Am going to NYC 12/8 - 12/11. After seeing A Christmas Carol on Saturday (5:00 pm) we need a restaurant somewhere between the Theater and Midtown. I would like somewhere cozy and romantic. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

The obvious questions: How much do you want to spend? What type(s) of cuisine do you prefer?

I don't care so much about price as I was just there in Oct. and know that everything is expensive but my husband isn't into gourmet food. I like just about every type of cuisine but my husband likes either your basic meat and potatoes American, Italian, or Mexican.

Sarah, try Mustang's which is a short walk down 7th Ave, south of the Garden, probably 3 blocks down on the west side of the street.

Good prices and great burgers, salads, a bit upscale, but fun place.

If you feel like walking a bit more south you are headed for the village and there are lots of restaurants in that area of all kinds.

Close to the theatre, Mustang's is very good.

Sarah,

Forgetting about the price, there are a few places that come to mind...

Trattoria Dopo Teatro - 125 West 44th Street. Ask for a table on the lower level, by the waterfall...

Torre di Pisa (44th just off 5th Avenue) more expensive... Good Italian with some of the decor sort of tilted like the Tower of Pisa...

Bryant Park Grill - not as small and intimate but with a nice view of the park (42nd Street & 6th Avenue) - American/Continental food...

I've not visited there yet, but have heard really good things about Tir Na Nog (8th Ave at 33rd). I've been to the Chinese place right next door to Tir Na Nog (name escapes me) and it's very good.
Both of these restaurants are directly across from Mad. Square Garden. Very close by.

Marlena

Thanks for all your suggestions. I ended up making reservations at Union Square Cafe at 2:15 because that was the only time available. Logistically I'm not sure the distance between the restaurant and theater. Can any of you suggest something to do or see in the area to kill time before the show? Also I'm wondering if there are any good pubs in the area that we can hit after the show. Is Mustang's a good place to go for a drink?

by the way you will LOVE Christmas Carol. I have seen it every year since the opening and it is a fun show. The "characters" go through the audience with small gifts for the kids, crackers and candy, so hope you are bringing a small one along.

Mustang's would be a good choice for a drink after the show, and you can walk from Union Square Cafe, a bit of a walk though to Madison Square, walk west to 5th Ave and walk up to 34th St lots of shopping on lower 5th Ave. Turn left onto 34th St and walk to 7th Ave to Madison Square Garden (33rd and 7th).

Enjoy the show and have a great time while you are here.

Thanks Shopper! By the way what do you know about the carriage rides in Central Park? Do they actually go into the park? Also, can you take one at night and if so and it does go into the park are there any safety issues? I was there as I said in Oct. with my 70 yr. old mother and we felt safe the entire time but we didn't go into the park at night. Thanks again for all your help it's so nice to get an insiders view. New York is a wonderful city and all the myths I ever heard were totally dispelled when I was there. The people were friendly and helpful, the city felt safe, the subway was pretty easy to figure out and now I'm going to get back there as often as possible. Sadly we will not be bringing our 4 yr. old or 15 yr. old. On the other hand it's going to be alot of fun hanging out with my husband in such an exciting city. My teenager wants to go sooo bad and is trying to convince me to take her for her 16th birthday in April. We'll have to see as we have done a lot of travelling this year. We've called it the Millenium Tour and it has consisted of Florida, Arizona, Wyoming, New York twice and we have a cruise booked for February. I think I'm pushing this travel thing to the limits. This board can get pretty vicious and nasty at times but there are some really wonderful people here.

Hi Sarah:
You picked one of my favorite restaurants in NYC! Union Square Cafe is located at 4th Avenue & 16th Street. Your time of lunch at 2:15 and the show at 5:00 sound workable. Get to Union Square about 15 minutes early if you can. There is a subway station #4 & 5 beneath your feet to whisk you up to 34 Street in a few stops (just minutes) you can walk to 7th Avnue or catch a crosstown bus (M34)or cross the street from the restaurant and take the M7 bus to 34th ST or walk up to 6th Avenue and take the M6 bus to 34 Street, you get the picture. You will not really have too much time to kill between lunch and getting uptown. Have a great time and welcome to NYC!

Another Tweedy spotting (otherwise known as "Shopper.") Your mention of A Christmas Carol was the dead giveaway!