Tavern on the Green is a legendary NY eatery that has never rated particularly well with food critics. Despite that, it's been a NYC mainstay for decades.
AI Summary
# Stuff You Should Know: Tavern on the Green
Josh and Chuck dive deep into the fascinating history of one of New York City's most iconic restaurants, Tavern on the Green, which started out in the 1870s as a literal sheepfold in Central Park before being transformed into a legendary dining destination. From its conversion during the Depression to its glitzy heyday under theatrical impresario Warner LeRoy in the 1970s and 80s, the show explores how this unusual City-owned venue became the hottest spot in Manhattan, complete with scandalous stories about bribing managers for good table placements and a stunning Crystal Room. The guys trace the restaurant's dramatic decline after 9/11, its five-year vacancy, and its recent 2014 reopening by Philadelphia restaurateurs, examining why even a legendary New York institution can struggle to maintain its magic.
"It was also in other movies, Arthur. One of my favorites. — Chuck mentions that the Crystal Room at Tavern on the Green was featured in the movie Arthur."
— Chuck
Beaches
1988
PG-13
2h 3m
★ 6.7
"It was in Beaches, the scene where they win that dance contest against the gangsters that are chasing them. — Chuck notes that a scene from Beaches was filmed at Tavern on the Green's Crystal Room."
— Chuck
Ghostbusters
1984
1h 47m
★ 7.5
"If you've seen the very first Ghostbusters, when Rick Moranis runs up and bangs on the window before getting attacked. That is the Crystal Room. — Chuck explains that the famous Crystal Room at Tavern on the Green was featured in the original Ghostbusters film."
— Chuck
Saturday Night Live: Thanksgiving
2013
48m
★ 7.5
"It's Jason Reitman's new movie. It's called Saturday Night. — Josh mentions seeing a movie about the first episode of Saturday Night Live directed by Jason Reitman while visiting New York."
— Josh
Straight Outta Compton
2015
2h 27m
★ 7.8
"It was like when Ice Cube got his son to play him because he looks just like him, it was pretty perfect. — Josh compares the casting of Chevy Chase's actor in Saturday Night to Ice Cube's son playing him in the Straight Outta Compton film."
— Josh
The Flamingo Kid
1984
PG-13
1h 40m
★ 6.0
"Maybe it was because the serving staff has to wear Bermuda shorts and golf shirts tucked in. Yeah, the Flamingo Kid. — Chuck makes a reference to The Flamingo Kid when discussing the casual dress code and attire at the renovated Tavern on the Green."
— Chuck
The Wizard of Oz
1939
1h 42m
★ 7.6
"He was also the son of the legendary producer of The Wizard of Oz, Mervyn LeRoy. — Chuck mentions that Warner LeRoy was the son of Mervyn LeRoy, who produced The Wizard of Oz."
— Chuck
Wicked
2024
PG
2h 42m
★ 6.9
"We went and saw Wicked, what, Euphaba? Euphala? Euphaba? I don't know. That's what Emily went as for Halloween. — Josh mentions seeing Wicked and references the character Elphaba that his daughter dressed as for Halloween."
— Josh
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