We're going to see the Lion King at 1:00 on Sunday 9/19. Any suggestions for a nice brunch in that area before the theater? Don't mind paying for something nice, but would like to keep it under $40 per person. We are staying in Times Square, so within walking distance would be great, but if we need to take a cab we have to allow for time. Thanks - you guys always give the best suggestions.

You posted this twice and neither time did you put NYC in your title. You might get more responses if you did.

~gnr~

I'm so old that I can actually remember when brunch was a meal that replaced breakfast and lunch. But today Brunch often starts sometime around noon or even later!

I was going to suggest B.B.King's Gospel Brunch right down the street from Lion King, but that is too late for you.

The nearest brunch buffet that I can think of is at the Marriott Marquis in the high revolving dining room, but it may be slightly over the $40. And I believe they still do a brunch buffet at the restaurant Charlotte in the Millenium Hotel.

Are you thinking buffet or just a nice "order from the menu". Buffets tend to be less popular in New York for brunch than in many other US cities.

For a fancy place that's a bit of a walk or a quick cab ride, Cafe Botanica at the Essex House Hotel on Central Park South. Acquavit is also fancy and good.

For a fun place try BB King's in the theater district for live music.

Here's a great thread with more info on these and other places.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34507330

I'm not sure what time it opens, but you might try the West Bank Cafe on 42nd Street, just west of 9th Avenue, about a block and a half from the theater where The Lion King is playing. The restaurant has an excellent brunch that is reasonably price.

The problem is, McLaurie, the time. Botanica like most others doesn't open until 11, allow another 15 minutes to get seated and started. Allowing plenty of time to get a taxi and get to Lion King by 1, I think they'd have to leave by noon. An hour or less for an elaborate brunch buffet seems like such a waste. And Botanica is well over the $40 limit -- $59 last I knew.
Aquavit is my favorite, but again, not enough time. B.B. King's brunch doesn't even start until 1:30 -- after Lion King has started.

I just had another post disappear in which I mentioned Norma's at the Parker Meridien Hotel (west 58th).They start serving at breakfast time. A short cab ride or walk.

ALSO, if it's a nice day perhaps the Bryant Park Grill at west 40th. They start serving at 11:30am I think.

I initially didn't notice the 1 pm time. Since when do they do 1 pm matinees? Are they squeezing in evening Sun performances?

McLaurie, great minds certainly do work alike! I was going to mention my FAVORITE fair weather place for a nice "order from the menu" brunch -- outside at Bryant Park Grill, but knew that was too late as well, or certainly pushing it.

And I also questioned that time for Lion King, looked it up and see that starting Sept. 8, yes there are two performances on Sundays: 1 PM and 6:30 PM. That's a new one!