For Italian, I like Cascina on 9th av & 46th. They have a prix fixe menu for about $24, or you can get 10% off their regular menu if you show them your tickets or print the coupon from playbill.com. Judson Grill is very good, but definitely pricer. ANother place for grill type food is Cite, also very nice and pretty close to the hotel.

I meant to say pretty close to the theater, not hotel.

Most of my experiences on Restaurant Row have been disappointing at best. One of my favorite places is a trendy (your 16-year-old daughter would probably love it) little spot called Zanzibar (45th and 9th) www.zanzibar-nyc.com. Their menu is Italian-inspired, but a bit edgier and more interesting. It's a good spot to see broadway celebs (afterward, anyway), too. You see a whole lot of tourists there, either, which is nice.

Hmm, I may have to amend my recommendation. I'm not sure if you have to be 21 to get in as Zanzibar does become a nightclub at night.

I'll side with the others on the suggestion of Orso. I think one of the best things they have is their thin crust pizzas in great combinations -- wonderful to get one or two to share as a starter, possibly. That is, if she's not into a plain pepperoni type pizza. Their pastas are also wonderful. For what it's worth, it's also a good celebrity spotting place. Bernadette Peters was next to us last time (but she wasn't doing Gypsy yet --I doubt that she eats before a show.

Everyones suggestions are great. I think it is between Trattoria Dell'Arte and Orso for a pre dinner. Then after the theatre we will go somewhere for desert. Any ideas? I heard of Serendipity's would this be a good choice. My daugther loves chocolate. Do we need reservations and what time after the theatre would be good??

March 17th - St. Patrick's Day is a madhouse in NYC. Fifth Ave. is closed down for most of the day for the Parade. That means that most of the side streets are closed also or packed solid with cars, trucks and buses. Stay as far as you can on the westside.

Trattoria Del'Arte is a big fave. Delicious antipasto bar. Beautiful restaurant. Call and make a reservation: 212  245-9800.
You will not be disappointed. A true winner.

http://www.menupages.com/restaurantd...taurantid=3607

ORSO menus

Any suggestions for desert after the theatre??

For dessert, I'd head to the top of the Marriot Marquis to revolve and have a dessert. It's a magical setting, despite being a crowd. I can't imagine a 16 year old NOT rembembering it for years to come.

Madison, I am not a New Yorker, so you may get better responses from "natives", but since you will be in the "big city", why not try something new?

Ruby Foo's would be a neat place, with an atmosphere that would have a 16-year-old awed. It is Asian Fusion with an American flare. It may be a bit touristy, but not necessarily informal. It's a neat, nearby (49th & Broadway) restaurant.

Roxy Deli for dessert after the show.

Oh yes, the Roxy Deli where we had breakfast one day. I took a drink of my water and it had a very odd taste. I looked at my glass and saw a huge smudge of lipstick on the rim which is what I was tasting. The waitress came by. I asked if I could get a new glass of water as that one had lipstick on it. She looked at the glass and said, "that isn't lipstick. Our glasses are clean. That's just an old glass with a permanent mark on it." I took my thumb and wiped off the lipstick and showed her my thumb. She went off in a huff. I never got my glass of water, and a new waitress came back with our food which she slammed down on our table along with the bill and didn't say a word.
Yea, one of my favorite spots in New York!!

The Marriot Marquis sounds wonderful, any comments on Serendipity's ? Is it that crazy to get in even around 11pm.
Are reservations reqd at both of these places? Thanks again......

MadisonV - the problem with Serendipity is that it's on the eastside @ 60th St. - to get over there after the theatre might be a bit of a pain no cabs after the theatre and about a looooong 6 block walk . . . and then to get back to your hotel . . ..(but I'm a lazy Ny'er - I could be wrong). And I'm not sure if it's open late. . . . after a show I'd try Angus McIndoe (lotsa actors and pretty good food), Brasserie (a bit of a hike, but spectacular, hip cool atmosphere and open late), The View (food is just ok but the view is . .. Great!) or maybe even Orso for more stars . . .

Just got back from NYC. We went to see Hairspray Friday and went to the Red Eye Grill for dinner before the show. The menu is more continental with a great selection of seafood. It's on the corner of 7th and 56th and very convenient to walking over to the show (which is on 52nd). We had reservations for 6:00 which gave us enough time. I love the atmosphere there and have always had a great meal there. I think your 16-year-old would like it there better than the restaurants on Restaurant Row ... very cool and a great spot for people watching. I think they have a web site. You can also make reservations via www.opentable.com.