Monday, April 23, 2007

Mange Al Fresco

The weather this weekend was absolutely gorgeous; we had 75˚F (24˚C) temperature, low humidity and plenty of sunshine. It was our first warm weekend of the season and everyone was outside enjoying the weather, including me. One of the most thrilling things about warm Spring weather in NYC is al fresco dining. Few restaurants have outdoor seatings but those that do, are always packed with a hungry crowd.

This photo, taken outside of
Cipriani Downtown, shows the waiter spooning freshly cooked pasta onto individual serving plates for the diners at the table. Cipriani Downtown is one of the most popular and expensive restaurants in one of the most popular and expensive neighborhoods (SoHo) in Manhattan. Most of the diners, I assume, are wealthy European expatriates who can afford $25 for a plate of pasta. But then again, it only costs them €18.

20 comments:

Unknown said...

The weather's getting too warm for comfort here!

Talking about prices of food. Cousins from the UK's here for holidays. Whatever they buy in Sg cost 3 times less! They stopped over in Msia, and everything you can divide the price by 7!

What pasta were they eating? Didn't you join in too?

Bel said...

Oh my goodness, I am SO hungry, and am salivating looking at this photo...yummmmmmmy!

The lady in the background looks like Australian Jodhi Meares...formely Jodhi Packer, ex-wife of James Packer (son of the late media mogul Kerry Packer and mate of TomKat)....so she's not short of a $$ and would fit in perfectly with the well-to-do crowd you've suggested frequent this establishment.

Did I mention how hungry I was??? ;o)

Bel said...

Keropok Man....it looks like Penne Napolitana......oh my goodness......my stomach is growling!!!!!!

thwany said...

that looks damn good.

and regarding your comment, hahah absolutely no one.

angela said...

Seems pricey for pasta even for us wealthy Europeans....
Looks like a fun atmosphere though.
Angela

Anonymous said...

Good weather finally! Oh, it better be warm weather if not the pasta will turn cold faster than ever, maybe before even it reaches the mouth :O

edwin s said...

Eh eh Penne. I love Pasta. Made some for dinner last night.

Fabrizio Zanelli said...

Penne alla Napoletana, tagliatelle alla bolognese or Tajarin al pomodoro (tomato) like this, may be excellent at 8 Euro. Not by Cipriani, by the way ;-)

Anonymous said...

The weather this week is very good, I'm go to the Grenoble and I'm back. Pretty pictures. I love penne
Bye Candy

Kate said...

Food is such a draw for us, both biologically and spiritually. It brings us together and feeds our soul through our communication as we dine.

Anonymous said...

That is an interesting photograph. Until I read your text, I assumed he was spooning up baby carrots. I like to eat outside too and I think it comes from our historical places out side from caves to the backs of wagons on trails west. It is interesting in your post to include the costs. I really like the photo today.

Abraham Lincoln
Brookville Daily Photo

Mandi said...

Great photo. Love the cafe culture there.

Dsole said...

oh I like how you said it... "al fresco dining" that's funny :)
I'm glad that you have a warm weather, me too!! ;)

teahouse said...

Wow..looks yummy! Yeah, I was in Central Park on Saturday and it was absolutely lovely. I just hope Mother Nature isn't teasing us again!! Who knows..with the way things are going this year, it could snow later this week!

Olivier said...

cela donne envie, c'est vrai que ce type de restaurant est cher à NYC, mais quand on est touriste. A NYC, j'ai decouvert dans un restaurant italien vers times square, des Pennes avec de la Vodka, c'est delicieux et j'en ais jamais trouve ailleurs qu'a NYC


that gives desire, it is true that this type of restaurant is expensive to NYC, but when one is tourist.
With NYC, I discovered in an Italian restaurant towards times Square, of the Warp ends with Vodka, they is delicious and I in board never finds elsewhere than has NYC

Nathalie H.D. said...

Pasta! I thought they were prawns! Must get myself some glasses!

Rafe Totengco said...

I was just in Bologna last week so I certainly had my fill of really good pasta but there's nothing like NY restaurant week to hit all the restaurants like Cipriani you wouldn't necessarily go to on a daily basis.

Oya said...

Geee, $25 for pasta?

TCho said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
TCho said...

oh please. New York is all about people living beyond their means. I'm sure not all of them were wealthy European expats. there were probably some poor ones too. ;-) lol.