I'm taking my 13 year old daughter and 2 friends to lunch before a Sat. matinee. What do you recommend?

If you are from out of town, I'd suggest eating elsewhere then going to your matinee. If she's 13, maybe somewhere like Serendipity on 58th st / 1st ave (i think) But if you need to be in Times Sq. for lunch, your best bet is one of those themed restaurants I guess. Nothing memorable about food in Times Square, and since its so easy to get around via cabs or subways, why not eat somewhere worthwhile

I have a couple of suggestions for you - there are a few pockets of decent food in the theatre district . . . from your post do you mean the 13 year old and the two friends are also 13? If so, a good choice might be John's Pizzeria at 260 w. 44th in a renovated church - - a more upscale version of the famous Bleecker St. location - it is big, but gets crowded at matinee time - go early.
Or you could try Angus McIndoe - competent food, good service 258 W. 44th. I think Le Madeline on W.43rd st. has a good brunch - a bit more grown up experience that the kids might enjoy . . . and if you're willing to spend some money, Blue Fin at Broadway and 47th St. is upscale, but fun. See - the theatre district isn't a total wasteland . . . .

Virgil's Barbecue & Une, Deux, Trois on 44th are good too. Not sure if they are open for lunch but you could check.

Correction on address for Serendipity. It's on East 60th between 2nd & 3rd Avenues.
And, yes, Virgil's and Cafe Un Deux, Trois are open for lunch.

If the young'uns are sports or video game fans, they'll love ESPNZone. It's a spectacle!

For food alone with kids that age, John's Pizzeria would indeed be a good choice. I liked Virgil's too, but kids really like pizza.

Let me second the recommendation for Café Un Deux Trois. I think it would be great for 13 year old girls. It is casual enough (mosaic tile floors, paper tablecloths you can write on with crayons provided) not to make them feel uncomfortable, and just sophisticated enough (French bistro, handsome waiters, good menu) to make them feel they are having a grown up experience. It is also convenient for the theatre district.

Café Un Deux Trois
123 West 44th St
(Between 6th Ave & Broadway)
Tel: 212-354-4148
www.cafeundeuxtrois.biz


I think they are too old for Serendipity, these are 13 year old girls. ESPN might be OK as far as basic hamburgers, etc but I don?t think it is quite the nice pre-theatre experience you are seeking

We really like Cafe Un Deux Trois. We've been there two times in the past year and have been very pleased. Both times with adults and children. Good prices too. The Butternut Squash soup is great.

Are you kidding me?!? It's a Saturday matinee! They're 13 years old!!

If they like sports, they'll love ESPNZone. And if they play soccer, which many young girls do, there's a great soccer video game they shouldn't miss.

I for one would never consider going elsewhere to eat lunch and sit all during lunch worrying about getting to the theatre on time. "Will I have trouble getting a taxi?" "Will the taxi get caught in the usual Wed. or Sat. matinee traffic jam?" "They're not bringing my bill and I've got to get going!"
Eat in the theatre district. That doesn't mean it has to be within the couple of blocks that actually comprise Times Square. Anyone who says there is nothing memorable in that area doesn't know what he's talking about. Most people would call Le Bernadin memorable, for instance. Judson Grill or Cite are both great. But I suspect you're looking for something less expensive and elegant than those. There are lots of good suggestions above. Other fun places could include Ruby Foo's or Victor's.

Ruby Foo's... I think it's at Broadway and 48 or 49.

How adventurous are they? There is a wonderful Indian restaurant with beautiful decor poised between 45th and 46th streets up one level just east of 7th Avenue. They have a very reasonable but wonderful buffet at lunch. The staff will treat them like little princesses.

Duh, that Indian restaurant is called Utsav.

Thanks for the ideas, how about Carmine's or Serendipity's?

Patrick (as usual) hits the nail on the head - It's very hard to enjoy your lunch when you're worrying about what time to leave so you can get to the theatre for the matinee - Serendipty is a good 10 minute cab ride from the theatre district on a normal Saturday afternoon. If you added rain, snow, or minor traffic jams . . . why chance it? Go to Serendipty (if you must) after the theatre - for dessert - although the wait at that time on a Saturday will be an hour . . .
Carmines is loud, just ok (red sauce) food, served family style (on platters - portioned for 2 or 3) and is considered a tourist trap by many NYers. But some like it, and it is convenient. Perhaps a little more info about what you're looking for might help people point you in the right direction.

It really depends on how fancy you want to go etc...but my daughter now 18 ALWAYS wants to have lunch at The Carnegie Deli and dinner in China Town or Little Italy (we've been going 2 times a year to shop since her 10th birthday)!

LilyLace, What is your daughters favorite place in Little Italy to eat?Mine is 16 and we will be there in 2 weeks.