Give me atmosphere!

My wife and I will be without kids during the day on our next visit to NYC(whoo hoo!) and I’m looking for lunch places with “atmosphere“. I know… that’s a very broad and subjective request. Just tell me what comes to mind when you think of atmosphere. It may be the architecture, décor, view, garden or maybe the patrons or staff define the atmosphere. No cuisines or locations excluded. We will be touring the city as well so the dress code should be up to “snappy casual”. We would like to have a few glasses of wine with lunch and I’d like to get out for $150 or less but price isn’t necessarily an issue. If your really passionate about a place, feel free to disregard any of the above. Thanks!

Give me atmosphere!

Some places with interesting outdoor atmosphere (sidewalk/garden/parkside seating) include:

Cafe Ruhlmann or the Rink Cafe in Rockefeller Center

Any of the restaurants in Battery Park City that have outdoor tables facing the Hudson

Any place on Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights with sidewalk tables

Give me atmosphere!

$150 for lunch for two - that%26#39;s a lotta wine!!

We%26#39;ve eaten at a lot of places in City - to pick just one - tough - however as GWB suggests, any place wsith outdoor dining on a nice NYC spring day is worth its weight in gold. Just go easy on the wine - don%26#39;t want to get %26#39;pinched%26#39; for WUI!!

Poppa

One of my favorites is the Lobby Lounge at the Mandarin Oriental. Exceptional view of Central Park and the city. Exceptionally good burger trio and half bottle wine options for lunch. Service is excellent.

Another favorite is the Grammercy Tavern. Great menu. Good wine.

For each, call in advance for reservations.

In addition to the great ideas above, how about Minetta Tavern:

nymag.com/listings/restaurant/minetta-tavern/

or Balthazar:

http://www.balthazarny.com/

If you really want a very special lunch (and above budget but very memorable) do Per Se, one of top rated in NYC and beautiful room with lovely view of Central Park. Once (maybe twice?) in a lifetime place.

http://perseny.com/

How about the River Cafe right under the Brooklyn Bridge and overlooking the southern tip of Manhattan. It should fit within you budget.

For unique indoor atmosphere, there is the Cafe des Atristes with its very amusing Howard Chandler Christy murals.

The recommendations that you have received are wonderful. But the best ';atmosphere'; is to dine al fresco. Hit Zabars for some great picnic food, take a blanket, and head to Central Park. Find a great secluded spot and enjoy. No pushy waiters. No dress code. Just a beautiful day in the park with no kids.

Thanks TA gurus, I really appreciate your suggestions!

Before some other %26#39;killjoy%26#39; mentions it, Mel, the ';few glasses of wine'; may have to be partaken of illegally if quaffed in Central Park.

Apparently the plan to colonise the moon foundered when the potential restaurateurs pointed out how difficult it would be to attract diners to establishments that would have no atmosphere!