My husband and I live in Gramercy and my grandma will be in town the first week of August for a visit. We would like to take her somewhere for lunch (nothing too fancy, just good food) nearby in Gramercy so she doesn't have to walk far from our apartment. Any ideas on good places?
Thanks!
By jenmcee
on Jul 13, 2010 06:50 AM
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Gramercy Tavern - front room
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Gramercy Tavern
42 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003
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It would be helpful to know approximately where you live, and how far Grandma can walk. Also, do you and Grandma have any cuisine preferences? Any avoids? That said...
The Tavern Room at G.T. (on 20th, b/t B'way & PAS) is a good suggestion though they don't take reservations, so there could be a wait.
Tavern Room photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157622253360361/
Maialino is in the Gramercy Park Hotel (Lex & 22nd). They take reservatons for the trattoria.
Maialino photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157623134601069/
Allegretti is on 22nd, b/t 5th & 6th (closer to 6th). In addition to the a la carte menu, they have a lunch prix fixe for $28. They take reservations.
Allegretti photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391...
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We live right near 23rd and 3rd Ave. Grandma is 86 and with the heat we really don't want her walking more than a block or two.
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Maialino is perfect then.
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Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010
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Of the restaurants suggested thus far, Maialino is the closest. However, even closer is 'inoteca Gramercy, on the corner of 3rd & 24th. The food's good, and at lunch, it's nice and quiet (unlike in the evening, when it's much busier and the noise level is hideously high).
'inoteca Gramercy photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391...
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But Maialino is SO MUCH MORE PLEASANT and a nicer room, nicer service...
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Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010
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I can't disagree that Maialino's trattoria is a nicer space -- lots of wood, tablecloths, etc. And, yes, there is the fabled Danny Meyer-style service. However, we have had very friendly, efficient service at 'inoteca at lunch as well.
Getting to Maialino from 3rd & 23rd means traversing the long avenue block b/t 3rd & Lex + another two street blocks to the hotel/restaurant entrance. That adds up to nearly 5 blocks. Depending on how hot it is out, that could be a bit too much for Grandma.
But if conditions are favorable for the walk, then, yes, Maialino would be my first choice.
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It's one long block from 3rd to Lex, and one short block from 23rd to 22nd.
Well worth it - the two places are not in the same league.
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That long block (equal to about 3 short blocks) may seem inconsequential to you, but when you're 86 and it's HOT out, depending on the person's physical condition, it may not be so easy. And Maialino's entrance is not at the corner of 22nd but near the end of the block, closer to Gramercy Park S.
We've always had delicious food at 'inoteca even going back to the time when it was Bar Milano. My only gripe has been with the noise level, and it's not a problem at lunch.
I think it's up to jenmcee and her Grandma to decide if the walk to Maialino is doable. If not, I think 'inoteca is a fine alternative.
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You can enter through the hotel lobby to Maialino. And there are always cabs if 1 long block and 1 short block is too much for her.
Last time I went to 'inoteca Gramercy at lunchtime they were playing loud music. The windows were wide open so the noise of the street was always present.
And although the food there is fine, it cannot compare to Maialino, which is a top notch restaurant, with service and atmosphere to boot.
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'inoteca
323 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10010
Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010
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"Last time I went to 'inoteca Gramercy at lunchtime they were playing loud music. The windows were wide open so the noise of the street was always present."
Huh?! It sounds as though you are confusing it with some other restaurant. 'inoteca Gramercy does not have windows that open either on the dining room side or on the bar side.
Here are two photos I took from inside which show the windows in the dining room, i.e., huge panes of glass which do NOT open. In the second photo, the restaurant's entrance is to the left of the windows.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/3472118588/in/set-72157617273544426/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391...
Re: music. There's never been any playing when we've been there for lunch mid-week.
P.S. If jenmcee had wanted to take a cab, she would have mentioned it. I'm not so free with spending someone else's money.
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impossible, the windows at 'inoteca don't open
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'inoteca
323 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10010
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Novita is on 22nd just east of PAS. I used to love it when I lived in the area. I haven't been there in a while, but here's a very positive recent-ish NYT review that gives it two stars:
http://events.nytimes.com/2010/02/10/...
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There are stairs @ Novita - what was called an English basement where I grew up. I agree that this that are negligible at one age can be horrible at another. In fact, I remember when I sprained my ankle badly, how hard so many things were.
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Novita
102 E 22nd St, New York, NY 10010
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True. The OP didn't say stairs were a deal-breaker, but it's good that you brought it up, just in case.
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