travlingirl

Due to our love of New York City (and many vacations spent there), my fiancé and I are planning to semi-elope in Central Park. What does semi-elope mean, you ask? Our immediate family and closest friends are joining us.

We plan to do so around 10:30am on a September Sunday morning. I have checked with the Central Park Conservatory and we can do so (without a permit) with 20 people or less. Now, here’s the tricky party, we are looking for a place to have brunch for 20 people. We have thought of paying for admission for everyone to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (due to proximity to the park), going to the rooftop for cocktails and photos and then eating at Petrie Court Café and Wine Bar (in the museum). Has anyone eaten there before and if so, what do you think of the food? Does anyone see any issues with this? We have contacted the guest services with the museum to double check availability, reservations, group pricing, etc.

If you have a better recommendation for brunch that is near the park, please feel free to add this. We are looking at either Bow Bridge or renting the Conservatory Garden. We hope to pay around $50 per person (for an entrée and non-alcoholic beverage), plus tip and tax (and admission fee, if at the museum).

As for hotel, we are staying at the Hilton New York on 6th and 53rd. Can you tell me where the nearest corner flower market is in relation to the hotel? I have seen them all over areas outside of Midtown, but not in this area.

Thank you in advance for any tips or recommendations!

mp

you might look at The Boathouse, which is actually IN the park - VERY pretty and the food is OK - keep it simple and you'll be fine

I've never eaten in the Met -I've heard since they've redone it this past year, it's not too bad - my favorite place up there is Cafe Sabarsky, which is a viennese cafe in the Neue Gallerie acrosss the street from the Met. I'd call them, see what you can work out - they do a lovely brunch.

http://www.wallse.com/
http://www.neuegalerie.org/main.html?langkey=english

GoTravel

What about The Boathouse?

It has been a while since I've been to the rooftop of the Metropolitan Museum of Art but I don't remember seeing any tables.

What about the Mandarin Oriental? Absolutely gorgeous views of Central Park and a very nice atmosphere.

I think there is a Korean on Seventh between 58th and Central Park South.

GoTravel

This would be perfect!

http://www.mandarinoriental.com/hotel/532000039.asp

lp_nyc

Congratulations!

You may want to double check with the Conservancy about being married in the Conservancy Gardens without a permit. From my understanding, you need a permit for the gardens even to take photos there and the permit for the gardens is $300, vs. $25 for the rest of the park (I had my wedding ceremony at Hernshead/the Ladies Pavillon...love Central Park!).

Sorry I don't have any pertinent suggestions for brunch. You might want to also try posting to the theknot.com message boards. Make sure you post on the New York- metro board to get relevant answers.

As for corner flower markets, I assume you are referring to the Korean delis that sell flowers. Well, not near 6th and 53rd, but on the UWS my two favorites are the korean deli at the corner of 71st and Columbus or the dry cleaners (yes, there is a dry cleaners that sells really nice flowers) on Amsterdam between 73rd and 74th. If you choose the Bow Bridge for your location, neither of these is inconvenient. If you choose/can have your ceremony at the Gardens, then they are not.

Suki

I just had brunch at The Boathouse a few weeks ago. I enjoyed the food, and thought the setting was really lovely.

http://www.thecentralparkboathouse.c...tions/home.htm

EricH

Don't try to just walk into a place and expect them to accommodate 20 people. Set up something in advance, and at a regular restaurant or the Boathouse, which is probably your best bet, not a museum cafe.

travlingirl

Thank you to everyone for your wonderful suggestions! We are looking into all three locations mentioned.

We will definately set up a reservation since we know how hard it can be to accomodate even four people at some NYC establishments. All of the places we have called have said to call back in August - understandably so.

Thank you again!

travlingirl

lp_nyc: Wonderful suggestions! I have seen one of these and think you are spot on for great flowers! I will pick them up on Saturday to save time. Thank you so much! Actually, I could use the dry cleaners to steam my dress and knock out two birds with one stone.

Margo_Chester

If you decided to go with the Met you can get a group rate for admission, but I would still call in advance (as you have planned) and they will help you with your arrangements - they may even have ideas for accommodating your guests that haven't been thought of here.

doug_stallings

I wouldn't go to the Met because it will be mobbed on a Sunday (though I can't deny it would be a great place for a picture). You also can't make reservations to eat there unless you eat in the Members Dining Room (though joining so you can eat there might be a reasonable option ... still, it will probably be more than $50 per person).

I really like the idea of the Boathouse, but Asiate (in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel) does do a great brunch and will come in just a hair under $50 (the prix-fixe is $48, but well worth it). The only problem with Asiate is that it's a relatively small restaurant, so you'd have to reserve far in advance, and it's inconvenient from the Conservatory Garden. I think an Upper East Side place would be better if you don't do the Boathouse.

Another option might be The Modern. You could ask them what lunch in one of the private rooms might cost, or you could order off the menu in the Bar Room (carefully ordering might bring a price under $50 per person). You do not have to pay admission to MOMA to eat at The Modern.

DancingBearMD

Cafe des Artistes is right off the park on 67th.

http://www.cafenyc.com/cafedesartistes/html/index2.htm

Wine4Life

I'm with Doug - look into the Modern.

mclaurie

1) I agree the Conservatory Gardens will cost something whether for 20 or 200. It's not free for any size group. You need a permit and the fee is $400 for a ceremony or $100 for photos
http://www.centralparknyc.org/site/P...vents_weddings
It may well be worth the permit price.

As it says at the bottom of that link, a permit is required anywhere else for 20 or more and cost $25. For less than 20 at other locations, no permit or fee is what I understand.

2) Agree brunch at one of the public rooms at the Met is probably not a good idea BUT if you're willing to become a "friend" of the museum ($275) you might be able to book one of the private dining rooms which have some nice views.
http://www.metmuseum.org/member/me_private.htm

Also agree the Boat House is one of the prettiest spots in the city. Also think Asiate and the Modern are great ideas and both nearish the Hilton. Another idea near the Hilton, Brasserie 8 1/2 is one of the few non hotel restaurants in NYC with a buffet brunch. That could be fun.
http://www.rapatina.com/brasserie8/