By Anthony Panzella
Success comes in all forms. From creating and leading a profitable company to selling artwork in a gallery, many individuals seek fame and recognition for the special talents they posses. But there is one guy, not a native New Yorker but one who has embraced our spirit, whose drive and motivation are legendary and whose talents are many. This man, Ted Turner, the media entrepreneur and environmentalist is also the acclaimed owner and founder of Ted’s Montana Grill. A classic American Grill featuring fresh, made-from-scratch comfort food within an authentic turn-of-the-century Montana grill atmosphere has become a mainstay of the New York business elite while still being family-friendly.
From the moment we walked in to the last bite of dessert we were impressed with the quality of service, clubby and warm atmosphere and overall presentation that was put forth. What impressed us most was the menu. Under the direction of Corporate Chef, Chris Raucci, Ted’s Montana Grill features certified Angus beef, National Bison Association-certified bison, chicken and seafood.
Conveniently located near Radio City Music Hall and other prominent midtown destinations like the Museum of Modern Art, the restaurant has an extensive list of menu options and the ones that my family and I tasted were all loved.
A standout among the starters was the bison nachos. Served with pepper jack cheese, bison chili and fresh herbs it had a slight kick from the cheese and was tender and succulent from the ultra-lean bison. My kids loved it so much they begged me to order a second helping. We also enjoyed the salt-n-pepper onion rings whose crispiness from the breading was appreciated and whose tender flesh of the onion was devoured.
For the entrees, I ordered the bison meatloaf. The meat itself was tender, moist and pleasantly aromatic; while the gravy was rich without being decadent and light without being unsubstantial. The mashed potatoes and squash casserole were perfect accompaniments. My children ate a time-honored American favorite – streak. Served to their temperature liking and with fresh-cut fries – they cleaned their plates with little trouble.
Drinks and dessert should also be praised. My wife, loved the their innovative cocktail choices including a killer buffalo margarita served with Bombay Sapphire gin, Cointreau and freshly squeezed sour mix. While the dessert, including a Kahlua Fudge Brownie with vanilla ice cream and finished with a warm chocolate Kahlua sauce were inhaled.
With over forty establishments around the country Ted’s Montana Grill has obviously become popular with diners. It is good fortune then that they have opened up shop in New York. Perfect for business meetings or for the family, the restaurant has bountiful options that please. Stop in and by the time you leave you may feel like a cowboy yourself!
