For an iconic afternoon in Central Park, I suggest sitting dockside at the Boathouse alongside The Lake that officially opened in 1858. With views of the Manhattan skyline, row boats on the water, the trees changing color in front of you and others taking in the idyllic scenery, it’s pure bliss.

Boat rentals are available — weather permitting — from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 until November 26. They offer a limited menu with all food served on disposables. The food is tasty, and the servers friendly. Lucky me, I was invited to sample their fare and tried several of their offerings.

Our servers couldn’t have been friendlier, including Clay, who told us he’s been working there for 18 years. Each employee we met exuded love for their job and its location.

Their Old Fashioned ($16), made with Barbados aged rum and Malagasy Chocolate, is the way to go. The tall drink packs a punch. With that, we tried their thick-sliced housemade kettle chips ($10) with a caramelized onion dip reminiscent of college frat parties — the one made combining onion soup mix with sour cream.

Also good are their flavored spiced Marcona almonds ($10) served in a disposable wooden box with mini tongs to serve them. Next, we sampled their Manhattan-style (with tomatoes) clam-vegetable Boathouse chowder. Good, although I would have liked more clams.

The day’s special was a Maine lobster roll served in a hollowed-out crisped bread shell filled with that chilled crustacean salad mixed with lemon aioli, lemon zest and chives ($25). The sandwich came with their chips.

Not to be missed.

Popup Dockside Boathouse
Park Drive North E 72nd St
New York, NY 10021
(212) 517-2233
centralparkboathouse.com/