Casual dinner in the theater district

Old Apr 23rd, 2015, 04:37 PM
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Casual dinner in the theater district

We are going to see Fun Home at the Circle in the Square and staying at the Edison. Have usually eaten in the late lamented cafe Edison . Though this is our anniversary the theater tickets and hotel are already a splurge for us ( though we will have cocktails after the show), so we want to eat well but casually. Any favorites?
This will be a weeknight in May.

Open to any kind of food, close to hotel and theater.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2015, 05:40 PM
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I haven't been there in a while, I have eaten at Uncle Nicks, 9th Avenue and 50th Street. Its Greek, casual, and the fish is freshly prepared. A greek salad is large enough for two.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2015, 06:10 PM
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My favorite (by far) is the West Bank Café. It is consistently good, with excellent service and is steps away but on the "other side" of the craziness that can be the theater district before shows. I eat there at least once on every trip to NYC and they effortlessly time the service to get you out to your show on time.

Having said all that, it may be too pricey. They do have a $35 prix fixe dinner menu that is always good and you can order off the menu as well.

One thought if it appeals to you, is to have a late lunch and order the three course prix fixe lunch = $20. Then relax or do a bit of sightseeing before the show - or before your drinks before the show. It would be a lovely place to celebrate an anniversary.

Highly recommend.
http://www.westbankcafe.com/menu.html
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Old Apr 23rd, 2015, 06:52 PM
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The Gotham West Market is the personification of casual. It is like a food court but very, very good food and no chains.

http://gothamwestmarket.com/
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Old Apr 23rd, 2015, 07:33 PM
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How fun! I love the Edison when going for shows.

If you liked Cafe Edison and want to keep the cost down, I suggest looking at a good pub for dinner. There are lots of Irish pubs in the TImes Sq. Area, but the only one that has really good food IMO (my husband is Irish) and is big and open with tall ceilings, lots of space, but still has a nice candle lit feel ( and an amazing huge wrap around the entire place bar) is O'Lunney's. Across Broadway and down a few blocks from your hotel.

We always stop in there on every trip, after a show. Have eaten dinner both before and after theater there. The space is so nice compared to a lot of pre-theater restaurants in TS area, where you get packed in like sardines. I hate that.

Two weeks ago we had dinner there before I show and I had the most amazing soup of the day I have had in a long time. Carrot, orange, and ginger. Yum. It was fantastic with their hearty bread that each table gets. I went back the next day and had another bowl. The traditional dinners are very good, the fish dishes are good, the hot sandwiches and salads are good, I can vouch for all of those. The portions are big so think about splitting an entree, that is what we do, along with a soup and/or salad for each of us.

Like you, I love to cook and hate to be disappointed by food. O'Lunneys is not terribly fancy, but is is very good and does not disappoint. Good friendly service also.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2015, 07:40 PM
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http://www.olunneys.com

Interior photos:

http://www.olunneys.com/photo-galler...69324169775073
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Old Apr 24th, 2015, 02:21 AM
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For Greek food on 42nd betwen 8 & 9th this is one of my faves:
http://www.dafnitaverna.com/
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Old Apr 24th, 2015, 03:16 AM
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I have never eaten in an Irish pub outside Ireland, emd3, and now I remember your talking about that soup!
Will pass on suggestions to my better half. Thank all of you.
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Old Apr 24th, 2015, 05:33 AM
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We've had good meals at Pongsri That before the theater. The restaurant is pretty, the food delicious, and the prices moderate.
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Old Apr 24th, 2015, 06:52 AM
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The O'Lunney family also owns Emmett O'Lunneys - an Irish pub on 50th, near B'way, across the street from Circle in The Square.

A couple of places on Restaurant Row (46th between 8th-9th Aves):
Hourglass Tavern - closer to 9th Ave, entrees under $20. They have a pre-theatre prix fixe dinner for about $22.00
Bareburger - good but service can be slow.
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Old Apr 24th, 2015, 07:55 AM
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I think we'll go for Emmet O'Lunneys this time, but will keep other recs too. Thank you all.
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Old Apr 25th, 2015, 03:35 AM
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I hope you have a wonderful anniversary trip and will be interested in hearing about the show and your meal.
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Old Apr 25th, 2015, 05:33 AM
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Bookmark
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Old Apr 25th, 2015, 05:35 AM
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Vt, we saw the show when it was off Broadway but reviews for this production are even better. We are very very excited, and yes, I will report. We are going right before I see you at the GTG!
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Old Apr 25th, 2015, 08:49 AM
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Cool, I had no idea abut the other O'Lunneys. Menu looks similar. Btw, crab cake app is very good and large, had that last time w that soup at other location.
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Old Apr 25th, 2015, 10:24 AM
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I had my eye on those crab cakes, emd3.
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Old Apr 28th, 2015, 04:15 PM
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Tony nominations are out. Fun Home won 12 tied with an American in Paris for the top spot. All of them well deserved. . You're in for a treat.
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Old Apr 30th, 2015, 05:01 PM
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What about Joe Allen?
www.joeallenrestaurant.com
It's on 46th between 8th & 9th. It's casual but the food is always consistently good(short ribs to die for) and the staff is wonderful about timing your meal to get you to your show on time.
Enjoy!
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Old Apr 30th, 2015, 05:03 PM
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Also, they take reservations(I think either 1 or 2weeks ahead)
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Old May 22nd, 2015, 04:13 PM
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We had a really meh dinner at Emmet O'Lunneys ( crab cakes pretty good, everything else really sub par) but it was great to be right across from the theater, and the play was amazing, so we didn't care at all!

Next time Joe Allen or Blue Fin at the W hotel.
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