After hearing about this restaurant countlessly, we finally got a chance to try it out for a special occasion. It sure did not disappoint! Minetta Tavern has old school feels – similar to House of Prime Rib in San Francisco and Peter Luger in Brooklyn. Despite sitting on a busy corner of Greenwich Village, it has an unassuming facade, making it easy to miss. The intersection looks like a scene straight out of any old New York film. And, not to mention, it’s actually an old school restaurant. Minetta Tavern opened up in 1937.
Inside, there is a bar before the larger dining area, which is accurately depicted in their token postcards. They have really kept their vintage look while remaining polished and refined.
We had one of the first reservations of the night, so we got a chance to absorb the charming and classic ambience before it got crowded.
From the start, I had very high expectations so it seemed like it was setting the stage for disappointment. You know how that goes. It’s always a nervous feeling as we’re going through the menu and ordering the most recommended items. To begin, we got the bone marrow and citrus salad. Omg… when the bone marrow came out… we knew we were in for a treat.
First and foremost, they do not skimp out whatsoever. Look at the size of this thing!! The bone marrow came complete with crispy bread and a splendid onion jam that complemented the dish insanely well. I would go so far as to say this is the BEST bone marrow I’ve ever had.
The citrus salad was perfect since it helped cut away the dense and fatty nature of the bone marrow. It was really refreshing! By this point, we were so glad that Minetta Tavern was living up to our expectations that we could not wait for our entrees. We ordered their most famous item: the Black Label Burger, along with a side of potatoes and mussels. If this burger sounds familiar to you, it may be because it has been featured everywhere from the Travel Channel to Serious Eats.
The burger comes as just that: a big ole 8-oz patty of 4 prime aged cuts of beef, topped with simply caramelized onions. No frills, just a classic burger. It came with tomato slices, lettuce and sweet pickles. We read in reviews that it was meant to be enjoyed without any condiments so we took a bite out of the burger as it was.
It was DELICIOUS – perfectly cooked, juicy, just wow. The fries were also done well with just the right amount of delightful crunch and salt. The mussels were also great – but definitely not the star of the show.
By the time we got to the potatoes, we were so stuffed. Ha… just another case of over-ordering. Oops… But, it’s worth noting that Minetta Tavern offers a side of potatoes done in four classic ways. Each had its own unique name, which you most definitely need to ask the waiter/waitress to explain. Though we didn’t get to eat it while it was hot, it made great leftovers!
Overall, if you’re a fan of bone marrow and burgers, Minetta Tavern needs to be on your list of must-eat restaurants in New York! Make sure to snag some reservations early for this popular dining spot.
Minetta Tavern
113 Macdougal St,
New York, NY 10012
(212) 475-3850
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