Saturday Business Brunch Near Columbus Circle (or surrounding)

[kikidi]

hello chowhounders,

looking for suggestions for a business brunch on saturday, a quiet place to chat but not too formal. ideally around Columbus Circle, but surrounding is fine too. i know new yorkers love their brunch, so most popular places are packed, noisy, and fun. looking for something else this time...

i'm considering Asiate and Bouchon Bakery, though the former may be a bit formal. don't live in this area so i could use some help!

thank you!

-----
Bouchon Bakery
10 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10019

Asiate
80 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023

[peter j]

Do you specifically want brunch food (egg dishes, pastries, pancakes), or will a normal lunch menu be acceptable?

Not sure if you've been to Bouchon Bakery, but it's basically open seating in a mall, and might be too casual and noisy for a business meal.

-----
Bouchon Bakery
10 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10019

[kikidi]

i am open to either traditional brunch or just standard lunch. oh now that you mention it, i think i have seen bouchon bakery without realizing it was that...you're right, probably not appropriate. thanks so much for your help!

[peter j]

For a standard weekend lunch, Picholine, Marea, or Lincoln would be great choices - not formal (jeans acceptable), and relatively quiet with great food and service. Beautiful rooms too.

I can't think of a brunch place around Columbus Circle that would be quiet, though others might chime in.

-----
Picholine
35 West 64th St., New York, NY 10023

Marea
240 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019

[kikidi]

thanks so much peter j, will def check these out!

[orthorunner]

Bouchon Bakery is def quite loud. Landmarc has tables spread far enough apart that it is usually not too loud; in addition, they have booths available that give you some added noise protection/privacy (they are almost like little cocoons, not a standard booth) It is more casual than the places listed above, so it partly depends on where along the scale of casual-formal you would like. The food is also not as much of a wow factor as the places listed above, so it also depends on whether you're looking for fantastic food or solid fare at the right location.

-----
Bouchon Bakery
10 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10019

Landmarc
179 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013

[boredough]

How about Norma's in the Parker Meridien?

[Marine Engineer]

Cafe Luxembourg is good for business type meals.

-----
Cafe Luxembourg
200 W 70th St, New York, NY 10023

[Toot]

Robert restaurant at the Museum of Arts & Design might be a good option. It is more lunch than brunch but the environment is nice, not too loud and it has a really nice view. I have been there only for drinks and appettizers and I am not sure about the brunch crowd, though.

[kikidi]

thanks so much everyone! will let you know how it goes.

[mahler5]

Jean-Georges, of course!