Do you need to book in advance?
x

For a weekend, probably a couple of weeks in advance. I called on Monday for this Saturday and there were no tables.

If it's pre-theater, definitely--for weekends, at least two weeks in advance, for weekdays, about a week ahead.
It's not as difficult for other times, but reservations are still a must.

Please remember that Becco is NOT the only Italian restaurant near the theater district. AS a native NY'er, I myself are always amazed at the # of restaurants im Manhattan - there are literally 10 restaurants on every Manhattan block - if you count both sides of the sts - sothere are literally thousands of restaurants one can eat at.

I have been to Becco, and while good, I never consider it one of my more memorable Italian restaurants. I'm not saying it's a bad restaurant, but I think it gets way to hyped on this travel board.

I remember reading one post where a woman called one month in advance to Becco, and couldn't get a reservation, and was real upset. It's NOT THAT good of a restaurant to get all worked up over.

Our concierge at the Sofitel recommended Osteria al Doge on W 44th. We were extremely impressed and felt it was one the best meals we encountered on our trip. Non-stuffy, romantic, reasonably priced authentic Italian, convenient to our theatre.

Anthony, thanks for the tip. Could you please list a couple of other restaurants in the same price range ($20 per person) that will bring platters of three different fresh pastas to the table, and that has a wine list of many great wines for under $20? I haven't been able to find a single other place anything like it. Of course, I've been to many other good Italian restaurants, but nothing even remotely similar to Becco.