I was checking out some "affordable" restaurants on zagat.com and came across Ferrara, can anyone who has eaten there recently comment on food, service, etc.? We would most likely be dining at the Madison Ave location between 45 & 46th streets. Thanks! Oh, and if anyone has an alternate "affordable" Italian restaurant that is open on Sundays in the same general area, please feel free to make a suggestion.

If you're a "large" group (4 or more) i would suggest Carmine's on 44th, b/w 7th+8th Ave.

The restaurant is served family style, so you could probably order 1-2 appetizers and 2-3 dinners and it will be pretty reasonable.

Hi - yes, we had considered Carmine's, but this is most likely for a Saturday pre-theater dinner and I had heard that Carmine's could be extremely crowded. There are 4 of us, and I know that Carmine's doesn't take reservations so I guess I was hoping to find a "good" alternative that wasn't as popular/crowded . . .

Last nite i just ate at Becco's, which although i wasn't thrilled with the place, most people are. (46th St b/w 8th+9th Ave).

They are known for their all you can eat pasta of the day. They make 3 different pastas each day and serve you all 3. Then you can request more of all of them or just the one(s) you liked. This costs $22/pp (which also includes caesar salad or antipasto)

Entrees are about $22-$30, and for an add'l $9 includeds the above 3 pastas of the day.

They also offer an extensive wine list for $20/any bottle.

They have a website, www.becconyc.com (and the owner is on the food network, which might be a nice story to tell your friends) and there are a good number of reviews at citysearch.com

I'm afraid you're going to have a tough time finding a "great" place pre-theater in that area that is not crowded.

One other alternative (although cheap and casual) is John's Pizza on 44th Street. The food is good (ESPECIALLY the pizza) and the atmosphere is GREAT... it's in a renovated church, so there are beautiful high ceilings and stained glass throughout the place.

Where ever you end up, be sure to tell them when you're seated that you have theater tickets (if they don't ask).

Personally, i would go to Carmine's EARLY (5pm?? assuming the theater starts at 8pm) and if they can't seat you w/n 30 minutes, then use John's Pizza (or another place in the area) as a back-up plan.

There's one more place that i know my parents like (and takes reservations) but i can't think of the name, but i'll ask them later today and follow up w/n 36 hours.

I just remembered the place my parents like, Rachel's American Bistro. They said it's reasonable (which can be VERY different to different people), but i'd imagine you can find a menu or get a price range online.

I believe they'll take reservations for 4. They're located on 9th Ave b/w 43rd+44th Street.

Thereuare: Thank you;, you are being EXTREMLY helpful and I do appreciate your time. If you get a chance later I would love to know the name of the place your parents enjoy. Also funny you mentioned John's, we really like the idea of it being located in the old church and it was one of the places we wanted to go to. We will be in NYC a few nights and will certainly make it one of our dining choices! Thanks for the suggestions you have made; we have been to NYC before, but the last time we really didn't have a "plan" for pre-theater and although we are not picky eaters, and enjoy "discovering" places - it was a huge waste of time "wandering" to find a restaurant - I swore I'd never do it again! Thanks again!

Only Ferrra I know is a cafe in Little Italy so that's not it.

I like Becco enormously, it has never let me down, I eat there even if I'm not going to the theatre because I think it's really lovely for the $.

I think the Ferrara's at Madison between 45 and 46 is just a dessert place. It's the same as the one in Little Italy. If they have food, it isn't much (maybe a couple of sandwich choices) but mostly they're known for their desserts and coffee drinks.

Fred,

You're quite welcome... looks like i remembered the name of the place and as i was typing it, you posted your messege.... but i've since spoken with my mom who also added these:

Rachel's American Bistro: DOES take reservations and you'll need them (so call at least a few days in advance). She says the food is good, although the place is VERY small. ASK (when you make the reservation) to sit in THE BACK ROOM.

Southwest 44: across the street from Rachels and good Italian food.

(sorry, i just remembered you wanted italian, Rachel's is "American Cuisine", Southwest 44 is Italian)

thereuare: Thanks! And you suggestion of Rachel's is great - it's ok that it's not Italian, it sounds like a place we would enjoy and I appreciate the "inside scoop" on where to sit, etc. I will also look into "Southwest" Thanks so much!

Thereuare; just wanted to follow up and thank you for your advice. We just returned from a great time in NYC, thanks to your suggestion of 44 Southwest we enjoyed a wonderful meal; small quiet restaurant; reasonably priced (entrées started at $9.95) very good service and excellent food. We were not rushed and it was a nice ending to our day. One of the other nights we were there we went to John's Pizzeria - I had no idea that they served more than just pizza! Our party ordered several of the pasta dishes, the sausage rolls and 3 of us split a pizza; good food, reasonable prices, and we had a very good waitress. Also other travelers might want to know that John's is also open after theater and is a nice option for coffee and dessert. next time we plan to make reservations and try Rachel's! Thanks again!

Fred:

Just a suggestion. If you DO decide to try Carmine's at some point, I'd say to go for 2 entrees for four people. It's only my opinion, but my husband (who is a really big eater) and I split one entree last week and left quite a bit of it behind. There was really an awful lot of food, but it was GREAT.

I also thought that Carmine's was on 44th just off Broadway. I could be mistaken, but that's what I seem to remember.

At any rate, enjoy your trip!

Carmine's is on W. 44th, just west of Broadway. There is another Carmine's on the upper west side - Broadway around 92nd St. This one is as crowded as the one on W. 44th

Fred,

I've been away from the board for awhile and was just going thru some old posts... thanks for following up and i'm glad to hear you had a good trip.

-Thereuare