Any suggestions for a nice decent priced pre-theatre dinner near 45th Street?

Need some suggestions....steak, seafood, Thai, Japanese, Italian, American.

What day of week are you talking about and price range?

Our favorite is Becco, on 46th St. (btwn. 8th and 9th). They have a pre-theatre fixed price special of all you can eat of the 3 different pastas they are serving that night plus your choice of either a Caesar salad or antipasto platter, all for just $21.95! Their wine list also offers many reasonable alternatives, most for about $20. The quality of the food is excellent, as the restaurant is owned by the famed Lidia Bastianich. However, reservations for pre-theatre are a MUST, otherwise, you'll be waiting in line a long time.

The Four Seasons Restaurant (not the hotel) is reasonably close by at 99 E 52nd St betw Park and Lex. They have an excellent pre-theatre prix fix deal for $45. One of the best values in the city, IMHO.

Another question: What do you consider "a nice decent" price? There are a lot of restaurants to choose from in all-price ranges in the area.
While I agree with Craig that the prix fixe dinner at Four Seasons is certainly a wonderful experience, I don't know if the poster wants to be that far (at least a half mile) from the theater).

Hourglass Tavern at 373 W 46th is a popular and funky little place that offers amazingly low priced meals for NYC. The schtick is the hourglass mounted on the wall at each table - turned over as you start, you are supposed to clear out when it is done in order to get to the theatre. It got a lot of press after being mentioned in John Grisham's "The Firm". Not an haute cuisine experience, but fun.

OK, fifth try to post this, hopefully this time it won't keep asking me to register again, even though I've already been posting.

Another recommendation for Becco -- certainly in the moderate category. I usually eat after the theatre because I don't like the pressure of making the curtain, or seeing a show after drinks and a full dinner. But Rene Pujol on 51st between 8th and 9th has a great fixed price pre-theatre that Zagat calls "one of the best deals in town". At $42, it's not inexpensive, but is truly wonderful food. And they are experts at pre-theatre so the timing will enable you not to be rushed. Although 6 blocks north, assuming your theatre is between 7th and 9th, it will be an easy walk.

Patrick, I have taken your dining and theater recommendations before (as well as those from some of the other regulars here, like Owen, Flynn & Howard!) and I have never been "led astray". Thanks for your helpful contributions. I like your suggestion of Rene Pujol, and will look into it for a trip with my husband in April. Now, could you also recommend a "Best Pre-Theater - Inexpensive Dinner?" I have a group of more budget-conscious travelers that I will be taking to NYC and would like to have some places in mind for dinner. Adventurous tastes, limited budget (i.e. the $42 at Rene Pujol wouldn't go over too well with them!) We have theater tickets for both of the nights that we will be there, so I guess we should stick to the midtown area. Looking forward to your suggestions!

Margo and Patrick are correct about Becco. And at $21.95 for the all-you-can-eat pasta specials, the price is right.
I'll also endorse Patrick's suggestion of Rene Pujol and will add another French restaurant, which is our favorite--namely, Chez Josephine on 42nd Street, just west of 9th Avenue. Its prices are in the Rene Pujol range.

Fourth attempt to post here, getting irritated with this site quickly!!

A couple of inexpensive ideas --

Joe Allen's on 46th, fun and casual but you must call exactly one week ahead to book: 212-581-6464. Again if you go after the theatre you're likely to bump into lots of Broadway people. One busy night it was Nathan Lane, Mathew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker, Mary Louise Parker, and Michelle Lee, all at various tables.

Virgil's BarBQ on 44th. A few people call this a touristy place, but at lunch it is nothing but local business people. I consider myself a BarBQ expert, and this matches the best!!

Also right behind the Marriott Marquis (well I guess there is a theatre or two between) is JR's, a sort of neighborhood looking bar place. (But don't confuse this with JW's in the Marriott). Cheaper than dirt -- and a blue cheese hamburger to kill for.

Patrick, thanks so much for making the effort to post - I'm adding your suggestions to my NYC notes, these places sound just like what my group would like!