my daughter and friend are going to nyc on september 18 for the avon breast cancer walk. they are staying at the sheraton towers on 53rd st and will be going to see gypsy on sat. they are looking for a nice place (italian) to eat before the show. any suggestions? thank you for your help

ORSO - 322 W 46 St
(On restaurant row betwn 8 th& 9th) 212-489-7212
northern Italian cuisine, reservs. a must

There are three right on the same block, all good:
1. The above-mentioned Orso.
2. Becco (212-397-7597)
3. Lattanzi (212-315-0980)
I'd be hard pressed to say which was the best, but I'd probably give a slight nod to Orso.
Becco is the best bargain. It has a wonderful all-you-can-eat pasta special for $21.95.
No matter which one you select, call right away for reservations. You may already be too late for some of them!
Another possibility is Remi, which is diagonally across the street from your hotel on West 53rd, just before the Hilton. It's also one of my favorites. (212-581-4242)

FOr family style Italian, try Carmine's-- it's good but NOT gourmet...healthy portions and noisy pre- theater..but good value for money....

I'm just curious how huge plates of fattening food ever became known as "healthy portions". Shouldn't they be called "unhealthy portions"?

Patrick,

Dr. Phil would certainly say so

Another vote for Becco. Excellent food at a great bargain (and a nice $20 wine list, too). If you can get in, ask to be seated in the back room; it's a little quieter and nicer than the front.

Patrick-- Yeah, you're right-- but the only way to explain the large quantities is by calling it healthy-- as in enough to share...at least this is how my grandmother used to descibe a large quantity of food...