626000 Sun Jun 07 21:18:27 -0700 2009 14 18 Manhattan 0 4751739 Yes - yet another variation on the brunch post. I need your recs on an after wedding Sunday brunch/lunch spot for 12 people -- primary requirement is an elegant, calm, fairly quiet atmosphere ... possibly even a semi-private room (like that room in Freemans). Think "hotel restaurant" except with better food. Open to all areas - but would be good if Midtown or below. Also it would be great if it had a view or was in a back garden... but I'll take what I can get! The closest recs I have seen are on this thread - http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/530495 Thanks! Sun Jun 07 21:18:27 -0700 2009 1081447 quintessa 1 4751790 Hmmm elegant and outside and quiet are usually things I don't associate with brunch in Manhattan :) and a party of 12 might be difficult. These aren't outside but I think your best bet would be to try to get the upstairs lounge at Stanton Social, the sherry cellar at Dovetail, the private room at Telepan, or the kitchen table at Park Avenue Summer (although I think 12 is over their capacity). You could also try the sidewalk cafe area at Bar Boulud on the UWS. There's also private rooms at Jane/The Smith or 'inoteca, or snagging a private alcove at Blue Ribbon Bakery, although those are a bit more rustic than the others I listed. Other "upscale" brunch spots: Compass, David Burke & Donatella, Ouest, Perry St., Cafe Boulud, BLT Market (not sure how many of these can even seat 12 together though!) Sun Jun 07 21:52:37 -0700 2009 4751739 10936 kathryn 1 4751916 Not midtown, but I still love the Boathouse Cafe in the Park. Sun Jun 07 23:47:42 -0700 2009 4751739 61047 jwg 2 4752096 I tried to do something there last summer, and the Boathouse told me that they do not take reservations for weekend brunch. Mon Jun 08 05:14:24 -0700 2009 4751916 10936 kathryn 1 4752258 Though I've never dined there for brunch (only lunch), perhaps you should try Asiate at the Mandarin Oriental. Also lovely: BG at Bergdorf Goodman www.thelunchbelle.com Mon Jun 08 06:22:31 -0700 2009 4751739 110996 LeahBaila 1 4752485 The Palace Gate recently opened. Located in the Villard House courtyard at the Palace Hotel, on Madison & 50th, it's the more casual venue (though I'm sure it will be elegant) of the hotel's restaurant, Gilt. You could call to see if they are serving Sunday brunch. Tel.: 212-891-8100 Two restaurants with views of Central Park: The Park Room, in the Helmsley Park Lane - http://www.helmsleyparklane.com/restaurant-central-park-hotels.asp South Gate, in the Essex House - http://www.jumeirah.com/en/Hotels-and-Resorts/Destinations/New-York/Jumeirah-Essex-House/Restaurants--Nightlife/South-Gate/ Though I've not been to either, I've heard good things about the Park Room. As for South Gate, for many years, the executive chef, Kerry Heffernan, headed the kitchen at Eleven Madison Park. We ate many brunches there during his tenure, and his cuisine is excellent. Mon Jun 08 07:26:43 -0700 2009 4751739 13867 RGR 2 4753100 RE: SouthGate. I haven't seen a single postive review on it. I believe, though am not certain, that Chef Heffernan lent his name but not much else to the place. Mon Jun 08 10:20:17 -0700 2009 4752485 24925 chow_gal 3 4753233 A search of this board brings up not one review of South Gate. Afaik, none of the major reviewers have reviewed it. I just took a quick look at yelp, and the reviews there are mixed, ranging from raves to not so good. In any case, Chef Heffernan is actually cooking there. Mon Jun 08 10:55:30 -0700 2009 4753100 13867 RGR 4 4753494 I should've written HEARD, if we are being semantical. But then again, here are 3 bad ones that I did actually SEE. Google is your friend. http://nymag.com/restaurants/reviews/47008/ Daily News http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/food/2008/03/11/2008-03-11_south_gate_has_lotta_rooms__for_improvem.html Timeout http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/restaurants-bars/28361/south-gate Mon Jun 08 12:13:10 -0700 2009 4753233 24925 chow_gal 3 4755780 I've seen Kerry Heffernan in his office there numerous times.. He had another project that may have been only in name. Tue Jun 09 06:34:09 -0700 2009 4753100 117271 Stuffed Monkey 3 4762627 He's fabulous, so I'd go anywhere he's cooking! Thu Jun 11 06:23:02 -0700 2009 4753100 61047 jwg 1 4752816 Remi in the atrium Garden http://www.remi-ny.com/index2.htm Mon Jun 08 09:08:04 -0700 2009 4751739 271400 notsochubbychubette 1 4753074 Gascogne on 8th Ave @ 18th Street has a lovely back garden and excellent food. They serve brunch/lunch on Sunday and it's a very romantic spot. Mon Jun 08 10:13:58 -0700 2009 4751739 52499 ChefJune 2 4753124 I would not describe Gascogne as "elegant," though the garden is very charming. Mon Jun 08 10:28:20 -0700 2009 4753074 13867 RGR 1 4753338 Why not grab a cute (provided) little shuttle boat over to the River Cafe on the Brooklyn side of the East River? Otherwise, there's the Water Club on the Manhattan side of the river at 30th St. Both do brunch. My preference is for the River Cafe. Mon Jun 08 11:25:11 -0700 2009 4751739 26845 Jane A.