Oh, opinionated NY gurus...
I am looking for dinner suggestions for a Sunday evening in Manhattan. My husband and I (both 50) are going to Mamma Mia @ 2. I'm guessing we'll leave the theater upbeat and ready for more fun, so we're looking for a restaurant that fits that mood... sassy/upbeat, great food, $ doesn't matter, unique to NY. As for tastes, anything goes. We are adventurous eaters, but aren't fond of Thai. Most recommendations so far have been Italian (ex. F. Illi Ponte Ristorante in Tribeca for the view), so other types are encouraged. We're staying in Midtown East, but we don't mind taking a cab to other parts of Manhattan. If there is a place to head to for drinks after, those suggestions are welcome too. (Just not a 20-something fashionista hangout.)

Sorry, another Italian recommendation.

La Mela in Little Italy. I don't know if you can find a more upbeat place!

Some general advice about Sunday dining in the summer in New York: Restaurants are very quiet late afternoon/early evening. So, if the ambiance is as important as you say, then, you'll probably have to wait for dinner until, say, 8 p.m. or later, almost no matter where you go.

Agree that few top rank restaurants will open for dinner before 8 on a Sunday (supper by the way is after the theater - like at eleven/midnight - I was orignially trying to think of places for supper until I realized you meant dinner). And most places stop serving brunch at 4pm.

Unless you are willing to go for a farily simple ethnic place that serves all day you may have to wait until they open for dinner.

Dinner at 8 is better for us actually. I just figured places weren't open as late. What are some dinner recommendations then? Are retail stores open later that 5 on Sundays too?
(PS. My daughter insists that I mention I am using her account while we do research together - me for NY, her for Italy. Thank you for letting me visit through her.)

What time of year? If it's summer you might like the Miracle Grill, 1st Ave and 7th St, east sidde of the Ave. Because of its terrific garden. Great margaritas, southwestern food.

Restaurants absolutely are open way before 8 on Sunday, they just don't fill up until 7:30 or 8. However: Miracle Grill is worth getting to early, like 6:45, because there are no reservations & it is wildly popular on a nice night.

Stores - most open to 6, some later. I think Century 21 is open to 8, and I think Lord & Taylor and Macy's might be open later too. Macy's would be a good place to kill time on the way downtown from theatres.

On Sundays most of the retail stores close around 6pm even during the summer. Daffy's might be open till 7pm.

If you want upbeat and fun, go down to Little Italy after the theatre and stoll down Mulberry St. All the restaurants have outdoor seating, eat then find another place for a special desert.

Another suggestion would be to head uptown on Columbus Ave above 69th St and find a restaurant you like that suits the mood, lots of good restaurants in that area. After dinner take a ride in a buggy through the park.

You didn't mention how long you are going to be in the city, but I would suggest taking in another show, "Forbidden Broadway", it is the FUNNIEST thing we have EVER SEEN. An ensemble of 6 actors doing take-offs of shows from yesterday through today and it is HYSTERICAL.

Have fun while you are here.