Margie

Hoping to stop into Le Pain Quotidien at 58th & 7th for breakfast on a Sunday. My concern is that there will be 8 of us; is this location small like the one on Lexington btwn. 63rd & 64th or larger like the one on Grand in SoHo? Part of the group is on it's way to the Children's Museum, are we better offer going to the one on W72nd? Thanks in advance!

mclaurie

I think it's a decent size. Do you realize Cafe Lalo is less than a block away from the museum? There's also Alice's Tea Cup on west 73, EJ's luncheonette on Columbus & 81-82, the Popover Cafe and Sarabeth's all within a few blocks of the museum.

Margie

Hi Mclaurie, yes I realize that Cafe Lalo is right near the museum, but I have heard that it is super crowded and cramped. I've been in the little shop part of Alice's Tea cup and it's very cute, but I just can't see bringing the guys there. Le Pain Quotidien is a favorite of some and others in the group haven't been to one yet so if it was "doable" we thought we would try it one morning.

Would you recommend Popover Cafe or Sarabeth's for lunch after the museum? Do you think it would work with 8 if we all met back up at lunchtime? Thanks for your input!

Maggi

We experienced LePain at that location for the first time on a Sunday in February. It was fully packed with no real delineation between the line for carry-out and those waiting to be seated. Trying to get eight people to sit together would seem to be improbable. That said, it was worth the wait. The food was delicious! If it were me, I would call the place in and ask their opinion. (I would call during a slow time, like 2:00pm on a weekday.)

Everywhere we ate that weekend was crowded and chaotic. Perhaps it was because of the increased tourism due to the Gates.

janie

There's also a small Le Pain Quotidien on Amsterdam avenue around 84th street, very close to the Children's museum. Why not call and check hours, if they take reservations, how long a wait, etc

Margie

Thanks for all the replies, I apprecicate it! Le Pain Quotidien doesn't take reservations which is why I wanted to know if the 58th st. location was very small - if it is I won't drag 8 people to it on a Sunday! Thanks for helping us plan.

mclaurie

Margie, just to add more confusion to your plan, I have to tell you recent reports on the Children's museum have been disappointing. I was there years ago and it seemed fun (I think it was one of the first places I ever saw a hologram) but I think now, it's really only good for very small kids. I think the Mus. of Natural History is much more worthwhile unless you've got wee ones.

As to lunch after, on a Sunday, all the popular places are busy. I might try making a reservation. In your shoes, I'd give my business to whoever would guarantee a table. Isabella's, Popover, EJ's, Sarabeth's, all are in the area.

Margie

Thanks for the help! The ones going to the Children's museum are a family of 4 including a 6 and an 8 year old. They were given a family gift certificate for Christmas so they plan on checking it out. I'm thinking allow about an hour? Maybe an hour and a half? Since I'm not sure we want to be tied to a lunch reservation maybe I'll think about some of the less popular spots. mclaurie, do you know anything about Cafe 82?

Maggi

I can second the recommendation for Sarabeth's. If I recall correctly, it's near the Museum of Natural History.

deaddog

I was at this LPQ on Easter Sunday around 10ish -prime time. Its pretty big by NY standards. Saw at least 3 or 4 tables of 8-10 people. We waited about 10 minutes for our table of 4. Great food, nice atmosphere, decent prices

Margie

deaddog, thanks! That is very helpful

mclaurie

Margie do you mean Kitchen 82? It's very good food owned by Charlie Palmer. Great prices but they don't take reservations and there are usually lines.

Margie

I had the name written on a scrap of paper in my NYC notes. It's at
2282 Broadway near 82nd St - I had the name as Cafe 82, is it Kitchen 82? Same place?

spring212

Cafe 82 is a diner/coffee shop. Absolutely no connection to Kitchen 82.