When he opened Union Square Cafe in 1985, Danny Meyer changed the American restaurant landscape. The combination of upscale food and unpretentious but focused service sparked a revolution. Today chef Carmen Quagliata still draws devotees with his crowd-pleasing menu. Wood paneling and white walls are hung with splashy modern paintings; in addition to the three dining areas, there's a long bar ideal for solo diners. The cuisine is American with a thick Italian accent: for example, the grilled, marinated filet mignon of tuna can land on the same table as creamy polenta with mascarpone.
Reviewed by ilovenyc from NYC on 3/4/07
This restaurant is Danny Meyer's original... a "cafe", meaning "an informal gathering", which continually amazes me with its consistent attention to excellence on every level...from the homemade pastas and freshly prepared appetizers (using ingredients coming straight from the greenmarket nearby) to the grilled organic steak, delicious lambchops, marinated tuna and lobster shepherd's pie (Mondays only). This place never wavers, esp. with the caring service (under a great deal of pressure to be on top of it all, including a serious value-laden wine list) keeping the dining experience personal yet professional. I'm from NYC and proud of this veteran's continuity!
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