restaurants in theatre district NY
 

Please, some restaurant recommendations in the theatre district. many thanks. my fav is italian food.

I haven't been there yet, but Baldoria is supposed to be quite good Italian food in the theater district-- it's run by a relative of the guy who runs Rao's (the supposedly-amazing-but-you-will-never-get-a-table place in Harlem).

Although it gets mixed reviews there's a place called Carmine's on West 44th Street where everything is served family style.

We've twice enjoyed Johnnies, a small, quiet Italian restaurant in the mid-forties, just off the hustle and bustle of Times Square (We live in L.A.<BR>now and I don't remember the exact address). Prices are reasonable, food good, service gracious, wonderful music a la Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra. It looks relatively unprepossessing from the street, but go in and see if you like it. Carmines can be fun, but it is<BR>VERY crowded and hard to get in. Best if you're going with a group of 4 or more, I think.

I would make time and eat in another neighborhood. Just a rip off in the theatre district and the food is inferior unless you are talking hamburger or deli sandwhich, to other parts of the city. I live here and would not eat there unless I was forced to. Check out Zagats they are pretty reliable and would be more helpful then my personal suggestions. I would go French and hit Baltazar's down town (prince street)....but that is just me.

Sarah, I understand what you're trying to say, but then don't recommend Zagat's. Actually quite a few of their top rated restaurants are in the theatre district or very close. And assuming that people are staying in the theatre district and want to eat before or after the show, I certainly wouldn't recommend their traveling to eat. Few major places are available after theatre out of the district, and I'd be a nervous wreck worrying about getting stuck in traffic trying to make it to a curtain. And the one time we tried to get a taxi after a show it took us nearly an hour to catch one. We weren't aggressive enough to run out and shove other people out of our way which seemed to be the only way others were getting them.<BR> Becco is a reasonable and fun place. Orso is very good. Joe Allen's is great fun. Carmine's is OK for a larger group, but not too neat for just two in my opinion. Howard always raves about Chez Josephine. The Red Eye Grill is very good. The restaurant at The Muse (called Local, I think) is getting great reviews. Also pretty upscale and wonderful before or after theatre is Osteria del Circo, the cousin to LeCirque. There are many more worthwhile restaurants in the theatre district.

I'll disagree with Sarah's comments. There are several fine Italian restaurants in the theater district. The best bargain is probably Becco on West 46th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenues. Get the pasta special--all you can eat of any or all of three pasta dishes (they change nightly). That, plus a salad for about $20. The restaurant also has a fine wine list.<BR>Reservations definitely recommended, especially for pre-theater. 212-397-7597. And, make them at least a week before.

Personally, I like Carmine's, but the above poster is right, it is very crowded and noisy, and the family-style portions are really too large for two, especially if doggie bags are not an option. This is more midtown, but I like Molyvos, on 7th between 55th and 56th--good, slightly upscale Greek (that is, not fancy, but not a deli, either).

I have to agree with Sarah but I am from NYC and picky about what I eat. I don't know anyone who lives here who would treck over to the theatre district for dinner. IL MULINO 86 W. Third St. (bet. Sullivan & Thompson Sts.)is a place I would suggest. Zagat's is a good guide and I don't know of any top choices in the theatre district nearby (much of the city is nearby)sure but nothing in. <BR><BR>Have your wits about you in terms of time and experience NYC not just tourist havens.

I live in Manhattan and have actually made a special trip to the theatre district to eat at Becco, which I love and got addicted to when I first discovered it (the all you can eat 3 pastas). It is owned by the owners of Felidia which I think is fancier.<BR><BR> I second the idea that if you're staying in midtown and going to a show, you want to eat in the theatre district.<BR>It is important to know that you usually CANNOT get a taxi, at least from the Upper East or Upper West Side, between 7:30 and 8 (theatre time), so plans involving dining elsewhere must also involve the subway, or early arrival at the theatre (leave by 7 or maybe 7:15).<BR><BR> I also like the old French family-run places in the West 50s, if you're willing to walk a bit--like Cafe des Sports--they are from another time and world. (These are not Italian however!)<BR><BR> Also Puttanesca, which I think is on 9th Avenue in the 40s, is good and reasonable, and also popular.

I don't know how to tell you this, Abigail, but you're missing out on a lot of good restaurants by avoiding the theater district for dining. <BR>(Gee, I guess I'm not a hip New Yorker since I like to dine in that area when I go to theater.)<BR>

live on upper east side and it is nonsense that you can't get a taxi between 7:30-8pm. I do not ride the subway and never have a problem getting a taxi unless it is raining or I am in mid-town rushhour evening.Outside of these hours not a problem either. I have an opera series at Lincoln center and never have a problem going or coming in cab. Don't forget that means that other performances are regularly letting out/starting at the same time at different buildings in the center. Cabs are lined up outside after each performance.<BR><BR>P.S. You be the judge on quality all you can eat policy??? When was the last time you visited a great restaurant that had this policy. But hey if this is what you are looking for enjoy.

Kathy, I'll assume your comment is in response to my recommendation of Becco. Hey, don't knock it if you haven't tried it (and I assume you haven't). There must be some reason why one usually has to call at least two weeks in advance for a weekend reservation. (Note that the restaurant draws at least an equal number of locals to tourists.)<BR>Is it one of New York's great restaurants? No. But, it sure is a good one!

Howard no I am not saying that you are not with it you do tell that story all on your own. I was simply saying I enjoy find food. We do have the nations leading chefs and plenty of competition so logic does imply that if you eat out regularly here your expectations are higher. Says nothing about my soul or how cool I am, its just about what I expect from food. And all you can eat tri flavored pasta is something I would expect from a chain restaurant not a chef.

You can't go wrong with Becco or Carmine's for Italian, Joe Allen for a more pub-type atmosphere, or John's Pizza, all right there near 8th Avenue and 46th Street.

Abigail, I ate this summer at Il Mulino. If you care to do a search and see my very lengthy post about what may have been some of the worst food I've ever had. And $54 for a mediocre rack of lamb for one ala carte (they called it "baby" lamb but the ribs were like a foot long, so this baby must have been the size of a pony) that was the worst rack of lamb out of 5 or 6 I had that month in New York, most others being half the price? Anybody who can enjoy that place and talk about theatre district restaurants ripping you off amazes me. Now before I'm slammed (and I'm sure I will be) let me say that judging from the overwhelming popularity of Il Mulino, my night must have been a most unusual occurrence, but still it happened, so what does that say about the consistency of the place? And please don't throw Zagats at me, because they rate many places in the theatre district just as high, but you say you're too "picky" to eat there.<BR>Too picky to eat at Le Bernadin for example?

Patrick:<BR>Actually I was waiting for someone to mention a “top food” rated restaurant that is in the Theatre district. List some more and be helpful to Jude. Come on you have to admit the all you can eat pasta is a bit of joke for a special evening out. I do not look for “fill up fast food”(zagat description) when I am having a special evening out. Certainly do not want that kind of a suggestion when I go out of my way to post unless I were to ask for family friendly dining or cheap eats. Perhaps Jude has a different opinion and that is why varied opinions are helpful.<BR><BR>"Most top food" restaurants (Zagat's) are outside of the theatre district. This is what a search on the internet provided as the location of the theatre district:<BR><BR>Located in the middle of Midtown Manhattan, bordered to the south by 34th Street, to the north by 48th Street, to the east by 6th Avenue and the west by 8th Avenue. In the top 30 “top food” restaurants recommended by zagats Le Le Bernadin is the only one that I could find from the top 30 restaurants in this neighborhood. Find something different tell Jude. I have always had success with Zagats “top food” picks. Also checked up N&S Italian lists and only found top picks near theatre district unless a review speaks about a chef or gives a glowing review of cuisine you do have to remember that as with any travel guide there is a certain amount of business that is going on with editors and establishments especially when you see many many listings of regional restaurants in the same city. This has been my experience anyway with guides in general. I was using the online version perhaps the book has a different list? List for Jude if you know something different.<BR>

Abigail, reread the initial request. All Jude said was that he wanted some restaurant recommendations in the theater district and that his "fav. is italian food." No mention of a special night out or whatever. Just some place to eat. And, I responded with what I thought was a good suggestion....your comments notwithstanding!<BR>And further, I usually don't criticize the food of restaurants that I haven't eaten in. You should do the same! Your comments border on pompousness! <BR>Fine dining in the theater district for a special night out? A few suggestions: Le Bernardin, Chez Josephine, Orso, Lattanzi, Le Madeleine. Pierre au Tunnel, Judson Grill, Rene Pujol. Want more? <BR>

I think some addresses would be helpful and of course more, the more the merrier!

I ate at Becco last winter on an outing sponsored by my employer. I was unaware of the price but if it's only $20 it certainly represents a great bargain. The "all you can eat" is not a misnomer but it's almost irrelevant. The generous portions of antipasti/appetizers, salad and excellent bread prompted most of us at the table to try only two of the three pastas that were offered (I had all three and they were indeed very good). Are there better Italian restaurants in NYC? I'm sure there are but all of us (a group of 15) were quite satisified with the meal and a number in the group are businesspeople who dine out in NYC regularly on expense accounts with no $$ restriction. I appreciated the relatively quiet atmosphere and the very prompt and efficient service. Yes, I've eaten in restaurants that were better but I'd feel comfortable recommending it nearly anyone and the adjacency to the theatres is nice. As a person who drives into the city on my visits (typically once or twice each week), I prefer to get parking taken care of and then walk to the theatre and be assured of a prompt arrival.

Howard:Did not see these mentioned in "Top Food" pick for Zagats?... that is what I was discussing with Patrick. Still I think this is more helfpul than all you can eat tri flavored pasta. Don't like my response, you invited this response in your second comment.BTW Chez Josephine is outside the theatre district what about the other locations?

Carmines.<BR>Make a reservation (at the one in the Theatre district 47th I think; there is another one on Broadway uptown, make sure you get the right one)<BR><BR>You can easily scope out all the restaurants in advance if your visit is for several days. There are many choices.<BR><BR>

Just as a clarification, the restaurant in the Muse Hotel is District not Local. I believe Local is closed for the time being. The nice thing about District is that if you're looking for something special in the theatre district they're perfectly located - well within walking distance to the theatres. Also they have a prix fixe special that is very affordable and gets you out in plenty of time. But that's just if you want to stay in that neighborhood. In New York you're spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants and for every person who contributes on this board you'll get a different answer. But options are good, aren't they!?!

I think options are wonderful. Overt hostility I'm not so sure bout.

Abigail and Howard, go sit in the corner until you can be friends !!<BR>Jude-I believe Barbetta would be nice, it is Italian, good food and in the theatre district.

Abigail, we went to the theatre one night and walked right across the street to Chez Josephine. I call that in the theatre district. Of course you probably don't attend the theatre either. For your information there is Broadway and Off Broadway, and I could even make the short stroll to Chez Josephine from most Broadway Theatres. The comment earlier about most New Yorkers not trekking to the theatre district to eat does of course make some sense. There are good restaurants all over New York. But by the same token it makes just as little sense to trek to the Village to eat dinner when you are seeing a Broadway show and perhaps staying within two blocks of that show.<BR>And thanks, Julie for correcting me on the name of the restaurant in The Muse. When I typed it, I suspected I might be wrong which is why I added that "I think". District and Local just seem to confuse me, I guess.

Just incidentally, does anyone know anyone who can get a table at Balthazar at a normal dining time?

Balthazar needs to be booked a loooong time in advance for normal times, especially weekends and holidays...

Thank you, Patrick, for the Chez Josephine comment. It is, indeed, in the theater district. (I don't think the owner, Jean-Claude Baker, would be happy to hear his place described as being out of the theater district.)<BR>Okay, Max, I'll behave!

I have not had a problem calling Balthazar's 3 days before sometimes stopping in on the spir. Let's see when I called three days before it was a Friday at 7pm. When I stopped in it was around 8pm on a Saturday did that twice maybe one of those times was slightly later we were walking around and just popped in. There was a small wait but nothing you would not expect during any busy time. I don't know maybe I got lucky? I thought the crowds were dying down here along with the economy still I would reserve if I needed to budget time for a show.

There was a long line at Balthazar last weekend.We had reservations so the wait was short,but there were people lined up on the sidealk outside...of course,the ones in the really long cars with the blacked out windows didn't have to wait at all:)

Balthazar's is also notorious for keeping you waiting up to an hour after your reservation time. So it was a perfect suggestion for before theatre (note the sarcasm). I don't think most of my favorites have even been mentioned here: Cite, Judson Grill, Osteria Circo, 21, Rene Pujol (I think that was mentioned). The theatre district and certainly midtown are filled with really good restaurants. <BR>Abigail, the original question was for suggestions of restaurants in the theatre district, not necessarily the finest. You're like those people on the Europe board who when asked where to stay in Paris, proceed to tell people not to go there, but to go to Rome instead. If you have no suggestions for the original post, why don't you just ignore it, instead of ranting about something that wasn't even asked?

Whoa, who stepped on xxx's tail? This worked up over a suggestion for restuarants..I'd hate to see how some of these people get when something really important happens in their lives~

Anybody mention Esca? Although one of the best things is to sit outside, so it may be too cold to do so.