Pre Theater Dinner Update
 

We'd like some more recent advise on a good restuarant to go to before seeing a Broadway show. Ideally, we would like to spend $25-40 per person for food (prix fixe if available). It would be this summer, so if there was someplace where we could dine "Al fresco" that would be a bonus. We like Italian and French but American would be fine too.

On an older posting I read about EtCetera, Maria Pia, and Scarlatto all of which sounded interesting. Any more suggestions or comments would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Bricco on 56 St is a quite good Italian -- very good service and moderate prices. Main dishes are from high teens to middle 20's and they also do interesting pastas at reasonable prices.

In the theatre district I can't think of much that's really "al fresco" except for some places having a couple tables on the busy sidewalk -- not a great thing, in my book. There is a lot of outside seating at Maison which is at 7th and 53rd. Food is decent -- sometimes good, but I wouldn't call it a great dining experience.
Bryant Park is great with outdoor seating (behind the library 40th between 5th and 6th) -- but a bit of hike for some shows -- not bad if it's one on 42nd. I find it a bit overpriced and just average foodwise but many rave and the atmosphere outside is wonderful.

We enjoy dining on the sidewalk at Rue 57.

Depending on when in summer, it might be too warm for dining outside. Barbetta on restaurant row (46th b/w 8th & 9th) has a beautiful back patio for dining. You don't think you're in NYC. The inside of the restaurant is also very pretty. Food is "ok" and I think they have a pre theater dinner. On the same block, Lattanzi I think also has an outdoor area. ViceVersa is a very good Italian (no outdoor dining). They have a pre fixe for $35 but offerings are somewhat limited.

Do you know about menupages.com? You can pick midtown west and then the features menu has an option for outdoor dining.

As far as eating outside goes, we'll be there in August. If it is too hot, then we would eat indoors.

Is Barbetta still good? I ate there about 45 years ago when we saw the original "How to Succeed.."

Is Barbetta still good? I ate there about 45 years ago when we saw the original "How to Succeed.."

I would go back and order "the usual."

LOL. I haven't been there in a while but reviews on menupages suggest it's not at the top of it's game. There are few prettier places but you can't eat the ambiance. I always think the show is the centerpiece of a theater evening and don't worry so much about the restaurant (although you always want good food). I think ViceVersa is probably the best Italian in the theater district and they have an outdoor space. Not sure if they serve dinner there. http://www.viceversarestaurant.com/index2.htm

We recently ate here for Pre-theatre and it was really good.

http://www.lepetitundeuxtrois.com/

They have a lovely garden patio although technically not al fresco. If you want to eat in the garden room, you need to request that when you reserve.

I second ViceVersa. I've been there twice and each time nearly perfect. Third time coming up in a few weeks. they have a beautiful outside area (in back) but I've never seen anyone seated out there.

I'd vote for the French restaurant Artisanal in the Murray Hill area. A terrific prix fixe available; 3 courses for $24.07. Last PM I had the beet salad, the skate and a heavenly apple tarte with a light cheddar crust. Great food and a great value to boot! Closer to the theater district is Becco with the trio of all you can eat pasta dishes. The selections change nightly. It comes with a choice of antipasta or Caesar salad. A nice selection of wines at $25 per bottle is available too. It is great food, a lovely atmosphere and convenient to most theaters. It is one of the Bastianich restaurants. This one belongs to Lidia's son Joe. Don't miss it!

Re Artisanal, just be sure your server doesn't forget you're there, as happened to us on two successive visits (obviously our last--we won't be back!).

This is great. I'm saving and printing for Oct. These are the sort of places that 'us tourists' just don't know about. man this trip is going to be so much better because of all of you. thanks so much.

Here's one slightly off the beaten track yet not too far from the theater district: Daisey Mae's -- 11th Ave. and 46 St. A raffish place where many claim - the best bar b que in NY -- and inexpensive.

Any recent experiences with Osteria del Circo? We will be staying at London NYC which is close by.

You can eat outside at Osteria del Circo; a cheaper option is Marseille, which has some outdoor tables as well as windows that are sometimes open if it's not too hot. I really like the summer menu there. It's Mediterranean/Moroccan and French.

Oh, Doug, I forgot about Osteria del Circo, a really great restaurant, and you're right. It's set back and there is a very pleasant outdoor area there -- not too busy and not too bright.

Directly across the street from Osteria del Circo is Estiatorio Milos, an excellent Greek seafood restaurant featuring the absolutely freshest fish, terrific salads and good desserts. Spare decor emphasizing the fresh produce and fish; very accommodating service. And, a $40 or so prix-fixe, a real bargain for three courses.

Much better, IMO, than Osteria del Circo, which trades off the Maccioni name.

Also keep Beacon in mind.

Sorry. I hit Submit too soon.

Beacon is currently offering 20% off their entire menu. The wood-roasted oysters are excellent, as is the rest of their menu. Great bar, too.

NeoPatrick: I appreciate your input - as I do everyone else's. (I just read your report about your visit to our Chicago and loved what you said about one of our favorite restaurants: Quartino's. And we're much older than most of the diners there!)

Any other suggestions for places around West 54th Street even if no outdoor dining. How about a good place for brunch?

Often voted one of the top places for brunch midtown is Thalia, a pretty place with a very low priced brunch menu. It's at 50th and 8th. Great place for a drink or dessert after a show too.
www.restaurantthalia.com

There is a fantastic brunch buffet -- very upscale but not as outrageously priced as some of the hotel ones at Brasserie8 1/2 on 57th just west of 5th.
http://www.patinagroup.com/east/brasserie8/

I still love Roberto Passon's at 50th and 9th, and most others sure seem to as well. Very reasonably priced good Italian and some great fixed price specials including brunch.
www.robertopasson.com

Thanks again.

Is the Central Park Boathouse good food or just for tourists? It sounds like it would be a nice place for Sunday brunch.

"Is the Central Park Boathouse good food or just for tourists?"

I have no idea why one would exclude the other? Hard as it is to believe, many tourists have excellent taste for good food only and travel to Manhattan being far more picky about where they eat than many locals do. Of course some locals are more particular than others too, just as some tourists are.

I think the food at the Boathouse was good -- maybe not "excellent" -- certainly overpriced for the quality compared to many restaurants with even better food, but indeed part of the price is paying for the atmosphere and the setting -- as much loved by some New Yorkers as it is by tourists.

No offense meant. But I'll give you an example. Dinner on a dinner ship in Chicago may provide a beautiful sight for tourists (and residents) but the food is not good.

Based on your feedback, I may just try the Boathouse.

Point well taken, DMG, but I question how many locals would do a dinner ship in Chicago (unless they were entertaining tourist friends or relatives). Many locals dine at The Boathouse.

Thanks. Basically that is what I was asking.