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NYC Wknd: Restaurants pre theater, in Brooklyn and timetable help needed
NY Fodorite Experts! Advice needed to help me finish and/or improve my plan....
FRI: Arriving NYC Oct 20 late afternoon staying at W Union Square. Have tix for Spamalot, which I've seen but it's a must for my husband to see! Show is at 8, looking for somewhere new to eat - as background: for pre theater dinners we tend to revisit same places (Remi, Trattoria dell'Arte, Osteria al Doge, Marseille) - looking for somewhere new - time to break out of our 'same old' spots. Would like either italian or lighter food: must eat before theater but don't want a Ruths Chris huge steak type of meal; - after checking some posts here, am considering Orso Lattanzi Basilica DaRosina anyone been lately or can recommend something else? Would love nice, light veal dishes, pasta and/or one that also has seafood for husband (I can not eat seafood) Is there one that wouldn't be so wildly crazy and loud pre theater? Post theater I'm thinking we'll be heading directly back to hotel, it will have been end of a busy work week back home. SAT: Heading out at noon for Chihuly Glass exhibition and installation at Bronx Botanical Garden: seems ride should take us at most 60 min to get there -our tix are for a 1pm entry - Has anyone been who would know if this is enough time to enjoy it? Planning on train back around 3/3:30 latest and then have tix for a show in Brooklyn - unfortunately, I've never been to Brooklyn - the show is at 9pm at St. Anns Warehouse, 38 Water Street. I know nothing about this area - can anyone recommend somewhere to eat around 7pm? Love something with some atmosphere, a casual relaxing spot, -restaurant with some great steaks/chops or even that with a mix of italian -or all italian- would be fine - some great neighborhood favorite? Great salads and pizza could also work, and we love to be able to enjoy a nice wine with meal. Actually open to anything that is not all seafood - also love middle eastern, indian, italian, french. Am not worried about figuring out train to get there- just figuring out something near this venue that maybe we can get to without having to train/cab to another area if that is possible ? I admit to confusion when it comes to mapping out a new area- tried to look up restaurants in Brooklyn but they seem to be by 'area' (Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Bay Ridge, Downtown, Park Slope, etc) and I can't seem to positively figure out what area this St. Anns Warehouse would fall into - SUN: Brunch rezzies at Eleven Madison Park at 11:30, which I figure should give us plenty of time to walk it off afterwards, retrieve our bag and make Penn Station for train home at 4pm. Any suggestions/info would be appreciated from you NYC experts ! |
The name of the neighborhood is DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). I'm not very familiar with restaurants in that neighborhood, but I'll ask around.
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I don't know about the other two, but you'll be more than fine with either Orso or Lattanzi. Just make reservations well in advance for either.
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I've posted elsewhere that I really like Vice Versa, which has a good prix-fixe dinner special. It's busy pre-theater but you can usually get a reservation a week in advance, and it's one of my favorite theater-district restaurants. Becco is also fun and cheap pre-theater spot if you get the all-you-can-eat pre-theater pasta special, but it's hard to get a reservation these days. It's still not a terribly expensive restaurant.
There are several trendy restaurants in Williamsburg, but I'm not terribly familiar with the dining scene there. You could really splurge and do Peter Luger for dinner that night, but it doesn't take credit cards. |
I would look on menupages.com. There is a section for Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights. If you cross reference on mapquest, you can probably find a well-reviewed restaurant near the theater.
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From what you say, I'd think you'd like Marseille for pre-theatre -- corner of 44th and 9th.
http://www.marseillenyc.com/ Another good bet is Roberto Passon. I think it is a way underpriced and really excellent restaurant -- corner of 50th and 9th. http://www.robertopasson.com/ |
Neoplitan: Roberto Passion just hit me right - many things on the menu appealed to me and when I spoke with them they were delightful and we have reservations.
Marseilles was a great suggestion, but buried in my long post which you likely missed was that it has long been a favorite of ours and I was looking for something new. Orso and Lattanzi we will certainly try another time, but something about Roberto Passion just hit me today and was a good fit. Doug_S: Becco I had considered, but -and maybe a wrong assumption - it just seemed every review I found mentioned the portion sizes, which seemed larger than I want pre theater. Vice Versa looked interesteing, but Roberto P's won out. I am now confused about location near the St. Anns Warehouse for the Sat evening show - is it Williamsburg or Dumbo or are they both close? Peter Luger I am sure is wonderful, but I don't like large meals for dinner, prefering them for lunch - and the review I found reminded me (maybe unjustly so) of something like The Palm, where I always feel huge slabs of steaks and side ruin my appetite before I ever begin? So anyone who knows the Dumbo/Williamsburg area, still hunting for something , if possible, within walking distance between where the train will let me off and St. Anns Warehouse if possible - which maybe that isn't - I'm back from work and digging online, but if anyone has suggestions for that night, would love to hear - and also if anyone has been to the Chihuly Exhibit at the Bronx botanical and if my plan seems right time-wise. Thanks !! |
escargot, I just made a note to myself to get these new glasses checked. I read your list a couple of times -- and I could swear that Marseille wasn't there before -- how did you add it later? LOL
I know what you mean about Peter Luger and about Becco. I know a lot of people rave about Becco, but three different pastas scooped from big pans onto my plate just doesn't do it for me at all. I'd much, much rather have a small portion of one really exquisite pasta. And yes, for the doubters, I've been to Becco four or five times. Peter Luger is about the big steaks, make no doubt about it. My favortite thing about Roberto Passon, was that we went one weekday night after theatre -- and it had been a long show. There were only a handful of people there when we arrived and we were certainly the last to leave. I tried to order the rabbit -- which had me drooling every time I passed the place and looked at the menu. They couldn't have been nicer, but had to tell me that it was too late to do the rabbit. The chef promised that next time if I called ahead and let them know we wanted the rabbit they'd do it for me no matter how late it was. Then when we were about to leave so they could close up -- it was really late now -- they refused to bring us our bill. Instead they brought us two of their special desserts as an apology for no rabbit. Most places would be stacking the chairs -- they kept us there with the desserts. I really like this place. |
Okay, I'm back with some Brooklyn suggestions w/in walking distance of your theater:
Five Front (best choice) Fairly traditional American menu, outdoor garden. 5 Front St (& Old Fulton) Water Street Bar and Restaurant Dive bar with good burgers 66 Water Street Bubby's Brooklyn Comfort food 1 Main Street (& Water) I've been to the Bubby's and Tribeca, and it's yummy. I haven't been to any of these other places. These are just recommendations gleaned from my coworkers. |
LOL Neopolitan, b/c I just got new reading glasses!
I am looking forward to Roberto Passons - and I'll let you know how much we enjoyed it ! Lizziea06 thank you so much for going thru the trouble to ask your co-workers - Five Front looks perfect - I've found great reviews ... someone also just mentioned to me River Cafe, which also sounds nice -The review I found of River Cafe sounds dressier than we would be getting that night for the show at St. Anns Warehouse, - anyone been to both and/or have anything to add? they both seem to have some view of the bridge, which would be nice if it's a clear night ! so unless someone pipes in with a clear choice on either of the above, i''m thinking we'll go with Five Front... |
River Cafe is extremely fancy and $$$$. It's the restaurant where people go to get engaged, if that gives you an idea. It's wonderful, but it may be a bit more formal than you're looking for before theater.
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The worst problem with eating pretheatre away from the theatre district is I could never digest my food. I'd be too worried about getting stuck in one of those almost nightly monumental traffic jams approaching the theatres and missing my show.
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I've been to the Chihuly exhibition and at the Botanical Garden, it was wonderful and we enjoyed every minute of it! When you buy your Metro-North tickets be sure to get a "city-ticket" (from the website) CityTicket is a $3.00 fare for travel within New York City on Hudson/Harlem Line trains on Saturdays/Sundays. Ticket is only valid on the same day of purchase and cannot be combined with other tickets. Ticket must be purchased at ticket windows or ticket machines located in the Bronx and Manhattan; it cannot be bought on board trains. This will work for your trip out to the garden.
I think we spent about 3 1/2 hours at the exhibit, we had been to the gardens before so we weren't trying to absorb glass/plants/gardens all at once (does that make sense?) we concentrated on the glass and the installations (amazing). I called the garden before we went out because I was concerned that we would arrive later than our timed ticket (we went on the first day of our NYC trip and our arrival time was at the mercy of the plane, cab and the train) the person I spoke directly with said that the times were fairly flexible and had been put in place as a method of crowd control at the beginning of the exhbit when it was packed every day, so if you arrive an hour earlier or later it's not a national tragedy :) If your schedule is flexible why don't you go out earlier and give yourself a little more time? The exhibit is first-rate (of course) and you might want to spend some extra time at the gardens. Enjoy! |
Lizzie - we decided on Five Front - your suggestion is right, while River Cafe looks fabulous, it is far dressier and 'romantic' than we are looking for on that night - I am excited about trying it - tell your co-workers thanks!
Neopolitan: I agree with you - so on thenight we see Spamalot we will eat at Roberto Passion, but the next night we are going to see a show at St Anns Warehouse in Brooklyn, and the Five Front and River Cafe are within walking distance of the theater, but we decided to try Five Front - b/c it is a more casual evening. Thanks everyone - I'll let you know how the wknd went - One more question: is there any reason to get there earlier than our reservation and walk around the bridge area and just enjoy that area? It seems it might be with the views of the bridge, etc - do I remember seeing somewhere that there is a walkway across the bridge? or anything else to walk thru/neighborhood/etc? Thanks ! |
Margo _ thank you ! Yes, when I purchased my tickets the other day online, I bought the combination train/entry ticket special - so we are all set in that regard.
I am so glad you liked the exhibit - the photos on the web site look so amazing - I think we will take your advice and head out earlier, so we won't be jammed on the other end with time to get out to Brooklyn for dinner and that show - as you said , if we arrive earlier than our 1pm entry time, I'm sure they'll let us in or we can enjoy other areas first. Nice to hear from someone who has been and enjoyed the exhibit! |
Dumbo's great, a number of good restaurants of varying types of food, some of which have been mentioned here. I wasn't very impressed with Bubby's; went once and didn't go back...
Far and away my favorite Dumbo restaurant is Superfine. Classic American food in the find-what's-fresh-at-the-market type of menu, changes every day and written on chalkboards (well, small dry-erase boards but you get the picture). It's in a large space with a lot going on: on any given night there will be an art exhibit on the walls, maybe a video projection or a dj spinning records, or a local band. And the bar is great, too, just for hanging around. Dumbo has been known as an artists' community for many years now, and Superfine just kind of epitomizes the vibe in the neighborhood, with great food to boot. Thinking of their homemade sausage over pasta is making my mouth water as I type this! ;) Also in Dumbo is the renowned Jacques Torres chocolate shop www.mrchocolate.com. I don't know their evening hours, but it's worth it to stop in and get some of their amazing hot chocolate, and some goodies for later! Jacques Torres is on Water Street. If you're in the neighborhood early and the weather's nice, stroll over to Empire State/Fulton Ferry park, nestled just south of the Manhattan Bridge anchorage with a great view of the Brooklyn Bridge and lower Manhattan. Note that the neighborhood still has a good many cobblestoned streets, so heels might not be a good idea! The neighborhood was very industrial, then artists moved in, now it's quickly becoming very gentrified, with lots of loft conversions and new development. So it's a mix of all those elements, with some cute boutiques and shops (think East Village). The B, D, N, Q trains run overhead - so it can get loud every once in a while when you're standing right under the Manhattan Bridge! Oh, and if you're going to take the subway, you can take either the F to York Street or the A/C to High Street; both are the first stop in Brooklyn for these trains. (York is a little closer to Superfine; the A/C might be a little better for St. Ann's Warehouse.) Have fun!! |
I am not sure if I missed it in any of the responses here, but Grimaldi's Pizza and Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory is in Dumbo.
There's probably a 30 minute wait for a table at the pizza place, but it's constantly raved about as one of the best in the Metropolitan area (doesn't make my top 3 list, but it's very good for those who's looking for Neapolitan-style pizza). Then on the next block is the famous ice cream factory complete with one of the nicer views of Lower Manhattan. |
Ggreen: thank you ! wonderful info - I looked at Superfine, and the bar is open until 4am and they serve food until 11pm, so either that, or
Grimaldi's , - thanks BillBoy, which is open until 11:45 - one of those will be the perfect spot for after the show with our daughter who will be hungry since she won't be with us for dinner. When I looked up Superfine, there was a great link from nymag.com to a 'Brooklyn neighborhood walking tour" which mentioned the places you did, as well as the Ice Cream Factory Bill Boy suggested, so we are definitely going to go earlier now and walk around, and absolutely visit that chocolate shop (I am a devoted chocaholic) - it does close at 7, but I will purchase some treats for myself ! and thanks for the train info and especially the shoe info - altho I've pretty much learned from past experience I can't teeter around nyc anywhere in heels for very long any more and need my walking boots! Thanks for all the suggestions everyone - we are really looking forward to this excursion 'outside of manhattan' ! |
I'm so glad to be of help - and that you're excited to visit my beloved Brooklyn. :)
Jacques Torres has so many amazing chocolates, you'll need a lot of restraint to walk away with just a few! He's best known for his "wicked" hot chocolate, and a candy of the same name - there's a touch of cayenne in the mix that's very yummy! Makes me think of the confections in 'Chocolat' or 'Like Water for Chocolate'... I also love the dark chocolate / lemon combo. And even his very quirky specials, like the "dirty martini" chocolate I tried one time, are worth the risk! (I think I've given myself away as another chocoholic!) Maybe I shouldn't tell you this but... Jacques Torres has another location on Hudson Street that you may be able to go to after your 11 Mad brunch on Sunday; check his website for details... You know, if you need a few more for the trek home! ;) Glad you found the info on NYMag. I definitely use them as an online reference, and the downtown Brooklyn walking tour sure has good suggestions! Best, ggreen |
thanks again ggreen for more info...yes, we are following each other on chocolate threads....now, what could be better than that?! I am making notes on your favs from Torres, and will definitely be carrying a bundle home !
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escargot, have a great trip!! The weather's supposed to be very nice on Saturday and not too bad on Sunday, when you'll be "out and about". Hopefully the weatherman's right that the rain will end by Fri evening!
If you see a couple of goofy people (with bubbles, I think??) in the paved/farmers market part of Union Square just in front of the W on Saturday and Sunday midmorning - one of them is me! (We're working on a project for a class at Parsons, and will be in the NE corner of the park for a good chunk of time over the weekend.) I'm the one with shoulder-length dark hair. ;) I still haven't managed to *taste* anything at Chocolate by the Bald Man, so you'll have to post if you do! :D Enjoy the weekend!! |
ggreen: I wish I had seen your post before we left, and unfortunately I did not check email all weekend - we walked thru the farmers market area at Union Square both days and I certainly would have looked for you and slyly walked near everyone with shoulder length brown hair say8ing 'ggreen, ggreen' and see who might answer !! I am going to post a trip report under a different heading with many thanks - for many of your great ideas and others - we had a fabulous fabulous wknd with my daughter !
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