Planning New York itinerary. I am planning a very short mid-May 3 day trip (but feels more like 2 with travel) for my husband to see his niece's school group perform at Carnegie Hall. The current plan has him visiting MoMA Sunday morning, possibly a quick stop at the Whitney, followed by lunch and then hitting the American Museum of Natural History (the Space Show is a must for my husband). I've found several nearby restaurants that interest me (Cafe Boulud, 'Cesca) but not open on Sunday. Any suggestions for lunch on a Sunday museum day?

Also, as a bonus question, if he wants to see the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island, how long will it take?

Thanks for your help.

For Sunday lunch, what about Ocean Grill at Columbus and 78(?)th or so. Go before the Museum of Natural History.

Don't be put off by the term brunch in NYC, by the way. In much of the country that indicates a cross between breakfast and lunch. In New York it seems to mean any meal served between noon and four on a Saturday or Sunday!

You are certainly planning a lot for one day! MOMA and Whitney in the same morning? You'll barely scratch the surface in either with that schedule.
And, when would ever be able to squeeze in a visit to the Statue of Liberty that day?
PS: I second Neopolitan's recommendation of the Ocean Grill.

Whew!!!! Packing a lot in so little time! If Ocean Grill does not do it for you, Onera is an option at 79th off Amsterdam. Top chef, interesting food.

Unless they've changed recently, Onera is only open in the evenings.

Isabella's, behind the American Museum of Natural History, does a great Sunday lunch/brunch. Corner of Columbus Ave @ 77th Street.

(Isabella's, like Ocean Grill, is owned by B.R. Guest Restaurants. I prefer its Sunday menu over Ocean Grill's, but both are solid options and convenient to the museum. Isabella's also has a more casual, "Sunday" atmosphere than Ocean, which I prefer for dinner.)

Thanks, Gekko. I was sitting here going crazy trying to think of the name Isabella's. I knew it was a woman's name and that was as far as I could get. Yes, I like it too -- considerably more laid back than Ocean Grill, I think. They really do line up there for Sunday Brunch though.

Isabella's is also an excellent choice, but be forewarned, it can be (and usually is) very crowded for Sunday brunch.
I'm not sure if they take reservations, but if so, definitely make them at Isabella's.....and the same advice for Ocean Grill.

Once again, supply & demand.

I'd guess Isabella's takes reservations .. I just wait at the bar and order a bloody, so I'm not 100% positive, but most all B.R. Guest places do.

Perfect location for a visit to the natural history museum. (Don't miss the Darwin exhibit, which is extraordinary and closes at the end of May.)

Starting backwards, a visit to SOL and Ellis Island takes the better part of a day---at least 4-5 hrs. when you include lines and security. Unfortunately, you can't visit Ellis Island w/o going on the same SOL ferry. For a quick look at the SOL, take the free roundtrip ride on the Staten Island ferry.

If the objective is to get as many museums in as possible, don't do lunch (have a big breakfast first) or grab a quick sandwich. Sunday "brunch" is a slow affair. Brasserie LCB (formerly La Cote Basque) is near MOMA and serves a nice brunch and would be much less crowded than the uptown places.

Thanks, Neo..I should have checked about Onera before I posted. Their chef has just opened a new place on East 52nd Street named Dona, by the way.

Onera is open for Sunday brunch after all. 212-873-0200. Would you really suggest Isabella's for someone interested in eating at Cafe Boulud or Cesca? They are not really noted for their food.

Dona is in the former Bellini space, owned by Donatella Arpaia (of Davidburke & Donatella and Ava). Excellent food -- kind of a Greek/Italian combo. A very tough reservation right now (unless one knows Donatella, of course).

On the busynes topic - just be aware that Sunday is THE busiest day in every museum - esp if the weather isn;t good. So seeing anything is going to take longer than usual.

To see anything at all at Statue of Liberty you need resies in advance - other wise you can just get off the boat and glance at the outside. To do the Statue and the Ellis Island Museums is essentially a full day - besides being off the southern tip of the island - while all the museums you mention are midtwon/uptown. These activities together would make 2 massively full days.

I went to Cafe Boulud twice in the past month. Both times were absolutely outstanding. By the way.....Emeril Lagasse is a frequent guest here.........

Gekko did you eat at Dona yet? Glad to hear positive info about it, as this area could use some good new places. By the way, I am trying one of your favorites, Spigolo, this weekend. I have high hopes!

Ike, you mean Emeril is a frquent guest at Cafe B,, right, not on these boards? Very nice guy.

I don't know ekscrunchy. Somebody around here keeps trying to kick it up a notch. . .

Right, who knows?? Bam bam! Had dinner at Spigolo tonight, by the way..adorable, tiny place with excellent food. Very refreshing considering Upper East Side location. No pretense. GREAT risotto special.

Thanks for all the lunch/brunch tips for Sunday. I agree the Whitney might be too much and that the two Museums (MoMa and Natural History) could easily fill the morning and afternoon with lunch between. He also asked if he could walk across Central Park between MoMA and the Natural History Museum. Is this a good idea?

Sunday was just for museums and possibly a show that night. (He has a ticket to Wicked for saturday night but thought adding a second show would be fun). Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island was for Monday but given the shortness of the trip DH has decided against going to SOL and instead spend more time in the city, maybe Lower Manhattan/Brooklyn Bridge/Ground Zero/Wall Street.

He's not much for shopping but I have asked that he pick me up some chocolate. La Maison du Chocolat or Richart. Any other suggestions?