We would like to eat at Chez Josephine prior to going to the Martin Beck Theater. We don't want to rush through a nice dinner, so what is the best time to make make our reservation for? I am assuming that the theater is a 5-10 minute walk from the restaurant.(?) What time do they start serving dinner?

These questions also apply to other restaurants within walking distance of other theaters.

Is it considered rude to sit at your table for an hour plus, during this busy pre-theater time period?

Thanks in advance. This board has given me so many good ideas and suggestions for our May trip.

I always book at 6, 6:15; 6:30 at the latest.

I do not think it is considered rude to sit and enjoy your meal for an hour (or more) if you were tying up a table drinking a coffee during pre-theater time it would be looked at little differently, but to relax & enjoy dinner is fine. We Americans really need to take some cues from our European neighbors - they site, relax & actually enjoy their food & conversation; here we tend to inhale food and RUN! Relax, enjoy & have a great time!

The Martin Beck is on 45th and Chez Josephine is on 42nd. Even though it is just 3 blocks, I would allow 15 minutes. The streets are very crowded just before theater and you will have to battle your way through folks clogging the walks to take photos, street performers, vendors, etc. Make your reservation at 6. By the time you are seated and order your food it will be between 6:15 and 6:30. One hour to eat and a few minutes to use the restroom (don't wait until you get to the theater) and you will arrive at a few minutes to 8. I assume you are seeing Sweet Smell of Success. We enjoyed it very much. Have fun.

Thanks for the responses. Yes, Ellen, it is Sweet Smell of Success. Hopefully they will tighten it up by the end of May, although as I have already told you, your review of the show has made me feel much better.

I agree with Sue 100%. We are late diners, 9ish, and dinner out is usually the only event planned for that evening.

I hesitated about having pre-theater dinners, as I hate to eat and run, especially in a nice restaurant with good food and service. Why waste your time, money, and calories in any other type of place. As my mother used to say, 'sit down and eat like a mensch'.

I'm a total fan of eating after the show so there is no worry about getting to the theatre on time, and I don't have to worry about nodding off after too much to eat and/or too much wine. But since you'll need reservations at Chez Josephine anyway, I'd put the problem in their hands. When you call for reservations tell them you're going to the Martin Beck and ask them what time you should arrive to allow them to treat you to a well paced meal.

When in New York, I usually like to have dinner before the show because I don't like eat large meals late in the evening. I would definitely recommend 6:00 p.m. for dinner. I think that generally most of the restaurants in the theater district (i.e., around 46th street, etc.) expect that many of the 6:00 - 6:30 reservations are held by theater goers so you will probably be OK, but go for the 6:00 time so you don't have to rush.

I am just the opposite! I hate rushing through a dinner too early in the evening,to sit with full stomach in the theater for a couple of hours! The bathrooms in the theaters are tiny and the lines are very very long.
I would have a snack before and a leisurely dinner afterwards.

Mia, you will be happy to know that the Martin Beck has solved the 3 stall ladies room issue! They yanked out all the sinks and moved them out to the lobby area, along with the mirrors and some ledges to put your bag on. Then, they added about 10 more stalls where the sinks were and set up a roped waiting area that zigzags like at the bank. Someone was finally thinking!

Ellen, that is great! It always amazes me that these places don't accomodate the crowds..at least the female crowds In buildings that are from the early 1900's, there wasn't a whole lot of regard for the ladies needing to visit the loo,someone needs to remind them that it is now the 2000's-LOL~Mia

Back to the original question: 6 p.m. will be fine for Chez Josephine. First of all, they'll ask if you're going to the theater to make sure you get out on time. Have no fears about lingering. They expect you to stay there until you leave for the theater.
Word of advice: Make your reservations at Chez Josephine at least two weeks in advance.

We LOVE Chez Josephine and visit every time we're in NYC! In fact, we'll be there this upcoming Thursday and Saturday evenings. I believe they start serving dinner at 5PM and, if you really wish to dine before the show, I'd recommend making your reservation no later than 5:30, so as not to rush. It's really best to leave plenty of time to walk to the theatre and arrive at least 20-30 minutes before showtime as everyone is arriving and being seated and you can't just walk right in and get to your seat in a few minutes. NO ONE will rush you at Chez Josephine. Once your waiter arrives at your table, just advise him what time you plan to leave and he will pace the meal accordingly. HOWEVER, we prefer to head for Chez Josephine AFTER the show. The kitchen is open late and you can really relax and enjoy the experience without having to be somewhere else afterward. We've found, when visiting NYC, that we tend to have a late breakfast or, if we get an early start and have breakfast first thing, a late lunch, and we're not really ready for early fine dining. We've also learned that a cocktail or two renders us susceptible to nodding off during a show... If you head for Chez Josephine after the show, you're likely to be very hungry, and you can relax and enjoy a cocktail before dinner, a leisurely two or three course repast, along with an after dinner drink. All to the wonder live music. If you go before the show, you may not want to get up and leave, but you can always return for an after dinner drink or coffee and dessert.

Here's a different twist on the Chez Josephine question (sorry, Howard . .
Taking my 21-yr-old daughter for her first NYC visit in May. I'm still debating between giving up an evening of theatre and going to dinner at CJ instead (dinner AS theatre . . .either Thursday, the night we arrive, or on Saturday, post-matinee) but, if we decide to go there AFTER theatre Friday night, will we need reservations? I really hate to rush through dinner and not enjoy the show as much, so dinner after sounds like a great idea. Thanks . . .

We would much rather eat after the theater at Chez Josephine. To us, eating at 5:30PM is more like lunch time ;-)

Aside from the Martin Beck, we will also be at the Barrymore (Allergist's Wife), and the Walter Kerr (Proof).

If we decide to eat at Chez Josephine on one of these nights, after the theater, _approximately_ how long should it take from the Barrymore or the Walter Kerr to get back there?

P.S. I know that we won't be able to get a cab, so of course I am referring to walking time.
from the theaters to Chez Josephine.

You guys are really great, thanks for all the help and info.

Reservations anytime between 5:30 and 6 at Chez Josephine will give you enough. We were there a week ago Saturday. Knowing our theater was 11+ blocks away, we wanted to make sure were finished by 7:30. We arrived at 5:45 and had no problems.
We prefer pre-theater dinner because, for one, I couldn't wait until 11 to eat dinner! Also, we have to drive home, and it would just too late.
Harriett, no need to apologize. I'd recommend an 8 p.m. dinner at Chez Josephine on Saturday, as it is livelier between 8 and 10 on that night than on Thursday. You still should make reservations at least a couple weeks ahead for that hour as well. As for going after the theater on Friday, yes, you still should make reservations. No matter when you go, 1 3/4-2 hours is fine and you won't have to rush!
Nina, both theaters are easy walks from Chez Josephine--the Barrymore is 6 1/2 blocks away and the Walter Kerr is 7 1/2. You can easily do either in 15 minutes.
Incidentally, Jean-Claude Baker (its owner and maitre d') can tell you exactly how long it'll take you to get to each theater--even telling you times if you are a slow walker or a fast walker. No joke! He actually walked the routes!

6 definitely. It's best to get to a theatre 15 minutes ahead of the curtain, too.

It's fine to stay at a table for a couple of hours. It's expected. A theatre district restaurant has only one pere-theatre sitting in any case, they don't expect to turn the tables over before 7:30-7:45.

I personally don't believe in making any adjustment in how long you occupy a table in a nice restaurant out of consideration for others (though I do believe in increasing the tip if you are there for more than 2 hours). And I don't think "others" should hurry out of a place to make room for me.

We will probably eat at Chez Josephine on a Saturday night after the play. I look forward to our evening there all most as much as the play.

I hate to be rushed through dinner, but a pet peeve of mine is when the restaurant is packed and there are people standing who had reservations and are patiently waiting for their table, while other diners feel that it is perfectly acceptable to just sit and sit at their table, with empty coffee cups, just chatting away.

Also peeves me, when the table has been cleared and these same people let the unpaid check sit there for 30 minutes while they continue their conversation.

Don't get me wrong, you should not feel pressured to leave your table the minute you have taken the last gulp of coffee, merely because others are waiting for your table. Some people just take advantage.

There is a mental time limit. You 'own' that table for let's say two hours, your check is for the meal, not a down payment on the restaurant.

Oooops darlings, have to go. My cell phone just rang, so that's my cue to discuss my business and/or personal life in a VERY loud voice so that no one in the restaurant will miss a word. I know that they all are very interested in my life ;-)

Nina, have a great time and be sure to post back after your trip; I'd like to hear about the show and Chez Josephine. Have Fun!

Susan, I won't be leaving for two more months. Researching is half the fun. I will post in June to let you know about my wonderful experiences in the Big Apple.