Legendary restaurant reopens in New York City's Central Park 

MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) -- Nestled beneath the trees, the Central Park Boathouse is a city landmark rich with nostalgia and tradition for generations of New Yorkers.  

A victim of rising costs and the pandemic, the restaurant closed two years ago and just reopened with new owners and a refreshing new look. 

General Manager Katerina Avila says, "Everything is brand spanking new. More than just a fresh coat of paint. We really took care of the interiors." 

Its originally decorated mosaic floor tiles were preserved, and chandeliers brighten the room with tables covered with crisp white tablecloths and place settings. 

But it is the view that captivates. It is postcard-perfect, particularly during the summer months when rowboats glide across the water. 

At the bar, Anthony prepares a Boathouse Cosmo, a house special. The bar is beautifully restored, and it offers a bird's eye view of the dining area and waterside. 

To create the menu, Legends Hospitality brought in award-winning executive chef Adam Fiscus. 

He explains, "We have designed a continental menu which means we try to pull the best ingredients from France, Italy, and Spain." 

The history of the Boathouse dates to 1874 when the park was designed. The restaurant has been a part of the very fabric of New York for 70 years. The new owners recognize that it is more than a historic venue, it is a living legacy. Avila sees a promising future. "We're here to bring back New York grandeur, she maintains, "bring back the tourists bring back the upper east and west side, bring back everybody." 

Along with new diners, there are neighborhood folks who are delighted to return to the refurbished restaurant. Nancy Hawkes has dined here before. She bubbles, "I love it here. I was sad when it closed, and I am very happy to have reopened. It's a beautiful spot." 
 
The ducks have the picturesque lake to themselves for now, but with spring around the corner, on April 1 the row boats will be available to diners for a romantic cruise to work off their hefty meal.   

The restaurant is now open daily for lunch and dinner and Sunday brunch. Lots of memories here.