Museum Food Court
American Museum of Natural History
Central Park West at 79th Street
(212) 769-5100
The American Museum of Natural History’s new Hayden Planetarium features a spectacular space show, with special effects that simulate spaceship travel. But once you’ve “returned” to Earth, you’ll probably have a Brontosaurus-size appetite.
Fortunately, you can treat your crew to a meal for a less-than-stratospheric cost at the museum’s brand-new Food Court. And the sweeping white dining area, filled with pearwood tables and chairs, has a dozen gleaming chrome service stations, offering everything from antipasti to smoothies.
Kids will love the foot-long hot dogs that can be topped with chili or sauerkraut ($3.50), or the grilled hamburger with fresh shoestring fries and a small soda ($6.50). Additionally, dinosaurs aren’t only on display at the museum – they’re also consumed. The Food Court sells dino-shaped chicken nuggets ($4.25) and potato-nugget fries ($2.95).
Parents may gravitate toward the salad bar ($.40 per ounce), loaded with such dishes as Israeli couscous studded with raisins, dried cherries and pine nuts; creamy chicken and chipotle salad, and roasted broccoli rabe and fennel.
At another station, one day’s quesadilla had just the right mix of chicken chunks, melted jack cheese and red peppers with a little jalapeno kick ($6.25). Pizza is another solid choice and a great value if ordered with a small fountain soda for $3.25.
Planet cookies ($2.50) from Eli’s bakery come in the shapes of Saturn and Nebula and further the space theme. Better – and better for you – is a fresh fruit cup of melon and pineapple chunks, strawberries and grapes ($3.50).
There are even frothy cappuccinos to add a little civilization before you venture back to prehistoric times.