The Waverly Inn

Things are starting to waver at this Inn. The staff is disinterested now unless you are a somebody, or a wanabee. Our food came in two distant installments. The prices always were real but now that the buzz is gone the restaurant seems fake. Hopefully it makes a comeback. Again.

The garden is lovely. The inside a bit crampy but gorgeous as well. It's a very winter kinda restaurant with the fireplace on and dim lights. Good food. Brioches-bread was delicious, the mac and cheese with fresh truffle from Italy outstanding, and the pork rib was amazing. I'll be back for a hot date.

After pulling a string or 2 got a reservation and glammed up for the visit (lip gloss, 5 inch heels, jeans all but painted on...you get the picture.) I came with a GF, whose attire disappointed a bit - Juicy Couture velour sweat suit, and stilettos! Well, we are from Staten Island. But anyway, we sat in a garden room in the back, and ordered the truffle mac and cheese. It was good, but my budget was extended! And I had some drinks, but felt they were small. Also, where were the stars? I thought I would at least see Jessica Simpson or Matt Lauer. I was ready with my camera. Based on the food, and no celebrity sightings, I won't be back. Do people come here just for the food?

I was hesitant to go here after reading several bad reviews, however I was pleasantly suprised. The dining room is very attractive although a bit cramped, The service was professional and efficient and the food was very good, especially the duck entree. overall a very pleasant meal. The downside is the price of wine, which in our case drove the bill up considerably.

....now it's a (gag) "hot spot." I used to go here years ago when it was quaint and had a great brunch and, I'm ashamed to say, was one of the last bastions of smoking in NY. It was better before it became a haven for malnourished overserved 22 year old actresses.

Being an out of towner, I read about this place in an in-flight magazine which informed me that Bono enjoys the avocado salad here, so I figured I ought try it out.. After reading the hype and reviews suggesting it near impossible to get a reservation.. my boyfriend and i walked in on a thursday afternoon and asked for a reservation that night. The girl working said sure.. what time? We decided to then book for the friday night and were again asked what time would suit us best. We chose 8.45 and thought this may mean we'd be sat at the bar for 2 hours until a table was free. Not so. We arrived on time and were seated right away. Seems to be all male staff here. Our server was extremely nice, continually refilling our bread basket and generally just ensuring we enjoyed our experience there. The food was very nice, avocado salad was exceptional, very flavourful and perfectly dressed. I had the canneloni (entre) as a main because it sounded delicious (and it was) and my boyfriend had the salmon. As far as wine goes, it is on the expensive side (starts at $13/glass but there are pages and pages of bottles costing upward of $3000 in the wine list..) and you only get about 1 inch for a glass.. But food wise, everything looked good and tasted great. The atmosphere was nice, a bit loud and cramped inside but the garden at the back is much more subdued. This place may be passe with the celebrities now (didn't see any..) but as far as a nice place for dinner goes, I thoroughly enjoyed The Waverly.

Oh oh! I was, and the table was given away. it's OK, I had a drink and chilled at the teeny bar.