Wainwright's Tavern
Duck & Kirsch
September 8, 2026
"Wainwright's Tavern took over the old Seamore's space at 1278 Third Avenue, and its owner, Jay Wainwright, was part of that ownership group before striking out on his own with a roast chicken and cheeseburger menu built around red leather booths and vintage New York photos."
Parade
September 7, 2026
"Wainwright's Tavern is the sort of neighborhood gem you want to return to week after week... their herb-roasted chicken, served over a pool of creamy mashed potatoes with charred broccoli rabe, is a non-negotiable."
Kunal NYC
September 3, 2026
"Wainwright's Tavern opened in April in the space Seamore's vacated in 2025, run by Jay Wainwright, who was part of Seamore's original ownership group... Wainwright did it first this spring."
Forbes
July 28, 2026
"This is a delightful and welcome new neighborhood hang. The fare is traditional and scrumptious... the perfectly prepared steak au poivre, with fries, of course... Leave room for either the sticky toffee pudding or the plate of profiteroles—or both."
The New York Times
July 23, 2026
"Open up a house account at a Manhattan tavern... one of the perks for would-be regulars, besides reliable renditions of shrimp cocktail and an herb-roasted half chicken, was the ability to open a house account."
Kayleigh Ruller
July 20, 2026 · Instagram · @kayleighruller
"If you ain't talking SBDM (steak, burger, dirty martini), I don't wanna talk!!"
The New York Times
July 16, 2026 · Emily Wilson, T Magazine
"When Jay Wainwright opened Wainwright's Tavern on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in April, one of the perks for would-be regulars... was the ability to open a house account. 'It makes it feel that much more like a neighborhood place,' Wainwright says."
The New York Times
July 15, 2026
"At Wainwright's Tavern, which opened on Manhattan's Upper East Side in April, house account holders never have to ask for the check."
DiningOut
June 30, 2026 · David Farley
"Wainwright's Tavern has begun serving weekend brunch. Stop in on Saturday or Sunday to tuck into Pineapple and Coconut Pancakes, Crab Cake Benedict, or the Wainwright's Burger. While you're masticating on that, sip a Hugo Spritz or a Bloody Mary."
Quintessentially
June 18, 2026 · Devorah Lev-Tov
"Best for a cosy night at the neighbourhood tavern. In addition to having East Coast oysters on the half shell with a scallion mignonette, it also offers a unique spin on Oysters Rockefeller... Add the Waldorf salad and tavern burger to round out your meal – and don't forget an ice-cold martini."
Eater
May 6, 2026 · Beth Landman
"Wainwright's salad ($24) has a base of radicchio, endive, watercress, and romaine hearts... apple chunks and candied walnuts give sweetness; and blue cheese adds a sharp tang. I followed it with seared salmon on a bed of English spring peas, asparagus, and meaty trumpet mushrooms in a mussel velouté. It was a perfect spring meal."
The New York Times
April 21, 2026
"Wainwright's Tavern brings comforts and house accounts to Third Avenue."
East Side Feed
April 28, 2026 · Mike Mishkin
"Wainwright's Tavern is now open at 1278 Third Avenue... Jay Wainwright, the new restaurant's owner (and a former Seamore's co-owner), 'has turned it into a comfortable neighborhood hangout,' according to the New York Times."
The Infatuation
April 16, 2026 · Bryan Kim, Editorial Lead, NYC
"The place takes inspiration from both Minetta and Gramercy Tavern (specifically the bar room), offering American classics including shrimp cocktail, a Waldorf salad, baby back ribs, and, of course, a burger."
Eater
April 15, 2026 · Tierney Plumb, Bettina Makalintal, and Nadia Chaudhury
"Throwback hangout Wainwright's Tavern opened on Friday, April 10, with a classic American menu full of oysters, pastas, salads, cucumber martinis, and a burger that's already drawing comparisons to Minetta Tavern... 'I hope it becomes a neighborhood watering hole,' writes its namesake owner Jay Wainwright."
Upper East Site
First Look
"Wainwright's Tavern gears up to bring a taste of old New York to Lenox Hill, as Seamore's co-owner returns to his Upper East Side space with a glamorous and nostalgic new restaurant."