One chilly day this winter, we walked around the shops at Bryant Park before bravely donning ice skates for a few spins around the rink. We then walked downtown to the oldest continuously operating restaurant and bar in NYC. It opened in 1864.

At that time, Pete’s was a “grocery and grog store,” the first drinking establishment on the main floor of the Portman Hotel. Today, it’s a popular tavern that goes overboard with festive holiday decorations.

We thankfully were in the back room to enjoy our food while being able to hear each other. Instead of ordering a full meal, we picked some apps as they had nibbled at the shops.

We shared a thin-crusted mozzarella, heirloom tomato and basil pizza ($21), O Henry chicken wings with celery and bleu cheese ($19) and three veggies ($14 each). We ate their crispy roasted Brussels sprouts, broccoli rabe and roasted cauliflower florets.

One ordered the spaghetti and veal meatballs in Bolognese sauce ($29), which I sampled and would go back for! Yum.

Pete’s Tavern
Gramercy
129 E 18th St (corner of Irving Place)
New York, NY 10003
petestavern.com/