Doug, yeah, pre-theater I guess I could see RP as an option. It's set-up for such dining.

I almost always dine after theater, and rarely in that area.

I love the Tribeca outlet of Churrascaria Plataforma (West Broadway). The best way to describe it is a "food orgy."

I've eaten at Plataforma several times, but I find it too expensive for what you get. The meat will be no better than what you get at your local version, but if that's the kind of experience you want, Plataforma does it better than any other place in Manahttan.

For a little less than the price of the food orgy at Plataforma (frankly, I can just leave the "salad bar"), you can get a steak at almost any first-rate NYC steakhouse (consider Wolfgang's right around the corner from Artisanal). However, that's just the first-rate steak. Everything else is extra.

But I can't see that it's possible to get out of any first-rate steakhouse in NYC with 2 steaks, 1 side, 2 glasses of wine, and perhaps a salad or dessert for $150. $200 is very possible, though.

For me, that kind of splurge is worth it. I would happily spend a premium to have a real prime steak cooked perfectly. That's one indulgence we permit ourselves a couple of times a year, usually at Smith & Wollensky, which is my favorite but not one of my posters here.

Like CentralGirl we like the Strip House.

If you like porterhouse, Wolfgangs (former employees of Peter Lugers) is very good. The location near Artisanal has much better service than the TriBeCa location (don't go to this one; service is terrible). Of course, if you're willing to take a short & very easy cab ride into Brooklyn, Peter Lugers is the absolute best steak house in the city and has remained #1 in the city for many many years now. It's cash only. Even if you're not a steak person, I suspect you'll still love the porterhouse there!

Don't let its Brooklyn location dissuade you. Very easy cab ride that'll be only 10-15 mins longer than going any place in downtown Manhattan.

Del Friscos (ribeye) and Smith & Wollensky are 2 other good spots.

Just a follow up to everyone who helped.

We did go to Lupa and very much enjoyed it. I had the bucatini amatriciana and it was just terrific! And, we did not think the food was too salty. Had the house smoked prosciutte for an appetizer and that was very good.Only thing we didn't like was having 2 other people sitting right next to us.
We also went to Molyvos, which was great and Rosa Mexicano which is one of our longstanding favorites

Glad you enjoyed Lupa.

Gekko, would you mind telling us exactly when Roberto Passon became a tourist destination and changed courses? I first recommended it here (as a tourist myself) just a couple months after it opened. What was that? Four or five years ago? What exactly do you think changed there? I've actually found it better and better, although admittedly it is much more crowded now than when it was new. We were the only ones there after theatre our first time -- but they treated us like royalty and the chef came out to apologize that it was too late to do the rabbit, but promised me if I called ahead next time he would do it. Then they gave us two free desserts. I've never found anything to slip there since, other than the service a bit as they are now SO popular and often so busy. I mainly eat there after theatre, or sometimes for lunch, when it is filled with local business people (except on Wed. or Sat. when the matinee crowd pours in). But every time I'm there, I can tell by the conversations around us, that we are generally surrounded by locals. I sometimes wonder if you've ever even been there -- or just like to put down anything recommeded by (gasp!) tourists who aren't locals. Meanwhile how's your tourist trap, Havana Central you used to rave about?

Glad you enjoyed your visit Emily.

Re other comments: I am a New Yorker who has continually found Roberto Passon's an excellent pre-theatre destination & have converted a few out-of-towners.

Artisanal IMO was recently excellent for a Stilton fondue w/a side of apples.
However, the Choc. dessert fondue while good was disappointing as the fruit was 3 strawberries, a few banana slices & dried apricots - they good have done much better on the fruit. Interestingly, it was Valentine's Day & busy but we 3 were not given the bum's rush & did have excellent service.