Suggestions for an elegant place for bday lunch
 

Looking for a special spot in NYC to celebrate my daughter's bday. End of August. Just the two of us. She will be turning 19.

Considering JoJo

or perhaps Asiate (probably for b'fast, based on menu) - those views♥

Was set on La Grenouille, until I found out they are closed Sundays and Mondays, the 2 days of the week I'm looking at.

Thanks for any suggestions.

*Location and price don't really matter in this case. Good food and a beautiful space.

The three places that we like and also have an extraordinary prix fixe for lunch are:

Tocqueville
Nougatine
Gotham Bar and Grill

Elegance? The Four Seasons.

Bouley! Absolutely fantastic prix fixe lunch, but a little pricier - 5 courses, $55. I went with my mother and sister for my birthday last October. They do not serve lunch on Sunday, but are open on Monday.
Best service we've had dining in a long time. Beautiful dining room and entry way, and if you can get a corner table with a banquette, a very very intimate experience.

I would also recommend IMDonehere's pick of Tocqueville.

I personally don't think Gotham is special enough - very standard fare though well executed, and the dining room is big, on a Monday afternoon will feel very business-y.

I guess it depends on what your daughter likes in terms of food. I like Nougatine better than JoJo by a mile.

I haven't eaten at Asiate in ages, but it's an amazing view and is special for that reason. But last time I was there I just didn't like the food.

Le Bernardin is great if you like seafood and money is no object. But you'll see a sea of suits there.

I also love the Modern Bar Room. It's a great setting and a fun place to eat.

If you're looking for something a bit more formal, Cafe Boulud serves lunch.

Thank you all very much for responding. I looked into all of your recommendations and they look wonderful. Inspiredexplorer, I have to say I am in LOVE with Bouley and I've booked it. It is exactly what I wanted! Thank you.

Look for a little TR from me in early September :)

Thanks to all-

I just had a lovely birthday lunch for a very big birthday at Restaurant Robert, the restaurant at the top of the Museum of Arts and Design, at the southern end of Columbus Circle. When I called about 3 weeks in advance to get a reservation, I told them it was my birthday and could I have a table at the window.

The menu is brunch and lunch and my DH and I brought his parents. Everything about it was perfect. The food was great, the service/wait staff were wonderful, the atmosphere and design there was really cool. I wouldn't call it super-fancy, but there were people in dresses and suits. We all wore business casual and it was just right. We were there for almost 2 hours and they didn't rush us away.

And the view over Columbus Circle was something out of a movie.

lantana - so excited for you! I'm sure you and your daughter will love it!!