Dinner before Cabaret--seeking advice.
 

My husband and I will be arriving Sat. for our long-awaited vacation. My latest question regards the Broadway show Cabaret. We have tickets Sun. night at one of the tables. We can arrive an hour before curtain and order food, dessert and/or drinks. I'm skeptical about eating there and am thinking we'd be better off eating before the show and just having a drink while at the theater. How do others feel? Have any of you eaten at the theater, and, if so, how was it? Can you give me other suggestions for nearby restaurants that we would get into early? (Priced at no more than $20-$25 a person.) All opinions are appreciated! Thanks to all.

Andrea, <BR> <BR>Monica and I did the same thing about 2 months ago. Cabaret is fabulous, you will love it! We had dinner at Becco, which we were a little disappointed in. There are many good, not expensive restaurants around that area. I forget what the address is but Cabaret is at the old Studio 54, which is slightly out of the Theatre district. A short walk though. Check the boards for theatre neighborhood restaurants.

You're better off eating elsewhere (which I assume you already guessed). The theater is on West 54th Street (between Broadway & 8th Ave.). As the previous poster said, it's just above the theater district, but certainly well within walking distance of that area. <BR>I'll disagree with the previous poster and recommend Becco (West 46th St., between 8th & 9th Aves.). If you go, have the pasta special (all you can eat of three different pastas--they change daily--for around $20). However, it already may be too late for reservations, but try (212-397-7597). <BR>Another possibility is Joe Allen's, a show-biz-type place on the same block as Becco. (212-581-6464). It's within your price range. <BR>

Here are a couple of ideas: <BR> <BR>There's a nice French restaurant called the Garrick Bistro, on 49th St. between Broadway and 8th Ave., that has a $25 pre-theater prix fixe, if you want really nice food and an elegant atmosphere. You'll need to reserve soon. (212) 489-8600. <BR> <BR>Lower priced, and lower on the food and atmosphere scales, but dependably good, is La Bonne Soupe, for basic French. It's on 55th between 5th and 6th Aves., and you won't need a reservation. <BR> <BR>For something different, try the Afghan Kebab House on 9th Ave. between 51st and 52d. Yummy and inexpensive, and you'll have no trouble eating early, no reservations needed. Also on 9th Ave., between 53d and 54th, is Rinconcito Peruano, an inexpensive, really great Peruvian place. Either of these will give you a taste of some of the terrific ethnic food to be found in NYC, but don't worry, the menus aren't intimidating and have a lot to please anyone. <BR> <BR>All but the first place can easily give you a full meal for less than $20 apiece. Enjoy your visit here!

I'll agree with Caitlin about Garrick's. It's also a good choice and is a few blocks closer. If you select that one, it's located in a small boutique hotel called the Mayfair. Check make sure the the prix fixe dinner is available on a Sunday.

If you like Chinese food, you may want <BR>to try "Wu Liang Ye" at 48th St. bet. <BR>5th & 6th Ave. This place is known to be <BR>giving you "a taste of Chinatown without <BR>having to travel there". Genuine spicy <BR>Szechuan food. Around $25 per person. <BR>Reservation a must. (212)398-2308

Or a Thai option: Pongsri, at 48th and 8th. Very very good. <BR> <BR>Enjoy the show!