Though vertical food may no longer be at the forefront of cutting-edge cookery, James Beard award-winning chef Alfred Portale, who is largely responsible for the movement, can still draw oohs and aahs with his delightfully intriguing presentations and complex flavors at one of New York's most revered restaurants. Opened in 1984, Gotham Bar and Grill still packs them in with its busy yet intimate atmosphere, world-class, unpretentious service and absolute consistency. A prime spot for power lunches or special-occasion dinners, the dining room is distinguished by its soaring ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and billowy white light fixtures. Lunch brings an affordable prix fixe menu with optional wine pairings, while monthly changing dinner menus feature first and second courses such as black bass ceviche, Alaskan king crab risotto, and the trademark seafood salad with scallops, octopus, squid, lobster and avocado in a lemon vinaigrette. Dramatically plated entrées have included juniper-spiced Muscovy duck breast, porcini-crusted halibut, and roasted Maine lobster in a red wine lobster reduction served with spaghetti squash, potato purée and Brussels sprouts. Desserts are ambitious and not to be missed. "... Alfred Portale, who came to this Greenwich Village restaurant the year after it opened, runs a kitchen that is committed to innovation even as it celebrates the past. His life must occasionally resemble those of perpetually touring rock stars who need every night to sing the songs they wrote as teenagers. But even after more than 20 years, new songs keep coming."
— Sam Sifton,
The New York Times, May 17, 2011
" ... one of the standards by which the metropolis's best food is judged."
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The Village Voice"Chef Alfred Portale invented the architectural entree, with its ingredients cantilevered precariously high above the plate."
- Newsday"[Gotham] is better than ever, warm and welcoming, justly confident, informal but professional."
-
New York magazine
James Beard Foundation: Outstanding Chef, 2006: Alfred Portale; Outstanding Restaurant, 2002
Michelin Guide 2013: * (very good)
The New York Times: *** (excellent); Critics' Pick
New York magazine: *** (generally excellent); Critics' Pick
Zagat 2013: 28 food rating (extraordinary to perfection) Reservations suggested. Full bar with extensive wine list. Serving lunch Mon-Fri, dinner nightly.
ADDRESS
12 E 12th St,
(bet 5th Ave and University Place) ,
New York, NY 10003
LOCALEATS AWARDS
Top 100 Restaurant
Best Contemporary in New York
WHAT WE SAY
Though vertical food may no longer be at the forefront of cutting-edge cookery, James Beard award-winning chef Alfred Portale, who is largely responsible for the movement, can still draw oohs and aahs with his delightfully intriguing presentations and complex flavors at one of New York's most revered restaurants. Opened in 1984, Gotham Bar and Grill still packs them in with its busy yet intimate atmosphere, world-class, unpretentious service and absolute consistency. A prime spot for power lunches or special-occasion dinners, the dining room is distinguished by its soaring ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and billowy white light fixtures. Lunch brings an affordable prix fixe menu with optional wine pairings, while monthly changing dinner menus feature first and second courses such as black bass ceviche, Alaskan king crab risotto, and the trademark seafood salad with scallops, octopus, squid, lobster and avocado in a lemon vinaigrette. Dramatically plated entrées have included juniper-spiced Muscovy duck breast, porcini-crusted halibut, and roasted Maine lobster in a red wine lobster reduction served with spaghetti squash, potato purée and Brussels sprouts. Desserts are ambitious and not to be missed.
WHAT THEY SAY
"... Alfred Portale, who came to this Greenwich Village restaurant the year after it opened, runs a kitchen that is committed to innovation even as it celebrates the past. His life must occasionally resemble those of perpetually touring rock stars who need every night to sing the songs they wrote as teenagers. But even after more than 20 years, new songs keep coming."
— Sam Sifton,
The New York Times, May 17, 2011
" ... one of the standards by which the metropolis's best food is judged."
-
The Village Voice"Chef Alfred Portale invented the architectural entree, with its ingredients cantilevered precariously high above the plate."
- Newsday"[Gotham] is better than ever, warm and welcoming, justly confident, informal but professional."
-
New York magazine
James Beard Foundation: Outstanding Chef, 2006: Alfred Portale; Outstanding Restaurant, 2002
Michelin Guide 2013: * (very good)
The New York Times: *** (excellent); Critics' Pick
New York magazine: *** (generally excellent); Critics' Pick
Zagat 2013: 28 food rating (extraordinary to perfection)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Reservations suggested. Full bar with extensive wine list. Serving lunch Mon-Fri, dinner nightly.