minetta tavern

After hearing about Keith McNally's Minetta Tavern nonstop for the past two years, S and I were thrilled to see what all the hype was about when we dined there last Saturday evening.

Since reservations are nearly impossible to secure, you can imagine my surprise (and excitement!) when the hubs scored a Saturday dinner spot. Charming devil...

Located in a cozy space on Macdougal Street, this cozy yet thumping spot embodies what New York Mag refers to as "speakeasy chic." There are low ceilings, warm lighting, red leather booths and black and white tiled floors.


Minetta's old fashioned vibe comes honest as the original restuarant came on in the scene in the 1930s as an Italian joint. According to the restaurant's website the likes of Ernest Hemingway and e.e. cummings (among others) used to drink there.

It was a rainy, chilly autumnal sort of evening so we started things off with a glass of champagne, the chicory salad special and the famed bone marrow.

We went on to order the Trout Meuniere (with crab meat and brioche crutons)

and THE burger...that's right the famed Black Label burger.

Made with prime aged beef and served with caramelized onions, it's considered sinful (at least according to our adorable French waitress who could have been Clemence Posey's twin) to add any condiments to this monster.

Consensus? Worth. every. penny.

(original images courtesy here, here, here and here)