Missed by a mile, Darvy. I don't think you read Al's response. It was an attempt at cleverness run amuck, cd.

Darvey
Ummmmm don't think so. He mentioned IF the 15yr old liked the theater, etc.......I feel he was aluding to the possibility of him being gay.....Which, even if that were the case, so what?

Yep Virgil's! Glad someone could remember it!! I grew up in the South and went to school in Memphis so I'm extremely particular about my BBQ. Virgil's passes.

I would agree with Virgil's. I live in the NYC area and often go to Virgil's for pre-theater. For a place that has steak and hamburger, try Cite Grill on 51st bet. 6th and 7th (the fancier bistro La Cite is next door, but a bit snooty to take a 15-year old). Becco is nice, but rushed for pre-theater.

Give him $10.00 and tell him to go find his own food.
Meet him at the theater.
If gets hungry enoug he will eat.
I am not in sympathy with pampering a snooty teen ager.

Hello HMtravels,

I just wanted to say that I also have a food-fussy teen, also a boy aged 15.
We will also be in New York attending the theater, so I am most interested to read this discussion. We are going in June. Anyway, you are not alone in having a teen who still prefers "kid" food. I keep wondering when he's going to discover the joys of real food.

There was a thread last year year on this very topic (same town, same fussy teen?). As the parent of a 14 year old boy who would eat the menu if it had enough ketchup on it, I really can't relate. I like to think he's that way because we haven't indulged his pizza/burger mentality constantly at home or in restaurants. Of course, given the choice, he'd take pizza or burgers anytime! Try John's Pizza in the theatre district--even if he turns up his nose at it, you'll at least be able to enjoy a good meal and be close to the theatres.

Explanation: if the kid is "fussy" (see "Felix Unger") and likes the theatre, he may be wanting to take his next Spring Break in Key West, if you catch my drift.

...not that there's anything wrong with it.

One of my all time favorites for pre-theater that will be acceptable for adults and kids alike, is Baldoria on W.49th between broadway and 8th. You MUST make a reservation. Baldoria is owned by the son of the owner of the insanely popular Rao's. They make the best meatballs and spaghetti in town, and more sophisticated Italian dishes for the grownups. Has an old fashioned, family atmosphere and the prices are quite reasonable for that area. Unlike eating at Virgil's (which I adore) or the diner, you and your husband will actually be able to relax with a glass of wine over dinner.

Another vote for Virgil's; or Ollie's, which is my kids' favorite Chinese. Just to get even with your "picky" son, make sure to order the excellent chicken & spinach. While your son might go for the Stardust Diner, I personally would be miserable there, with gigantic plates of undistinguished diner-type food, with so many other wonderful restaurants within a few minutes' walk. Time for him to learn to eat like a grown-up; I agree with the previous posters. Your trip to NY is an ideal opportunity to teach him to be a little more sophisticated in his eating habits. You deserve to have a meal you'll enjoy, with so many good theater district restaurants. Becco is just one of many, many Italian places in the area, and by no means the best. Try Marseille, on 9th at 46th (I think). It is a little bit chic, not obnoxiously so, very young in atmosphere, not expensive.

Yes but al - I don't think it will be a surprise - mother's always know. (Assuming HMtravels is the kids mother.)

Please -- FOR THE LOVE OF GOD -- don't take the kid to the Stardust Diner. You think the kid is picky NOW, just wait until he has his hamburger pushed at him by an out of work actress singing the theme from 'Fame'. It could send the poor kid over the edge!! Go for pizza -- John's Pizza!!

After reading some of the replies, I think I'd rather have dinner with the food fussy 15 year old than some of you "adults".

Oh Austin, go play with your Star Wars action figures and leave us alone.

Good lord.

OliveOyl, I thought cd was asking about al's first response. So, no sweety, I didn't "miss it by a mile."

And yes, I got the subtle reference that the kid might be gay. I thought that was the obvious one, actually. I couldn't see how cd would NOT get that.

-Darvy.

Darvey
Oh, I "got" it, but as I have many gay friends, I offend easily when someone makes them seem less than important. My response was not one of ignorance, but of support for the gay community.

Has Lupa's been suggested? Meets all your criteria I think: italian, fairly (IMO very) nice, not chic, Village location. Not sure if they serve pizza though.

Has Lupa been suggested? Meets all your criteria I think: italian, fairly (IMO very) nice, not chic, Village location. Not sure if they serve pizza though.

HMtravels,

The posts on this question make a person think twice about visiting NY!! Yes, everyone is free to say what they want, but who wants to hear it? This was a simple question about where to find food a "fussy" 15-year-old would eat and things got turned into a lecture on parenting and the possibility of having a gay son!!

Anyway, I've been to NY several times with my kind of fussy son who is now 17, not quite as fussy as he was, still loves the theater, and is not gay. We went to Becco, Virgil's, a pretty snotty, very expensive steak place around 47th and 5th, the restaurant at the top of the Marriott, and several others I can't rememer. We also went to the Java Shop. He loved this place, don't really know why, but he did. As long as they had a steak and would give him ketchup, he was fine. I really didn't worry too much about what he would eat. He did make a few adventurous choices and now eats many more things.

I hope you have a great time in NY. I don't think anyone told you what time to make reservations. Six is stretching it. Things are very busy right before a show. If you want to relax a bit, go earlier.

Hope this helps. I posted a question on this site last week and got a lot of the same kind of replies, asking why I didn't do this and that, not giving any real help at all. Hope this actually helps.