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North America, Travel
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March 17, 2010

Rock Center Café: A Meal and A View

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While on our latest fabulous date-retreat, and after our NBC Studios tour, my husband and I headed over to Rockefeller Center. We had passes to go ice skating at the rink, but the heavy rain outside had forced the rink to close for the day. We walked through the lower level of Rockefeller Center, where those passing by have their pick of shops, eateries, and other businesses.

Our pick for lunch that day was the Rock Center Café, a member of the Patina Restaurant Group. I had never eaten there before, but we chose it for their awesome views of the The Rockefeller Center Rink.

The atmosphere was casually elegant. The restaurant was busy, so we couldn’t get a table right next to the window, but it didn’t matter because the windows are so tall and so wide, that it would be difficult to have a seat without a view. The pouring rain added to the romantic element of our date, and from beginning to end the service from our waiter was great.

As I looked around the room, there were a few tourists as would be expected, but I also saw some New Yorkers (yes, you can tell), and even better, some families (though the children were older).

We started our meal with the Smoked Salmon Napoleon. The presentation was beautiful and the flavor divine.  I’m not a huge fan of smoked salmon.  I often find the smoked flavor too overpowering, but the combination with cream cheese…heavenly.

We also had soup. Clam Chowder for me and Tuscan White Bean and Escarole Soup with Pancetta for my husband. Both delicious.

For a moment, as we sat there, drinking our wine as the rain poured down on the skating rink and the flags of the world waved wildly in the wind, completely forgetting our real life of 3 kids and busy schedules and getting caught up in the moment of us and our flirtatious conversation.

I think that is probably one of the best experiences one can have at a restaurant. A moment of  zen and complete joy brought on the ambiance and as well as the satisfaction and indulgence brought on by the food and wine.

Not sure how long we were there, we had no sense of time, nor did we care. But it is definitely a place I would love to bring my friends to in the future, as well as my husband (again). It’s a bit pricey, as to be expected for the restaurants in the area, and definitely a place you’d visit as a treat or special time out, but it’s worth the consideration for future plans to eat out. The lunch and dinner menus looked great as well, so I might just give those a try too. Maybe in the warmer, dryer weather, when the ice is melted away and the restaurants divide up the space to provide outdoor seating. Either way, a wonderful way to be in the center of it all.

Rock Center Café
Rockefeller Center
20 West 50th St.
New York 10020
212 332 7620

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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2 Comments
  • So you've traveled to New York City. Now what? | NYCity Mama
    July 25, 2010

    […] there are. Places in the Times Square/Rockefeller Center area that we have enjoyed are The Palm, Rock Center Cafe, and Anthos, just to name of […]

    Reply
  • Kid-friendly events at Rockefeller Center | Babble New York
    October 20, 2010

    […] not mention the wonderful times we have all sat down to have an special lunch together at the Rock Cafe (and by special, I mean rare, as the Rock Cafe is a bit […]

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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