Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Good point - a good reason to rejoice! It's the season of pumpkin bread, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin custard, pumpkin scones, pumpkin cupcakes, pumpkin pie...

That's so funny, Kathy... I've been walking by The Smith, resisting the pull of this humble little sign for two weeks now. Maybe today will be the day I indulge.

Eat at Hearth in the East Village. There are four seats that look into the kitchen - inspiring and fun to watch, and absolutely divine food. Ditto for Dell'Anima.

Balthazar - wonderful to sit back and enjoy the scene. I ate a late lunch there by myself once and was treated to a flute of champagne, on the house.

Blue Ribbon Bar is tiny and intimate, perfect for one. Little Owl, too.

The Union Square Greenmarket pulls in some great bakeries - I usually buy whole grain loaves, but give Bread Alone or Our Daily Bread a try.

Otherwise, I second Grandaisy, Amy's Bread and Balthazar. Or come to Paris!

This is so cruel. I used to live around the corner from Momofuku. Now I live 3600 miles away. I want me a slice of blueberry pie.

Pistachio blueberry turnover?? Hel-lo, amazing!! This looks utterly divine.

I second Shake Shack, Jacques Torres Chocolate Haven and Milk & Cookies.

Alice's Tea Cup has a couple different locations and is fun for both adults and kids.

You could try Pipa at ABC Home & Carpet - there's space, a funky interior and good, cheap food.

Also think about places with outdoor terraces.

Here's a link to an article I wrote that might be helpful:
http://nymag.com/travel/visitorsguide/46356/

Check if Flatiron Lounge opens that early. They're definitely the best cocktails.

Otherwise, Gramercy Tavern makes superb cocktails and 11 Madison Park would be a lovely, intimate spot.

230 Fifth will give you amazing rooftop views. And since you're meeting late-day, you won't have to deal with the boobs who usually go!

Taboon on 10th and 53rd is so awesome and so under-the-radar.

I also hear Caselluah is great, but I've never been.

Thé Adore on 13th Street is sweet.

The Mandarin Oriental is swank

Otherwise, I'd second Lady Mendl's and Alice's Tea Cup, the former for a nice proper experience and the latter just for fun (and great scones!).

Two more:

Pancakes at Clinton Street Baking Co. and fried chicken at Blue Ribbon.

What about some of the smaller names?

The John Dory, Blue Ribbon, Esca, Insieme, Anthos, Mary's Fish Camp, Gramercy Tavern, Vinegar Hill, Corton...

A dessert bar - ChikaLicious, Tailor or Kyotofu.

A great neighborhood restaurant - Prune, Mary's Fish Camp or 'inoteca.

A mega-restaurant: Buddakan, Spice Market or Stanton Social.

A cupcakery: Butter Lane, Billy's or Sugar Sweet Sunshine.