Hi
I am going to NY in March with friends and am trying to pick some restaurants. My question is this: Saturday night we are going to see Contact at Lincoln Center, and it starts at 8:00. The majority of restaurants that I am interested in are in Grammercy Park, Flatiron District, or Soho. If I made reservations at 6:00 or 6:30 would that give us enough time, or should I look for something closer to Lincoln Center?

No, I think that's way too close for comfort. I would eat in the Midtown West/Lincoln Center area.

While it's possible to have a 6 p.m. (NOT 6:30) reservation in those restaurants, I'd opt for someplace in the Lincoln Center area for a more relaxed experience. You've got many, many fine restaurants within walking distance to choose from. Wherever you decide to go, make your reservations well in advance for a Saturday night.

I would try and select a place closer to Lincoln Center. You will feel rushed if you're too far away and won't enjoy your meal.

Hi Johanna,
I think you better look for something closer to Lincoln Center. Technically it is possible to have dinner at 6pm in one of those locations and be in your seat at LC at 8pm but you'd have to eat fast, get the check and run like the wind. There are plenty of very nice restaurants in the Lincoln Center area.
Have fun.

I would never book a dinner far from the theater and so close to curtain time...just traffic alone can mess things up.
Either make dinner earlier or after the show, or go somewhere near Lincoln Center..Keep your coat, do not use the coat check and tell them when you arrive that you have a show to be at...get the check as soon as you can after eating..skip dessert and go for it afterwards...
there~those are all of my theater/dinner tricks..Enjoy! c

No, don't eat outside the neighborhood of the theatre, much too hard to get to show on time, including traffic problems & no taxi problems.

And--I bet the places you're considering are "destination restaurants"--I think it's a shame to hurry through dinner at union Sq Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, etc. Go to one of them and then to hear music at 11 on another night.

I agree with all above. To have a nice dinner before an 8:00 show, you'd want to be seated by 5:30 someplace within walking distance of the show. It's best to allow at least an hour and a half for dinner (when every is seated at once and headed for a show, service can be uneven and slow), and you should arrive at the theatre at least 20 minutes before showtime, as it takes a while for the crowd to all get inside and be seated. If you're farther than walking distance, there's always the possibility that you won't find a cab, as lots of folks will be off to the theater at the same time, a possibility that is almost certain if it's raining or very cold and windy.

Thanks, everyone for the replies. I'm definitley rethinking the restaurant for Saturday night.

Johanna

Must agree wiyth all of the above. I was treated to a birthday dinner recently at a downtown restaurant (Tribeca area). We were seated promptly at 5:30 and had tickets for an off-Broadway show in Soho with 8 PM curtain. We arrived there with only ten minutes to spare after a leisurely dinner and we were only a dozen or so blocks from the theatre (without the traffic of midtown). Definitely save the "destination" restaurant for an unhurried evening (and DO stay for dessert!).