Carnation cafe 5 pm

[cgh]

With a 4 pm and a 6:30 pm parade would this be a great idea, or a bad idea? I'm thinking perhaps we can watch the parade, then run in and have dinner-will it make it impossible to leave the park then afterwards?

 

[chrissiecutie]

With a 4 pm and a 6:30 pm parade would this be a great idea, or a bad idea? I'm thinking perhaps we can watch the parade, then run in and have dinner-will it make it impossible to leave the park then afterwards?

Bad idea...but that's just me.

Carnation Cafe is right on Main St & the seating is outdoors. However, there's a gate around the seating area and then the sidewalk. While CM's are good about keep the sidewalk open during parades, people do sit and stand at the edge along the street for parade viewing. So if you are eating at Carnation Cafe, it will be impossible to really see anything.

With a 5pm reservation and the parade just ending, many folks will still be lingering along Main St. And in summer season, people start lining up super early for the next parade. So it will be crowded. With outdoor seating that means it will also be noisy. What I like most about Carnation Cafe is that it's tucked into a corner (almost) and it's quiet and peaceful. I love hearing the trains & trolleys along Main during breakfast time or seeing the lights at dinner. During parade time, IMO- the best of Carnation Cafe will be lost to all the crowds & noise.

My suggestion...try for a late lunch, say 2 or 2:30 then line up for the 4pm parade. Or reserve a late dinner, say 7:30 or 8pm (I'd go with 8!) and do the 6:30 parade before.

 

[cgh]

Okay, thanks. I'll change it to 11. I made the reservation, then I though-um, parades, probably not a great idea!