My spouse and I visited Rosie O’Grady’s for brunch on a
Sunday afternoon in mid-October 2018. The restaurant is open daily from 11:00
or 11:30 am until 12:00 midnight (with extended closing time extended on
Saturday nights). You can book a spot using the online Open Table reservation
system.
Rosie O’Grady’s is located in the Theatre District near
Times Square. (We had tickets to a show at the nearby Winter Garden Theatre, so
Rosie’s provided a convenient place for a meal beforehand.) The restaurant was opened
in 1973 by a man who arrived from Ireland with only five shillings (about equal
to a quarter) in his pocket; he worked as a construction laborer for a few
years until he opened his first pub. During his career, he owned several NYC
bars and restaurants, including the now-closed Harbour Lights at South Street
Seaport.
Guests at Rosie O’Grady’s can dine in several sections. The
bar area features a long wood bar with tables adjacent to the wall of windows. In
the main dining room, guests sit at white tablecloth-covered tables of various
shapes and configurations; the large main space is sort of sub-divided into
smaller dining areas by the use of wooden half-wall enclosures and slightly
raised floors (one step up from the main floor). Light wainscoting, a bit of
exposed brick, mirrors, and framed color photographs (many showcasing the
owner’s love of horses) complete the decor. The lower level of the restaurant
space features private event space. Al fresco sidewalk dining is available in
appropriate weather.
Rosie O’Grady’s serves Irish-American cuisine. We shared the
fried calamari to start, followed by the fish and chips and the shepherd’s pie.
(Although we chose classic Irish entrees, the restaurant also serves salads,
burgers, sandwiches, pasta, and traditional protein entrees.) For dessert, we
shared a slice of Bailey’s Irish Cream layer cake.
Rosie O’Grady’s is a reliable choice in the Theatre
District.
