Two of my favorite places to go are the Gramercy Tavern Bar and The Modern Bar Room. The food is consistently good,. the atmosphere inviting and the staff knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly. I have no reservations about recommending either of these places on a consistent basis' I bet most of you don't know that if you ask you'll find The Modern has a no corkage policy on Sundays. The staff loves to see what the clientele is bringing in next.
Just so you know, I"ve eaten in the Gramercy Tavern restaurant many times and always enjoyed the food. The bar is just more relaxed though it might be too noisy for some, I enjoy it more. I've never eaten at The Modern restaurant aside from the bar room.
At Gramercy Tavern Bar, not all the dishes are excellent all of the time. Sometimes a dish isn't quite up to expectations. I've had a pork chop a touch over cooked now and then but the melding of flavors and other ingredients adds another dimension that makes up for it. I'm always satisfied and happy after a meal.
The menu at The Modern Bar is full of small plates I love to share. Generally the dishes are the same. But the chef changes them up by substituting a different fish or a new preparation. If you have any dietary restrictions ask your waiter, they will help you out, if the kitchen can leave something out or put it on the side they are very accommodating. This is what I love about this place. The sausage with house made sauerkraut has become my new comfort food. Sunday has become the best time to get together with friends for no corkage Sundays. It's a great place to get together and do blind tastings as a couple of my friends love to do.
Not sure what to have or what something is?... ask the staff, Debating between two dishes, share, you might find the kitchen gives you more than you actually ordered. It's customer service at it's best.
These two places have become my 'go to' places whether in a pinch or not in the mood for anything else. It's best to make a reservation in advance if going to The Modern, though they do take walk-ins. Gramercy Tavern Bar only takes walk-ins but the restaurant takes reservations.
Gramercy Tavern Bar
42 East 20th Street
New York, NY 10003-1300
(212) 477-0777
The Modern Bar Room
9 West 53rd Street
New York, NY 10019-5401
(212) 333-1220
