Advice on eats and Shows
 

Hey new yorkers, my parents are coming in to town to visit this week. I need some suggestions on where to go for dinner on UES, $50/person or so. Also, what shows have gotten some really good ratings lately? Also, two, I've never gotten more than 2 tickets and the TKTS booth. Is it unlikely to get 4 seats together. Thanks!

Someone posted this link recently for purchasing TKTS online. Check for available discounts and see if seats of 4 are available.

http://www.entertainment-link.com/tkts.asp

For dinner on the UES, I suggest two "new" options:

1. <b>Spigolo</b> -- great Italian, on Second Avenue at 81st Street. Exremely well-reviewed by Frank Bruni of the NY Times.

2. <b>Cafe d'Alsace</b> -- amazing blend of French &amp; German cuisine (Alsace region), also well-reviewed, Second Avenune at 88th Street. Ask Aviram to match your meal with one of the cafe's 120 beers (he was also a wine sommelier before becoming a beer sommelier, but, as Bruni points out, much of the cuisine lends itself to beer pairings).

Call both well in advance for reservations -- tough to get a table at either right now, particularly during &quot;peak&quot; hours.

You might want to check craigslist for 4 theater tickets.

Vivolo and Atlantic Grill have some senior appeal if your folks are older and both do pre theater prix fixe dinners. Payard Bistro very good.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Drowsy Chaperone are available with discount codes on broadwaybox.com that avoids TKTS booth aggro.

When we have trouble getting four seats together, my friend always says, &quot;It doesn't matter because we're not supposed to be talking during the show anyway.&quot;

So, if you can get two pairs for a show you want to see, I'd say go for it!

abram, thanks for repeating what I always say about &quot;not talking&quot; during a performance. I can sort of understand two people not wanting to split up and sit separately, but what is the purpose of insisting that all four seats be together, especially if there are two pairs that are all better seats?

hey everyone, thanks for the suggestion, and yes i agree with spigolos...excellent. I ate there with a couple of friends last week. Decent wine list as well. shiraz lovers try the russian river, quite pricey, and only available by the bottle...about 70 usd., but well worth it. Thanks again!