Lunch at Tavern on the Green, NYC
 

we were planning to go with a tour to NYC, the tour is offering a Saturday lunch at Tavern on the Green, but, it's an extra $79.00 (not included in price of tour). (yes, it's for lunch, not dinenr) Does this seem a little expensive? I'm guessing it might be a fixed menu, not sure, haven't heard from tour group about the menu. But, I would assume it does NOT include alcohol, wouldn't you? Is it really worth $79.00, lunch? I've seen posts here in the past saying Taven isn't that special anymore. I've been there years ago for dinner, my 1st time in NYC, & it was a fun experience, also there again just for drinks in afternoon., Has service / food improved? Is it worth the $79.00? Just curious, but, unless I'm really missing out on something good, I think I'd skip it. any comments?

You can do infinitely better elsewhere for $79 or far less for lunch in NYC.

TOTG is not worth it.

For $79, you get an appetizer, entree, and dessert ... with choice of coffee or tea. In most cities, such a lunch offering would be priced around $39 or $49, not $79.

I visited in May and the outdoor atmosphere was beautiful! The flowers were in bloom and I must admit that it was a charming setting. Regardless, I'd recommend a lakeside lunch at the Boathouse instead of Tavern on the Green. It's less expensive and more charming in my opinion.

Boathouse gets my vote, too...not great food...but, great break from aday in the park...visited Tavern twice in 06..with family..once for lunch..soup was good..crab cakes tasted like bleach..great service, nice drinks...dinner the lights where beautiful..food..ok

That's waaaaay too much for Tavern on the Green. You can get a much better meal elsewhere and still get a great "NYC" kind of place. The Boathouse is a good idea.

Gotham bar and grill do a really cheap lunch

But Gotham Bar and Grill does not serve Saturday lunch!

Ignoring for a moment whether Tavern on the green is a good place for lunch in general (is is a pretty place, though), here are the actual menus.
http://67.59.176.121/tg1003/newsite/...headinfo=menus

I don't see how you'd get anywhere near $79 for lunch, unless you're drinking a lot and as you mentioned, it would be unusual for a set meal to include anything more than perhaps one glass of wine

There is another thread in which a group of kids have been told that a "group" set price at Carmines is something like $60 a person. Restaurants are making a fortune by charging groups huge prices for group lunches, and probably the tour sponsor is adding on to that as well.

While I'll be the first to agree that Tavern on the Green is WAY over priced for the quality of the food, it's hard to deny that it has one of the most "memorable" settings in New York. Is it worth it? Judging by many people's memories of their single dining experience at TOTG, I'd say, it well might be worth it to many people. Frankly I'm glad I've been there. One doesn't always go to a place just for the food. And by the way, I've also eaten at the very pretty BoatHouse a couple of times. But as a tourist in New York with a single choice of one or the other, surprisingly I'd probably say Tavern on the Green is going to offer a more "memorable" overall experience. And yes, I mean that in a good way.

Here's a thought: if you want to go to TOG, go alone and not with the tour group and pay menu prices. You may be tired of them anyway, and ready for a break. :)

The Boathouse is a great place to eat but you might have to wait for a table on a nice day depending upon when you go. But, it's a great wait.

Is that price per person?

Ridiculous.

Definite rip-off by your tour group as
I have done tours of about 25 women
(don't ask) for luncheon and nowhere
that price.
You don't say what time of year you will
be here BUT if it is nice weather, I
would strongly suggest cocktails outside
at dusk because it is magical.
(Or, you can't have that great ambience
and good food too).
Then walk across the street and have
dinner at Cafe Des Artistes (reservs.
strongly suggested).

$79 is an outrageous price for lunch at TOTG. As memorable as it might be, the view/experience ain't worth that kind of money!

Tavern on the Green is a complete tourist trap - the food is mediocre and the service both supercilious and unprofessional. theonly beneit is the beautiful view of Central Park- which is brown and crunchy in Feb.

Separately, $79 is a lot for a fixed price lunch. You can get much better food for much less money.

If you tell us where you'll be (do you need something in the same area?) and what cuisines you favor people can make recos. Or - you can search menupages.com by neighborhood and cuisine - and see diner reviews and actual menus.

thanks everyone, I thought it was a little much, too, but, I can share w/others, & we'll find a different option. thanks

The little upstairs bar at Tavern is really cute...If you really want to go there to check it out & not shell out too much money for average food, just go up there, have a cocktail, take a look around, and eat elsewhere!!

Some of the best restaurants in NYC don't charge that much for prix fix lunch.

Egads, TOTG!

Other restaurants on the Upper West Side that you can try:

Ouest
Cafe des Artistes
Picholine
O'Neals
Cafe Fiorello

You can get a prix fixe lunch at Nougatine (Jean Georges restaurant in Trump Tower) for under $79. It would be pretty darn good, too! Telepan is also in the area, prix fixe for under $30.

Check out www.menupages.com for more details.

I like Tavern on the Green but $79.00 for lunch!! Rip Off!! Eat with a friend separately from the group and pay less and get better service. What kind of tour to NYC would book that price lunch? You must be getting great dinners.