Central Park Boathouse restaurant reopens, with Legends Hospitality running the show

Central Park Boathouse, the landmark lakeside restaurant established in 1954, reopened Monday in New York City’s largest park for which it is named.

A popular dining venue for New Yorkers and tourists alike, the restaurant had been closed for two years as the city searched for a new operating partner. Last year, it was announced that Legends Hospitality, foodservice operator at Yankee Stadium and several other iconic NYC destinations, would run the show and invest in capital improvements. The full-service restaurant’s former operator cited labor and other costs as reasons for closing.

Although Legends is in charge of operations, the kitchen is run by executive chef Adam Fiscus along with consulting chef David Pasternack, who formerly headed up award-winning restaurants Esca and Picholine. They’ve developed a continental menu that combines modern and nostalgic elements but never gets too adventurous.

Guests can visit for lunch, dinner or brunch, and each meal begins with a complimentary relish tray. The seasonal menu includes classic appetizers such as Baked Oysters Rockefeller, Stuffed Mushrooms and Boathouse Clam Chowder as well as the more contemporary Hidden Fjord Salmon Crudo. Entrees range from house-made pastas to Chicken Milanese and Filet of Beef au poivre. Brunch dishes include Jumbo Lump Crab Cake Benedict and Quiche Lorraine.

Prices are on the higher end, with the crab benedict at brunch tagged at $40 and a Prime Rib Dinner going for $64. But there are also more moderately priced items, such as Fish & Chips (lunch only) and Portobello Fries; both $24.

Wine is available by the glass and from an international list of bottles; the beer and cocktail selection has also been updated.

The interior of the Boathouse honors its origins as a Victorian-style building but takes inspiration from its setting in Central Park, incorporating nature and aviary themes; bird-watching is a favorite activity in the nearby Ramble.  

The private event spaces were also redone and can be booked for everything from walk-around tastings to cocktail parties and seated dinners.

Legends is employing a team of union workers, many of whom were laid off when the Central Park Boathouse shut its doors in 2022.