For a big birthday lunch alone, would Tavern on the Green be a quintensential (sp?) spot to celebrate? Or is it a bit too overpriced or passe?

Truly alone--by yourself? If so, I would prefer someplace with better food and excellent, attentive service, like Union Square Cafe or another of Dnyy Meyer's restaurants.

Well, it is one of those things where I have for soooo many years heard of Tavern on the green, and thought it would be nice to say I ate least ate there,...perhaps a nice tea lunch or something.....is it easy to get to by cab?

DH and I ate there. We were with a tour. I am glad we did, as it is sorta neat now to be able to say we ate at a famous place in NYC. And the food we had was excellent. Do not know the cost as it was included in our tour. And afterwards we sat outside on benches and watched the cabs. Hundred of them. So not knowing where you are, I would say there would be no problem taking a cab there.

IMHO - the atmosphere is nice, but I've found the food to be mediocre. I've only been for brunch though.

Not worth it!! If I was going to eat lunch in the Park, I would go to the Boathouse

HAving worked there in my younger years, there are pluses and minus. It is easy to get their by cab, which will drop you right in front. If you have the opportunity, ask for a seat in the garden during brunch or lunch.
I would do lunch or brunch. The food is okay (nothing great), and the service isn't always the greatest. but it is definitely an experience

forgive me, Danny Meyer

ellenem, I thought maybe that Dnyy Meyer was maybe a distant relative of Donna Karan?

I think it would be a great place for a birthday lunch. Someone mentioned Union Square Cafe--I had a birthday dinner there (five years ago today ) and it was a wonderful, festive meal. At the end, our waitress brought over a dessert with 'Happy Birthday' written on the plate.

This is the first time I've seen TOTG mentioned without people spewing vitriole (and I won't change that). But the place is really a tourist trap of the first order with mediocre to bad food, poor service and high prices. Passe would be kind. That said, the setting is lovely and everyone should go once, just to say you went. I would do lunch or brunch and don't have high expectations. Then go some place wonderful for great food.

It's right near Central Park West & 67 st.--yes easy by cab but also walkable if you're near there.

Ya know what, I'd say GO FOR IT. Enjoy the atmosphere and have a great birthday. Be something to talk about for a long time. After your lunch walk around Central Park or maybe go over to the Time Warner Building and get something special for yourself.

My birthday is coming up in late October, and I just might do the same thing.

We went there and had horrible food and horrible service. A series of "mistakes" on their part led to a certificate for a future meal -- we never used it.

Go and have a good time, but don't say you haven't been "warned".

Tavern on the Greeen should be pictured in the dictionary next to "tourist trap". The only thing it has going for it is the view (when Central Park is looking nice).

The food is mediocre, the service poor and supercilious at the same time (due to the waiters thinking the tourists don;t know any better) and the prices way too high for what you get.

If you must go - go for a drink only.

There are many better places in NYC for similar or even much less - money.

(And unfortunately I have been there dozens of time, since many industry functions are held there and out of town clients always ask to go there - the first time in NYC. After that they listen to our recos.)

You want vitriole, mclaurie? I will give you vitriole! I HATE Tavern on the Green. YUK YUK YUK. Tavern on the Green used to be very good. Sometime in the mid 1980's it changed. I think, like a lot of other famous restaurants, it is resting on its laurels.

There are PLENTY of famous NYC restaurants that have fantastic food. What about 21? Le Bernadin? Rainbow Room? Babbo? Per Se? Petrossian?

Go to Tavern on the Green. Eat rubber chicken and look at blue-haired ladies from Nebraska. LOL LOL LOL

Christine

But tell us how you really feel, Christine.

I had the same feeling about TOG, however, a friend of mine just took her parents there on either a friday or saturday night and they had a great time. Apparently, they have music and dancing on the patio. Not to many places to find that anymore in NYC.

I had heard bad reviews about TOG so I was concerned when a friend wanted to go recently. However, the food was WONDERFUL and the service was fine. Great setting.....enjoy your time there

I think it's funny that everyone keeps saying TOG is simply a tourist trap. Many NYC polls always list it as the number one spot for locals to take out of towners and for locals to enjoy a special celebration. TOG really exists due to the continued patronage of locals (perhaps a different crowd than the ones who patronize a lot of trendy or high end places, but locals none the less).

That said, I'd agree the food is mediocre for the price -- but hard to say it is "horrible". That's not why you go there. You go there for the feeling of celebration, the over the top interiors, and the general atmosphere. If you're going to be critiquing the food as a real foodie would, then no it isn't for you.

Perhaps I will just take a stroll past TOTG and just take pictures of it from the outside???