A restaurant in a store… not a bad idea. Fred’s at Barney’s and David Burke at Bloomingdale’s master this concept, so why not put a restaurant in Tommy Bahama? Not only has Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar become a staple midtown dining destination, but they have one of the most extensive cocktail lists I’ve seen in ages, making this restaurant a go-to spot for post-work drinks. I have heard people rave about Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar for years now, and after going there this week, I understand why. The food is amazing! Yes, I admit it… I’m shocked, too.
The menu at Tommy Bahama is very tropical and resembles some of my favorite beachside restaurant menus. Tuna tacos, coconut crusted shrimp, tropical salads, and pan seared fish filets fill the menu and make ordering just one item VERY difficult. My favorite (and in my opinion the most important) section of the menu is the section titled “Gluten Sensitive.” Yes this menu is tiny and makes the overall menu shrink drastically, but it includes several of my favorites! The blackened fish tacos (wrapped in lettuce), a grilled salmon and steak salad, lump crab & avocado, and Caribbean rubbed mahi mahi with quinoa all make the menu. I went with the mahi mahi on quinoa and it was delicious! To start, my table ordered several apps. The coconut crusted shrimp are absolutely mind-blowing. You will notice these shrimp are NOT on the gluten sensitive menu, and that is because they are fried in the same fryer as the onion rings, coated calamari, and more. This is the case for the french fries and sweet potato fries, too… but if you CAN handle the cross contamination, these are all must haves! Furthermore, if you see something you like on the regular menu but it is not on the GF menu, don’t worry! Many of these dishes can be prepared gluten free. For example, if you are craving a burger or any of the sandwiches, you can still order it, just ask for it nobread to make it gluten free!
Fun atmosphere, quality food, great drinks, and the ability to bring a little bit of the beach scene to Midtown; Tommy Bahama is a great spot to bring a client or a friend for lunch or drinks. FYI, they have a vegetarian menu, too, making Tommy Bahama nobread AND dietary restriction friendly!