They wouldn’t have to try so hard. But the food, the setting and (mostly!) the service at the Hudson Garden Grill at the New York Botanical Garden is far better than it would have to be to serve a crowd without a lot of other choices. You may be in paradise when you’re at the New York Botanical Garden, but you’re trapped there!
Here’s a nice way to while away an hour, restore your energy and get ready to see more beautiful plants and flowers.
Sam was a little tired.
Thank goodness her “French fries and ketchup” were served first. Because the reason I say the service is (mostly) good is that it took a good 45 minutes for our food to arrive. Even the first courses. (We asked for everything to come at once, but said, “however it comes.”)
The staff was very affable and well-meaning, though. Seems like they were just quite busy.
Iceberg salad with blue cheese and walnuts. Delicious!
Pork and Beans. Pork belly with Anson Mills Red Island Peas:
The pork belly was really too fatty, and not crispy on top. The beans were very nice, and had a good celery-pepper (maybe allspice) flavor. The sauce was too sweet for me. All in all a 5 out of 10.
This, though, was a knock-out. Crispy Feather Ridge Egg with asparagus, peas, ricotta and morels. Divine!
Spring on a plate. Well balanced, fresh, full of flavor. We loved it!
We ate on the patio.
The inside is cool, though. A bar overlooks the kitchen:
And the dining room is light and airy. Very minimalist. Chandeliers are cool. 
Beautiful archway:
Definitely make a reservation if you’re at the garden on a nice day. It gets crowded!
And you can’t beat the view:
The Hudson Garden Grill, 646-627-7711, nybg.org/visit/dining.
