I usually avoid the Herald Square area if I'm looking for a nice sit-down restaurant, the area is way too crowded and over-priced, but Cooper's Tavern is definitely an exception. They have great food, a reasonably priced happy hour, and the waitstaff is always very attentive.
As the name implies, Cooper's Tavern has that mahogany wood and dim yellow light decor with TVs showing live sports games, but it's nothing like your average pub. The artwork and decorative glass wall all lend to an upscale American restaurant environment. The waitstaff is super friendly and eager to please you. They aren't afraid to say if they don't like something on the menu and never leave your water glass empty.
The restaurant has a great happy hour special. Selected appetizers are all under $10 and draft beers, house wines, appletinis, cosmopolitans and sangria are under $7. I definitely recommend getting a glass of sangria and fried calamari.
The menu at Cooper's Tavern ranges from seafood to steak to pastas and pizzas. There's something on there for everyone. In addition, there's a prixe fix menu for $19.95 that includes an appetizer and entree. Try the bruschetta with fresh tomatoes and olive oil for your appetizer (definitely meant to be shared). For my main course, I had the pesto chicken pasta topped with ricotta. The delicious flavors of the pesto and the creaminess of the ricotta make this pasta perfect. Warning: there is a lot of fresh garlic in this dish, so if you're not a big garlic person, this may not be the option for you. My friend ordered steak with potatoes and, though it needed a little salt, the meat was juicy and the potatoes were the best I've tasted in awhile. For dessert, if you love chocolate as much as I do, try the chocolate ganache cake. It's very heavy and can be a bit overwhelming if you aren't prepared, but a bite of this can cheer up anyone.
Would I recommend Cooper's Tavern? It may be just a little bit over-priced but the food and great service definitely make up for it. If anything, it's worth checking out for its happy hour.
Cooper's Tavern
481 8th Avenue,
New York, NY 10001
(212) 268-8460
As the name implies, Cooper's Tavern has that mahogany wood and dim yellow light decor with TVs showing live sports games, but it's nothing like your average pub. The artwork and decorative glass wall all lend to an upscale American restaurant environment. The waitstaff is super friendly and eager to please you. They aren't afraid to say if they don't like something on the menu and never leave your water glass empty.The restaurant has a great happy hour special. Selected appetizers are all under $10 and draft beers, house wines, appletinis, cosmopolitans and sangria are under $7. I definitely recommend getting a glass of sangria and fried calamari.
The menu at Cooper's Tavern ranges from seafood to steak to pastas and pizzas. There's something on there for everyone. In addition, there's a prixe fix menu for $19.95 that includes an appetizer and entree. Try the bruschetta with fresh tomatoes and olive oil for your appetizer (definitely meant to be shared). For my main course, I had the pesto chicken pasta topped with ricotta. The delicious flavors of the pesto and the creaminess of the ricotta make this pasta perfect. Warning: there is a lot of fresh garlic in this dish, so if you're not a big garlic person, this may not be the option for you. My friend ordered steak with potatoes and, though it needed a little salt, the meat was juicy and the potatoes were the best I've tasted in awhile. For dessert, if you love chocolate as much as I do, try the chocolate ganache cake. It's very heavy and can be a bit overwhelming if you aren't prepared, but a bite of this can cheer up anyone.
Would I recommend Cooper's Tavern? It may be just a little bit over-priced but the food and great service definitely make up for it. If anything, it's worth checking out for its happy hour.
Cooper's Tavern
481 8th Avenue,
New York, NY 10001
(212) 268-8460
