Minetta Tavern Explained

Minetta Tavern
Established:[1]
Current-Owner:Keith McNally
Previous-Owner:Taka Becovic, Eddie “Minetta” Sieveri
Food-Type:Steakhouse, gastropub
Street-Address:113 Macdougal Street
City:Manhattan
State:New York
Postcode:10012
Other-Label:-->

Minetta Tavern is a restaurant owned by Keith McNally in Greenwich Village. In 2009, Frank Bruni of The New York Times gave the Tavern three stars. It served as a popular spot for writers like e.e. cummings, Ernest Hemingway,[2] Eugene O'Neill, and Dylan Thomas.

McNally reopened the Tavern in 2009 as a “high-end revamp of a storied, nearly 100-year-old ... space.”[3]

History

Minetta Tavern, named after the Minetta Brook, originally opened in 1937 by Eddie "Minetta" Sieveri.[4]

It was also used as a speakeasy, hosting writers such as Joe Gould, who was rumored to receive his mail at the pub due to the frequency of his visits. [5]

Keith McNally took over the restaurant in 2008 when it was owned by former busboy Taka Becovic and served family style Italian food. After Sieveri sold the Tavern to Becovic, he returned every year for his birthday dinner until his death. Becovic sold the restaurant when he could no longer pay the increased rent; Becovic did not disclose the exact amount, but it was speculated to be a minimum of $50,000/month. The restaurant closed in early May 2008, reopening in 2009 with a focus on French bistro food.[6]

Notes and References

  1. News: Canaday . John . May 14, 1976 . Restaurants . The New York Times . 25 June 2024.
  2. News: Bruni . Frank . Beef and Décor, Aged to Perfection . 15 December 2022 . The New York Times . May 19, 2009.
  3. Web site: Minetta Tavern . New York Magazine . 20 February 2019 . 15 December 2022.
  4. Web site: Minetta Tavern: A look at the 1930's . The Velazquez Team . 8 December 2021 . 15 December 2022.
  5. Web site: Minetta Tavern . Clio . 16 December 2022.
  6. News: Levanthal . Ben . Paying Our Respects: A Final Visit to Minetta Tavern . 16 December 2022 . Eater NY . April 25, 2008.