Things You'll Need:
- Map
- Flexibility
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Step 1
Sprinkled around the park are several hot dog, pretzel and ice cream stands, so you will never go hungry. The pretzels are large, warm with plenty of salt and are a good choice if you just finished a jog around the reservoir and compliment with the Evian or Poland Spring. Hot dogs in New York are known throughout the world and have been said to be the tastiest. Have it your way, with fried onions or chili with beans or just plain with ketchup and mustard. Under the blue and yellow umbrellas, vendors the most often use Sabrett.
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Step 2
Visit the popular is the Boat House restaurant, near the lake for a sit-down dining style. It is known to be expensive but has a secret most are unaware of. Fitting into your budget menu is their Express Cafe. Stop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner as their hours are 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. daily (winter until 4:30 p.m.). The menu for breakfast consists of muffins, omelets and pancakes. The balance of the day’s menu is burgers, salads, sandwiches and snacks. This is a great choice for tourists and New Yorkers alike to have a quick meal and back out into the park again.
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Step 3
Spend a day with your family and enjoy the Leaping Frog Cafe in Central Park Zoo (64th and Fifth) as a stop for lunch or a light snack. The reasonably priced menu features children's favorites like hamburgers, hotdogs, French fries, while also offering soups, sandwiches, salads and wraps as the cuisine of choice for the adults. Your meal at the Leaping Frog Cafe helps support the Wildlife Center and you can dine al fresco or inside. It's open during zoo hours. Skate your way for a snack at the Wollman Skating Rink. You do not even have to skate to sit back with some hot cocoa and a wrap and be a spectator. This informal café may only open during the winter and skating season.
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Step 4
Enter one of the busiest entrances to Central Park known as Merchants’ Gate (Central Park South opposite Columbus Circle), to find a recent addition, Ferrara. Those in the know are familiar with Ferrara as Little Italy’s favorite landmark café with a eat-in pastry shop since 1892 in Lower Manhattan. The ornamental green kiosks were designed and constructed in Italy servicing not only their famous Italian pastries but breakfast, lunch and light dinners. Ferrara is open from March through October and when the weather is permitting and is a great place for people-watching.
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Step 5
Pack a picnic lunch for an inexpensive meal. At the new Time Warner-AOL Center at Columbus Circle (Broadway & 59th St.), Whole Foods Market occupies the entire lower level. They've got half a dozen different kinds of salad bars, deli center and a large variety of cheeses and fresh baguettes. Choose what you like and eat when you like. It is all there for you.
