Yesterday Cobi Levy admitted to the Times that he and his staff were “terrible to people” at the Charles. You can expect a more welcoming environment at the Windsor, the sports bar that replaced the Waverly wannabe last night. Actually, you can call the Windsor (not to be confused with Double Windsor) a hangout for those who’ve outgrown Dorrian’s, are too young for the 21 Club, and too “downtown” for P.J. Clarke’s, but whatever you do, don’t call it a sports bar. Don’t be fooled by the flat-screen TVs that may or may not be blaring a basketball game; there’s talk of the screens being covered with artwork when it’s not prime game time. The space has been entirely outfitted by Ralph Lauren, from the pinstripe-suit material lining the walls, to the burgundy leather booths, to the detailing in the ceiling (constructed by the same expert who designed the store’s uptown mansion).
Photo: Courtesy of The Windsor
The only thing that remains from the Charles is its former chef, Kristine Mana-ay, who’s constructed a menu of upscale comfort food, including a skirt-steak sandwich with watercress and onion marmalade, Guinness-battered cod fish, and a girlfriend-friendly organic turkey burger. Her fondness for truffle oil hasn’t been left behind (it’s both in an aïoli on the burger and slipped into a brioche grilled cheese) and in the near future, she'll be making fluffy ricotta pancakes for brunch. Check out the menu as well as the drinks list below.
Windsor Main Menu [PDF]
Windsor Drink Menu [PDF]
The Windsor, 234 W. 4th St., nr. W. 10th St.; 212-206-1208
