Best restaurant for your birthday before a show?

[aces25]

Posted: 1/26/20 at 9:21pm

Any recommendations of a great, fun restaurant for your birthday before going to the theatre in NYC? 

[BdwayLife]

Posted: 1/26/20 at 9:40pm

I only get to the city once a year, to see a few shows. I always have dinner that first night before a show at The View (lounge), located in the Marriott Marquis hotel. It's become a tradition! The restaurant does a full rotation every hour. I enjoy the delicious variety of foods offered in the buffet. Some say it's pricey, but, the view is spectacular. I'm likely in the minority here, but, I love it!

Updated On: 1/26/20 at 09:40 PM

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 1/26/20 at 9:47pm

Per Se.

Second...Marea.

[cjmclaughlin10]

Posted: 1/26/20 at 11:47pm

Indian Accent (upscale/creative)
Dutch Fred’s (fun bar with excellent food and cocktails)
Jongro BBQ (solid Korean BBQ in a festive environment)

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 12:12am

I finally got to Vaselka down on Second Avenue in the East Village and loved it. Cool atmosphere and great food. Went after a show but would go before.

Updated On: 1/27/20 at 12:12 AM

[Pashacar]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 9:17am

If you want to be near theatres, The Ribbon has some indulgent items and a fun vibe.

For something more casual, Gyu Kaku is delicious and very lively. Order a la carte for very reasonable prices.

Both are just a short walk from most Broadway theatres.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 4:52pm

If you want great food: Butter Midtown

If you want cool atmosphere: Chez Josephine

If you want to be surrounded by Broadway history (those portraits) (and maybe spot a celeb) and white tablecloth/black tie service: Sardi’s.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 5:39pm

Also, if you’re open to eating in SoHo, I highly recommend Aquagrill. It’s right off the Spring Street subway stop so only about 16-20 minutes to the Theater District.

[magictodo123]

Posted: 1/28/20 at 7:34am

A few years ago I went to The Palm (across the street from The Gershwin), and it was really good! 

[Liza May]

Posted: 1/28/20 at 8:43am

I’ll also recommend Chez Josephine and Dutch Fred’s - I have celebrating a birthday at both of them and both have a fun atmosphere (Both a little pricey for the food quality, but it always feels like a festive event when you’re there). Joe Allen’s is also rock solid and a theatre district staple.

[Wick3]

Posted: 1/28/20 at 8:51am

Nowadays I prefer to eat a meal close to the show (within 1-2 blocks) so I wouldn't feel too rushed in case service is slow. I recently ate at Victor's Cafe (Cuban cuisine) before going to Mean Girls and would recommend it! A few weeks ago I ate at La Masseria before watching Hadestown and loved it as well!

[JuneJune]

Posted: 1/28/20 at 9:53am

Pashacar said: "For something more casual, Gyu Kaku is delicious and very lively. Order a la carte for very reasonable prices."

I second Gyu Kaku. It's japanese style bbq so you'd have to grill it yourself, but that's its appeal.

Otherwise, Ippudo is my favorite place to sit down for ramen, and it's on 52nd street between 8th and 9th, so relatively close to many theatres.

 

If you have time to grab dessert and like shaved ice, Snowy Village on 43rd and 8th (I believe) has some pretty solid Bingsoo. Our other go-to is Grace Street in K-town (32nd between Broadway and 5th). Not the closest, but if you're there for Jongro BBQ as someone else recommended, they're on the same block and it's worth the visit, in my opinion.

For something cheaper, Bibble and Sip has some of the best cream puffs I've ever had, and it's across from the Gershwin (51st and corner of 8th).

Updated On: 1/28/20 at 09:53 AM

[Will3700]

Posted: 1/28/20 at 10:50am

I also highly recommend Sardi's or Chez Josephine 

[Danielle0314]

Posted: 1/28/20 at 11:01am

Bond 45 is delish!

[jpbran]

Posted: 1/28/20 at 11:26am

I second Butter and also yummy ramen at Ippudo. (Tried Sardis last year just to cross off the theater district bucket list... thought it was sub-wedding reception food. Cool space and portraits obviously, but food was... meh.) 

Also highly recommend Sangria 46 on 46th just west of 8th for some great Spanish tapas. Eating at the bar with bartender Mauritzio is also an awesome way to get in and out quickly, if not a little sangria tipsy.

[LovesBway!]

Posted: 1/28/20 at 12:28pm

Marseille   44th / 9th Ave

[matty159]

Posted: 1/28/20 at 1:17pm

LovesBway! said: "Marseille 44th / 9th Ave"

I’ll second this and add Becco on Restaurant Row.

[ahhrealmonsters]

Posted: 1/28/20 at 4:17pm

Wick3 said: "A few weeks ago I ate at La Masseria before watching Hadestown and loved it as well!"

Seconding La Masseria. Their gnocchi in particular is delicious. Try not to fill up on the breadsticks, which are made with magic pixie dust.

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 1/28/20 at 4:26pm

I'm the weirdo that goes to 5 Guys or The Melt Shop for something before a show or between shows if it's a 2 show day. I'm not a huge sit down and have someone wait on me kinda guy.

I did find a diner I enjoyed though on 42nd street. Theatre Row Diner. Ton of food that is super good.

[Dave13]

Posted: 1/28/20 at 5:16pm

I am shocked no one has said Carmine’s. Great food. Family style. Surprisingly fast service that gets you in and out. The only downside is you need to make reservations weeks in advance.

[Impossible2]

Posted: 1/28/20 at 6:04pm

The Russian Samovar Restaurant and Piano Bar on 52nd is amazing.

Great food (though a little pricey) and a live band. Great desserts and lots of vodka!

It's great fun and you can relive all your favourite Great Comet memories x

[johnpirroni]

Posted: 1/28/20 at 6:19pm

Carmines.  its a NYC institutution.

if you want to get out of Times Square, Tao downtown is an EXPERIENCE.

 

Quick bite?  Empanada Mama on 52nd and 9th.

 

Good cheap buzz and bar bites? Mickey Spillanes on 9th ave!!

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 1/28/20 at 9:07pm

If you want to keep a Broadway theme, you can't do better than Joe Allen and Sardi's.

If you're looking for something more special, on opposite corners of the district, Chez Jospehine (I heartily agree with the previous recommendations) - it's close to a number of off-Broadway venues on 42nd, past 9th.  However, if seeing something on the northern stretch like the theaters between 50th - 54th, there's the classic 21 Club on 52rd between 5th & 6th (Book the more reasonable Bar Room, which is excellent and has an astonishing collection of toys, trains, and memorabilia on the ceiling.)  

Updated On: 1/30/20 at 09:07 PM

[Wick3]

Posted: 1/28/20 at 10:57pm

Dave13 said: "I am shocked no one has said Carmine’s. Great food. Family style. Surprisingly fast service that gets you in and out. The only downside is you need to make reservations weeks in advance."

Yup! love going there after watching a matinee at any of the theaters on 44th st.

[OKBroadwayFan]

Posted: 1/29/20 at 10:07am

Great suggestions on this thread and some I have not tried.

If you are near the Lincoln Center, I recommend Cafe Fiorello