Message: My sister & I (both early 50s) will be staying at the Crowne Plaza in Times Square in mid September for a weekend before we cruise. We'd like some great dinner and Sunday brunch suggestions. We don't mind paying $$ for a nice dinner/brunch as this is our yearly trip and enjoy indulging ourselves. Also, any great place to eat before the theater on Saturday night. Thanks - I have always gone with the suggestions I've found on this board and never been dissappointed.

For pre-dinner in the theater district, here are three recommendations:
Chez Josephine
Le Madeleine
Orso
Make reservations at least two weeks in advance for all three on a Saturday night.

I picked up the New York Times Guide to Restaurants book while in New York and tried two of their recommendations - a Chinese on 48th and 6th called Wu Liang Ye which was probably the best Chinese food I've ever had. And a Dim Sum restaurant in Chinatown called Jing Fong which was also exceptional. We didn't eat just Chinese food but both these recommendations from the book were excellent.

Here are 2 great previous threads on brunch. The first lists buffet brunches (not a NY "thing" but surprising how many places were listed so maybe that's changing.) In that list there are also some gospel brunches which can be fun. I really depends on what kind of atmosphere you want & whether you want to travel.

My personal selections would be

Bryant Park Cafe if it's nice weather & you just want to walk from the hotel.

Cafe Botanica if you want someplace elegant.

Cafe Sabarsky if you want to go to the Metropolitan museum after.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34507330

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34482081

For dinner I like Howard's picks. Lattanzi is another good Italian but Orso is a more NYy place. It does depend a bit on which show you're seeing.

For brunch, I recommend Aquagrill. It is my favorite seafood restaurant in the city, and they also do a great brunch. They are located in Soho on Spring Street. Here is a link to their brunch menu:

www.greenolivemedia.com/aquagrill/brunchpage.htm

ttt

Brunch - check out Norma's in the Parker Meridien.
http://www.parkermeridien.com/normas.htm