Just bought tickets for "God of Carnage" and will have dinner post performance. I think we'll hit Saardi's just because for drinks prior. Where to dine in the 'hood? We'll be staying in Chelsea and are "expert" subway folks so can travel a bit if need be. However, if there is some great place in the area for post theater dinner, we'd love to try it.

I'm sure you know 8th, 9th & even 10th ave. in the 40's (Hell's Kitchen) are loaded with restaurants. Not sure I'd say any were must dine. I actually like the restaurant called Hell's Kitchen on 9th & 46-47 for Mexican. The famous John's Pizzeria is on the same street as Sardi's. Joe Allen's on restaurant row (46th b/w 8th & 9th) is a theater hangout, especially post theater with basic comfort food. Chez Josephine is usually good fun with live music and French bistro food. What night of the week is it?

Kellari Taverna, 44th bet. 5th & 6th has an excellent pre and post theatre $29.95 prix fixe dinner. I believe it's good for every night of the week.

Pam - when you say 'great,' are you asking about great food or do you just want a fun place with decent food?

fun not so important very good food is. And, we are going on a Tuesday.

I'm in the minority at Fodor's, but imo there are very few restaurants in the theater district with great food. I, personally, don't dine out for great food when I go to theater. Having said that, Esca is very, very good. db Bistro Moderne is also quite good. Both are not inexpensive. I would check the websites to see if they offer post theater specials or prix fixe. More and more good restaurants are offering these because of the economy. Would you dine out of the area or will it be too late to travel elsewhere?

I, too, bought tix for 'God of Carnage' (while I was watching the Tonys), but we're going in the fall after the hiatus. Let us know what you think.

A vote for Chez Josephine. It's a little bit of a walk from the theater to the restaurant which is on 42nd Street, just west of 9th Avenue. But it's worth the walk--good food, good ambiance and then there's Jean-Claude Baker, the epitome of what an maitre d' should be.

I agree with centralparkgirl - db BistroModerne and Esca are both excellent, but pricey. We have also enjoyed the WestBank Cafe on 42ndSt. Lower prices.
BTW- we saw God of Carnage last month and it was extremely enjoyable.. we loved it.

I am on your side CentralPark Girl. For resaons beyond ny choosing, I have eaten more lately in The Theatre Distict and my opinion has not changed. Pomaire, which is Chilean is interesting, but not wonderful.

On top of that I am not enthralled with Esca but then again I am not a fan of Mario Batali. (Like he appears there any way.)

adu - I like Mario, but I've seen him in person; one could lose their appetite if they saw him before dining.

If you're staying in Chelsea, after the play on 45th St., why not walk one block south on 8th Avenue to the the 44th St. entrance of the 42nd St. station, get on a downtown A,C, or E to 14th St, then walk one block west on 14th St. to 9th Avenue - and eat at one of the best Italian places in town, Scarpetta. Then you can walk back to your hotel after dinner. really great food, 3 stars from the times, and a fun place. You can reserve on opentable.

Taking the train to 14th St. could take as little as 6 minutes or as much as 15. The food will be worth the wait.

Check out Scarpetta reviews and menus on opentable.com and menupages.com

I haven't eaten at Scarpetta yet, but Zagat gives it a 26 and the chef has a great reputation - glad to see he's doing something away from Tudor City.

The final straw for Mario was the PBS series "On The Road Again in Spain." It is unwatchable as the conversations are banal and he and Mark Bittman leer and fawn over beautiful young women in Gwyneth Platrow and Claudia Bassols. They are creepy and all their insights small.

Although I hated that Spain show, I do like most of Batali's restaurants. But I, too, was disappointed by Esca.

Absolutely agree that, with a couple of exceptions the food in that area is not good.

Scarpetta is a great idea. See the show and get out of the area for good eating. The chef there is no longer linked with Convivio in Tudor City, but Convivio is another excellent idea. For the amount and quality of food, I think it is a bargain!

I too agree that eating in other areas and then seeing a show is an excellent idea. A visitor may see neighborhoods not on their itinerary and probably enjoy a better meal.

I also agree that the theater district is not the place for "great" food and think both Esca and DB Bistro are overpriced. Since you're staying in Chelsea where there are dozens of good places and you're eating after the show, I'd head there. The only reason to stay in Times Square would be if you wanted some place with live entertainment. Tia Pol (tapas), Cookshop, Red Cat, Morimoto are some of the other top places in Chelsea. Tues. show starts at 7 so you'll be out by 8:30.

One more vote for Scarpetta, the food is excellent and worth the subway ride. I agree with all my fellow native NYers about the TS area, if you can go somewhere else, do, we always go to another neighborhood for dinner afterwards, got to get away from all the madness in TS.

Another one of my favorites is the Union Square Cafe, which is also an easy subway ride.

Thank you! We actually ate at Scarpetta on our last trip. I think we will just have drinks before the show and then head off to some of our usual haunts for dinner.

I also agree with Cpg about dining in the theater district. There are many restaurants with "great" food just a quick subway or cab ride away from West 45th. Union Square Cafe is an excellent choice, as is Gramercy Tavern. Give some thought to The Red Cat at 10th and 23rd (subway at 8th Ave., though).

thanks bspielman..Red Cat is among our favorites! I can't wait to taste that zucchini, almond and pecorino dish again.