southwest porch at bryant park opens today

The usual Bryant Park sandwich place, 'wichcraft is
renamed "Southwest Porch" today.


My seat of choice: a hanging rattan egg-shaped swing.
Complete with branded Southwest pillow. Which I am sure they
will sell along with a blanket and headphones. Haha.


Decor-wise, it's lovely! I love the hanging plants
and the lights.

The Southwest Porch at Bryant Park is slated to open today. At least that is what The Times blog article revealed three days ago. I stopped by the Southwest Porch at 10:30 today to check the progress. There was still a lot of work being done, probably due losing a whole day to yesterday's rain. But one person I asked confirmed that the Southwest Porch will still open today. Good, I am fixing to get a sandwich and swing on the rattan swing. Or perhaps try the beautiful Adirondack chair with carved out cup holder. Or the yellow-cushioned couch.

The setting is lovely. I am sad that it is likely temporary. As of now, it will only stay open through mid-September. In case you haven't heard, this gazebo area is to advertise Southwest Airlines' new service to LaGuardia. They will serve themed sandwiches like the New York Meatball and the Chicago Bratwurst, and the like. Perhaps there will be an Austin Veggie Taco? I can only hope. I will let you know more details after I go. For now, enjoy these pre-opening photos. According to The Times, the hours of the Southwest Porch are M-Th, 5 to 9 pm and F, noon-4pm. No lunch except on Fridays? Well perhaps things will change.

On a brighter note, I just read the following in New York Magazine's Grub Street:

A note from the Bryant Park Corp. clarifies that the 175-seat alfresco area, which includes porch swings and rocking chairs, is not actually a restaurant: “The Porch is a cozy lounge area open to all park visitors for relaxation, contemplation, people-watching, reading, etc. Those who enter the area are not required to place an order with 'wichcraft. Indeed, they can bring their own food and beverage if they wish.”

***
Update, 2:15pm
I went! It's open! I sat in the rocker with yellow cushion. Very comfortable. And then I sat in the Adirondack chair with cup holder. I didn't bring a cup. And then I got some time on the couch. Very very relaxing. I read Catcher in the Rye. It was heaven. And I just saw that Southwest Air Twittered my pics!!! That is very nice of you Southwest, thanks so much!

The Southwest Porch in the southwest corner of Bryant Park.


As of 10:30 this morning.

Before I found out this special area was sponsored by Southwest,
and part of a restaurant, I had visions of bringing my lunch and
camping out here. So comfortable looking. An urban retreat.
Well, I hope they have veggie options. I'll certainly buy a sandwich.


Have you ever seen an Adirondack chair with a cup holder carved into it?
Me either. Looks comfortable.


As you can see, the seating options are varied and pleasing.


The rolls are prepped. Could that mean lunch today?
Will it taste like airplane food? Sorry, I couldn't resist asking that.


The signage is up.

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