From Zagat's "BUZZ" newsletter:

NYC's Tavern on the Green, the second highest grossing independent restaurant in the nation >>>>are they serious?<<<<<<<, is opening a second location in San Francisco. The San Francisco Business Times breaks the story that the restaurant, famous for its spectacular decor and unique location inside Central Park, is planning to open an outpost atop the troubled Metreon shopping center in Yerba Buena. The San Francisco Tavern on the Green – which at 40,000 sq. ft. including a 13,000-sq.-ft. terrace will be the city's largest dining venue by far – will reportedly sport opulent decor similar to its older sibling's (think large crystal chandeliers and murals). To make use of all that space, the restaurant, which will have Brian Young (former chef de cuisine at Le Bernardin) running the kitchen >>>>>>with the assessed quality of the food at the NYC one, why don't they just hire this guy for there?<<<<<<<<, will cater to large groups and parties – especially from nearby hotels and the Moscone convention center – when it opens in summer 2009.

I am not sure why they would open another one when the one in NYC has been going down hill for years.

andrew, maybe you missed the point that it claims to be the second highest grossing independent restaurant in the country. Some may feel the quality isn't there, but obviously if the claim is true, it isn't hurting in the least for business. I know a zillion people who claim MacDonalds is crap, and the same with Starbucks -- but obviously that opinion hasn't reached the masses of the money-spending public.

Your right Patrick I missed it. Another Lyme brain fog moment.

San Francisco has always been known for having fine restaurants OR restaurants with a view.

Actually, most people believe that the company that manages Tavern on the Green is opening up a new SF restaurant because their existing management contract is not likely to be renewed for the restaurant in NYC. The rumor has been that Danny Meyer will take over the management of the NYC restaurant, but I don't know how much truth there is in that speculation, and I would guess that it's far from a done deal.

Very interesting Doug, and Danny Meyer would be a great asset. There's little doubt that the place has one of the best settings in all of New York, and while a bit "over the top" has some near magical decor -- particularly the Crystal Room and the twinkling lights of the garden. I've mentioned before (but some people refuse to believe it) that it has also frequently been named the #1 place locals take out of towners to impress and the #1 special occasion restaurant in New York. The idea that it is simply for tourists is nonsense. But while nearly everyone agrees the food just isn't what it should be, a take over in the kitchen could turn this place into something wonderful.

I've been to Tavern once, and that was enough. It was beautiful, the food was okay, but I found it outrageously overpriced~$140 for breakfast for 4 was a bit much. I'm sure there will be people in SF who will frequent it, but the ratio of food quality to price just wasn't there for me.

It's not just for tourists - but it is - in large part - for corporate events and for locals celebrating a special event who don;t go to upscale restaurants very often. They know the name and the setting - but not how mediocre the food and service are. And, IMHO, many of them probably don;t know how mediocre the food is even after they've eaten it.

For people who want a view and a name -= it may provide what they want.

It's only if you really care about good food that you're so disappointed. (It's one of those places where you have to order defensively - as in - what's hardest for the kitchen to ruin).

It would be great if it were taken over by someone actually interested in food that matched the setting.

I'm sure there will be people in SF who will frequent it, but the ratio of food quality to price just wasn't there for me.

Not very likely IMHO, except for large parties and events where the setting might be as impt as the food.

Are they going to change their name from "tavern ON the green" to "tavern ABOVE the green"?

Or, staying in touch with the economic reality, "tavern wasting the green" ?

The location, in the Metreon building at 5th and Mission, is on the fourth floor, where the old "Where the Wild Things Are" play area used to be. It's a great view. It remains to be seen whether this will be the magnet that finally gets people into the Metreon.

Many businesses have tried and failed to make it in the Metreon (Microsoft, Discovery Zone, various entertainment arcades, etc.) but the only attraction in there now is the movie theater complex. Sony's original plan was to make the Metreon a downtown neighborhood, but that hasn't worked out.

I'd think they will take over "the night kitchen" area with the balcony, no? Or maybe both? But not only the play area!

Well Patrick, this will be interesting. But with the Mascone Center right there no doubt various corporations will book with Tavern on the Green or as Faina suggested Tavern Above the Green.

I like San Francisco, they do not deserve this.

Just on a side note I think TAO both in NY and Las Vegas is the highest grossing independent restaurant.

My dad became violenetly ill after eating at Tavern about 5 years ago, he thinks it was the sauce on the prime rib, or was it steak? Anyways the surroundings are gorgeous, looks like they are trying to do that again.

travelinwifey, I googled to find out. Clearly both the NYC and Vegas branches couldn't both be ahead of TOG, as that would make it #3. I found this from the New York Times:

"This is Tao Las Vegas, the highest grossing independent restaurant in the United States, according to Restaurants & Institutions magazine, which for 24 years has been ranking the top 100. In 2006, its first full year open, Tao did $55.2 million in business, or $16 million more than its closest competitor, Tavern on the Green in New York."

this was also interesting:

"In figures for 2000, when Tavern on the Green was in the No. 2 spot behind Windows on the World, the gap between them was a razor thin $485,000."

I like San Francisco, they do not deserve this.

We appreciate your concern

Yes, I wasn't sure if that included both restaurants or just the Las Vegas location. Thanks for clarifying. I read the same article a few years back and couldn't remember the specifics.

What threw me was that if it included BOTH restaurants, then it wouldn't be an "independent" restaurant.