Minetta Tavern

Is Clipboard Guy really necessary? Is this what one goes to a restaurant for? And does Greenwich Village the last bastion of “real” need this kind of “faux” experience. Turning the authentic into the inauthentic seems to be a McNally specialty. This restaurant truly belongs in Times Square or Disney World rather than the heart of Greenwich Village.

I went to dinner here with a few girlfriends and we had so much fun! The whole atmosphere was really cool - very old school. All the food we ordered was delicious - we had the stuffed calamari, the goat cheese salad, the steak frites, the chicken, the classic burger and the cod special. Apparently, the classic burger is better than the black label burger (or so we've heard). And the cocktails were all so interesting! Although this is kind of a see and be seen place, it's not overly snobby or obnoxious. Just another fantastic restaurant.

I went there because after reading the New York Times review I had to try what they considered to be one of if not the best steakhouse in New York. Boy, did they get that wrong. I know the Times is cutting back but little did I know they were taking bribes too. Yes, the place is very cool with a great vibe and friendly, good service but the food was only good to very good. And by that I mean that the salads, especially the lobster salad was very good but the steaks and sides were just good. Honestly, this is NY and there are plenty of great steakkhouses in the city so I'm not sure where all the fuss was coming from. Desserts were very good but I would try the fish next time.

There is someone standing outside with a clipboard like this is a club - really enough said. Food is very good and you get what you pay for, but the service and atmosphere reek of people hoping to impress, or impressed with themselves.

Our server looked down on us and kissed up to those who looked rich. She didn't bother to tell us today's special or give us a wine list. Then, two women in bling-bling jewelry sat down next to us, and she immediately kissed up to them. The $90 dry aged ribeye for TWO was HALF FAT; it was a steak for ONE. She didn't have the courtesy to inform us when we ordered. The steak tasted good, but so what? The damage is done.

My boyfriend and I go to all of the top restaurants in NYC, and Minetta Tavern is on the top of our list!! We went last Saturday and then back again with another couple last night. All appetizers were superb, including the mussels, the lobster salad, and the beet salad which was a special. He had the Black Label burger which he said was one of the best burgers he has ever had! It was perfectly cooked, juicy, flavorful, and was accompanied by amazing fries! I had the Halibut which was simple and had a delicious flavor!! The sides were all cooked to perfection as well. To top off our wonderful meal, the chocolate soufflé for dessert was out of this world!! We will definitely be back!

This is not a Tavern - it is a nyc restaurant, and it is all McNally. His formula shines through all else, and I happen to like it. But if you want a real tavern, or don't like his assembly-line of similar places, then avoid.