Annapolis MD (October 2013)

My spouse and I spent an enjoyable weekend in Annapolis, Maryland in late-October 2013. Our primary reason for visiting was to attend the University of Pittsburgh vs. Annapolis football game, but Annapolis seemed like a lovely place to spend the weekend itself. My spouse had business in the Washington DC area on the days preceding our trip, so I flew down to meet him (ABE to CLT, then CLT to DCA; not the most direct routing, but it saved me driving time). We met and stayed at the Hampton Inn at Reagan National Airport for one night prior to driving to Annapolis.

We checked into our hotel, the Westin, before we took the free trolley to the harbor area. We walked around the historic town. We ate lunch at the Federal House, after which we toured the United States Naval Academy. Later that evening, we dined at Level Small Plates Lounge.

The next morning, we ate breakfast at Fado Irish Pub, before walking to the game. The game was close, but ultimately Navy won. It was so impressive to see all the cadets marching into the stadium before the game, dressed in their uniforms. After the game, we ate dinner at Factor's Row.

The next morning, we toured the Annapolis Cemetery, before we ate brunch at the Metropolitan Kitchen, and then depart for home.
 
Hotels:

• Westin Annapolis Link to my review
• Hampton Inn Reagan National Airport Link to my review

Restaurants:

• Federal House Link to my review
• Level Small Plates Lounge Link to my review
• Fado Irish Pub Link to my review
• Factor's Row Link to my review
• Metropolitan Kitchen Link to my review

Activity:

• United States Naval Academy Link to my review

Annapolis: Metropolitan Kitchen (October 2013)

My spouse and I dined at Metropolitan Kitchen for brunch on a Sunday in late October 2013. We made a reservation using the Open Table reservation system, which is wise if you do not want to risk waiting for a table. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner from Tuesday through Thursday, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Friday through Sunday. (Metropolitan Kitchen is closed on Mondays.)

The main dining area is spread over two rooms on the ground/street level. One room contains a large bar/counter where you can eat and drink, and a few tables, and the other room contains a more traditional full-service dining space. The restaurant has a rooftop lounge on the third floor (with a bar and table seating) that is open-air in nice weather (and temporarily enclosed and heated in the wintertime for private events only), and two few tiny tables on the sidewalk outside the main entrance door. The second floor contains venue space. Handicap-accessibility might be a bit dicey in this restaurant, which was originally two buildings located side-by-side that were joined into one space. Near our table, we could see a long electrical/extension cord laid along the carpet and taped into place, which seemed to be a bit of a safety-code violation.

Because we had arrived in the late morning, we had hoped to order from the lunch menu, but we were limited to just the breakfast options (we were told that we would have to wait 20 minutes if we wanted lunch, an amount of time that seemed negligible). We ordered a breakfast flatbread pizza called The Hangover, and an egg and seafood scramble that was served in a miniature iron skillet. We are not big breakfast eaters, but we loved the flatbread - delicious and plentiful - but the scramble was a little disappointing. The lunch and dinner menus sound much more interesting to us; had we been able to order from the lunch menu, we would have spent a lot more time and money there because some of the dishes sounded great (shark tacos, short rib tacos, crab rolls, charcuterie, flatbreads - and those were just the starters!). Service was acceptable, but not as attentive as we would have liked.

Although we probably would not return to Metropolitan Kitchen to dine indoors, we might try their rooftop deck for a drink, and we might try another restaurant owned by the same people - Tsunami or Lemongrass (or Bier House, when it opens).

Annapolis: Factor's Row (October 2013)

My spouse and I dined at Factor's Row for dinner in late October 2013. We made our reservation online using the Open Table reservation system. No one from this restaurant called to reconfirm our reservation, which we were surprised about, but they did have our information when we arrived. When we entered the restaurant, the hostess asked us whether we wanted to sit upstairs or downstairs - we had thought that making a reservation ensured us of a table upstairs, but apparently we could have chosen to dine on either floor. (Supposedly, the menu downstairs is more casual and less expensive.) The restaurant also has outdoor seating on the sidewalk with a view of the harbor. There are not many tables in the upstairs dining room - some of the room is used as a bar area for drinks (with just a few stools) and space is dedicated to the open kitchen area (fronted by a chef's bar with 5 stools). We did not know about the chef's bar; otherwise, we might have requested to sit there so that we could watch the chefs work; however, it was not particularly busy on the Saturday night that we dined (despite there being a Navy home football game and it being homecoming), so there would not have been much to watch the chefs prepare. (We dined at 8:00 pm, which we did not feel was so late to have such a small crowd.) It did not appear that the chefs on the second floor were preparing food for the patrons on the first/ground floor, so there must be another kitchen elsewhere in the building.

The food looked better than it tasted - there was nothing wrong with our dishes, but for the price, we wish that they had been tastier and better executed. We shared a great beef tartare, the consistency and texture of which was coarser and chunkier than other similar dishes we have eaten. We also shared a roasted beet and smoked trout salad (which lacked flavor, despite the trout). For entrees, we ordered duck (which sounded as if it would be served in several different preparations, but was instead just plated in different quartered sections atop varying accompaniments) and scallops (which might have been good, except that the scallops that we had eaten the evening previous were so delicious that these paled in comparison). For dessert, we shared a generous slice of Smith Island cake, a 12-layer cake that can either have chocolate frosting between vanilla layers or some other combination (we had carrot cake with cream cheese frosting between the layers). The bread that was served prior to our meal looked great, but when we reached into the tiny wire basket, we were surprised to find that the rolls were completely cold (they looked freshly baked) and were also already sliced down the middle (so it seems that they came pre-packaged from a bag); by contrast, the butter looked unique and perhaps homemade. The cutlery was looked and felt inexpensive, which we did not expect from the prices that they charge for their entrees. Service was acceptable, but no one went out of their way to make it any more special than that. Our meal was satisfactory in general, but we would probably not return to Factor's Row.

Annapolis: United States Naval Academy (October 2013)

My spouse and I visited the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis on a Friday afternoon in late October 2013. It is not possible to make reservations for tours (other than for large groups), but they occur at the top of every hour on weekdays and on the hour and half-hour on weekends. We paid approximately $10 per adult, and we were able to use a credit card to pay for our tours. You must pass through a security gate to access the campus of the academy, which is surrounded by a high gray wall. We waited in line for about 20 minutes on the day that we visited (so you may want to plan accordingly), but other guests seemed to think the crowds that day were larger than normal. Visitors must show picture ID and pass through a metal detector to access the campus. There are other gates besides the main gate (Gate 1), and as we saw later in the day, access was faster at those ancillary gates. The main gate (on King George and Randall Streets) is closest to the Armel-Leftwich Visitors Center, though, where you will purchase your tour, and where you can visit the gift shop, use the restrooms, buy a cold beverage from a vending machine (which takes credit cards), and see a short 12-minute film. The movie is worthwhile - it gives you a visual representation of the process that the cadets go through from matriculation through graduation. You can also visit the nearby Drydock restaurant if you want a bite to eat or have a few minutes to spare before or after your tour. The walking tour takes about 1.5 hours and covers a lot of ground, so be prepared to stand for extended periods of time. Our tour included the Lejeune Physical Education Center (with its Olympic-size pool and wrestling venue), Dahlgren Hall, Tecumseh Court, and Bancroft Hall (the largest residence hall in the country, where you can view an example of a typical midshipman's dorm room). Bancroft Hall also features Memorial Hall, a solemn and beautiful space that holds the famous "Don't Give Up the Ship" banner. The lobby of Bancroft holds many photos and plaques of notable graduates, including Senator John McCain, former President Jimmy Carter, past presidential hopeful Ross Perot, and pro football player Roger Staubach. Because we visited on Halloween weekend, and a concert was scheduled for the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel, we were not able to go inside the bright copper-clad dome, beneath which lies the crypt of the Revolutionary War Naval Officer John Paul Jones. Other important features of the campus include the Levy Center and Jewish Chapel, and Preble Hall (which houses a museum). You might want to consider taking a tour of the USNA with Annapolis Tours, where guides in Colonial dress show you around the historic district, as well as on the Naval Academy property (although this company independent from the USNA). We visited West Point in New York a few years ago, and our visit to the Naval Academy in Annapolis offered a great comparison and contrast between the two campuses and military prep schools; next up, the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs!

Annapolis: Federal House (October 2013)

My spouse and I dined at Federal House on a Friday afternoon for lunch in late October. We were looking for a restaurant in the heart of the harbor area near the Naval Academy, and this restaurant met our needs. This excellently located historic building dates back to the mid-1800s, with a brick exterior and lots of wood inside. The restaurant features some outdoor seating on the sidewalk, and lots of seating inside on ground/street level in two different rooms. One of the street-level rooms contains a traditional dining room, with tables spaced nicely, some in front of windows. (Some tables are a step up from other tables.) The main room contains the large bar, lots of TVs, and is open to the second floor (where banquet/event space is available). There are a few steps to gain entrance to the restaurant, so we are not sure how handicap-accessible it is, although there are handicapped restrooms on the first floor (as well as additional restrooms on the second floor); there might be another entrance that does not involve steps. The restaurant seemed family-friendly during the day, at least - we think that they have a DJ and dancing later in the evenings, when it might be more of a bar scene. The lunch menu offered both casual American fare (like sandwiches and salads and raw bar items) as well as entrees, with lots of seafood options. We shared calamari as an appetizer, and then ordered fish and chips and an oyster po'boy; the French fries were good, and the fish seemed like actual fish that someone had breaded (as opposed to something frozen). Our food was satisfactory, but we do not think that we would splurge on entrees that cost twice the price. Service was fine, but the restaurant was fairly empty when we dined, so it may take longer when it is filled to capacity. We feel that Federal House is a solid choice near the harbor, but there are many other options nearby.

Annapolis: Fado Irish Pub (October 2013)

My spouse and I dined at Fado Irish Pub on a Saturday morning prior to a Navy football game. We stayed nearby at the Westin Annapolis, and we read on the Fado website that the restaurant opened at 10:00 am, which would allow us just enough time for a quick bite before walking to the game. However, when we arrived, we learned that the restaurant often opens even earlier (for example, 7:00 am) when it broadcasts European soccer, in order to accommodate customers because of the time difference. So do not be afraid to show up earlier than the stated opening time.

The restaurant space is large, with half of their seating on the main floor and the other half of the seating just a few steps above the ground/street level. The restaurant also offers outdoor seating, and in the cooler weather, roll-down tent flaps keep diners warm in the semi-outdoor environment. One criticism of this restaurant is that the door that opens onto West Street says to use the side entrance, but that entrance is a little difficult to locate because of the roll-down flaps (and also, on the weekend that we were visiting, there was plastic fencing set up outside to keep customers queued to enter in the evening when the bar is busy and trying to maintain capacity control).

We realize that this is a chain restaurant, but it is not one with which we are familiar. We thought that the food was good - far better than other chains. Even though we visited in mid-morning, both the brunch (breakfast) and lunch/dinner menus were available. We enjoyed the pork belly, the macaroni and cheese, the lamb French dip served with thick-cut chips, and the bread pudding. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable, and the staff worked well together.

We had a great experience at Fado, and we would visit again if we encountered a location in another city (or if we return to Annapolis).

Annapolis: Westin Annapolis (October 2013)

My spouse and I stayed at the Westin Annapolis for 2 nights in late October 2013 so that we could attend a Navy football game and do some sightseeing. We booked our room months in advance, which was wise, because most hotels sold out quickly on the weekend that we visited (it was also Navy homecoming, so there were many class reunions). The hotel required a 2-night minimum, which may be standard procedure on fall football weekends.

The hotel is about a 15-minute walk to the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, and also a 15-minute walk to the harbor area; however, there is a free trolley system, called the Circulator, that operates from early morning until 12:00 midnight (2:00 am on weekends). The vehicle traffic is pretty congested in downtown Annapolis, so the trolley will only get you to your destination as fast as traffic allows (sometimes it seemed faster to walk where we wanted to go). The trolley stops at the bottom of the hotel driveway, and makes its loop every 15 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic (so you will see it every 15 minutes if there is no traffic, and closer to every 30 minutes if there is traffic); there are two trolleys that run the loop. The hotel offers valet parking for $24 per day (although the website said $23), or self-parking for $10 per day (the valets were extremely helpful in directing us where to park ourselves, which earned them a nice tip despite the fact that they did not park our car). The hotel is located in a residential and shopping complex called Park Place, which contains a spa (Varuna by Aveda), Italian restaurant (Carpaccio) and related take-out pizza shop (Carpaccio Pizzeria 2 Go), Irish pub (Fado), and breakfast café (Shirley's). There is a 7-11 convenience store (with gas pumps) within 2 blocks, as well as another gas station with a smaller mini-mart. There are many restaurants and shops within easy walking distance of the hotel, and the USNA is a 15-minute walk toward the harbor area.

The hotel has a grand front entrance with a circular driveway, but the lobby is minimalist and modern-looking. The lobby area opens onto the Azure bar/lounge and restaurant, and there is a small pantry shop near the front desk. Outside the main entrance, there are a few teak tables and chairs that may be set up as a smoking section, relatively far from the front door so that most guests do not have to walk through others second-hand smoke. The part of the hotel that faces the traffic circle seems to have an entrance into the hotel itself, but the design is poor, and that back door is locked because it opens into a banquet room. Oddly, there are some teak tables and chairs outside of this entrance, but we do not know how people would reach those tables and chairs without circling around the building. The indoor pool is small and utilitarian; the area also contains a small Jacuzzi and a movable lift for the handicapped to use either the pool or spa. The pool is staffed by a lifeguard. The pool is open continuously from morning until night in the summertime, but in the fall/winter, the pool closes for a few hours in the afternoon. A fitness center is next to the pool with equipment like treadmills, Stairmasters, bikes, and free weights. (The hotel will loan you New Balance gear like shorts, T-shirt, socks, and sneakers if you forget yours.) This hotel has many function/meeting/banquet rooms, most of which were occupied on the weekend that we visited.

We reserved a room with two queen beds, which was all that was available to us when we made our reservation. We tried to switch to a room with one king bed when we checked in, but none were available. We were permitted to check in before noon, but that probably depends on availability the previous evening (which in our case, was a Thursday night). We were offered a late Sunday checkout up to 3:00 pm when we checked in, as long as we could give the reservationist some idea of when we would actually depart (this complimentary perk is part of the Westin Weekend plan). Our room was fairly compact - the two queen beds took up most of the available space, with a sort of sofa table in between them that functioned as a shared nightstand. The nightstand held two lamps, and a regular old-fashioned digital alarm clock (a rarity these days! Sometimes the new iPod docking station-type clocks are a bit hard to figure out, especially when you are tired and just want to go to sleep). Our room had a large window that had a roll-down modern privacy shade as well as blackout curtains. The bureau area featured a desk and chair, clothing storage space, and an empty refrigerator (there are ice machines on every floor, and an ice bucket and glassware are available as well). We did not have a comfy chair (or a divan or sofa) as we saw in some of the hotel photos - other than lying in bed or sitting on the hard, rolling desk chair, there was nowhere to watch TV from comfortably. One robe hung on the back of the bathroom door. The bathroom was a decent size, although it contained only one sink in the vanity area. Westin Heavenly Bath signature toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body lotion) in a white tea aloe scent that were present when we checked in were not replaced on the morning of our second night (one tiny bottle of each item for two people for two nights just is not enough!). Plenty of fluffy towels were provided on the open wooden racks below the sink, as well as a hair dryer (not attached to the wall). The bathroom mirror was a bit unique - framed in a lighted rectangle, the lights caused a similar lighted rectangular reflection in our pupils every time we looked in it (which could be a little freaky if you had a few drinks). The bed linens were great - Westin offers nearly everything that they use in the rooms for sale (Heavenly Bed mattresses, sheets, duvet cover, pillows, shower curtain, double shower head, mirror, toiletries, and so on). Coffee service is provided in a single-cup machine. The closet contained an iron and ironing board, electronic safe, and TWO luggage racks (much appreciated, because generally there are two people per room, and just one luggage rack). Internet is NOT complimentary (approximately $10 per day). Some previous guests report connecting their devices in the lobby, where Wi-Fi is free, and then taking them up to their room without turning them off, in order to maintain the free connectivity. Evening turndown is by request. The hotel tries to be "green" - there was a good-size recycling trash can (in addition to the regular trash can) in our room, and the hotel offers a $5 credit per night of your stay to be used in the bar/restaurant if you decline daily maid service (which means absolutely NO service, not even trash removal or towel replacement); this offer is not available for 1-night stays, because obviously the room must be cleaned prior to the arrival of the next guest.

We loved Annapolis, and the location of this hotel suited our needs perfectly. There are not many large lodging options in the historic area -  just the Westin, Loews, and Marriott, as well as an independent hotel called O'Callaghan's - and given the chance to visit Annapolis again, we would probably pick the Westin for our next stay.

Annapolis: Level Small Plates Lounge (October 2013)

My spouse and I dined at Level Small Plates Lounge for dinner in late October 2013. We made our reservation online using the Open Table reservation system (although they do NOT award points for actually dining there). When we arrived at the restaurant, the hostess had a problem locating our reservation, but she was still able to seat us despite the restaurant being very crowded on a Friday night. (As it turns out, another party with the same first name as one of our first names was seated under our reservation, so when we checked in, it appeared that our reservation was already seated.) No one from this restaurant called to reconfirm our reservation, which surprised us.

The restaurant covers two floors - the ground/first floor contains tables spread throughout two rooms, one of which contains a bar and semi-open kitchen. Steps lead to the upper floor, where there are additional tables. Tables in the main room near the bar (where we sat) are fairly close together, but there is a good buzz in the atmosphere so that you do not feel as if someone is eavesdropping on you.

Small plates is the concept of the restaurant, and our waiter recommended ordering 3 to 4 plates per person. We settled on 6 plates total. We tried a roasted beet and carrot salad (not enough flavor in the bland buttermilk dressing), sweetbreads with tomatillos (this was a special dish of the evening; we would have preferred that the two large sweetbreads were quartered instead), scallops with potato and bacon (fantastic!), pork ragout with unusual strozzaperti pasta (delicious!), Korean BBQ open-faced duck tacos (a bit spicy), shrimp and grits (too spicy for us). We had planned to order dessert, but service was so terrible by the end of our meal that we did not want to waste any more time. We waited approximately 15 minutes after we finished our last course until someone came to remove the plate, or to fill our empty water glasses, or even to offer to refill our empty alcoholic beverage glasses (which would have earned them more money). Many staff (including food runners and table bussers), as well as our own waiter, continued to pass our table yet not look our way. It was an unfortunate ending to what might have otherwise been a good meal.

Because we liked the atmosphere and the food, we might give it another try, with hopes for better service on our next visit.

DC: Hampton Inn Reagan National Airport (October 2013)

My spouse and I stayed at the Hampton Inn Reagan National Airport for 1 night in late October 2013. The hotel is a 5-minute drive from Reagan National Airport (but is not safely walkable) and provides complimentary shuttle service to that airport, although it does not run 24 hours per day. (The hours might be 4:00 am to 12:00 midnight.) The hotel shares a large van (holds 10+ passengers) with the Radisson hotel next door. You can also take the metro (approximately $1.50) or a taxi cab (approximately $5.00).

We thought that the location was excellent, because the hotel is located on busy Jefferson Davis Highway amidst many other hotels, chain and independent restaurants, the Crystal City Shops, and so on. It felt like a relatively safe area to walk from the hotel to restaurants or shopping. The hotel does not feature its own restaurant, but the Radisson hotel directly next door (the buildings may even be attached) has a bar/restaurant called 2020 Bistro & Lounge. Other restaurants within walking distance include Legal Seafood, Chili's Grill, McCormick & Schmick, Morton's, Ruth's Chris, Jaleo, and many independent ethnic restaurants (Café Italia, Kora, Portofino, Top Thai, Kabob Palace, Charlie Chiangs). There is a gas station and 24-hour CVS pharmacy in the next block. The hotel is a 5-minute walk from the Crystal City metro station, which will lead you into downtown DC in about 10 minutes.

The hotel has an underground parking garage that charges $15 per night to park. The hotel reserves some parking spots closest to the elevator bank for their Diamond Hhonors members. The single elevator from the garage leads into the lobby, although it does not connect with the elevator bank (containing two elevators) that leads to the guest rooms. The lobby features some grouped seating arrangements where you can socialize or wait for friends, as well as an ATM machine. The lobby area adjoins the breakfast space, which is open and spacious with high ceilings and lots of windows to let in light. The serve-yourself complimentary breakfast was standard Hampton Inn fare, with some hot and cold options (cheese omelets, bacon, hard-cooked eggs, oatmeal, fruit, yogurt, pastries, make-your-own waffles, milk, coffee, and juices), or you can choose a grab-and-go packaged breakfast bag during the week if you are in a hurry. Coffee service (decaf, regular, tea, hot water) is available 24-hours a day in the lobby near the front desk and the pantry store. The breakfast room contains several TVs, and offers seating at regular tables (although they were extremely low for us!), a high-top community table with bar stools, and semi-booth (banquette) seating. The indoor pool and fitness center are located off the lobby, as are the meeting rooms and business center, although we did not use/see them. Smoking is permitted outdoors, and the hotel provides a park bench where you can sit while you do so.

We reserved a king-bed studio suite, which was large, although the usable space was tight. The building itself is not rectangular, so the size of the rooms might vary a bit. (This hotel has regular guest rooms, studio suites, and one-bedroom suites.) For example, the wide hallway leading into the room that housed the wet bar with sink, microwave, coffee maker, and mini-refrigerator was spacious, as was the wide hallway that houses the bathroom vanity and leads from the main area of the room to the bathroom, but the area that held the sofa, desk, and king-size bed was rather compact. The main part of the room also held this odd side dining chair (which we noticed in other rooms as well). The bathroom was a large cube, but there was a strange permanent doorstop near the middle of the floor to prevent the door from swinging into the wall. Standard Hampton Inn toiletries were provided - soap, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and mouthwash. There was tons of cabinet space in the wet bar and bathroom double vanity areas - probably more cabinets than we have in our bathroom at home! We cannot imagine when hotel guests would ever use that amount of space! Wireless internet service is complimentary. The closet held an iron and ironing board and one luggage rack. (Why are there never two luggage racks? There are often two guests.)

We would stay here again if the situation called for it - if we were flying to or from National at an early or late hour. It is not an ideal location for sightseeing in the tourist areas of Washington DC, although you might be able to easily reach them using the metro.

New York City (October 2013)

My spouse and I enjoyed a weekend in New York City in early October of 2013 to celebrate his birthday. We stayed at the Hyatt Union Square. We joined his family for lunch at Mario Battali's Casa Mono, which was excellent. We had drinks afterward at Peter Dillon Bar, followed by a dinner later that evening at Wylie Dufresne's Alder. (We loved the pastrami pasta, but were not impressed by much else.) The next morning, we had brunch at the Union Square Cafe before departing for home.

Hotel:

Hyatt Union Square New York Link to my review

 Restaurants:

Union Square Cafe Link to my review

Alder Link to my review

Casa Mono Link to my review

Pete's Tavern Link to my review

New York City: Union Square Cafe (October 2013)

My spouse and I dined at the Union Square Cafe (USC) for lunch on a Sunday in early October 2013. We made a reservation 28 days prior using the Open Table reservation system, and the restaurant called the day before to reconfirm our date and time. Union Square Cafe is part of the Danny Meyer restaurant empire and has been open since the mid-1980s. USC is open for lunch and dinner daily.

The restaurant space is large, occupying the street/ground level of two adjacent buildings. Because the space is comprised of two different buildings, one of the dining rooms requires you to step down a few steps to reach it. There are many tables for large parties, which is sometimes difficult to find in the city. The restrooms are tiny, very small for a space this size with so many diners, but they use what space they are given effectively. One of the dining rooms has second-level balcony seating, accessed by a narrow, steep staircase. The front of the restaurant houses a large bar where patrons eat rather than just drink, and a few small tables in the front window area. We arrived at the restaurant with our luggage, which the hostess happily stowed for us.

Service was great, and the food was classic, prepared with fresh ingredients and presented nicely. Their Sunday lunch/brunch menu featured not only breakfast items, but also lunch food, which pleased us. (We are not big egg/pancake eaters.) The restaurant sources some of its ingredients from the nearby Union Square Greenmarket (which is a must-see on Saturdays). We ordered the Carpaccio and the apple salad to start, and the squash tortellini and another pasta dish as entrees, followed by the banana tart for dessert. The restaurant serves an excellent bread basket to accompany your meal.

A meal at Union Square Café is a solid choice - good food, good service, and a pleasant atmosphere.

New York City: Pete's Tavern (October 2013)

Pete’s Tavern serves Italian-American cuisine and their famous 1864 House Ale with the same kind of high quality neighborhood service that made O. Henry (William Sydney Porter, an American short story writer) a loyal regular at the last turn of the century. The tavern has been in existence for over 150 years (it is one of several drinking establishments each claiming to be the oldest continuously operated tavern in the city). It offers both indoor and outdoor dining. 

The building that houses Pete's was built in 1829, and was originally the Portman Hotel; liquor may have been sold there as early as 1851 or 1852 – when it was a "grocery & grog" store – and the first official drinking establishment founded by 1864. It was bought in 1899 by Tom and John Healy, and became Healy's. During prohibition, when selling alcohol was illegal, the bar continued to operate disguised as a flower shop. 

The building which houses the tavern was built in 1829 as the Portman Hotel.

The writer O. Henry lived down the street at 55 Irving Place from 1903 to 1907, and Healy's appears in his short story "The Lost Blend" under the name "Kenealy's". Local legend also has it that he wrote his well-known story "The Gift of the Magi" in Healy's second booth from the front, but this appears to be apocryphal. 

The present name dates to the purchase of the establishment by Peter Belles in 1926.

Although the tavern claims to be "an official historical landmark", it is neither a designated New York City landmark nor is it on the National Register of Historic Places. It does, however, lie within the Gramercy Park Historic District designated by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1966. 

Pete's Tavern has appeared in numerous films and television programs, including Seinfeld, Ragtime, Endless Love, Law & Order, Nurse Jackie, Spin City, Sex and the City, and The Blacklist. It has also been used as a location for television commercials and print advertisements.