Gramercy Tavern

Imaginative American Cuisine in NYC's Gramercy/Flatiron - My goodness! If I wore hats I'd definitely have tipped one off to Michael Anthony, the chef at Gramercy Tavern. He is my new hero. This place is by no means easy on the wallet, but definitely well worth it. The most solid meal I've had in a long time. No wonder this charming establishment has consistently received high marks in almost every food category! The service is thorough and efficient without being pretentious, the ambiance/decor is classical and inviting (think elegant and rustic, kind of Chez-Panisse-y), and the flavors incorporated into their dishes are adventurous, but not strangely so.

We tried the seasonal autumn tasting menu (a mixture of seafood and game) and the vegetable tasting menu (which listed some very delicious pastas). Everything was cooked to perfection and the subtle, yet complex flavors of each seasonal and vegetable entree in the serving sequence gracefully complimented one another.

The pastry chef should get brownie points for creativity - among the desserts we tried was a grape crisp, a refreshing deviation from the usual berry and apple crisp. The petite fours and chocolates they doled out in the end were a lovely touch, as were the individually wrapped coffee cakes that accompanied the bill.

The only criticism I have is that one can't order dishes from the tavern menu while dining in the dining room. Was eyeing the meatball stuffed with fontina cheese. Next time!