I am looking for recommendations for a good lunch spot that offers both food and views of NYC. Also, any idea how I can get the Grey Line tour map prior to our visit?

Many thanks!

Depends on what sort of views-city, water or just pretty. For city there are restaurants at the Hilton TS (called Above), the Renaissance (Foley's Fish House) or the Mariott Marquis (The View). For water the Water Club on the East River is really a lovely spot. For pretty there's Tavern on the Green (in Central Park) or the Seagrill at Rockefeller center which has views of the skating rink. There's also the River Cafe in Brooklyn where you get it all! (water and skyline). Not sure if they serve lunch every day though.

BTW, none of these is what I would call "hot spots" for lunch by NYC definition. Hot spots usually refer to people watching/power scenes. These places tend to be more tourist destinations-particularly for lunch. At dinner they're also celebration places for locals.

Can't help on the map. I assume you've looked on their website?

I like lunch in the Boathouse restaurant in Central Park. Very pretty views.

Restaurants with views are a bit hard to come by, other than the Rainbow Room and places like the Bridge Café or the River Café. The Rainbow Room might be nice for lunch, the other two are out of the way unless you are in the Brooklyn Bridge area. The JW Marriott on Times Square has a restaurant on the top with great views and mediocre food.

IMO a great place for lunch in mid-town would be Bryant Park Grill behind Bryant Park. You can eat outdoors (covered in the rain) and get street views as well as a nice view of the back of the Public Library. I saw "Mr. Big" from Sex and the City last time I was there.....

Bryant Park Grill
25 W. 40th St. (bet. 5th & 6th Aves.)
Tel: (212) 840-6500

Further uptown, one of my favourite places is Café des Artistes for great French food and ambience, sorry no views. It is on the west side of Central Park, and is convenient for the Museum of Natural History and other places on the west side:

Café des Artistes
1 West 67th Street, Manhattan
212-877-3500

The Sea Grill at Rockefeller Center has great views of skaters on the rink, as the restaurant is adjacent to the rink:

Sea Grill
19 West 49th Street, New York
(at Rockefeller Center)
Tel: (212) 246-9201

The South Street Seaport area has some restaurants with water views that would be nice for lunch if you are in the Wall St area.

As for the map, did you try Gray Line's website at graylinenewyork.com?

To clarify my post, the first places listed are all high up with views. The View in the Marriott revolves so you have a changing scene.

My list is not complete, just the places that are most often mentioned & easily accessible. There's also a place in Long Island City called Water's Edge that has views of water & Manhattan.

The Water Club is actually a barge on the East River so you see boats passing & views of Queens. "These places..." refers to the ones I mention. Hot lunch places by NYC standards are the Four Seasons (business crowd), Michael's (publishing crowd) and Le Cirque 2000 (ladies who lunch) just to name a few.

hi vs. here is the map. i found it last week. http://www.allnewyorktours.com/image...llloopsmap.jpg

Thanks zizz for the map!!! Thanks all for the suggestions.