This forum has helped me in the past with restaurant suggestions in the area of Union Square. This time I am hoping for suggestions for a quick bite prior to this Sunday matinee of Come From Away at Schornfeld Theater, 45th st (btwn BWY & 8th). Thinking a cafe would work, something similar to La Pain Quotidien.

Hopefully, weather permitting, we will be walking to the theater from Penn Station. Have made dinner reservation at Lupulo. My husband loves their grilled octopus.

Thank you.

Sorry I am not much help for the lunch. I might try Amy's Bread, on 9th Avenue.
She is a very well-known baker and does nice sandwiches for under $10:

http://www.amysbread.com/cafe_menu


For dessert after dinner at Lupolo, do not miss the "salame de chocolate." Exceptionally good!!

ekscrunchy, Thanks for the quick reply. This give me a chance to thank you for some of your past recommendations that we have enjoyed - Marta and Stonewall Jackson Hotel in Staunton, VA come immediately to mind.

Although it is out of the way, Taverna Kyclades in the East Village makes some of the best grilled octopi I have had.

http://www.tavernakyclades.com/

Great - Checked web site and Taverna Kyclades will go on list for future trips.

Thanks for recommending Amy's Bread. We'll be in New York in May, and you know I like inexpensive food options!

Lee Ann

My go to restaurant before shows is almost always the West Bank Cafe -http://www.westbankcafe.com/
I ate there twice on the last trip, with a Fodorite friend and local friends. Delicious with excellent service in a calm setting.

If you like Thai, Room Service is good too.
http://roomservicerestaurant.com/main.html

I agree that the grilled octopus at Taverna Kyclades is excellent. A former student now living in NYC took me there in October. Wonderful!

If someone is looking for inexpensive food near the theatres, I would also recommend Kung Fu Little Ramen Dumplings on 8th Avenue and 49th Street, for soup dumplings (xlb) and other Shanghai specialties. Get the Steamed Pork buns, or the Steamed Pork and Crab buns. Maybe the fried Peking duck buns.

I go to the branch in Flushing but this one has a similar menu. They have some good vegetarian dishes, too. I love the kaufu, a dish made with wheat gluten and mushrooms. Despite the name of the place, they do not have ramen in the Japanese sense. But they have lots of noodle dishes, dry and wet.

There is some more info here on other places in the area:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-manhattan.cfm

Here is another possibility-Gotham West. You can choose from a variety and eat as little as you wish



http://gothamwestmarket.com/

Great idea!

Reporting back: brisk walk in the cold from Penn Station to Amy's Bread for delicious pastry. Next play Come From Away - excellent, poignant, musical. Dinner at Lupulo.

Thank you, all other suggestions have been noted.
I have also enjoyed West Bank Cafe on previous visit and agree about the calm setting.

Lottie so glad it worked out!

Any new additions to share?