Columbus Tavern 269 Columbus Ave 72nd & 73rd Sts
Upper West Side
212.873.9400
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Columbus Tavern:
The doors finally closed at City Grill and have already reopened to a refurbished tavern…Columbus Tavern, that is. Though the venue is still a restaurant and bar at heart, Chef Phil Conlon (formerly of Café Cluny and Broadway East) is elevating the menu from Chicken Fingers and Penne a la Vodka to Fluke Crudo ($12) and Charred 12 oz. Ribeye ($28). There’s nothing particularly remarkable about the straightforward tavern décor, so Upper West Side families and young professionals should still feel right at home come mealtime. The cozy cocktail lounge serves up old school classics with a twist, like The Anthorp made with Bache-Gabrielsen GS/3 Kors Cognac, Cointreau and lemon juice ($12) and tastes like a less-tarte version of the Sidecar. It’s only when everyone simultaneously jockeys for the bartender's attention that things can get uncomfortable. The wise patron will munch Spiced Duck Fat Cashews ($4) as he waits for his cocktail and chat up the cutie who already scored a Brazilian Rose (Leblon Cachaca, guava nectar, Triple Sec and rose petal).
Reviewed: 2/22/11
We stopped in for a drink yesterday (nice sunny Sunday afternoon) at the new Columbus Tavern and it was a huge mistake. We will never enter a foot into this Tavern again. It was a warm sunny Sunday afternoon. We had been walking around the upper west side, shopping and enjoying the day. We decided to look for a place to grab a drink and relax. Maybe even order an appetizer to hold us over until dinner. We had heard that the Columbus Tavern has just opened, and were excited about checking it out. The hostess came over to greet us, and was very polite, she explained we had arrived before the tavern opened, but they would take our drink order, but we would not be able to order any food for at least 15 minutes. We ordered our drinks, a bottled beer and a hot tea just to keep it simple, and were looking at the menu, reviewing our options for appetizers once they opened. After a few minutes, the manager walked by and asked us very loudly why we were there. We explained we had just order drinks and were looking at the menu, waiting to order appetizers once they were ready. He started yelling at the hostess. I was very embarrassed for her, and he would not stop. He went on and on about how his restaurant was not open, (it was in 10 min. based on what the staff had told us). The manager then proceeded to publicly reticule the poor girl and the bar staff for letting us in. The hostess pointed out that he had un-locked the door. At this point, the manager placed his hand on me and proceeded to push me out the door. I can say in all the years I have traveled around the world, I have never been put in this situation before. I did not know what to do. I did not want to see the hostess get in anymore trouble. She was just trying to be nice, so I held my tongue, and I would write a review about my experience. I have no problem paying for overpriced food, and drinks, but I will never stand for a manager to be so rude, nasty and disrespectful to the staff or customers. I travel to the upper west side a number of times a month to entertain clients, but not ever back to the Columbus Tavern, once was enough for me. I will be going back to the Cesca and Telepan where both the staff and the clients are treated with respect.
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