Giorgio's of Gramercy?

Planning a trip to NYC in May, and looking for your advice on a couple of restaurants.

We have been discussing the Gramercy Tavern as a special night out, and are aware that it will be very pricey with our Aussie dollar exchange.

I saw a couple of past reviews on TA re Giorgio%26#39;s of Gramercy, and it seems to be just as nice with less $$ required.

I don%26#39;t mind spending the money, and dress code is no issue either way ... we were just looking for your thoughts on value for money,I guess. Also, I know restaurants often go in and out of favour depending on the chef at the time etc (well, they do in Oz anyway).

Any thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks

Giorgio's of Gramercy?

I have been twice to Giorgio%26#39;s of Gramercy but have never been to Gramercy tavern. They are not quite in the same league. Gramercy tavern is a high end restaurant with the prices that go with it, Giorgio%26#39;s is more of an in between. It serves excellent food with not too steep prices. If you go on a Sunday night, check the website to see if they are still offering it, wine bottles have a 15$ rebate.

I went with my boyfriend at the time and we both liked it very much. I went back with my parents on another trip and they also loved it. It is casual and friendly service with excellent food. Gramercy tavern is more of a gastronomic experience and Giorgio%26#39;s is more of a casual night out with great food, but more standard. The portions are huge by the way. My boyfriend and I both had appetizers and entrees and we felt bad after dinner.

It is not often that people come on this forum, or on Chowhound.com, and speak ill of Giorgio%26#39;s.

Giorgio's of Gramercy?

I%26#39;ve eaten at both many times each and definitely prefer Gramercy Tavern; although I have not problem with Giorgio%26#39;s. GT is expensive for dinner, so if you want your money to stretch further and still have a good time then go with Giorgios%26#39;s. If you really want the special top notch meal and service and you don%26#39;t mind spending over $200US then do Gramercy Tavern.

We are looking at eating on the tavern side....any thoughts about that?

We%26#39;ve been to Giorgio%26#39;s several times - my wife loves their risotto! we took my brother and sil there for his 60th b-day - they loved it and went back when they were in town a month later.

Just recently, my brother and 3 of his UConn fan buddies spent the weekend in the City for the Big East tourney. He took them to Giorgio%26#39;s and they can%26#39;t wait to go back. Good food, pleasant friendly service and definitely good value for NYC.

Never been to GT, but always looking for a good, sensibly priced restaurant and Giorgio%26#39;s fills the bill.

Poppa

You can%26#39;t make a reservation for the bar at Gramercy Tavern (I assume that%26#39;s what you mean by the tavern side). It%26#39;s first come first serve. Gramercy Tavern is a special occasion place. Have not been to Giorgio%26#39;s but it sounds like good food but less of an event.

Giorgio%26#39;s is one of the best kept secrets in New York. We%26#39;ve gone to dinner multiple times, and also recommend it to my out of town friends.

It%26#39;s a little cheaper than the average NY restaurant, and the food is a little better!

GoG and GT are in 2 different leagues.

Thanks for your feedback everyone. It%26#39;s good to hear that Giorgios is well regarded ... I think we will go there and save our dollars. Then I can spend a little more on shopping! (Or maybe just have some extra wine with dinner... Ha!)

Oh, and thanks CriCri7 for mentioning chowhound.com in your reply. What a fabulous site ... I didn%26#39;t know it existed.

(That%26#39;s not so strange coming from a simple soul like me who has only just recently discovered TA!! My travelling life has changed forever...)