Hello,

Can someone recommend any restaurants for pre-theatre dinner? We have a group of 4 midwestern women, and would like a fun/ interesting atmosphere (okay - even touristy) in a mid-price range (sorry, not sure what that is in NYC, but here it would be around $15-20 for an entree; will spend more there just don't know what's comparable). We're pretty open to cuisine-type.

We haven't gotten tickets yet, but were hoping to see a couple of Broadway shows and one off-Broadway (BlueMan Group at Astor Place Theatre), so any restaurant recommendations would be appreciated!

TIA!

If you want very good italian food, family style and i think reasonable considering all the food you get, try CARMINES! It is on West 44 - delicious!! Have fun!
PS - What show are you going to see - I have recently seen Movin Out and Rent. I loved Rent !

There's a great little French place on West 51st and 8th Avenue called Tout Va Bien. The same family has run it since 1947 and it's one of the best value meals in NYC.

The entrees are all priced in the $16 to $19 range and include many traditional French classics. We spent $115 in total for two but that included before and after dinner drinks, 1/2 bottle of Bordeaux, 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, tip & tax.

Trust me, for NYC that's a great price.

It's fairly popular with French ex-pats, according to my French colleague.

Dervish Turkish has a great value prix fixe ($20 for 3 courses). The food is decent,and there's lots to chose form for the pirx fixe. The regular menu is reasonable as well.

For Italian, any of the three Puleo's restaurants are reasonable...they are just down from the Marriott Marquis. Then there's Johns pizzeria, a converted church with some of the best pizza in NYC..also just down from the Marquis. Ruby Foo's, on Broadway in Times Square has excellent food, yes it is touristy but the food is good.

Trattoria del Arte is great Italian - wonderful antipasto and the wait staff are almost all actors in waiting - and can be very amusing. (We had one do a dead on impression of Donald Sutherland that had us ROFL).

I also like The Dervish, and Zen Palate--vegetarian Oriental in a lovely setting.

My favorite is Becco...right on Restaurant Row.355 W. 46th St. (bet. 8th & 9th Aves.)New York (212) 397-7597
Delicious all-you can eat pasta includes an appetizer for $21.95. The restaurant also has a great wine list for $25.00 a bottle. Truly great food and a great value. My husband and I eat there whenever we go to a show. Enjoy!!

Another decent Italian is Cascina. I think if you show them your theater ticket, you get 10% discount

Maybe this is faulty thinking, but having walked by Cascina about a million times, I will NEVER go it to eat. Why? Because often that big very overweight guy is standing in the doorway saying, "come on in, our food is great". Reminds me of the tourist traps in the cheap area of Paris.
Secondly there are about 5 somewhat similar Italian places in about a four block stretch of Ninth. The others always seem to be filled and they appear to have mostly locals (I've eaten at all of them and they have been good). So why go to the place that can't seem to attract a constant business of locals without trying to hustle people in from the street, or without offering discounts? Those discounts for Cascina are everywhere by the way, in tourist magazines, in Playbill, on theatre ticket envelopes, on websites -- you name it. What does that tell me? They need the non-returning tourist trade to stay in business. Not the best recommendation I can think of.

Sorry, just had to get that off my chest.

While I don't think Becco has the greatest food in the world, I'd agree it is perfect for the "fun" place you mention. There's something about the waiters bringing around big pans or skillets of pasta and serving it at your table that just makes for a fun evening. I think Ruby Foo's would really be "fun" also.

The Astor Place theater is in the east village. Indochine is right next door and is great French/Vietnamese. It's not cheap, but if you share some dishes, it's fun and not too pricey. Another fun, funky option is Great Jones Cafe if you like spicey Cajun. greatjones.com

Carmines is definitely great. The portions are huge and yummy.
Feel free to look at the website and browse the menu :
http://www.carminesnyc.com/

Reservations are recommended.

And if you have not seen Phantom of the Opera, I would definitely recommend it above any other show.

Have a great time in New York!

I second the recommendation for Asian food at Ruby Foos and for French definately Tout Va Bien.