Bway restaurants closing

[children&art]

Posted: 2/3/06 at 4:14pm

What is with all these theatre restaurants closing?

It was sad last year to hear that the 46th St Hojo's was closed. I have fond memories of a hot fudge sundae and seeing Bernadette Peters in an adjacent booth with her dog.

And now Barrymores, McHales, and soon Mont Blanc.

In an article on theatremania, these are reasons for the closing: 1) smaller, older buildings continue to be torn down to make way for more of the skyscrapers that have proliferated in the Times Square area over the past several years, and (2) even if a restaurant is located in a building that is not marked for demolition, rents increase so dramatically when leases expire that mom-and-pop eateries must yield to deep-pocketed restaurant chains.

Heartbreaking, what can be done?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/3/06 at 4:30pm

There is always something that can be done. It's just a matter of convincing the powers that be to do it. Surely the city government could step in and help these eateries. With Bloomberg as mayor, though, that's not likely to happen. I'm not that sad about Hojo's. I used to go to that building for the Harlequin studio, and it was a real rat-trap. It had really deteriorated, and I never would've trusted the food there. It would be fantastic if they re-opened and re-created all of their original decor and menu items, only in a new and fresh version. There are no ice cream parlors left in NY anymore.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/3/06 at 5:52pm

only thing i can say is make sure you keep eating at and thus supporting the ones that are left...I love both PLAYWRIGHT restaurants in the theater area.


Playwright tavern

[Hank]

Posted: 2/3/06 at 7:23pm

The economy being what it is, once a place becomes too popular, they jack up their prices, but if they don't catch on, they bang up. What I'm trying to say is, when you know of a place that's special, support them, but when they become "trendy", overpriced traps, avoid them.

[denise2]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 9:22am

I like the Playwright also. Good food, good prices and it's clean!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 5:39pm

And often you might just spy some Broadway stars grabbing a bite between the matinee and evening shows.

[Hank]

Posted: 2/4/06 at 7:20pm

It's good to see all those postings on Playwrights.
The one on 47th (I'm not sure, it maybe 48th) between Bway a 7th Ave has great views, and I liked their salmon with capers, and they have a good, fairly priced filet mignon.

Can't say I'll miss Ho Jo's, especially when The Edison Cafe is still going strong one block up on 47th. Go for the blintzes! And yes, celebs, writers, and just about anybody in theatre stops in at one time or another, or so I heard, just not for an early breakfast when I'm there.