Cimbrone

Mom and I are looking forward to our upcoming trip to NYC and will be spending a Thursday at the Met (great Bonnard exhibit coming). Any favorite restaurants in walking distance? We like Asian, Italian, French, Vegetarian...anything really. I have a weakness for really pretty dining rooms. Maybe under $30 per person. Thanks!

HKP

My favorite - I go back whenever I am in NY and have the opportunity - is the Sabarsky at the Neue Gallerie up 5th Ave. from the Met. http://www.neuegalerie.org/main.html?langkey=english

HKP

(Wish we could edit posts - I would add that it might push your $30 per person budget if you have a full-out meal, but you can have a wonderful lunch/luncheon/tea and do well.)

Cimbrone

Oh wow, HKP, that looks perfect! How'd you know I wanted to feel like I was in Europe? Thanks!

artstuff

Thanks for the post, Cimbrone. And the link, HKP.

I think I just might have discovered where I'm taking my two girlfriends for our annual birthday outing celebration - a road trip to NYC, a special exhibition at one of the museums, and lunch at the Sabarsky!

After 20+ years of gift giving, I've run out of "stuff" to give, so the last several years I've taken them on road trips - several weekend shopping trips to Lancaster, the Barnes Museum in Philadelphia, shopping at Peddler's Village. New York City would be a perfect destination.

HKP - I'm assuming that you do not have to pay the $15.00 museum admission just to eat in the Cafe?

Robyn

msfelithatsme

The MET admission is "suggested donation." You decide how much you want to pay to get in.

I have gone many times as a college student and paid $2 for entry.

HKP

My memory is that you just by-pass the admission desk for the Neue Gallerie and tell them you're going to the cafe - they will direct you, and I don't think it's even possible to get from the cafe to the galleries without going back past where you pay admission.

nytraveler

Admission to the Met is $20. And while is is "suggested" that "suggestion" is really for poor students or families with low incomes - to encourage kids to attend, Anyone who isn;t suffering financial hardship (if you can pay for a trip to NYC and eat in a nice restaurant) should pay full freight. After all, think of all the $12 tickets you buy to ghastly movies that aren't worth your time.

Unfortunately for us, and unlike the rest of the developed world, our federal government doesn;t support the arts at all - except in the most minute way. (Sweden spends more on the arts than the US does - not per person - but IN TOTAL.)

yk

No, you do not have to pay admission to eat at Sabarsky. Just tell the security guard you're going to the cafe. Sabarsky is my most favorite place in Manhattan, it transports me back to Vienna right away. Beware of long lines if you go on weekends.

Cimbrone

I still plan on trying it, but just wanted to let you know there are very mixed reviews on the food and the service. Apparently, the manager evokes a not very pleasant period of German-Austrian history...

nymag.com/listings/restaurant/cafe-sabarsky/

Cimbrone

Sorry...it was another site with the negative reviews. Glad I found those two positive ones as well. I'm looking forward to it.

yk

I've been to Sabarsky 2 or 3 times? Every time it's been a very pleasant experience. All the staff was courteous. I've only had coffee/dessert there though, so I cannot vouch for regular food. But I love their melange. All coffee drinks are served Austrian style - on a small silver platter with a small glass of water.

artstuff

Thanks, HKP and yk, for the additional information. I suspected the Neue Gallerie would have a seperate or side entrance for the Cafe Sabarsky, but I just wanted to make sure. No need for hidden surprises.

Robyn