When I first walked into Sister Jane East Side Tavern, I was charmed by Josh Labadie, the head chef at the restaurant. His big smile and warm personality were representative of what the restaurant hopes to achieve: a tavern that supports the local community and welcomes all. Owner Michael Stewart wanted to create a restaurant that was “a part of the neighborhood, but also stood out.”
Michael has loved food since he was a child. He learned to cook from his mother, but it was his father who helped inspire him to open his own restaurant. He gained experience in the industry by working in both New York and Los Angeles and opened his first venture began with his place on Jane Street in 1995. This 5th Street tavern pays tribute to his other restaurant by offering some of the same items on the menu, thereby providing customers with a similar experience.
The tavern serves a variety of fresh American food, from burgers to salmon to their award-winning wings. Michael told me that every item on their menu uses elements that are made in house, including the dressings and sauces. A primary objective for Sister Jane's is to remain affordable, providing “a place for locals to call home.”
The tavern was designed to look similar to the Jane Street eatery. Sister Jane is located in a building originally erected in 1825, which features exposed brick. The restaurant’s communal tables and lively bar help bring the tavern’s patrons together and supports the community that Michael is trying to build. Michael also supports local artists by hanging their work on the walls. When I stopped in, colorful pieces by Ellen Bradshaw depicted street scenes from across New York.
