody knows your name. “The Upper West Side was an ideal neighborhood for such a venture, he says, because when he opened, there was no real fine-dining spot to keep people in the area — and the families who’d moved in wanted to stay in the neighborhood. He composed a menu that would invite people in for a variety of occasions, whether they wanted to sit and have a quiet snack at the bar, pop in for a pre-theater meal, or celebrate a special occasion. And he instructed his staff to know the restaurant inside and out, but also to be relaxed and fun. Hosts remembered names and preferences, which was key in getting people to want to come back.” Check out the Village Voice’s profile.
We LOVE Telepan, but likening to CHEERS is a stretch. It’s far to expensive to go a couple of nights a week. We love the food, the service. We go every couple of weeks and they certainly don’t remember my name.
100% agree on the CHEERS comparison. And 100% on the LOVE for Telepan.
I’ve been going to Telepan on average about every month or every other month since they opened. The food is great, Bill Telepan is often there and comes out to say hello to people, and while i doubt they know names, they do definitely try to remember faces. It’s too formal and high end to be Cheers, but I think it does manage to be a great upscale neighborhood place.
Re: Tavern, $14 for hard boiled eggs? REALLY??? And $56 for a steak? Who is their audience?
Obviously for tourists who don’t know any better; or wealthy people who don’t care about the prices. Just glanced at the lunch menu and most of it is preposterous. There are a few not-so-outrageously-priced items (cheeseburger, pasta), i.e. on a par with midtown famous restaurants, but everything else…… I won’t be going.
The people who just bought the two apartments in your building. Also the people who bought the brownstone down the block and are now building a penthouse on it because it’s not big enough. THAT’S their audience.
That’s the first list of “best UWS bars” that has multiple locations of a chain, two bro bars, and a restaurant, but not George Keeley. I imagine the wine bar frequenters would also have something to say.
Thrillest left out one of the UWS’s best bars, E’s bar!!! On 85th and Columbus, next door to Jacob’s Pickle, it is the bar we’ve needed.
Board games, friendly staff (especially the owner!) and always a great time.
The 10th essential bar must be the Dublin House on west 79 street
Mike, SSShhhhh…..don’t ruin our little secret….SSSShhhhh…..
My brother and I recently had an absolutely fabulous dinner at Telepan. The food was outstanding ( I’m still salivating over the lobster Bolognese, etc. ) and we can’t wait to go back again! The service and ambience could not have been better…and we were totally relaxed whilst we chatted away and enjoyed our meal. Bill took a brief break from the kitchen, and stopped by to say hello!