Requiem for a (ridiculous) restaurant

[isadorasmama]

'Tavern on the Green had famously awful food and absurd decor. But that didn't stop it from being truly beloved"

http://www.salon.com/food/restaurants...

[gfr1111]

My girlfriend loves to visit Manhattan at Christmas. (We live in Florida.) Tavern on the Green was always a stop on our list of "must do" activities. I thought that the atmosphere of the place was delightful and truly set the tone for Christmas.

The food was okay, but didn't exactly blow me away. It seemed institutional at times, sometimes much better. I've read that the food was much better when Patrick Clark was in charge, long before I started going there in 2005 or so. I've also read that the restaurant did more covers per day than any other restaurant in New York City. That would explain the occasional institutional quality which I encountered.

I am very sorry to see it go. It was a unique experience, at least, at Christmas time.

[bushwickgirl]

Yes, it was a iconic NY restaurant, not necessarily food-wise in the later years, but the atmosphere was wonderful. I believe you're right about the amount of covers per day. It must have been a bear of a chef's job.
I wonder how many people proposed marriage, make multi-million dollar business deals, sold real estate, had weddings, read wills, celebrated birthdays and just blew their paychecks there. Memories for many, I'm sure.

[gloriousfood]

I've only been to the Tavern once, and it was a fond memory. A relative won the annual Live with Regis and Kelly free wedding contest, which was always held at the Tavern, and my husband and I were invited. Regis and Kelly danced and socialized with all the guests; Kelly was especially enthralled by my husband's niece, who was a toddler then.

The food, however, was 300% unmemorable. I remember thinking that Regis and Kelly would never eat here if they didn't have to.

[Pete Oldtown]

Its food actually used to be pretty good back in the 80s, but it's been bad for a long time. Those mirrored corridors were very strange, though.

[Will Owen]

James Beard was a big fan of the place, if you can believe that! I think he just liked places where he was buddies with the owner...

[bushwickgirl]

Now, now, Will, the food was good, perhaps even through Patrick Clark's reign. James Beard probably enjoyed talking shop with other culinary pros.

[chris2269]

Wasn't there a time when they were planning on bringing an offshoot to the Metreon Plaza In San Francisco?