NYC restaurant upper east side...
 

Any recommendations on a foodie type restaurant (pre show ) around the upper 70's. 2 couples that love to eat ...and be somewhat frugal...any type of food!

The UES is really not the best neighborhood for foodie-type restaurants. But check out this thread for some ideas: http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ons-please.cfm

A favorite of mine in that area is Quatro Gati, imho one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. Great food, good service and reasonable prices. Very welcoming too. It's close to your requested area, 82nd (I think) between just east of 3rd Ave.

I would second Quatro Gati even though I haven't eaten there since maybe 1991. We used to do our pasta pre marathon dinners there. Infinitely more civil than Tavern so it's been around for quite a while.

Geting from the UES to a show curtain can take quite a while - esp if you're talking between now and the holidays. I would suggest someplace within walking distance of the theater - so you don;t have to find a place that serves dinner at 5 pm - or else scarf down you meal very quickly.

nytraveler, that's a great point. The OP didn't say why he/she wanted a restaurant on the UES. It's a much better idea to have a pre-theater dinner within walking distance of the theater.

They can also eat on the UWS or the Village along the subway lines that will take them to the theater. That way they do not have worry above traffic and a whole world of restaurants becomes available to them.

I was also going to ask what show is on the UES. Assuming it's a show in midtown, eat near the show. You don't want to be trying to get from the UES to Times Square just before the show starts.

PS Cafe Boulud is an excellent restaurant if you want a foodie spot on the UES. They have an very good value lunch. http://www.danielnyc.com/cafebouludNY.html The same chef has a restaurant near the theater districe, DB Bistro Moderne with a $45 pre theater menu but I don't think the food's as good.