Tavern on the Green
Since the closure of the Tavern on the Green restaurant on Dec. 31, 2009, there have been many plans for the storied restaurant located just west of the Sheep Meadow, near 67th Street, in Central Park. Today the city made it official — not only do they want a restaurant back, it will bear the Tavern name and be decidedly casual, according to a Request for Proposals issued today.
According to a statement from the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, the agency wants “a casual restaurant, outdoor café, and bar,” in keeping with the sentiments expressed by the Upper West Side’s Community Board 7. As DNAinfo reported earlier this month, the community board members want any prospective restaurant to be inclusive in terms of its clientele.
The original Tavern “was essentially a nightclub destination largely for the privileged,” said Klari Neuwelt,
chair of Community Board 7′s Parks & Environment committee, as reported by DNAinfo. “There’s no reason the 1 percent shouldn’t also enjoy the new Tavern, but it shouldn’t just be the 1 percent.”
The restaurant filed for bankruptcy in late 2009, citing the financial crisis, according to published reports. Then-operators of the restaurant — the LeRoy family — also claimed to have trademarked the name of the restaurant and took the city to court, losing the legal battle in March of 2010.
And while the Upper East Side’s Community Board 8 has members who would have liked to have kept the restaurant exclusive, DNAinfo said, the city has made it clear that the new eatery must cater to everyone — even Central Park joggers. The site has been a gift shop since October 2010.
Proposals are due no later than Friday, March 30. — Guelda Voien
