Susan

I really appreciate all of the great advice I have been getting from this post. I picked up my travel package from our travel agent yesterday and she suggested one of two places for a pre-theater dinner; Halcyon or Sardi's. Any opinions on either of these?? Also, I have seen pics. of our hotel on the net but does anyone have any personal experience with the Omni Berkshire Place?? Location, rooms, staff, etc. Again, thanks so much. I am trying to get everything about our trip settled before the Christmas rush-rush sets in.

howard

You can do better than Sardi's. It is not known for quality food! YOu can definitely do better.
I don't know about Halcyon's food, but I know it's not cheap!
How about passing along some food preferences and price guidelines, so we can make suggestions?

phyllis

susan-you've gotten great advice so i hope you don't mind one more opinionated new yorker. please, please ride the subway. it is so much faster than above ground travel and it is truly safe during the day and even into the evening. get hold of the subway map and a metrocard and use the money you budgeted for the taxi on a nicer dinner. my 15 year old son loves chinatown both for the junky trinket shops and the food. noodletown is a favorite. 2 other suggestions are joe's shanghai and vietnam. i think they are both on pell street and vietnam is a tiny restaurant down a flight of stairs. skip the carnegei deli, it is way overpriced, 2nd avenue deli is expensive also, but the food is far superior. its also close to st. marks place, a throwback to hippe days that your son might enjoy, but you may find intimidating.
there is a magazine called time out (also on line) that has great listings for ethnic restaurants if you're looking for other kinds of cuisines.
if you get stuck on a long line, remember that another great experience is close by. so, if you get stuck on line at the world trade center, just walk over to battery park city and window shop in the palm court or walk along the new waterfront park. you can also walk to the staten island ferry, the south street seaport or even walk across the brooklyn bridge which is a beautiful work of engineering and has unbelieveable views of manhattan, staten island and brooklyn.
the same is true for the metropolitan museum. the museum of the city of new york, the guggenheim and the museum of the barrio are within walking distance if the met is too crowded.
i agree with other fodorites who suggested advanced purchasing wherever you can.
if your son is interested in movies or television (i'm guessing from SONY) there are two great museums 1-the museum of television and radio and 2-the american museum of the moving image. the tv museum is on 52nd street off fifth avenue but the museum of the moving image is in queens. both have web sites for you to investigate further.
two more favorites of mine-1-if you go to the 2nd avenue deli, there is a great italian bakery on the corner of 11th street and 1st avenue (one block east and one block north) its called veniero's.
2-in grand central terminal (which definately has a great food court) there is a market located just inside at lexington avenue and 43rd street. you can find great chocolates, breads, muffins,spices, etc. i used to work a block away and passed through every day. the bread and chocolate are divine! have a wonderful trip. phyllis

tcc

This New Yorker says, yes take the subway instead of taxiing everywhere. You'll waste your whole vacation sitting in traffic! We're really nice people (smile) and remember most of us moved here from other places too. Looks like you've got great plans and I can't agree enough about making reservations for as much as you can. Christmas season is prime tourist time.

Love Veniero's!!!

Patrick

There is a reason that Sardi's and Halcyon are recommended on those ticket sales brochures and other tourist devices. No one goes there except tourists who book due to this advertising. There are thousands of better restaurants to choose from. However, I must admit I like to slip into Sardi's for a drink at the upstairs bar before a show--they mix a good dry robroy or martini.

phyllis

susan-
just after i posted my long answer i saw your new note about restaurants in the theatre district. Don't bother with Sardi's, it is so over rated, tired, expensive yuck! i don't know much about Halcyon, but here are some suggestions: expensive-Judson Grill, le Bernadin, le Cote Basque (one of my most favorite) Molyvos (extraordinary greek food)
not as expensive (everything in midtown is more than usually expensive)-Cafe Un, Deux, Trois; Carmines (family-style italian-- tons of good food) and a friend of mine swears by Virgil's BBQ. enjoy! phyllis

tcc

I've eaten at Virgil's and I like it but you have to really be a meat eater (ribs, barbecued chicken, pulled pork, etc)- not the best place for salad eaters or vegetarians. Loved Judson Grill, and yes it is expensive, but use all that money you would have used on taxis and put it towards dinner Plus midtown is expensive, period, so you might as well eat a GOOD, expensive meal at Judson Grill or Trattoria Dell Arte (good Italian) instead of a BAD, expensive meal at Sardi's.

Judi

Can someone give me an opinion on Becco? We are going to NYC next week and have tickets for Kiss Me Kate. Becco is very close to that theater. Thanks.

Caitlin

Judi, if you do asearch on this forum, you'll find lots of Becco fans. It's a very good pre-theater choice and has well-priced prix-fixe options, including an all-you-want past special with three daily pasta choices for around $22.

Susan

Thanks for the advice on not going to the above mentioned restaurants. I knew I could count on New Yorkers to give me a real opinion; rather than a travel agents view.
Could somebody please give me an opinion on the hotel we are staying at. This package was a gift; so I'm pretty much locked in, but it would be nice to know what to expect.
As for pricing on a pre-theater dinner; expensive is fine since we probably are going to be able to save some bucks by taking the subway system (I have just about been convinced by the nice, positive post from some other travelers and New York people)

Mark

Don't know about the hotel you staying at - but my suggestions for meals around the Times Square / Theater District: Esca, 402 W. 43rd Street, 212.564.7272 - excellent Italian seafood; Hell's Kitchen, 679 Nineth Avenue, 212.977.1588 - contemporary Mexican. Also, a 7-day Metrocard, which allows you unlimited rides and transfers on both the subway and buses, cost only $17 - that's how much you would probably spend on one cab ride from midtown to Wall Street or the Village.

howard

Judi, I'm one of the Becco fans. The $22 pasta special that Caitlin mentioned is one of the theater district's true dinner bargains--all you can eat of the three pasta dishes offered. (They change nighly.) Becco also has an excellent wine list. Make reservations NOW! 212-397-7597. It fills up fast and may already be too late! P.S.: You're seeing an excellent show.
Susan, there are tons of good restaurants in the theater district and its surroundings. What type of food do you prefer?

Judi

Caitlin and Howard, thanks for the replies. And Caitlin, you are right; I should have done a search. I will call right now!