Here’s the thing regarding Citygrange, the new restaurant tucked into the Westin. We kind of like it, despite being a hotel resto. They try their best and we respect them for it. But over at The Illadelph, they’re counting down the days until they close:
It might be unfair, but atmosphere is simply way too important these days to consistently drawing a crowd for a spot like CityGrange to have a fair shot. The writing has been on the walls forevs. Le Bec Fin. The Grill at the Ritz Carlton. Even Stephen Starr is susceptible — look at Washington Square.Now, it’s not the rule — some interior hotel restaurants can get by on their good looks cuisine (read Lacroix and Fountain). But look at Tavern 17. Compare that with what used to be there (Circles on th Square). The new space is much more open and much more oriented to 17th Street, i.e. potential customers not associated with the hotel. It’s a shame really, because the concept of CityGrange is good and one that we’d love to love. (Anyone who’s all about supporting local farms and their foods, and thereby preserving open space and conserving natural resources, is someone we’d happily endorse.) But with a space like that, you’re basically starting off with one hand already tied behind your back. And then to under-whelm basically everyone, including several critics, from the onset… that’s just not a formula that’s going to get it done. If this were Eater, CityGrange would have been DeathWatched, like, yesterday. Tough break. Especially because those sliders are f***ing good.
Here’s the thing regarding Citygrange, the new restaurant tucked into the Westin. We kind of like it, despite being a hotel resto. They try their best and we respect them for it. But over at The Illadelph, they’re counting down the days until they close:
[Image Courtesy The Illadelph]
