My husband and I are spending a weekend in the city and have tickets Friday night to Rent and Sunday evening to Caberet. I wanted to know some dinner suggestions in the area. Or, if you have some outside the theatre district, just let me know how much time to allow to get to the show on time. We would also love to find some wonderful places for drinks afterward - we are not "clubbers" we are more laid back wine drinkers. Any advice would be helpful!!

A restaurant critic friend of mine loves "Orso". Itallian fare very good wine selection.(322 W. 46th St. (bet. 8th & 9th Aves.
New York (212) 489-7212)

I also recommend the "Russian Vodka Room": Piano-Bar type atmosphere with A ton of Vodka selections and fun Russian "tapas" you can enjoy at the bar. Good for pre-show fun.

Russian Vodka Room
265 W 52nd St
New York, NY 10019-5803
Phone: (212) 307-5835

LOTS of previous posts on this topic too if you type restaurant AND theater AND nyc in the text search (or some combination of those words).

People are usually asked what budget, what kind of food. There are some interesting ethnic options (ie Brazilian, Turkish, Thai, Cuban etc.)

Foley's Fish House is in the Renaissance Hotel (7th & 47th) & has good food & nice views of Times Square. Chez Josephine is a fun French bistro on 42 betw 9th & 10th. (also a good place for a drink. They have live piano music). Artisinal (32 & Park Ave)is a newish popular bistro with a nice pre theater $20 prix fixe but it would require a cab to the theater (leave 40 mins just in case).

A very nice "tucked away" place for a drink, live music & a great view si Top of the Tower at the Beekman Tower Hotel (1st ave & 49th st)

Have you considered eating after the show for a more relaxed experience (along with wine sipping)? Especially for Cabaret with a 7 PM curtain and out by 9:30.

You can't get a nicer place for sipping wine (without dinner) after the show than the top of the Marriot Marquis, and the top of the Hilton on 42nd (very close to Rent) is nice too.

For Cabaret, I'd strongly recommend Red Eye Grill, after the show -- great seafood, maybe jazz on Sunday nights? It's just two blocks away from Studio 54 (Cabaret).

You've already gotten some very good suggestions. And, in New York, it's possible to give you hundreds more! So, how about some idea on the type(s) of food and a price range!

Sorry I didn't include price and type of food...we love Italian but are usually pretty flexible with trying new things. Price wise, I would like to stay around $25 per dinner or less.

Ooops, forget the Red Eye Grill for that price ($25 is about average for an entree -- not a full dinner). Red Eye Grill is what I call moderate priced.

All the restaurants mentioned so far will probably be more than $25 if you both have 2 courses & a drink. Try Becco on 46th betw 8th & 9th (restauarnt row) for their $21.95 all you can eat pasta dinner. You must book in advance as they're very popular. Other places with good value are the Hourglass Tavern (on the same street) for American or Joe Allen's, also American. Near Cabaret (on 52 betw 8th & Broadway) is Victor's Cafe which ahs delicious Cuban food for something a bit different.

Kathryn, if you mean $25 for the total meal, your choices will be severely restricted. Most of the above-mentioned places won't qualify.
Even the excellent $21.95 Becco special would be more when you include tax and tip!

$25 was meant for the entree only.

I don't know anywhere great that you can get out the door for $25. We dont' want to eat at Burger King.... Thanks for all the input and help everyone!!

OK. That being the case, the two recommendations for the night you go to Cabaret: The aforementioned Redeye Grill at 56th Street & 7th Avenue and Remi, a wonderful Italian restaurant on 53rd between 6th & 7th Avenues.
There are already several good recommendations for your evening at Rent.

Got a tip from someone here for South Side Cafe. WONDERFUL food, atmosphere, staff, wine, etc. You'll love it. REASONABLY PRICED! 47th St. between 8th & Broadway.

http://www.cityguidemagazine.com/new...hsidecafe.html

Last time I saw Cabaret (July 2002), we didn't get out of the theater until almost midnight.

I just asked my husband and he said it was definitely after 11PM when we got out of Cabaret but closer to 11PM than midnight.

About the time of getting out of Cabaret, please note that Kathryn mentioned going to Cabaret on Sunday night. Sunday night performances are at 7 and will be out about 9:30!!!