Nice Sat. lunch/brunch near Met Museum?

[lawgirl3278]

My DH and I are coming in from Philly this Sat. to catch the McQueen exhibit at the Met. We're looking for a place for a nice lunch - nothing super expensive, casual dress. Any recs? I noticed Jean Georges does a lunch deal which sounds promising. Thanks!

P.S. - We're also planning on getting some pizza for dinner in NoLita/Soho and would like to check out some live music - jazz, whatever. Any places of interest or any good performances this weekend?

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Jean Georges
1 Central Park W, New York, NY 10023

[Upperwestsider]

You might include Demarchelier in your choices; one block east of the Museum (86 & Mad). www.demarchelierrestraurant.com. Very Gallic, but do understand the Met vistior requirements.

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Demarchelier
50 E 86th St, New York, NY 10028

[RCC]

Not quite Soho, but right at the boder on W Houston is Arturo's. The pizza are good quality and they have nightly live jazz music. Very casual joint.

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Arturo's
106 W Houston St, New York, NY 10012

[ChefJune]

Cafe Sabarsky in the Neue Museum across the street has delicious food and a lovely European ambiance.

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Cafe Sabarsky
1048 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028

[edwardspk]

Jean-Georges is lovely, has great food and is a bargain (relatively speaking) for lunch. Saturday lunch is a tad more casual (no jacket requirement), but as others have mentioned it's not an easy walk to the Met (of course, there are always taxis!). But as I read your post, my first thought was Cafe Boulud. You and DH would enjoy it and, like JG, no jacket requirement. But you would want to reserve a table at either of these two choices.

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Cafe Boulud
20 East 76th St., New York, NY 10021

[kathryn]

Do note that the lines have been very long for that exhibit so by the time you get out of the museum, it might be too late for lunch -- and you don't want to have to worry about missing your reservation.

For dinner, I'd avoid Lombardi's and maybe send you to Peasant (nicer, not just pizzas) or L'asso or Rubirosa for pizza (latter 2 are more casual).

Re: jazz, the moderators prefer we keep it on topic w/ food and drink recommendations.

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Peasant
194 Elizabeth Street, New York, NY 10012

Lombardi's
32 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

Rubirosa
235 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012

[lawgirl3278]

Thanks for the recs everyone. We're planning on eating before heading into the museum. I got stuck in a museum exhibit once starving and definitely don't want that to happen again!

[peter j]

Jean Georges is wonderful but it's located across the park on Central Park West and 60th Street.

Closer to the Met, Cafe Boulud is the only place that would come close to JG in terms of formality. Cafe Sabarsky, Square Meal, Untitled, and The Wright are good though much more casual alternatives.

Rubirosa is great for pizza in Nolita. The moderators forbid any non-food discussions, so unfortunately we can't give any advice on jazz performances.

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Cafe Boulud
20 East 76th St., New York, NY 10021

Jean Georges
1 Central Park W, New York, NY 10023

Cafe Sabarsky
1048 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028

Square Meal
30 E 92nd St, New York, NY 10128

Rubirosa
235 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012

[gutsofsteel]

Lunch at Jean Georges on a Saturday is a) not particularly casual, and b) requires an advanced reservation.

It is also nowhere near the Met Museum.

Consider Cafe Sabarsky.

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Jean Georges
1 Central Park W, New York, NY 10023

Cafe Sabarsky
1048 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028

[City Kid]

Here is a related link, for Sunday brunch, but it would apply to most of these. FYI: Jean Georges is great, and a nice walk through the Park, but not near the Met.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/757552