Thank you lunch: Tocqueville or... ?

[ggom1]

I'll be visiting some friends who live near Columbia next weekend and would like to take them for a thank you lunch. I noticed that Tocqueville's lunch prix fixe is available on Saturdays and have booked a table for the three of us but was thinking that it may be nice to dine on a patio and it doesn't seem as if Tocqueville has one? So I was wondering if people could suggest a few other options which have a patio (either lunch or brunch menus are fine). I thought about JG Terrace but am not sure what else might be suitable.

Location doesn't matter too much - we'll probably be walking around LES or Brooklyn later that afternoon, but don't have set plans. I'd like to keep the costs at around $30 per person - so, around $100 - $120 for the three of us after tax / tip / drinks (we're not big drinkers). Tocqueville is basically the upper end of what I'm hoping to spend. We're all adventurous eaters but will be going for ramen that same evening, so I'd prefer non-Asian for lunch.

[meatme]

It's hard to beat the Tocqueville prix-fixe, especially this time of year with the Greenmarket it full bloom.

[D...DF]

There are a few pleasant tables outside of Five Points, which is on Great Jones Street, a quiet street in Noho. Brunch there is excellent. I'm not sure whether you can reserve the outside tables specifically, but they do take reservations for brunch.

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Five Points
31 Great Jones St, New York, NY 10012

[RGR]

Tocqueville's 3-course lunch prix fixe is, imo, a giant steal for cuisine of such high caliber. There is no outdoor dining; however, the understated elegant interior is one of the most beautiful in the city.

Tocqueville photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157622307667453/

Gascogne, the petite French bistro on 8th Av., b/t 17th & 18th Sts., has a truly charming back gardens and very good food. The $22 brunch prix-fixe includes o.j., a mimosa, or a "Bloody Marie," They accept reservations for the garden. In fact, having them to sit there is a must since it's very popular.

Gascogne photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391...

[simetrias]

Going with RGR on this one. It's such a great meal, and then you can sit outside just about anywhere for coffee or a drink later on.

[ggom1]

Sounds perfect, thanks! I'll keep the Tocqueville reservation for now and look into Gascogne. Then give my friends final say :)

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

[kathryn]

Do note that dining outdoors is very popular when the weather is nice, and many restaurants do not let you reserve the outdoor area in advance. Additionally, many restaurants don't take reservations for weekend brunch. Good luck.

[Spiritchaser]

You can look into 10 Downing Food and Wine. Great outside area and I really like their food. Your budget might get strained and you can't reserve outside tables but you could still check it out.

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10 Downing
10 Downing Street, New York, NY 10014