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Nestled in a copse of trees in stately Fort Tryon Park, the slate courtyard of New Leaf Restaurant & Bar evokes the pleasures of al fresco dining at a hillside Tuscan inn. Inside the elegant, vaulted interior—a stone building from the thirties renovated by the New York Restoration Project, Bette Midler’s non-profit group—an imaginative menu is served with an emphasis on seafood, plus seasonal variations like soft-shell crabs in early summer or a minimalist choucroute garni in winter. Grilled sirloin is paired with bacon and a blue cheese potato gratin, a pleasurable sequence of taste sensations. Sunday brunch draws crowds for blueberry pancakes and wild mushroom omelets; daily, non-brunch clientele include visitors to the nearby Cloisters, couples out for a romantic repast, and Uptowners in the know, all of whom can take comfort in eating for a good cause: net profits are donated back to the park for its upkeep and maintenance. — Stephen Weiss

Jazz perfromances Fri., 7:30 p.m.—10:30 p.m.

Weddings
This romantic little building, just steps away from the Cloisters, boasts great views and has a cozy, cottage-y feel. The bar accommodates 40 people, the dining room holds 50, and the spacious patio seats up to 120 for dinner. No outside catering. Prices upon request

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