Rome wasn't built in a day, nor was the far reach of Danny Meyer's restaurant group. It all started with Union Square Cafe, which opened in 1985 and has remained among the city's most popular and beloved restaurants year after year. This James Beard award-winning restaurant (in multiple categories over the years) was also a torchbearer for the locally grown, seasonably sustainable movement: The Union Square Greenmarket supplies the kitchen. Whether you're a 20-year devotee of the lobster shepherd's pie (one of the daily specials) or just grabbing a burger at the bar - a good spot to snag if you don't have a reservation - USC pleases all palates with warm service, its casually elegant dining room and "American cuisine with an Italian soul." Consistency is king, as culinary director/partner Michael Romano has been with the restaurant since 1988. The signature tuna steak with a fresh vegetable
fritto misto remains on the menu in addition to a selection of pastas and entrées such as lamb chops and roasted duck breast and leg confit. "... consistency and good cheer are the keys to Danny Meyer's perennially popular, Zagat-approved restaurant. And nowhere else are uncommon combinations such as wasabi mashed potatoes so seamlessly incorporated into dishes (so as to never frighten the buttoned-down natives). Surprisingly, vegetarians will eat better here than at any of their hallowed haunts.
- Adam Platt, Robin Raisfeld, and Rob Patronite,
New York magazine
"Union Square's performance isn't keeping up with its favor. And I'd like to think that as humble as it endeavors to be, it has too much pride to let that stand."
- Frank Bruni,
The New York Times, Aug. 5, 2009
The New York Times: ** (very good)
New York magazine: *** (generally excellent); Critics' Pick
Zagat 2013: 27 food rating (extraordinary to perfection)
Time Out New York: Critics' Pick Reservations suggested. Full bar. Serving lunch and dinner daily. Sat-Sun brunch 11 am-2:30 pm.
ADDRESS
21 E 16th St,
(near Union Square W) ,
New York, NY 10003
LOCALEATS AWARDS
Top 100 Restaurant
WHAT WE SAY
Rome wasn't built in a day, nor was the far reach of Danny Meyer's restaurant group. It all started with Union Square Cafe, which opened in 1985 and has remained among the city's most popular and beloved restaurants year after year. This James Beard award-winning restaurant (in multiple categories over the years) was also a torchbearer for the locally grown, seasonably sustainable movement: The Union Square Greenmarket supplies the kitchen. Whether you're a 20-year devotee of the lobster shepherd's pie (one of the daily specials) or just grabbing a burger at the bar - a good spot to snag if you don't have a reservation - USC pleases all palates with warm service, its casually elegant dining room and "American cuisine with an Italian soul." Consistency is king, as culinary director/partner Michael Romano has been with the restaurant since 1988. The signature tuna steak with a fresh vegetable
fritto misto remains on the menu in addition to a selection of pastas and entrées such as lamb chops and roasted duck breast and leg confit.
WHAT THEY SAY
"... consistency and good cheer are the keys to Danny Meyer's perennially popular, Zagat-approved restaurant. And nowhere else are uncommon combinations such as wasabi mashed potatoes so seamlessly incorporated into dishes (so as to never frighten the buttoned-down natives). Surprisingly, vegetarians will eat better here than at any of their hallowed haunts.
- Adam Platt, Robin Raisfeld, and Rob Patronite,
New York magazine
"Union Square's performance isn't keeping up with its favor. And I'd like to think that as humble as it endeavors to be, it has too much pride to let that stand."
- Frank Bruni,
The New York Times, Aug. 5, 2009
The New York Times: ** (very good)
New York magazine: *** (generally excellent); Critics' Pick
Zagat 2013: 27 food rating (extraordinary to perfection)
Time Out New York: Critics' Pick
ADDITIONAL INFO
Reservations suggested. Full bar. Serving lunch and dinner daily. Sat-Sun brunch 11 am-2:30 pm.