Danny Meyer’s Gramercy stalwart is more than 10 years old, but as fresh and relevant as ever while staying true to its seasonal New American menu to consistently achieve top rankings across restaurant guides and critics’ “best-of” lists. Like the rest of Meyer’s stable of venerable restaurants (Blue Smoke, Union Square Cafe), Gramercy Tavern never sacrifices quality of produce and seasonality for hipness or showmanship, ...

Danny Meyer’s Gramercy stalwart is more than 10 years old, but as fresh and relevant as ever while staying true to its seasonal New American menu to consistently achieve top rankings across restaurant guides and critics’ “best-of” lists. Like the rest of Meyer’s stable of venerable restaurants (Blue Smoke, Union Square Cafe), Gramercy Tavern never sacrifices quality of produce and seasonality for hipness or showmanship, and such refusal to pander to the whims of the average New York diner has helped it achieve status as a timeless New York City classic.

With an American tavern décor and flawless yet friendly service, Gramercy Tavern epitomizes the kind of subdued and relaxed elegance you’d find at a Relais-Chateau in the mythical American countryside. Gramercy Tavern attracts a varied clientele, from business diners and visitors to regulars and special occasion diners. The menu could include, depending on season, such dishes as chicken liver mousse with Swiss chard stems and baby turnips, rack of pork and braised belly of pork and nectarine tarte tatin with mint ice cream. Prix-fixe and tasting menus, including a vegetarian option, are available.

A more affordable but equally accomplished menu is available in the more casual offshoot of the restaurant, Tavern.