Hi -- Does anyone have any good advice to give me, as I'm about to purchase Nutcracker tickets for Dec. 23.

Is it better to order online or to call?
Online it appears that they pick a seat for you, but it also states that they don't sell partial view seats, fifth ring or side arm seats online....so looks like chances are good to get a decent seat online...

If it's better to call the NYC Ballet directly, does anyone have advice on which seats to try and avoid, etc?

Thanks in advance for any info,

I always prefer talking to a real person. (I also find it faster than doing it online.)
YOu better order them right away. December 23 may already be sold out or close to it, so you may not have that much of a choice!

Thanks HowardR....you scared me sufficiently enough that I called the box office right away.

Apparently, my fate is still up to the gods...they are only taking requests for Dec 23 by fax....so fingers are crossed for center orchestra (yeah, right!)

Thanks for your always helpful advice on this board...

HowardR -- if you're still out there, I just got my tix confirmed for 12/23 at 6:00pm....trying to figure out what time to make dinner reservations.

I don't see anything on the website about running time for nutcracker. a couple of hours, maybe?

Would you have any idea when would be a safe time to book dinner res for after?...we'll be dining (hopefully) in Midtown -- 365 W. 50th

Why not go to a restaurant in the Lincoln Center area? There are plenty to choose from.
I'd make the dinner reservations for 8:30. If you get there earlier (say, 8-8:15), you should have no problem getting seated. What you might do, if you reserve near Lincoln Center, is to tell them you're seeing Nutcracker. They would know how long the performance lasts.

Hmmm...well, we read such great things about Chez Napolean on chowhound.com and 12/23 seems to be the only time we can fit it in...although we could possibly move it to 12/24....

What would you recommend near Lincoln Center? ....we like comfortable, neighborhood, no-attitude type places in the $50pp range...and doesn't need to be trendy, just good food/good value

We like Josephina on Broadway, right across the street from Lincoln Center. In fact, we were just there on Sunday.

No, no, no go up Columbus Ave to Pomodoro, for the best Italian in the area. Good service and a nice menu, and some good wine choices, though I really like the house Chianti.

Pomodoro is on Columbus at 70th St on the east side of the street.

Enjoy the Nutcracker, it is always wonderful.

Thanks, guys, for your recs...i will look them up and maybe do a little switching around with the itinerary.

This is my first trip to NYC as a tourist and DH's first trip altogether -- he's Russian. So we're getting pretty psyched...we have some great stuff planned (Wicked, Nutcracker, plus all the usual touristy things)....this board has been a great resource...

One more tiny question, has anyone been to Chumley's recently? Is it still a good place for drinks by the fire...or is it more frat boy mentality (no offense to frat boys, it's just not my scene!)

I would agree with Howard, Josephina is a nice place, and just across the street. I eat there often, great calamari, and the best martini around.