Gramercy Tavern

slander

New York

4.38/5  rDev -5.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

Now that Mike & Davida have rescued us from the Black Forest, we're free to wander for a beer. Hey, you know where I've never been? That place in Gramercy, across the street from Silver Swan. Supposed to be a real upscale restaurant with a solid beer list, probably too nice for the likes of me, but we'll see, I suppose...
Yep, it's all that, with good taps, too. A dark wood arc bar with copper topped lamps against the far wall seats a dozen and a half. Wine, glassware and booze in units behind the bar on shelves and in cupboards. Wine units on shelving to both sides of the entranceway to rear dining room. Large front windows, vaulted ceiling with wood cross beams and spot lighting, brightly colored fruit, nut & vegetable themed painted murals above wrapping around the room, and pillars running to the ceiling covered with ivy and plants, and decorated with candles, pine cones and bird houses. An open kitchen counter with a wood oven in the near rear corner, plants and ceramic vessels in pieces on the rear wall, and a tree in a planter at the end of the bar. A dozen booths and tables scattered about the room, done with smart leather placemats.
7 taps across a single tower with a good focus on our local and regional breweries (Sixpoint Abigail, Brooklyn Scorcher, Heavyweight Stickenjab, Victory Prima Pils, Stoudts Weizen, DogFishHead 60 Minute IPA) and a lone import (Unibroue Ephemere Black Currant). Roughly 2 dozen bottles, including a few ciders and N/A's. The bottles are all imports, mostly Belgians (De Dolle Dulle Teve, Orval, Liefman's Goudenband, Hanssens Oude Gueuze, Westmalle Triple, Delirium Tremons, Corsendonk Brown, Chimay Blue, and a pair of Lindemans), plus a handful of Germans (Schneiderweisse Hefe, Aventinus), English (Harvey's Le Coq Imperial Extra '01, Sam Smith Nut Brown), and some random interesting imports (Sinebrychoff, Hitachino Nest, Traquair House Jacobite). They also have an extensive wine menu.
The service was cordial and pleasant. They kept filling those bowls of hot honey nuts (cashews & walnuts) on the bar, and the staff was well dressed in blue shirts and vests. Nicely upscale, but not pretentious.

On another visit, I found the tap selections to be of primarily the same local and regional focus (Sixpoint Apollo Wheat, Brooklyn Single Abbey, Captain Lawrence Imperial IPA, Ommegang Wit, Stoudts Pils) and a few beyonders (Sierra Nevada Schwartz, Red Hook Longhammer IPA).
Seems they’ve also added a “Vintage“ list (Victory Golden Monkey & Grand Cru ’03, Anchor OSA ’98, Brooklyn Monster ’01-’04 and Black Chocolate Stout ‘03, Rogue Old Crusty ’99-’00, Cave Aged Ommegang ’05, plus old JW Lees and Gales).
Caught a meal at the bar amidst the madness of the crowd there. I started with the seafood chowder (paired with a Sierra Nevada Schwartz), and she had the Calamari & Carrot salad (Brooklyn Abbey Single). Both were excellent. For entrees, I ordered the Soft Shell Crab with pickled rhubarb (Ommegang Wit) and she had the Bacon Wrapped Trout (Corsendonk Brown). Great meal, and they've certainly got the beer to compliment.

10-03-2005 03:03:47 | More by slander

Sixpoint

New York

4.75/5  rDev +2.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 5 | $$$

Undoubtedly, if you follow the food and restaurant scene in New York City, you have heard of this place. It consistently ranks as one of the top restaurants in the country.

Atmosphere? Stunning. Impeccably clean. Perfect unspoken symetry in the alignment of tables. Beautiful oak bar. Beautiful tin ceilings. Servers with perfect posture. Every little detail is on point.

Service? Exceptional. A team of servers and rounds of courses will make this an enjoyable experience. Suprise complimentary entrees make their way to your table as an enticing prelude to the main courses.

Selection? Pretty good. A definite emphasis on local and Belgian beers, and not a bad tap line in sight. Furthermore, like their food menu, the tap lines are constantly rotating, which makes it nice for their repeat customers as well.

The food? As we say in Brooklyn, fuggedaboutit. Even the sauteed vegetables I had were OUTSTANDING. Incredible meal. You have to taste it for yourself.

Value? A bit pricey? This is New York. You get what you pay for. Well, most of the time...

07-06-2005 14:25:10 | More by Sixpoint

Billolick

New York

4.2/5  rDev -9.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4

If you are looking for a very high up scale food experience, or a real nice meal with somebody special, or if youre into spending some cash on some fine food and you want to enjoy a well chosen craft brew, this place will do the trick. Staff is top notch, beers were 7 on tap, 18 bottled, 5 NA, even a few ciders. The only food I enjoyed was a few cheeses at the bar and a pint of Maudite (yes a pint) for $7. A bargain. Classy crowd. Relaxed, comfortable athmosphere. Well appointed, multi room set up. I'll be back for a full meal on some sort of special occasion or romantic evening with the missus.

Not a place for a few pints with the guys while watching the Mets kick ass

01-30-2005 03:11:18 | More by Billolick

newyawker

New York

4.65/5  rDev +0.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4

This is a great bar/restaurant. There is a full-scale upscale restaurant next door, but I have only ever eaten in the bar on the right side. Wonderful, upscale but casual environment. A bit funky and well decorated. Nice beer selection. Not a big one, but you can get a Rogue Imperial Stout with dinner. Food is a bit pricey, but terrific for pub style. I had a skirt steak with butternut squash mashed potatoes that kicked ass. My wife had a cheviche that was also very nice. Service is totally professional, easily the best in the city. The only thing to watch out for is the prices, which are very high. Anyone who visits New York City should come to this restaurant.

01-20-2005 01:15:15 | More by newyawker

jrancan

New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev -6.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5

So this might be more of a fine dining establishment, but the small, yet well thought out beer selection is top notch. 7 taps with Stoudt's Pils, Rogue Amber, Hopdevil, Brooklyn Monster, and Maudite. Trappist bottles, as well as JW Lee's Harvest, Aventinus...all top of the line stuff. A bit pricey, with the drafts averaging $6 or $7 and my Harvest running $11.50.
Again, this is a premier restaurant that focuses on the food, but definitely doesn't skimp on the beer selection as too many other restaurants oftern do.

12-14-2003 05:52:33 | More by jrancan