Recently, we stopped by Tavern on the Green.

We frequent the outdoor bar area where a full dinner menu is offered.

It was a lovely, lively evening. Sadly for us, the outdoor bar area was packed.

Hunger took control and we opted to sit inside at the bar.

There are few places in New York where you can sip a cocktail, eat a good meal and casually watch the entire United Nations of tourists stream by in a blend of linen pants, Yankee hats, Chanel scarves, inappropriate cargo pants or shorts depending on the season and hiking boots.

The bar at Tavern on the Green is that place. It’s a mix of a bougie upper west side crowd and an international arrivals terminal all wrapped into a historic Central Park icon with really good adult beverages and even better fries.

Originally designed by Calvert Vaux, Tavern on the Green was built as a sheep fold in the 1880’s to house the 200 Southdown sheep that grazed in Central Park’s Sheep Meadow. Robert Moses transformed the building in to a restaurant in 1934, as part of his park renovation.

Let’s start with the drinks which are properly poured, beautifully presented and deceptively strong like your best friend’s second husband.

I ordered an Aperol Spritz that arrived chilled and not sweet with a hearty slice of orange ($18).

The food is elevated comfort. Tavern isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. They are just giving it a touch of truffle oil and making sure it’s served hot.

I had the Tavern Burger which comes with aged cheddar and an air of old-money confidence ($32).

The enormous Lobster Mac & Cheese was creamy and delicious with a nice portion of lobster meat mixed in ($28).

The Chopped Vegetable Salad comprised of Haricots Verts, Radish, Jicama, Asparagus, Butternut Squash, Lemon Zest, Tomato, Corn, Fingerling Potato, Avocado, Carrot, Bermuda Onion, with Tangy Caper dressing was, despite the array of ingredients, a bit dull, but ample ($24).

The true entertainment was the passing parade.

To your left, a couple in matching fleece jackets from Michigan, marveling that you can drink outside in NYC. To your right, a painfully chic woman in sunglasses the size of dinner plates, dissecting her ex-husband’s flaws while delicately sipping her spritz.

Behind us, a group of Irish tourists loudly debating the U. S. Government while simultaneously devouring three plates of calamari.

It’s part bar, part stage, part sociological field study.

The bartender was warm, witty, and entirely unfazed by the chaos unfolding around her.

If you are interested in a front-row seat to the sometimes glamorous, unpredictable, hilarious swirl of humanity that is New York and you want it served with elevated food and a proper cocktail then grab a seat at the bar at Tavern on the Green.

Tavern on the Green 67th Street and Central Park West. Open Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday 11am-11pm, Saturday 9am-11pm, Sunday 9am-10pm. Reservations on OpenTable.com.