[Sheepfold: Constructed 1870 Converted to Restaurant: 1934] Designer: Jacob Wrey Mould
1825-1886 • England
Grandiose in everyway, Tavern on the
Green is Central Park’s largest and most
flamboyant fine dining restaurant. Located
to the west of the Sheep Meadow on
67th Street, it is difficult to imagine
that this Victorian Gothic red brick and
stone structure originally housed a
shepherd and his flock of 200 sheep that
used to graze upon the adjacent Sheep Meadow. In 1934, this former
Sheepfold was converted into a restaurant,
which became a fashionable institution for
New Yorkers during the many decades to
follow. By the early ‘70s, Tavern on the
Green had fallen out of favor as well as out
of sync with the times, forcing it to close
its doors in 1974. Thankfully, in 1976 the
doors reopened, when the late Warner
LeRoy became the proprietor, giving it
a newfound popularity.
Known for its festive atmosphere it serves
more than half a million patrons a year. Its
location, size and setting have attracted
many of New York’s prestigious events such
as, Broadway show openings and film
premieres.
There are now six elaborately decorated
dining rooms:
The Crystal Room, The Chestnut Room,
The Park Room, The Rafters Room,
The Terrace Room and a Crystal Gazebo
each offering a unique dining experience.
The embellishments feature antique prints,
etched mirrors, Tiffany glass and crystal
chandeliers. Waiting at the red canopied
entrance of the restaurant are horse drawn
carriages waiting for passengers. Standing
tall in the garden outside the glass enclosure
of the Crystal Room are large theatrical
topiary animals, including a reindeer, an
elephant and a gorilla.
At night, the Tavern on the
Green is aglow with hundreds of lanterns
and thousands of tiny lights in trees and bushes,
on the sculpted animals and along the building.
A special time of the year is the Christmas
holiday season when the restaurant is all
decked out with elaborate decorations making
it a sight to behold. The restaurant offers a
wide range of dishes attracting tourists and
locals alike to this favorite landmark.
