Last time I dined at Clara, the restaurant was in the New York Historical Society. Today, the museum dropped “Society” from its name, and the restaurant is now under the direction of Alex Guarnaschelli.

I recently met friends there for lunch. I was in the mood for a burger and fries, so I ordered the cheddar-topped one with a side of fries. I couldn’t finish the perfectly cooked burger, but easily polished off the small serving of fries.   

Others enjoyed chicken paillard over grilled onions and mustard greens ($28),  quiche Lorraine ($21) and an over-dressed salad of fresh peaches with lots of arugula, some mint and very few sugar snap peas ($18). 

I left underwhelmed, especially by the lackadaisical service—hesitant and unpolished throughout.

That said, I’d return after a museum visit.

This time, I hadn’t gone to the museum—I just met friends for lunch.

Clara
New York Historical
Upper West Side
170 Central Park West
New York, NY 10023
212-485-9211
nyhistory.org/dine