Saturday, May 31, 2008

Rooftop Luncheon Alfresco


A rooftop garden overlooking the park


Dear Postcards from New York Reader,

A couple of friends came up from Washington DC for a day of meetings with wholesale merchants in the Garment District. With a tight schedule between appointments, they asked me to choose a place for lunch. My first thought, the rooftop cafe over the Bryant Park Grill. Its' central location in midtown, not far from the Fashion and Garment Districts, made it ideal and easy to get to.

Some folks love to be inside with cool air conditioning, but not me; when the weather is this hot, there is nothing I enjoy more than eating outdoors. The restaurant overlooks colorful flower beds, a wide expanse of manicured lawn and beautiful shade trees--a truly tranquil setting.

Ice-cold marguerites were just the antidote to the heat and humidity before our orders arrived. I recommend the cold crisp Caesar Salad with slices of chicken breast. Robin enjoyed Grilled Pork Chops with mashed sweet potatoes and snow peas, while Felicia nodded her approval of the Mediterranean Chicken Breast over capers, tomatoes, arugula and onions.

We were absorbed in conversation, enjoying lunch, when without warning clouds overhead darkened; a momentary flash of lightening streaked the sky before rain came down in buckets. Our drenched waiter rushed over with an umbrella to escort us indoors. We looked at him, then at one another and shook our heads in unison--absolutely No! The huge beach umbrella over our table was the perfect shield.

We continued the conversation while the rain poured around us. What a delight--outdoor lunch in a downpour, followed by a scrumptious chocolate-filled brownie (we shared) for dessert, just as the rain subsided.

Jacqueline Cable
For Postcards from New York

P.S. Another great spot to dine is the terrace patio enclosed by a stone parapet on the park level. Ask the maitre'd to seat you under the alcove against the ivy-covered wall; you will never know you are just a few feet away from the congested automobile and pedestrian traffic on 40th Street.

HBO's summer film festival on Monday nights is in progress through August 18 with features such as Arsenic and Old Lace, The Candidate, and the first Superman. Click here for details, then pack a picnic basket, add a bottle of wine, and join the outdoor party.

P.P.S. Say you walk by and the Parks' empty lawn chairs and inviting shade trees are too much to resist, and you wish you could put together a picnic in ten minutes or less. See tomorrow's Postcards Encore "Bryant Park in Bloom" with details where to purchase goodies nearby.

Address to remember: The Bryant Park Grill, 25 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018, 212-840-6500.

Directions: From Times Square MTA 7 to 5th Avenue and Bryant Park, M42 and M104 to M42nd Street and Fifth Avenue.

Photo by Joseph Knight


©Copyright 2008 The Cable Group

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