I have lived in NY my whole life and had never been there either! I too had heard mixed reviews and didn't want to spend the money on a mediocre experience. The night I went was during restaurant week and sometimes the restaurants don't offer good meals on that menu (a big mistake in my opinion). I have to say - it was absolutely fantastic. The food was great, service wonderful and the restaurant itself is beautiful. My husband and I had the same appetizer but different main and desert courses. Everything was delicious. We'll definitely go back, even at full price. My husband wants that Wellington and it wasn't on the rw menu!! I don't "hate" Tavern on the Green but I also wouldn't consider it a must, but OIBL is not anything like that. Definitely not a tourist trap and a lot of the other diners had obviously been before and the people ordering off the restaurant week menu (other cheapos like us haha) were definitely in the minority. I was half expecting canned romance and unremarkable food but got an exceptional meal and one of our best dates. And you don't get a better place for an after dinner stroll!