My SIL is taking family around to do the touristy NYC sites. She mentioned TOTG for lunch and I told her there have to be better options. Can anyone suggest something in that area or uptown around the Museum of Natural History? Thanks.

The Boat House Cafe on the other side of the park at 72nd street IN the park.

Shake Shack is a much cheaper alternative that's right there on the Upper West Side.

Nougatine, an adjunct of Jean-Georges Vongerichten's namesake restaurant in the Trump International Hotel on Columbus Circle, offers a $24.07 three-course prix-fixe lunch. Along with the $35 four-course prix-fixe dinner (we dined there about a week ago), it's one of New York's most incredible dining bargains.

J-G just won the James Beard Best Chef award. Even though you might be having a p-f meal and not dining à la carte, they don't stint on little extras, like an amuse bouche and mignardises after dessert. The dishes are spectacularly plated using the utmost ingredients, and the service is superlative, no different from the main J-G dining room immediately adjacent.

FYI - Dinner at JG was one of the best meals I have ever had in my life.

Thanks guys. I will pass along the suggestions.

Isabella's is realiable Italian and Ocean is good for fish. They won;t charge what TOG will - but the food is way better.

If you want to east IN the park agree the Boathouse is much better than TOG.

nytraveler, so far it is a toss up between Isabella's and J-G as they have a p-f that looks wonderful. Also, they will be going for Monday lunch so that will be a lot better than Sunday (Mother's Day). I've told my SIL to make reservations wherever she decides to go. Thanks for your suggestion.

Reservations are essential. She can use www.opentable.com for Nougatine.