🚕 Deep Dive: The Odeon

Good morning NY!

The Odeon has been a cornerstone of NYC dining since the 1980s, effortlessly blending the city’s industrious vibe with a cozy brasserie feel.

Beloved by everyone from early-morning coffee enthusiasts to late-night partiers, this location captures the spirit of downtown life.

From its iconic French onion soup to the charming ambiance that still echoes the energy of a bygone era, The Odeon is more than just a restaurant.

Today, we dive into their fascinating history and explore what makes this spot a must-visit for anyone wanting to experience true New York City dining.

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Early Days

Picture this: It’s 1979, and three friends—Lynn Wagenknecht, Keith McNally, and Brian McNally—are lounging in Paris, probably sipping wine and snacking on some pretty damn good baguettes.

They’re all seasoned hospitality pros who had previously teamed up at an infamous place called One Fifth in Greenwich Village where they rubbed shoulders with some celebs like John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.

Inspired by the charm of Parisian dining spots, they plotted the birth of The Odeon—a little eatery that would transform the then-sleepy Tribeca into a buzzing hub.

They did this in a building that’s been around since 1869, taking over the former Towers Cafeteria's digs.

And on October 14, 1980, The Odeon flung open its doors to a crowd eager for good food and a pretty sweet vibe—complete with terrazzo floors and wood paneling.

Rise to Fame

From the get-go, The Odeon was a hit, which we guess is more than just good luck; it was a carefully curated, with great food, and a sprinkling of celebrity magic.

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, and Robert De Niro could often be spotted there, probably discussing the next big thing in the art world while chowing down on their famous steak frites.

The Odeon was especially famous for their cocktails, and they are even credited with giving birth to the Cosmopolitan cocktail. Yep, that pretty pink drink you order at brunch can trace its roots back to this Tribeca haven.

The food scene would go on to have some tough times but The Odeon stayed true: it adapted, reopened, and kept the vibe alive throughout the decades.

What Makes It Famous

The real appeal to the Odeon is its blend of classic French bistro vibes with some inventive dishes.

The menu reads like a love letter to comfort food—steak frites are basically mandatory, but you also can’t go wrong with the salmon in puff pastry or their avant-garde goat cheese salad.

And let's not forget its influences beyond just food. The Odeon was immortalized in Jay McInerney’s novel Bright Lights, Big City (which, features the restaurant’s exterior on the cover).

It even popped up in the opening credits of Saturday Night Live.

Our Thoughts

All in all, The Odeon is not just a restaurant; it's an NYC institution. It wears its history like a badge of honor, going strong through crises, from 9/11 to Hurricane Sandy and even the pandemic.

When you eat there, you're genuinely stepping into a living piece of NYC history.

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