The official location of Tavern on the Green was on the Upper West Side in the borough of Manhattan in New York City’s Central Park. It was a place often associated with romance and pleasant memories which went back as far as 1934 when it first opened its doors. The restaurant served American cuisine. Its unfortunate closing due to failing income came in 2009, at that time the building which housed the famous restaurant became a public visitor’s center and gift shop. The gift shop is now run by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation; however it is still called 'Tavern on the Green'. I’m sure that it draws many visitors who remember the old times and have fond memories of the days when it was still a restaurant.
It all began with a sheepfold in 1870 and its residents at that time were 200 South Down Sheep which grazed in peace across the street from the location in what was then Central Park’s Sheep Meadow. It was in 1934 that the Park Commissioner, Robert Moses decided that the building standing there should become a restaurant. So in 1934, Tavern on the Green became the place to be seen especially in the summertime when the social scene came alive here. However in the late 1930s the building was taken over by the Civilian Patrol Corps to be used as its headquarters until 1943. Afterwards Tavern on the Green became a year round restaurant.
Throughout its illustrious lifetime, the restaurant switched hands many times and therefore seemed to always have a new owner. When it first opened in 1934, it was managed by restaurateurs who were associated with the New York Parks Department. Later on, new owners took over in 1943, they made sure that the dance floor was given more space and people could now dine, enjoy music and dance. When weather would permit, there was a large outdoor patio where people could dine enjoying the beauty of the surrounding park. The trees that surrounded the restaurant were wrapped with strings of lights when lit at night, resembled twinkling stars and became a well-known sight associated with this restaurant.
Tavern on the Green has several dining rooms and one of them the Elm Tree Room was incredibly designed and built around one of the classic American Elm trees which New York City is known for. So that the residents of New York as well as tourists would be able to dine at Tavern on the Green, the menu provided affordable dining, also to make things fresh and exciting the luncheon, and dinner menus were constantly changed. There would be special desserts made for people who were celebrating family events.
In the 1970s Tavern on the Green was redone and when it opened once more in 1976, its Crystal Room which was surrounded all in glass could seat up to 800 people. The restaurant ran into a lot of problems in the 1980s when it would be attacked by hoodlum gangs which were part of what at that time was called "wolf pack crime" and was overrunning New York City. The restaurant suffered from vandalism, assaults and robberies. Its customers weren’t safe as hoodlums would come right into the restaurant making off with purses and attacking people in the parking lot. It was a sad time and one could say the sad downfall of such a famous restaurant.
In Tavern of the Green’s heyday, it was frequented by many famous people from many different fields of life such as writers, actors, actresses, musicians and even politician. It was the place to be seen socially. Among its regular patrons there was former New York City Mayor, La Guardia and actresses, Fay Wray of the original "King Kong" movie fame and Grace Kelly. The restaurant has also hosted a number of famous wedding receptions. Since its closing in 2009 it has now become the finish line of the New York City Marathon.
This may leave you to wonder what was on the menu at Tavern on the Green. Well it depended on when you visited the restaurant:
Tavern on the Green will certainly never be forgotten by New Yorkers and that is the reason why the visitor’s center has kept its name. It has been featured in many movies so it has so to say gone down in history. Some of the movies in which you can get a look at how Tavern on the Green once looked include Beaches, Ghostbusters and The Out-of-Towners among others. The memories, the building and the name remain and if you’re feeling nostalgic all you have to do is take a trip to New York City and let your daydreams do the rest.
It all began with a sheepfold in 1870 and its residents at that time were 200 South Down Sheep which grazed in peace across the street from the location in what was then Central Park’s Sheep Meadow. It was in 1934 that the Park Commissioner, Robert Moses decided that the building standing there should become a restaurant. So in 1934, Tavern on the Green became the place to be seen especially in the summertime when the social scene came alive here. However in the late 1930s the building was taken over by the Civilian Patrol Corps to be used as its headquarters until 1943. Afterwards Tavern on the Green became a year round restaurant.
Throughout its illustrious lifetime, the restaurant switched hands many times and therefore seemed to always have a new owner. When it first opened in 1934, it was managed by restaurateurs who were associated with the New York Parks Department. Later on, new owners took over in 1943, they made sure that the dance floor was given more space and people could now dine, enjoy music and dance. When weather would permit, there was a large outdoor patio where people could dine enjoying the beauty of the surrounding park. The trees that surrounded the restaurant were wrapped with strings of lights when lit at night, resembled twinkling stars and became a well-known sight associated with this restaurant.
Tavern on the Green has several dining rooms and one of them the Elm Tree Room was incredibly designed and built around one of the classic American Elm trees which New York City is known for. So that the residents of New York as well as tourists would be able to dine at Tavern on the Green, the menu provided affordable dining, also to make things fresh and exciting the luncheon, and dinner menus were constantly changed. There would be special desserts made for people who were celebrating family events.
In the 1970s Tavern on the Green was redone and when it opened once more in 1976, its Crystal Room which was surrounded all in glass could seat up to 800 people. The restaurant ran into a lot of problems in the 1980s when it would be attacked by hoodlum gangs which were part of what at that time was called "wolf pack crime" and was overrunning New York City. The restaurant suffered from vandalism, assaults and robberies. Its customers weren’t safe as hoodlums would come right into the restaurant making off with purses and attacking people in the parking lot. It was a sad time and one could say the sad downfall of such a famous restaurant.
In Tavern of the Green’s heyday, it was frequented by many famous people from many different fields of life such as writers, actors, actresses, musicians and even politician. It was the place to be seen socially. Among its regular patrons there was former New York City Mayor, La Guardia and actresses, Fay Wray of the original "King Kong" movie fame and Grace Kelly. The restaurant has also hosted a number of famous wedding receptions. Since its closing in 2009 it has now become the finish line of the New York City Marathon.
This may leave you to wonder what was on the menu at Tavern on the Green. Well it depended on when you visited the restaurant:
Menu at Tavern on the Green
Brunch Menu
First Course offered choice of soup such as Lobster Bisque, several salads, and a usual restaurant standard Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail. Second Course featured items such as Poached Eggs and Duck Hash, Country Breakfast Platter, and Sautéed Salmon. Side dishes would include bacon, French Fries, and Hash Browns.
Sunday Stimulus Buffet
The Buffet offered Farm Fresh Eggs or Egg Whites accompanied by ham, Jack cheese, herbs, onions, peppers, mushrooms, and spinach. There was a Smoked Fish Platter and hot dishes included French toast, Poached Eggs Benedict, and Chicken Francese among other items. The Carving Station offered Roast Turkey Breast, Teriyaki Marinated Flank Steak and Silver Dollar Rolls. Cold Platters included a selection of cheeses, and chilled shrimp. The Dessert Station had Mini Chocolate Cakes and Mini Cheesecakes.
The Lunch Menu
First Course offered different soups, salads, Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Yellow Fin Tuna and Oysters. Second Course included omelets, pasta, crab cakes, burger and steak. A complete lunch included appetizer, entrée, and dessert. The Pre-Theater Dinner also included appetizer, entrée and dessert. There was also Tavern on the Green Afternoon Tea Service where you could enjoy tea, tea sandwiches and cakes.
The Dinner Menu
First Course has a wide selection of soup, salad, and shrimp, tuna, oysters and crab cakes. Second Course included pasta, seafood, meats and chicken. There was a selection of wines and a Three-Course Wine Dinner which included your choice of any appetizer, entrée and dessert. Side dishes included vegetables, potatoes and rice.
Tavern on the Green will certainly never be forgotten by New Yorkers and that is the reason why the visitor’s center has kept its name. It has been featured in many movies so it has so to say gone down in history. Some of the movies in which you can get a look at how Tavern on the Green once looked include Beaches, Ghostbusters and The Out-of-Towners among others. The memories, the building and the name remain and if you’re feeling nostalgic all you have to do is take a trip to New York City and let your daydreams do the rest.