🌆 Friday, May 15 — Arrival
8:00 PM
Dinner at Elea Reserved
217 W 85th St (between Amsterdam & Broadway)
CuisineGreek — great mezze, dips, grilled whole fish. Plenty of vegetarian options for Mom.
WhoNikhil, Mom, Dad, Megha, Nisha (party of 5)
Getting there🚶 10-min walk from hotel. Nikhil will meet you at the hotel.
Phone(212) 369-9800
🏛️ Saturday, May 16 — Exploring the UWS
10:00 AM
American Museum of Natural History
200 Central Park West
NotesOpens at 10. Budget about 2 hours. Don't miss the Gilder Center!
WhoNikhil, Mom, Dad, Megha
Getting there🚶 10-min walk from hotel (head east on 77th to Central Park West)
12:15 PM
Lunch at Saravana Bhavan
413 Amsterdam Ave (at 80th)
CuisineSouth Indian vegetarian — masala dosa and filter coffee are musts!
WhoNikhil, Mom, Dad, Megha
Getting there🚶 10-min walk from the museum
3:00 – 6:00 PM
Ellington in the Park Reserved
Riverside Dr & W 105th St
NotesOutdoor spot in Riverside Park overlooking the Hudson. Relaxed afternoon vibes.
WhoNikhil, Mom, Dad, Megha, Nisha + friends and their families
Getting there🚕 Uber from Saravana Bhavan (~10 min)
7:30 PM
Dinner at Massawa Reserved
1239 Amsterdam Ave (at 121st)
CuisineEritrean/Ethiopian — tons of vegetarian options for Mom.
WhoNikhil, Mom, Dad, Megha, Nisha (party of 5)
Getting there🚶 15-min walk from Ellington, heading north. Near Nikhil's apartment.
Phone(212) 663-0505
🎓 Sunday, May 17 — Graduation Day
⚠️ Important — Please Read
No bags or gifts permitted at the ceremony — leave them at Nikhil's apartment. Only wallets and small clutches (subject to screening).
Tickets: You should have received yours by email. Nikhil will also have printed copies, but each guest needs their own scannable ticket (phone or print).
The ceremony is outdoors on the South Lawn — dress for the weather.
Assigned entrance: W 120th St & Broadway. Accessibility entrance: W 116th St & Amsterdam.
~11:00 AM
Gather at Nikhil's Apartment
438 W 116th St, Apt 3A
NotesDrop off bags, regroup, and get ready to walk over together.
WhoEveryone
Getting there🚕 Uber from hotel (~15 min)
~11:45 AM
Walk to Ceremony Entrance
W 120th St & Broadway
Notes We can show up at most 30 minutes early. This is our assigned entrance.
WhoEveryone
Getting there🚶 5-min walk from Nikhil's apartment
12:30 PM
GSAS Doctoral Convocation 🎓
South Lawn, Morningside Campus, Columbia University
NotesEach guest needs their own scannable ticket (phone or printed). Nikhil will have printed copies for everyone.
WhoEveryone
~2:00 PM
Arts and Crafts Beer Parlor 🍻
1135 Amsterdam Ave (near 116th)
NotesAll-vegan gastropub. Celebratory beers! Near Nikhil's apartment.
WhoFamily + friends
Getting there🚶 Short walk from the ceremony
Afternoon
Free Time / Freshen Up
Back to hotel
NotesHead back to the hotel to change for dinner.
Getting there🚕 Uber back to hotel (~15 min)
7:00 PM
Dinner at Carmine's Reserved
2450 Broadway (at 91st)
CuisineFamily-style Italian — huge portions, perfect for celebrating!
WhoParty of 16: Nikhil, Mom, Dad, Megha, Meera, Nisha + Tushar's family + Ricardo's family
Getting there🚶 15-min walk from hotel, straight up Broadway
Phone(212) 362-2200
🎂 Monday, May 18 — Megha's Birthday Brunch & Departure
11:00 AM
Birthday Brunch at French Roast 🎂 Reserved
2340 Broadway (at 85th)
CuisineFrench brasserie — shakshuka, croque madame, French toast. Happy birthday, Megha!
WhoNikhil, Mom, Dad, Megha (party of 4)
Getting there🚶 10-min walk from hotel
Midday
Departure ✈️
Safe travels!
📋 All Reservations
Ellington in the Park
Sat 3:00 PM · Reserved
French Roast
Mon 11:00 AM · Party of 4