Hello,

We are looking for suggestions for a romantic dinner location in midtown Manhattan. We are going to a show afterwards and would like to eat near the theater district. We would like a nice quiet place with good food and good atmosphere. Also, any suggestions for a place to go after the show for drinks, music etc.

Well, I suppose this will take a re-confirm or update from a NY resident, but an all-time favorite restaurant for us -- and NOT one that makes the usual lists on these forum roundups....is La Mediternee...on 3d Ave (Ican check on a real address if you are interesrted..have it here somewhere)..it's a very neighborhood=y place, with a small intimate piano bar and a (clearly) devoted neighborhood clientele. We happened on it about 6 years ago...were back there two years ago and hope to return this fall...Food was very good... ambience was outstanding...IF you like smal, neighbohody, non-hi-falltin kindds of places...I have something goiing kerloooey on my screen at the moemnt, so please forgive numerous typos, cuz i can't see what i'm typing.. e-m me for details.

Good evening, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Might suggest the ristorante LA RIVISTA
313 West 46th Street, just west of 8th
Ave. Excellant Italian Food, is crowded
with pre-theatre patrons. reservations are a must. One very romantic place
to consider for the most of the evening
in the Cipriani's Rainbow Room understand that they are open on weekends for the public and do have
excellant food with live music. check
into www.cipriani.com/...
Richard of LaGrange Park, Il...

I've never been there myself, but friends have recommended Firebird. It's a Russian restaurant, in the theatre district, and is absolutely beautiful inside. You can read about it at zagat.com. Have a great time!

Check out Barbetta on 46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenue. Zagat rates it as old world elegance. Excellant Northern Italian food and has been around since 1906 and is the oldest restaurant in New York still run by the original family. Not cheap but very romantic.

I vote for Rene Pujol. It is spacious and quiet, French romantic, with excellent food and outstanding service. They are experts at timing your meal pre-theatre, usually even asking what theatre you are going to so they know how long it will take you to get there. Barbetta used to be a favorite of clients of mine, so I tried it twice and found the food mediocre (but the setting sublime). It is also one of the truly "overpriced" restaurants I've been to in NYC -- not the most expensive, just one of the most overpriced -- there's a big difference. When I mentioned that to my client friends they said, "Oh, yes, it's changed drastically. We never go there any more."

Firebird is gorgeous but if you aren not really into Russian food i wouldnt try it.
Iwould reccomend Cafe Des Artistes by Lincoln Center which is a short cab ride to theatre district.
a beautiful romantic restaurant right off Central Park with excellent food.

I personally do not like the food at Cafe des Artistes at all, although the ambience is gorgeous. In the Lincoln Center neighborhood I much prefer Picholine - less atmosphere but fabulous food. In the Times Square area we always end up either at Le Madeleine (French, on 43rd St west of Ninth Ave) or Jezebel (Southern soul food, on Ninth Ave & 46th).

Chez Josephine is also a good choice near the theater district - owned by Josephine Baker's son and always an entertaining, romantic visit.