John

My wife and I will be in NYC during the last week in Dec. We will see the Loin King on Dec 26 at 8pm and Chicago on Dec 27 at 7pm. We would like suggestions for dinner prior to the show and cocktails afterwards. It is our first time in NYC. We would like to avoid the tourist traps and get some real 'NY' food.

Karen

It's possibly considered a tourist trap, but we thoroughly enjoyed Sardi's. We made reservations long in advance, mentioning that one of us was celebrating a birthday....we had a very nice table and terrific dinner just two tables away from Mr. and Mrs. Walter Cronkites. They brought dessert with candle and sang "Happy Birthday". It is not a quiet, peaceful restaurant, but we liked the hustle and bustle with lots of others eager to see their chosen Broadway show. We also saw "The Lion King" and will see it again in '99, absolutely wonderful!!

Marisa

Check out www.sidewalk.com for NY. They review restaurants, lounges, and clubs and provide the Zagat's review for them as well. Good luck.

Carolyn

Carmine's is also probably considered a bit of a tourist trap, but the food is good and there's plenty of it--almost too much; the location is perfect. I would recommend the Rainbow Room or the Plaza for after the theatre.

ellen

For dinner before the Lion King, I recommend Chez Josephine. 212-594-1925. It is right down the block from the theater. The restaurant is a tribute to the 20's dancer, Josephine Baker. Read up on her a little first. The new Amsterdam theater is amazing. Try to get there at least a half hour early just to browse around. There is nothing more typical than broadway theater that has been restored, and this one is spectacular. They actually have tours at lunch time. Chicago is 2 blocks up at 44th street. Sardi's is a zoo, but an okay NY experience and so is Joe Allen's on 46th. Just keep in mind, the real New York food is Pizza and Bagels (because of the water). Go to Ess-a-Bagel at 51st & 3rd, and John's Pizza on Bleeker only, and don't forget where Sally met Harry--Katz's Deli on Houston St. (get the pastrami).
Have fun.

ilisa

Joe Allen's is a good choice, as mentioned above. It's located on Restaurant Row. Also on Restaurant Row is a very good small French restaurant called Le Rivage, which I recommend. I also suggest that you get a copy of New York Magazine. It has an excellent restaurant listing.

Edward

I would like to second the suggestion for Carmines for dinner. The place is not so much a tourist trap as it is a popular restaraunt (lots of locals). Portions are gigantic, one serving will serve three comfortably, and prices are quite reasonalbe. For after show drinks, Sardi's must be tried at least once (even though it is a bit of a tourist trap) just for a classic Broadway evening.

steve

If you want to dine in the theatre district a few suggestions would be: Orso on W 46th-stylish Italian, Firebird on W 46th -beautiful Russian restaurant or Osteria al Doge on W 44th- another Italian. For after theatre drinks try the Algonquin Hotel for old world charm or the Royalton across the street where the beautiful and wanna be beautiful people hang out.

TC

All good suggestions above, however we usually don't eat a full dinner before a show. Several reasons: (1) Dining in NY should be a wonderful, enjoyable experience, not rushed to get to another destination. (2) If you plan to see the theater building itself and want to eat first you'll have to start dinner at about 5PM, which means you'll have to end your sightseeing day early enough to start the evening out at about 4:30 in the afternoon. (3) It's not so comfortable to sit through a long show after a substantial meal and a glass or two of wine. (4) It's impossible to get a taxi out of the theater district after a show, so you may as well walk to a nice place on Restaurant Row and enjoy a late dinner for two. It's the NY way. We usually get dressed, take a cab to within walking distance of our show (taxis are really impossible to get just before showtime) then sit and nosh on some substantial appetizers while we people-watch. Have a wonderful time. I'm jealous of anyone with Lion King tickets. It is breathtaking.

Andy

My wife and I found a great Italian restaurant called Triomfos. It's about a block off Broadway and they did a good job of getting us out in time for the show. We have been there twice an each time we had the chef's special, which is six or seven courses of what ever the chef wants to serve you. Each time was great.

Scott

You didn't say what area you are staying in (East Side, Midtown, etc.), but if they're near your hotel, the Four Seasons Restaurant (not the one @ the hotels) does an excellent pre-theatre dinner in The Grill Room. Prix-fixe price is resonable and food is fantstic.
If you don't mind taking a cab, try Gertrude's on E61st Street. Food is great, and prices aren't too bad for NYC.

lupe

Manfreds is a great place to grab a sandwich and nosh on some homefries.

Diane

I see someone else mentioned Firebird on W 46th. It is really charming. Besure to walk around to see some of the exquisite Russian costumes, jewelry, paintings, etc. on display. Can't believe much is "real" but it is a lot of fun imagining! Have one of their special vodkas as an afterdinner drink. You'll feel just like Ninotchka.