I will be traveling to New York City over Valentines Weekend with my husband and nine year old daughter. We have tickets to Aida Thursday evening. Can anyone recommend a great restaurant in the theatre district?

Not in the theater district, but rather close-by, is Artisenal (E 32nd at Park Ave). The specialty is cheese and all sorts of dishes made with cheese, including several different creative takes on fondue. Our kids thought it was the best fondue they ever had, and the Belgian-style french fries were a big hit too.

I am a big fan of Artisanal myself, and they also have lots on the menu that isn't cheese including fish and a steak.
Count on about $50-$60 per person with a glass of wine or two.
However, closer to your theatre would be Joe Allens on West 46th. It's not haute cuisine but it's surprisingly good, everything from the great house burger with fries (it's not always on the menu but it is available) to pastas to chicken. Good caesar salad. Very good desserts--if banana cream pie is offered, grab it. Reserve one week in advance.
Moderately priced-about $40pp or less, depending on what you order.
I also love Becco, also West 46th, book weeks in advance, in fact now if you can. Italian, they have a la carte, and
a nightly pasta special fixed price with a few choices and seconds offered.
I think it's saner to sit in the back.

I also recently tried Caffe Cielo, 8th Ave between 52nd and 53rd, a few blocks further up. Very good Italian food,
pretty atmosphere. Just make sure you tell them you are going to the theatre as we didn't and had to rush near the end of our dinner.

There are so many choices in the theatre district--everyone has his/her own favorites.

Bill, do you know if they serve raclette at Artisenal? Raclette is typically a large piece of cheese on a heating machine of sorts. As the cheese melts you scrape it off and onto spiced meats ("charcuterie"). I had it in the French Alps region but haven't seen it in the U.S. I suspect Rotelle AG in the E Village may serve it but I haven't gotten by yet...

Hi Mike. Didn't notice it at Artisanal, but it sounds really good!

I strongly recommend you do stick to the theatre district for your dinner, OR leave your restaurant with enough time to walk to your theatre, as you really really really cannot count on getting a taxi when you want to at theatre time on weekends, and in NY there's no such thing as calling one.

Sorry, Elaine, but I wouldn't categorize Joe Allen's as a "great" restaurant! Decent, yes; great, no!
Closer to that level would be Chez Josephine, a marvelous French restaurant, just west of 9th Avenue on 42nd Street. It's owned by one of Josephine Baker's rainbow children and is a maitre d' extraordinaire. He adds to the joy of the experience. Reservations a must, at least a week before (212-594-1925).
I agree with the previous poster who recommended that you have pre-theater dinner in the theater district.

Hi Tammy...I also recommend Chez Josephine...and I also agree that you should dine in the area of the theater.

Does anyone know how long Chez Josephine has been in NYC, by any chance?

Hi Celeste,
Chez Josephine has been around about 15 years or so and is a very nice restaurant. It's not great but is very, very good and fairly priced.
Have fun.