Sardi's Restaurant in New York City is an iconic establishment, known worldwide not just for its culinary excellence, but also for its historic ties to the theater district. Situated in the heart of the Times Square chatter, Sardi's has been a vibrant witness to decades of Broadway's glitz and glamour. Why should people want to go? The answer is simple: to experience fine dining situated within an affluence of theater history.
Established in 1927 by Vincent Sardi Sr., the restaurant quickly gained immense popularity among the theater fraternity. Occupying 234 West 44th Street, the venue became a backstage, where Broadway stars, producers, and enthusiasts alike would rendezvous post-performance. Sardi's is not just a restaurant occupying 5,000 square feet and two stories; it is much more than that. It holds the DNA of Broadway culture, where walls adorned with autographed caricatures of celebrities add to its distinct ambiance.
One of the unique features of Sardi's is undoubtedly its "Wall of Fame," showcasing more than a thousand named caricatures of famous personalities from the theater world. These vibrant sketches, started by Russian artist Alex Gard in 1927, have since become the soul of Sardi's walls. On the culinary side, the restaurant's 'Cannelloni au Gratin' is legendary, as are the crab cakes and the specialty Steak Tartare named after original owner Vincent Sardi.
Another significant highlight is the annual tradition known as the "Tony Award’s Dress Rehearsal Breakfast." Every year on the morning of the Tony Awards, nominated actors join their theater crew at Sardi's to read Tony Award's rehearsal cue cards over breakfast. It’s an event of jubilant anticipation that puts Sardi's in the spotlight every year.
In summary, Sardi's Restaurant is not just a place to enjoy a delectable meal, it’s a ticket to a Broadway time capsule. You get an ambrosial menu nurtured over decades of culinary expertise, and you also soak in the theater history etched into its very walls. The reason to visit Sardi's is simple: It’s a Broadway institution that serves remarkable cuisine, where the ambiance is charismatic show-business history in its most tangible form.
