The rise of Gotham Bar and Grill to its towering position at the top fine dining food chain is mimicked by its star chef, Alfred Portale. Just months after opening in 1984, Chef Portale found his way to the kitchen where he would summarily begin creating some of Big Apple's most coveted delectations. Within a year of his arrival he went from being an almost unknown chef to a celebrated maestro of the palate, garnering a three-start review from the New York Times almost before he’d settled in. His vertical food is legendary and has earned him an enduring reputation as a gastronomic architect with a luscious, lofty vision. Part of his success lies in the astounding presentation of his signature dishes, like the visually intriguing Seafood Salad which boasts a miasma of layered flavors.

Unlike many of the New York Restaurant celebrity chefs who have taken their name from one establishment to another, Chef Portale has remained loyal to his eatery of choice, content to delight both regulars and new diners with his inspired concoctions. Gotham Bar and Grill's unfailing dedication to the finest cuisine is mirrored by its many prestigious awards. From the James Beard Foundation's Outstanding Chef Award in 2006 to a Michelin star in 2008, this iconic New York Restaurant shows no sign of resting on its laurels.

Located in Greenwich Village, Gotham Bar and Grill is somewhat distinct among New York Restaurants of the fine dining scene. This is partly down to the curiously appealing atmosphere. Never less than elegant and inviting, the dining room manages the rare task of being both lively and intimate. A quality which is nurtured by the team of superb waiters who really know their stuff.

More than knowing every detail of the food and wine, there seems to be among all the staff a genuine enthusiasm and pride for the food itself. This might be why the Gotham Bar and Grill isn't one of those precious places where you have to affect a pose to feel you've earned your seat, rather it is the kind of place where you can happily eat a modest meal on the way to a movie on a Monday, then return on Tuesday in high-fashion to enjoy a vast, sumptuous three-course affair.

There is something warming and pleasing about any place which makes you feel at home, impresses you with culinary wonders and then rewards your trust by doing it time and again for many years. It is a sadly rare quality among many New York Restaurants. However well received they may first be, few manage to keep it going for any great length of time. To retain the highest praise from the both the culinary gentry and neighborhood regulars for nearly a quarter of a century is no mean feat. More than maintaining a standard, the Gotham Bar and Grill keeps evolving, sourcing the finest produce and ingredients, then composing them in ways which never fail to delight and nourish diners.