Tavern on the Green reopens in Central Park

Some saw a new beginning while others begged to differ on the new face of Central Park's Tavern on the Green, which officially reopened Friday with a new visitors center featuring food from vendor trucks and nature tours of the park.

It's a dramatic change for the 1934 landmark restaurant that once offered patrons fine dining amid Tiffany lamps and chandeliers inside the Crystal Room.

Today's visitors eat food from vendor trucks that serve a range of cuisines from soups and stews to Chinese dumplings and Turkish tacos in a courtyard with patio furniture that overlooks a green meadow.

Roberta Ballin of East Rockaway saw a rebirth. "It was time for a change . . . It was going down hill and it was being neglected," she said as she attended the opening.

Ballin said she remembers when Tavern on the Green was a must-stop destination for friends and family from out of town and treasures the memories of the family dinners at the famous eatery. "But I think it's fabulous today," Ballin said as she was ready to nosh on the farm fresh food served by the vendor truck "Ladle of Love," which is owned by Ballin's future in-laws.

Leslie Lampert, a White Plains resident who owns "Ladle of Love" had her bridal shower at the Tavern 30 years ago. "It's come full circle now from the Crystal Room thirty years ago to now - a place that is open to the public for everyone - and I have the privilege to be serving food here," she said.

"The Tavern on the Green is still alive," said Lampert, who owns "Café of Love" in Mount Kisco. "From the glitz and glamour - this is an evolution of food and how we eat today."

But for Chicago visitors Babette Nyka and her sister Tess Nyka, it was a disappointment.

"We're really surprised. I have to admit I'm very disappointed," said Babette Nyka, who dined at the restaurant last year.

"This was an iconic restaurant. We came today to celebrate my sister's birthday," she said, looking disappointed as she scanned the food trucks in the courtyard. "It was a nice restaurant. A real New York tourist attraction."

The high stone wall and high shrubs that hid the restaurant from passersby was demolished.

Adrian Benepe, New York City parks commissioner, said "We've opened up this place so that all of Central Park visitors can experience this building."

Inside the former restaurant is a gift shop and the visitors center. The restaurant on Central Park West went bankrupt and closed its doors Dec. 31.