going to be in NYC on Sunday 5/3, and wondered if there are opinions about
eating lunch at either of these spots.

We've also read about bringing our lunch and having a picnic there - to save $.

Is that OK to do?

thanks

If it were warmer and not going to rain, I think a picnic would be the best choice. But I don't think the weather is supposed to be that nice on Sunday (hit or miss). If you really want to eat at Bryant Park Grill, it's ok but pretty expensive (the cheapest thing is about $16). There are many other places to eat in NYC depending on where you're going to be. If you want to eat in a touristy but picturesque place, go to the Boat House in Central Park (but make a reservation if you can).

Cannot tell a lie - I have a neighbor who works there and she has told me several times that it's a shame the food isn't very good despite the great location. Right now the forecast is only 10% for rain, but who know? If the weather holds up, have a nice picnic, but have a plan B in another restaurant just in case.

A simple way to picnic in Bryant Park: get a sandwich from the 'wichcraft kiosk (Tom Colicchio's sandwich chain) at the Sixth Avenue end of the park.

http://wichcraftnyc.com/

thanks for all the advice. I did see that there's a possibility of rain, so I would guess that having plan B in
place would be a good idea.

We had a great time the last time we were in NYC, and went to Mimi's restaurant & Piano Bar on 2nd Ave & 52nd St.

Maybe we'll just have a quick bite for lunch, and then go to
Mimi's again for dinner & lots of laughs.

Having a picnic lunch in Bryant Park is not just a way to save some $$$. IMO it is preferable to lunching at the adjacent cafe or grill - with very mediocre food and you miss the ambience of being in the park itself with other picnickers and the surrounding skyscraper landscape. And you need not limit yourself to getting food from the Witchcraft kiosk - plenty of take out delis with lots of choices - or a Pret a Manger.

Normally, I'd say Pret a Manger, but all the locations are closed on Sundays. It's a shame because there's one across 42nd Street from Bryant Park.

I guess we're in the minority here, but we've never found the food at the Bryant Park Grill to be either mediocre or expensive. in fact, we've always enjoyed out Sunday brunch experience there....a good first-half of a one-two dining and Sunday matinee event.

There's a Le Pain Quotidien on 40th & 6th a half block from Bryant Park where you can get take out. But even if it's not raining, it won't be that warm to sit outside. Brunch in NYC is so iconic I wonder why you wouldn't go to a nice inexpensive brunch instead? Since you like music, what about Chez Josephine on west 42 st. Their brunch items (omelettes, brioche etc.) aren't pricey. chezjosephine.com If you don't have to be in midtown, there are a lot of good jazz brunches.

Instead of going to Mimi's again, consider having better food elsewhere and going to Brandy's after for music. http://www.brandysnyc.com/index2.html