Our beloved Park Avalon has been gone for quite some time now. I’m so sad =((. Everything about the restaurant was perfect! This was the place of my first date with my hubby… a chilly October night in 2001. The bar was surrounded by festive jack-o-lanterns and hurricane candles. Our last visit was September 2004 (the year I began my graduate studies). This entry is my small attempt to immortalize Park Avalon…
Park Avalon
225 Park Avenue South (between 19th and 20th Streets)
New York City, NY 10003
“Housed in a cavernous, candlelit loft space, Park Avalon appeals primarily to couples on dates. And if you are single, there is a decent chance you will find someone to talk to at the bustling bar in front. The eclectic Mediterranean menu offers something for everyone, including gourmet pizzas ($7-$10) and herb-roasted chicken ($12.50). The handsome staff is made up of part-time actors and models, and as a result service can be unpredictable (but always entertaining). The Sunday jazz brunch always draws a crowd”- author unknown.
“Just north of buzzing Union Square, Park Avalon draws a varied crowd: distinguished businessmen out with clients rub tables with couples, gossiping girlfriends, and even the occasional tourist. The stylish bar is crowded with patrons waiting for tables and those just observing the scene in the dining room. The multi-tiered space boasts high ceilings, mirrored walls, and tiled columns, with hurricane candles scattered throughout and booths in back. We recommend the pan roasted Chilean sea bass or cappellini with lobster, shrimp and scallops. Waiters, decked out in all black, tend to let diners bide their time. When dessert time does come around, go for the fondue, served with a warm chocolate dipping sauce.”- Kate Appleton
“A grand atmosphere makes you feel like you`re paying much more for the food than you really are. It`s lofty and happening, always crowded, especially around an attractive bar, surrounded by equally attractive people. The service is good and the prices surprisingly reasonable, so try it for fun for brunch or anytime. Try the crab cakes, herb-marinated Atlantic salmon or homemade pizzas. Or how about lowfat chocolate decadence cake? Oh, and the bread basket is wonderful. Park Avalon is a restaurant that dishes up Mediterranean, American and Italian cuisines. Expect the average entrée to cost in the range of $12 to $20, and you`ll be appropriate if dressed up — on the nicer side.
Atmosphere: Table talk requires you to speak up a bit here.
More Reasons to Go: The live jazz is a great part of your dining experience at this restaurant on the weekend. Park Avalon is great for groups.
Eating & Drinking: Open for lunch and dinner. There`s a Sunday brunch.
Details to Note: Reservations are suggested. Entrances and walkways are wheelchair friendly. The place stays open late.
Ways to Pay: Cash, MasterCard, Visa and American Express”
Dinner Menu
Dinner Entrees Average: $12 to $20
Some entrees may cost more or less than the stated average.
Restaurant menus are subject to periodic revision.
Pasta Dishes
Penne with Tomato Basil
Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli with Tomato Basil
Hay and Straw with Tomato Basil
Cappellini with Tomato Basil
Seafood
Peppered Tuna Steak
Maryland Crab Cakes
Porcini Dusted Swordfish
Lemon Glazed Chilean Sea Bass
Blackened Mahi Mahi
Grilled Herb Crusted Atlantic Salmon
Pizza
Margherita Pizza
BLT Pizza
Market Pizza
Steaks
Grilled Filet Mignon
N.Y. Sirloin Steak Au Poivre
Grilled N.Y. 14 oz. Sirloin Steak
Poultry Dishes
Chicken Paillard
Roasted Free Range Chicken
I was so happy to find your post. I was reminiscing about Park Avalon and my happy life in the late 90s. My then, handsome businessman boyfriend and I used to go there for drinks and dinners after work and sometimes on lazy Sunday afternoons. He became my husband a few years later, but our joy was short lived because he passed away. Like Park Avalon, he is gone forever and only the memories remain. Thanks for opening a window and letting me catch a glimpse of my other, previously exciting life.
Hi Audra:
Thanks so much for commenting. I’m so sorry for the loss of your husband. Park Avalon will forever be one of our favorites and sweetest memories.
Kind Regards,
NYCupcake
I spent a lot of time in 2000-2001 in the Park Avalon. It, and The Lemon across the street, were favourites of me and my then partner. I remember the coat check area, after which you had to go through the velvet curtain to get into the restaurant proper. I remember the table for two shoved so close to the adjacent tables that everyone shared everyone else’s conversation. I remember excellent food for genuinely affordable prices.
Happy memories.
A couple of years ago I went back to the new restaurant now in 225 Park, and, although it’s changed a lot, I could still feel echoes of the old Avalon. What a place. More than 20 years later, I still miss it.
Just like Audra above in her comment,
I too was reminiscing about the late 90’s. It was a very different topic though. I worked as a waiter there and I was trying to recall one of the owners’ last name. The topic arose while chatting with my old East Village roommate. She now resides in Philadelphia and works for Deutsche Bank. But back then we were just finding our way. I was working as a waiter there and my roommate Jen insisted on she and her friends arriving at Park Avalon to celebrate her birthday, and hopefully she’d be able to sit in my section. Unfortunately that couldn’t happen because of the size of their table, she wound up, arriving with 10 other ladies. So a large table was made for them center room, just a foot from my section, which was on the elevated tiers right of the bar. I was an excellent waiter. I did very well, I always banked there. I was a “people person“. Nevertheless, the gals sat, ordered a couple bottles of champagne, appetizers and entrees. They appeared to be having a great time. Jen was gesturing for me to come over and say hello, I acknowledged her by nodding my head. I was punching orders into the computer at the time. When I was finished, the ladies were about to make a toast for Jen’s birthday. So I shuffled over, gave Jen a peck on the cheek and thanked everyone for coming in. No sooner had I finished my words than a hand grabbed my shoulder forcefully pulling me to the side. It was that cocaine fiend partner with powder still stuck to the rim of his right nostril. His large forehead, due to his receding hairline was beaded with sweat. He pulled me back only a few feet and still within ear shot of Jen. Then he leaned into me and said “you’re here to work, not f*cken talk, so get back to work”. This behavior was on brand for him, but I wasn’t having it. At that moment I raised my voice and said “who the f*ck do you think you’re talking to you coke head halfwit.” Simultaneously pulling the check presenter from the front of my apron to pull out all my MICRO system dinner checks. Checks from all my past and current patrons that night. His jaw dropped and his eyes widened as he realized his mistake. I tore up all those checks in front of his face, in the center of the dining room while the room went silent with the exception of the ambient background music. I untied my apron and tossed everything up in the air yelling “go F*ck yourself”. Just as he began to process that, Jen shot up out of her chair berating him, explaining why she was there, and how now that he’s insulted me, they’d be leaving. All 11 gals slugged back their champagnes and collected their coats and bags. As we began walking towards the door, I noticed the 3 food runners arriving with the ladies appetizers. We departed to a round of applause and staff picking up my apron, wine opener, and what was left of my checks. Given those checks were so critical to closing a table, there’s no doubt some people’s meals were comped, that’s if they didn’t just walk out because of the delay destroyed checks would cause on their old system. That was my short colorful experience at Park Avalon.
Hi Ian:
Thanks for sharing your memories of Park Avalon. So sorry for the delay in responding. I haven’t been to the city in a long time but would love to dine at the restaurant that’s currently there :).
Regards,
NYCupcake
Hi William:
I apologize for my late reply. I’m sorry you were treated so disrespectfully by your previous employer. He should have handled it in a professional manner. I hope you have moved onto better things since that incident.
Regards,
NYCupcake