Back in June 2023, we reported that, following a closure due to “due to rising labor and costs of goods,” the beloved Central Park Boathouse was on track to reopen its doors by the end of summer. While a casual grab-and-go cafe (dubbed “very bad” by The Post) and upgraded row boat rentals did pop up before September, the lakefront restaurant didn’t welcome guests until Monday.
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Yes, the grand dame of Central Park (at East 72nd Street and Park Drive North) is back in business as of Monday, March 4 — just in time for the spring season. Run by Legends Hospitality, the food and beverage behemoth responsible for the elevated offerings at Yankee Stadium, the picturesque tourist trap will serve up lunch and dinner from Monday through Saturday (from 11 a.m. through 9 p.m.), as well as brunch and dinner on Sundays (from 11 a.m. through 8 p.m.).
Helmed by executive chef Adam Fiscus and consulting chef Dave Pasternack, the new Boathouse menu is filled with the requisite continental classics. Think oysters Rockefeller, clam chowder, Parker House rolls and stuffed mushroom for appetizers (ranging from $8 to $30), and spaghetti with lobster, prime rib, chicken Milanese and Trout Almandine as entrées (ranging from $22 to $64). Desserts all ring in at $14, with the list including staple sweets like New York cheesecake and chocolate lava cake. Of course, there’s a full bar doling out a laundry list of libations from cosmopolitans to champagne, so all cocktail connoisseurs will be sufficiently catered to.
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Expect cosmetic upgrades as well — all of which ring true to the historical nature of the structure and an aviary theme throughout (after all, the Boathouse is just steps from the Ramble, one of the world’s most famous birdwatching destinations). In fact, the team launched The Official Central Park Boathouse Bird Register to record observations.
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Originally designed in 1874 by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the Boathouse became a haven for parkgoers to relax and enjoy refreshments while taking in the iconic view. Following a fire that destroyed the original Victorian structure, it was reopened in 1954 thanks to hefty donations from metal industry millionaires Carl and Adeline Loeb (hence the name). From 2000 to its closure, the Boathouse was operated by restaurateur Dean Poll.
For more information and to book a reservation, visit the Central Park Boathouse site here.
“Tourist Trap?”
How nice of you.
Basket of Breakfast Pastries – $18
French Toast – $26
Burger – $28
Fish & Chips – $32
Iceberg Salad – $16
Linguini w/Clams – $34
And so on.
No thanks.
Wow, affordable and delicious considering location and effort it takes to produce and service guests in that location, more power to you. We’ll definitely be going back!
The people who run the Boathouse is Legends Hospitality – most famous for food services at football, baseball and other stadiums. So, sure, if you want your pastas and other food served by people who specialize in hot dogs and other stadium fare, be my guest and spend those prices on what can only be second-rate food.
I had lunch there once when some friends visiting from out of town insisted on dragging me there. I was a nice day so we ate outside on the patio by the water. The food was good, the service was good and the atmosphere was great. Prices were a bit high but not exorbitantly so for NYC and considering where we actually were and what we had/how we were served. I wouldn’t eat there every week but IMHO, it was a nice experience and worth it. People need to stop being such snooty, elitist UWS snobs.
I had lunch there once when some friends visiting from out of town insisted on dragging me there. It was a nice day so we ate outside on the patio by the water. The food was good, the service was good and the atmosphere was great. Prices were a bit high but not exorbitantly so for NYC especially considering where we actually were and what we had/how we were served. I wouldn’t eat there every week but IMHO, it was a nice experience and worth it. People need to stop being such snooty, elitist UWS snobs.