The weather is (slowly) warming, and that can
only mean one thing…..it’s almost time for al fresco dining!
The city has a plethora of casual outdoor spaces
and rooftop bars galore, but it’s a little more challenging to find a fine
dining experience outside the walls of a restaurant. But never fear…I did a
little hunting, and here are a few upscale spots worth trying:
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| Photo from www.jean-georgesrestaurant.com |
The
Terrace at Nougatine
Although Nougatine is considered the “more casual
sister” of Jean-Georges, it’s nevertheless an upscale dining experience, and the
seasonal Terrace lends to an al fresco treat. Open for breakfast, lunch, and
dinner, the Terrace offers umbrella-covered table dining with a great view of the Central Park skyline, and it also functions as a lounge if you want to stop in just for
drinks.
Insider
Tip: Nougatine offers a three-course prix-fixe lunch that’s a steal at $32. The
lunch prix fixe is available Monday-Saturday, from 12:00 – 3:00 PM.
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| Photo from www.barbettarestaurant.com |
Barbetta
New York’s oldest Italian restaurant (opened in 1906) offers Piemontese cuisine in a lavishly ornate dining room—but just beyond the interior dressings you’ll find a quaint outdoor dining area, The Barbetta Garden. This intimate back patio is encircled in colorful blossoms and greenery, and a simple central fountain serves as an elegant focal point. This is a great place for a romantic pre-theatre dinner or a refined meal for ‘ladies who lunch.’
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| Photo from www.riverparknyc.com |
The
Patio at Riverpark
This lesser-known Tom Colicchio gem offers lunch,
brunch, and dinner on a sprawling patio overlooking the East River. Unlike
Riverpark’s casual outdoor Terrace, The Patio is considered part of the main
dining room, so you can expect the same polished service and fine fare—just
experienced al fresco!
In the summer, Riverpark also offers outdoor Farm
Dinners for groups of 6 to 14 guests. A three-course communal-style menu
consists of numerous items per course, and it features fresh, seasonal
ingredients from that day’s harvest. ($75
per person)
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| Photo from www.thecentralparkboathouse.com |
The Lakeside Restaurant at The Loeb Boathouse in Central Park
A New York City landmark, this informal fine dining venue offers lunch, dinner and weekend brunch under a covered terrace overlooking the Central Park lake. Catch a nice breeze and watch rowboats pass by while enjoying The Lakeside Restaurant’s classic American, seafood-centric menu.
Insider Tip: Not recommended for vegetarians—the menu is almost entirely meat and seafood.
#alfrescodining #nougatine #jeangeorges #riverparknyc #barbetta #centralparkboathouse #tastingnewyork
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