HarryR

We are staying two nights at the Holiday Inn Express and would appreciate some dining suggestions in the area. Italian, French and seafood would be our first choices but other cuisines are fine as well, including vegetarian. Something in the area of $20/entree if possible. We are scehduled to see Mama Mia on Sunday night and Phantom on Monday night.

NYJets

Not necessarily in the 45/5th area but in the theater district there's Becco (46th between 8th and 9th)...very close to Phantom.

I'm a local and we go there once a month, there's an unlimited pasta (3 choices) for $22 or so that's usually very good. Very reasonable wine list too.

Some nights its ultra-busy, some nights its not. It gets its share of nay-sayers as well any restaurant that is popular.

mclaurie

Becco, Trattoria Trecolori and Maria Pia are good but inexpensive Italians in the theater distr. ViceVersa is a bit nicer than these and has a $35 pre theater dinner.

I've yet to find an affordable French in the area I really like. A lot of them are either old fashioned musty dusty or just too noisy. Le Madeleine and Marseille are mentioned most often. A newish place Breeze (Thai/French) sounds good though.

Do you know about menupages.com You can search by location (west 40s) and by cuisine and then read reviews and menus.

HarryR

Thanks for the help. Of those you have recommended we have only been to Le Madeleine and thought it was OK. We also tried Pigalle and had the worst Cassoulete I've ever had.
Since we are seeing Phantom on Monday night do you think we need to try making reservations for Becco? Others on Sunday night? Thanks.

jd

Breeze sounds really good!

bardo1

I would definately make a reservation for Becco - Monday or not. Great choice, BTW. Most entrees are over $20 but still a bargain. Their food is great! Here's the menus:

http://www.becconyc.com/

HarryR

Breeze and Becco both sound good. The Ossobuco at Becco looks particularly good. Thanks once again.

HarryR

ttt

mclaurie

Pacific Echo is another French/Asian rest. to check.

I realize we never addressed seafood. Foley's Fish House in the Renaissance Hotel has nice views of Times Square, decent food and would be convenient to Mama Mia. There's also Blue Fin in the W hotel and Joseph's Citarella.

Harry, if this is for tomorrow and this Monday, there's a restaurant promotion going on right now that would work for Monday's meal. 3 course lunches for $25 and 3 course dinners for $35 at some of the city's top places. Here's a website where you can do a search.

http://www.nycvisit.com/RestaurantWe...FTOKEN=9091396

Brasserie 8 1/2 wouldn't be that far from Mama Mia either.

HarryR

mclaurie - Yes it is for this weekend and the reason I brought this posting up again was to hopefully get a seafood recommendation. You must have read my mind. Thanks for the additional help. Since the weather is supposed to be possibly rain it would be nice to be somewhat close to the theaters for dinner. What are my chances of getting a cab after the show, or will I be walking back to 45th & 5th.

HowardR

It will be difficult to get a cab after the show. Bring an umbrella and walk the 7-8 blocks.

HarryR

Thanks Howard.

mclaurie

Cabs are very hard right at curtain time. One option is to stop in for a drink and/or dessert somewhere and wait an hour for crowds to dwindle. From Mama Mia, you're near Iridium for jazz. You would get 1/2 price admission for the last set.
http://www.iridiumjazzclub.com/bio.php?id=254

From Phantom, pop into the Marriott Marquis and maybe have a drink or dessert in the View bar or the Broadway bar. There's also Sardi's on the same block. Sam's on 45 st (walk through Shubert Alley) has some good desserts.

HarryR

Depending on the weather we just might want to delay our return to the hotel and be able to get a cab, we'll see.