Lunch near Central Park South
Hi,
I'm bringing someone to the city who has never been out of the midwest before, so I'm looking for a really good lunch spot, something that's affordable (student budget!), tasty, and has a nice location (preferably near Central Park South on the West side).
Thanks!
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May I respectfully disagree? Though Burger Joint and Bouchon offer good eats, I wouldn't necessarily recommend for a first time visitor (really, burgers or food in a mall -- this isn't the pinnacle of NYC).
What about eating IN the park? The Boathouse Cafe in the summer is an unbeatable lunch locale. Uncrowded on weekdays, overlooking the man-made lake dotted with paddleboats, it's a tranquil oasis from the bustle of the city. Ok, the food is mediocre and overpriced, but if you stick to simple food like salads it's a wonderful way of introducing a newcomer to the beauty in New York.
If you want to go more foodie, you might consider Jean-Georges for the $28 lunch prix fixe for two courses, $12 for each additional course. A bit fancy but certainly doable on a budget, well worth paying slightly more for the wow factor. Adjoining more casual cafe Nougatine might be even more attractive with a nice patio and an even less expensive lunch prix fixe. Right on the southwest corner of the park.
Lastly, if you are on a really tight budget, you can get takeout food from previously mentioned Bouchon or NY foodie haunts Fairway, Zabar's, Barney Greengrass, etc and make a picnic in the Park. Can't beat the view.
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re: Pupster
zGustibus
Jul 5, 2006 03:56 PM
If you call Bouchon Bakery "food in a mall" then you would have to consider Per Se & Masa "food in a mall" as well.
Based on what the poster said
"something that's affordable (student budget!), tasty, and has a nice location (preferably near Central Park South on the West side).
I think you could do a lot worse then taking sandwiches from Bouchon Bakery and eating in the Park. What could be more NY then that? I would hardly call a $28 prix fix, "lunch on a student's budget". After tax and tip it would end up being almost $40 pp.
Based on your suggestions, your critism is laughable and unnecessary. Bouchon and Burger Joint are good suggestions based on the request. If they don't want Burgers, they obviously wouldn't go.
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re: zGustibus
Difference of opinion. For the record, the eating area for Bouchon is "in a mall" under a giant Samsung sign in the public area, so I wouldn't say that PerSe and Masa dining rooms are the same thing. (And which is why I rec'd takeout and eating in the park.)
Thanks for your *mature* response. Try not to take a differing opinion so personally.
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zGustibus
Jul 5, 2006 02:03 PM
I feel like a broken record sometimes... but I would recommend either
a) Burger Joint at Le Parker Meridien - A good burger and fries in this little hidden place in the lobby of a very fancy hotel.
b) Bouchon Bakery - Thomas Keller's (of Per Se & French Laundry) soup, sandwich and salad place on the third floor of the Time Warner Center (in Colubmus Circle). Sandwiches will run you $7 to $10 if you take them to go and eat them in Central Park.
eGustibus Food Blog: http://www.egustibus.com
Midtown Lunch Blog: http://www.midtownlunch.com
