Jean-Georges
Jean-Georges is open six days a week for lunch and often offers a two-course lunch prixe fixe menu for under $30 (2009 prices). Items change seasonally but include dishes like goat cheese gnocchi with caramelized baby artichoke and crab and squash blossom beignet. Tall ceilings, large windows, and crème- to beige-colored linens, curtains and chairs make the space bright and inviting during the day. Dress is casual elegant, and children are acceptable.
1 Central Park West
New York City, NY 10023
(212) 299-3900
jean-georges.com
Cafe Boulud
Café Boulud serves seasonal, French-American foods in its sleek, contemporary dining area. Banquet seats line the room with elegant white linens and flower arrangements on each table. A seasonally changing menu offers dishes like the squab ballontine en croute with black mission fig chutney and the fall squash risotto with brown butter and sage. Most entrees are between $20 and $30 (2009 prices). Elegant casual dress is expected, and children are welcome.
Café Boulud
20 East 76th Street
New York, NY 10021
(212) 722-2600
danielnyc.com
Cafe Colonial
Café Colonial, with its floor to ceiling windows and white brick walls, brings in the bustling city while offering a relaxed lunchtime sanctuary for diners. Maps of Brazil and rustic tables and seating lend a feeling of colonial Brazil. The lunch menu features Brazilian-, Hawaiian- and European-inspired foods including the steak salad with arugula and cherry tomatoes and the warm pulled pork sandwich with guacamole. Most dishes are under $15 (2009 prices). Desserts include the chocolate croissant bread pudding and the Brazilian flan pudding. Dress is casual, and children are welcome.
276 Elizabeth Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 274-0044
cafecolonialny.com
Gramercy Tavern
The Gramercy Tavern serves local, seasonal ingredients in upscale yet homey dishes. Lunch a la carte items include dishes like the lamb pappardelle with lemon confit and Swiss chard and pork croquette with potato puree and bitter greens. The tasting menu includes five courses and can be enjoyed for less than $60 (2009 prices). The restaurant features tavern-like rustic wood tables and floors, round wood chandeliers, and high white ceilings with large dark wood beams. Upscale dress is appropriate, and well behaved children are acceptable.
Gramercy Tavern
42 East 20th Street
New York, NY 10003
(212) 477-0777
gramercytavern.com
About The Author
Allegra earned a B.A. in Sociology and African American Studies from the University of Puget Sound. Allegra has been writing for 10 years and has been published in St. Louis Park, Minnesota's The Echo Newspaper and, more recently, on web sites such as Trails.
