favorite pre-theatre restaurants?
 

Would be interested in hearing about your favorite restaurants for before-the-theatre supper (or dinner) - Broadway area as well as Lincoln Center.

On Broadway near Lincoln Center, my family likes the great Chinese food, and guaranteed lightning service, of Ollie's, bet. 67-68 St (I think). This is not at all a fancy place. If we're not hungry, we like a little sandwich shop called It's a Wrap, across the street. Don't sneer at me for recommending a fast-food place, but IMO it's kind of refreshing not to have a big, fancy, heavy, expensive meal before sitting in a theater for 2+ hours. They have great soups, salads, smoothies, sandwiches. For a nice French meal, we go to Cafe Luxembourg. There is also an Ollie's on W44th St in the Broadway area, but atmosphere is not as nice. We like Thalia's (lovely atmosphere) on 8th, 27-48th (I think). Blue Fin, in the new W Hotel on W 47th, has an awfully cool atmosphere, but better late than pre-theater. There are old stand-bys such as Joe Allen's, Orso, B. Smith--nothing wrong with those. There are a few remaining old-guard French bourgeois types, such as Pierre au Tunnel, which are a bit faded but have lots of experience getting you out on time.

Broadway: Chez Josephine, Le Madeleine, Becco, Lattanzi, Orso.<BR>Lincoln: Josephina, Cafe Fiorello.

Earlier this summer I ate at Marseille on Ninth Ave & 44th St - wonderful food. I thought I was downtown instead of midtown. I also like La Locanda on Ninth & 50th and Delta Grill on Ninth & 48th. And, always, Le Madeleine on W. 43rd off of Ninth.

Sam's.<BR>Hand's down.<BR>Little brick-walled bar and restaurant at 263 W. 45th. Caters to the pre-theatre crowd. Charming. Steps down to a warm, cozy restaurant with food that has never disappointed. I'm only disappointed if I'm in the city and don't get to Sam's. Probably my favorite little place in NYC. Moderate. Nice people. Good food and no stress about making the show. In the middle of the theatre district.

Rosa Mexicano...on Columbus. The very best Mexican.....yummy guac.<BR>

Broadyway: Barbetta.<BR><BR>Lincoln Center: Josephina, Shun Lee.