My ex-expat group has traditionally had a December outing to visit one of the city’s many holiday shops followed by our holiday luncheon.  This year was a tad different. Ten of us met and shopped at the Bryant Park Holiday Mart 2020, open through January 3rd, 2021.

Because of the pandemic, we didn’t plan a luncheon. Three of us brave soles ate outside (yes, outside) at Bryant Park Grill, after asking them to turn on the gas heaters.

When the server requested our drink order,  I thought a second, then asked if they could make an Irish Coffee ($15) to both warm my innards and hands! That sparked one friend’s memory of Blueberry Tea, a combination of Amaretto, Grand Marnier and hot tea ($15).

We also asked requested three glasses of HOT water as hand warmers.



We each ordered their hot Tuscan tomato and fresh white bean soup with toasted croutons, shaved Parmesan cheese  and a drizzle truffle oil ($10) hoping it would warm our innards. It certainly hit the spot!

One hungrier friend indulged in the black squid ink risotto topped with diver scallops, calamari, fava beans and smoked cherry tomatoes ($17.50).

I don’t recommend doing what we did as their heaters didn’t give enough warmth for us to be comfortable in the cold.  That said, I wouldn’t want to have missed this luncheon!

Bryant Park Grill
Midtown
25 W 40th St
New York, NY 10018
(212) 840-6500
www.arkrestaurants.com