great dinner on broadway
 

My daughter are seeing a show at the Nederlander Theatre in New York at 7pm and would like an early dinner at a great place. It is located on broadway and 41st. We love Italian, grilled meat and fish. We do not want a tourist trap. We are staying on Madison and 51sst, so anything on the way would also be good. It is a Sunday. Any suggestions are appreciated.

I live here and prefer to eat near the theater because any time I don't, that is the day I can't get a cab, traffic is horrendous, etc. And I don't like or eat in tourist traps either. So, I am recommending Esca, an upscale, delicious Italian restaurant heavy on the seafood that is also geographically desirable for you.

Esca 402 West 43rd (just west of 9th Ave) 212-564-7272

www.esca-nyc.com

imo, Esca is worthy of a leisurely meal and I would book 5pm. If you need to make it later, just tell your server what time your curtain is and they will make sure that you are out on time.

One of my favorite more upscale but not "out of sight" places is Kellari Taverna -- great atmosphere and service, great grilled fish and other items. It's "on the way" to the theatre from your hotel, on 44th between 5th and 6th.

www.kellari.us

I have eaten at both.

If price is an issue, Esca is a
tad more expensive. Kellari has
a pre-theatre $29.95 which we enjoyed.
Do let us know what you play & restaurant you chose.

Hi Rhea. They must be going to "Rent" if it's at the Nederlander. I assumed with a hotel on Mad and 51st, price wasn't going to be an issue. Esca certainly isn't cheap.

I've never tried Kellari, but with Patrick's and your recs, I will....I really like Greek food.

Esca is outstanding - however, if you want to try authentic dishes and you enjoy grilled mats and fish -- consider --

Pomaire 371 West 46th Street, an outstanding Chilean Restaurant (between 8th and 9th Ave)
also -Toloache 251 West 50th Street
contemporary Mexican bistro (not tex-mex)
Both having outstanding bars - and fine service

hi back Centralparkgirl! I was
really surprised to see all the
"bar action" at Kellari w/reserved
signs on the bar!! Definitely
"a lady of a certain age" venue!

A couple of doors away,heading West, in the Iroquois Hotel is a very charming small romantic restaurant, Triomphe. Check it out on opentable.com. Great food &
ambience (sans candle-lit Chianti bottles-lol!) w/a changing menu.