My wife and I eat there at least once a week, sometimes more frequently. We actually find it tough to eat at other places, because of the standard being set so high by GT. I think that Danny doesn't hold this high level of service at USQ or EMP. It's a function of the GM Kevin Mahan and beverage director Juliette Pope.

Your comment about unobtrusive service is spot on. One (my wife calls it crazy) measure I use of a well-trained staff -- besides their extreme attention to thorough knowledge of what's being served every day and the wines/beers on the glass list -- is the lack of "clanking" of dishes, silverware, and glasses while serving and clearing.

This is not just in the formal dining room, but on the tavern side and even dining at the bar (which is where we dine a majority of the time).

Anyway - I'm a fan as you might be able to tell

I know this is an old thread, but I can only assume that this talk of Gramercy Tavern not living up to expectations of food or service are being made by people living in an alternate universe.

Seriously. There is no comparison. There is Gramercy Tavern and then there are all others. It is the restaurant by which all others should be judged.

The tavern side of GT is extremely UNpretentious - welcoming, served by knowledgeable and well-trained staff, extremely high level of quality control at all levels and components, with food that is delicately prepared, beautifully presented, expertly served, and extremely tasty. the dining room is an experience unto itself.

-----
Gramercy Tavern
42 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003

Hey jhopp:
Believe me - I do wish there were some non-Italian restaurants that inspired me around lower or middle Westchester. Besides dropping a lot of dollars at Blue Hill or eating gyros at Lefteris, i just dont love anything.
That being said, I have thank the competing folks at those three places I mention that their execution is as good as it is...with some decent creativity and care.

Where do you eat?

-----
Blue Hill Cafe
2427 Route 52, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533

Ribollita! What a simple pleasure, but rarely seen here. Zuppa actually had it as a special for a week about two years ago, and Angelo had it for a short while on his menu at Scalini sometime in the last 3 years.
By the way, the finest execution of ribollita is probably at Le Logge del Vignola in Montepulciano. We have been spending two weeks in Montepulciano every November for the past 7 years. From there my wife and I look for our next good lunch and dinner within a ~100 km radius (except, of course, there really arent any good places to eat in Siena).

So while I didn't call Zuppa or Scalini or The Cookery a Tuscan restaurant, why would you argue with saying a Tuscan/northern slant? I mean those restaurants don't have artichokes alla giudia or cacio e pepe typical of Roman fare, so I can't call them that. Nor the saffron, raisins, nutmeg, or amounts of seafood to say Sicilian.
They have very few (if any) dishes slathered in red tomato sauce, so I won't call it Westchester Italian.

I'm really not trying to say I know a lot about Italian cuisine, even though I am passionate about it (and my wife and I were eloped in Rome 2 years ago...mainly because we wanted to eat our celebratory meal at a favorite place - in the Testaccio)...I am not sure how else to describe this three restaurants that will sum up the "it's not res sauce Westchester Italian food)!

-----
Zuppa Restaurant
55 Main St, Yonkers, NY 10701

Westchester Italian
24 Depot Sq, Tuckahoe, NY 10707

Jhopp:
what aspect of Zuppa's menu do you find boring?
I guess I'd be curious to hear about an Italian restaurant in Westchester that you find more interesting. I am always on the lookout for the next place.

Right now the only Italian menus I think are worth the trip are Scalini, The Cookery, and Zuppa (in Yonkers). Well, Tarry Lodge has a few solid things as well, and the pastas are nicely done.

-----
Zuppa Restaurant
55 Main St, Yonkers, NY 10701

Tarry Lodge
18 Mill St, Port Chester, NY 10573

Menton1:
while I wouldn't peg Scalini (or Zuppa) with a specific style (e.g., Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano, and others in the Val di Chiana,, etc), they avoid the tired red sauce style that is so prevalent in Westchester.
Grilled high quality meats, delicate fish, pastas with tasty but understated sauces.
If you haven't been to either Zuppa or Scalini (and now add the Cookery) to the list, you should go. If you are looking for the same old Westchester red saucy chicken parm or penne alla vodka...go to one of these other places mentioned in this thread.

-----
Zuppa Restaurant
55 Main St, Yonkers, NY 10701

Scalini Osteria
65 Pondfield Rd Ste 14, Bronxville, NY 10708

This thread is about a month old, but thought I'd post:

Zuppa in Yonkers is definitely a must-try for anyone looking Italian in Westchester. I would say it is arguably one of the best restaurants (of any type) in the barren eating landscape known as Westchester County, NY.
Delicately prepared & tasty food up and down the menu -- including nice fish options, great wine list (properly Italian-slanted).

Another suggestion is Scalini in Bronxville. Their food is nicely done, Tuscan/northern Italian slant, service is impeccable & proper but very easy-going. The space and atmosphere is SOOO much more pleasant than the 5-ring circus that is Rosie's Bistro.

-----
Zuppa Restaurant
55 Main St, Yonkers, NY 10701

Zuppa is definitely one of the best spots in Westchester. Delicately prepared and nicely portioned food (i.e. not overwhelming as most of the cruddy Italian places in the area), proper Italian wine list, attentive service (of course I would recommend that nobody should ever eat out on a Friday or Saturday evening anywhere in Westchester).

The space is a beautiful old Gazette printing house.

Anyway - intrepid's review below is not fair.

-----
Zuppa Restaurant
55 Main St, Yonkers, NY 10701