Perish the thought – would any self respecting Downtowner be caught dead in Gramercy Park? Of course they would. Who doesn’t love walking around that beautiful little pocket of green, thinking that if only they could get a key to the park, they’d swear off NoLita, NoHo and Norfolk Street in an instant. We can’t have everything we want, but we can certainly long for it. And that seems to be the story of our lives, those of us struggling to make it here – there’s so much to want.

If all this talk about the haves and have-nots is getting you down, there’s a fab little pub on W. 23^rd Street, The Grand Saloon, that isn’t too crowded, isn’t too empty, and pours a good Guinness (it may not be room-temp enough for the purists, but it’s not too frosty, either.) I was enchanted with our gracious young server and her enchanting Irish brogue, but once my companion got me to pay attention to the menu, we discovered the best part of it all -- the fries. The absolute best – I used to rave about Pommes Frites, but I’m ‘fraid I had to switch allegiance from the Belgians to the Irish after one bite of these impeccably prepared numbers. I must say however, I’d be happy to see them start offering those curious sauces here anytime, which, in my opinion, would make those wonderful fries positively orgasmic. The burgers do not slouch either, with an enormous array of cheese choices, and excellently cooked bacon. We went, drank, ate and left completely full, and nowhere near disappointed. You won’t be either. And when you’re finished, and your legs aren’t feeling the effects of one too many pints, amble down Lexington to the park, and peer through the gates, and fantasize about which building on the square is yours. Mine’s the one to the west, first one door down from 21^st Street (Gramercy Park North).

Grand Saloon
158 East 23^rd Street (between Lex and 3^rd)
212-477-6161
(Directions: 6, N, R to 23^rd Street or M23 Crosstown to Lex)

Gramercy Park
Irving Pl/Lexington Ave between 20^th and 21^st Streets
Closed to the Public
(Directions: 6, N, R to 23^rd Street or M23 Crosstown to Lex)