Pre-Show Restaurant?

[Scud77]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 1:57pm

Any tips on restaurants in/around times square. I am wondering what would be good for Valentine's day (American, Seafood, Italian perhaps)... and what time to make a reservation for so we won't be too rushed for an 8PM show.

Where have you been that you liked and would recommend for this occasion?

Thanks!!

[Corine2]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 2:05pm

What price range?

[Corine2]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 2:09pm

Romantic, a bit hip very good seafood: Blue Fin in Times Square.
I like Blue Water Grill better but it is in Union square and also a Steve Hanson(br guest restaurant)
Ruby Foo's Noisy but less expensive great sushi and pan asian
also Steve Hanson.
Aureole- Not in the area but excellent food and very romantic.
(Do the Prix FIXE lunch a bargain at 30.00 with wine.)(AFTER 2 PM)Charlie Palmer and dessert is a must.
Firebird- Go for drinks, it is a very romantic place and will put your partner in the mood for love! Updated On: 12/24/03 at 02:09 PM

[Scud77]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 2:15pm

Price range is flexible... doesn't have to be cheap, but not the super high end either.

good thoughts, Corine... thanks.

[Corine2]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 2:17pm

Any time!
Have fun!

I would check to make sure what the prices are on V Day. Most restaurants hike up the costs.
;( Updated On: 12/23/03 at 02:17 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 2:54pm

The last time I went to Sardi's it was quite good (the first time was awful). I also enjoyed the Playwright Tavern and Restaurant. Very cozy and an excellent Shepherd's Pie.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 3:00pm

personally, i think sardis is overrated. wen i went there 2 years ago the food wasnt speical. the only thing i liked about sardis was the charactures on the walls =D. it you want a lot of food for ur money Carmines is the way to go! i think its on 46th street? but the portions are HUGE but ooo soo good! =D l8r!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 3:03pm

Interesting. I was much more impressed by the food at Sardi's. Large portions are great, but I found the quality of the food at Carmine's to be lower than Sardi's. Plus, if you've never been to Sardi's, it's a nice experience.

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 3:21pm

Carmines has great food, but it's better for a larger group as opposed to 2 people. They have excellent pasta choices.
I definitely agree that the Playwright Tavern is really good. A nice atmosphere, and Mister Matt is soo right...the Shepard's Pie is excellent.

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 3:34pm

EATERY on 53 and 9th is excellent $9-$17 price range.. I just ate there last night.

I also ate at a restaurant in the village called The Red Cat which was amazing (www.theredcat.com)

I just moved into the city a week ago so still learning restuarants myself... AVOID TIMES SQUARE- most are over priced and tourist traps...

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 3:36pm

There are some places in Little Italy that are really good, but I'm so bad at remembering the names of them because there are so many. I only know them by looking when I walk by.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 3:38pm

Years ago, I loved this little Italian place in SoHo called Diva. Don't know if it's still there...

[Broadwaylady]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 4:17pm

Carmines on 44th is very reasonable. They opened up the second floor also for dinner. But, I would suggest reservations. Tonys on 43rd across from Urinetown, was also similar to Carmines in that is is Italian family style. There is L'Allegro on 9th and 44th that is reasonable and has a pre-diner menu. All the restaurants in the theater district are good and most of have pre-theater menus. There are are a ton of restaurants on 46th called Restaurant Row. DaRosinas is a good one on that block. Bon Appetite

[tkts]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 4:52pm

Try Le Madeleine on 43rd next to the Westside Theatre. Great casual french at a good price.
Le Madeleine

[Corine2]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 5:38pm

Carmine's is great if you love garlic. You will be burping up garlic for a week after eating there. (Great Caesar Salad vampire's beware)
It is cheap, noisy and hardly romantic unless you want your waiter to bump into you all evening.
IT IS NOT ROMANTIC. Not a great choice for Valentine's day unless you are taking your grandmother.
Sardis is a tourist trap but they have the best Canelloni in the City.
A good choice would also be Shun Lee in the Lincoln Center area.
They have the best chinese in the City and it is romantic and close enough to the theater district I always spot Woody Allen and his young wife so it might take away from the romantic mood.
LOL! Make a reservation for 5:45 so you don't have to rush. Updated On: 12/23/03 at 05:38 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 6:07pm

French - Pigalle
Seafood - Bubba Gump's ( really )
Italian - Osteria Al Doge

[Corine2]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 6:20pm

Pigalle is great and it is very romantic. Great suggestion Roxy.
But who is eating french these days?
The same owners own City Lobster which is also pretty good for Seafood.
Pigalle is romantic and the food is usually good.
Bubba Gumps is new it is not romantic in the least and it will be full of screaming toddlers. Not for Valentine's Day unless you want to be on the couch.
LOL!
Osteria is very good Italian but very tiny and I had terrible food poisioning from there once so I have never gone back. I was so sick I almost called for an ambulance.
Updated On: 12/23/03 at 06:20 PM

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 7:10pm

hows Patsy's intalian restuarant. the 1 a lot of celebrities go to. ne 1 eat there?

[Hank]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 7:56pm

For Valentines Day, I would avoid all the touristy/family places. That would be Sardi's, Carmines, and Bubba Gumps. Also I wouldn't recommend my favorite hang out: Virgils's BBQ. These places are all great, any other time.
For couples, try Tratoria TreColori or Da Rosina, for Italian, or a few bucks more, Orso (reserve well ahead of time). For seafood, Danny's Seafood Palace (where Bangkok meets Broadway) is one of my favorites.

[Benzy92]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 8:10pm

I love Barrymore's on 45th..(?)

I eat there almost every time im in the city. Greeeeeeat food, reasonable prices, and great service. Nice little restaurant.

[CaTheatreGirl]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 9:05pm

My place of choice before and after theater is Angus McIndoe. Great service and good food. Pretty reasonably priced. And don't forget dessert! Many delicious choices. Updated On: 12/23/03 at 09:05 PM

[Corine2]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 9:12pm

Yes Angus is good. They have great wine and it is warm and inviting. The food is ok nothing special but it is a nice spot.
Angus is a warm guy. I love him.
Have the salad with goat cheese it is divine.
I love Barrymores but not for Valentine's Day.
IT IS A HOLE. A DIVE.
Good place to go with friends to hang but the food and atmosphere is grungy.
Orso is very expensive but an orgasm on a plate.
The food, service and prices are incredible so bring a platnium card.
Speaking of ORGASMS ON A PLATE have you been to NOBU? Updated On: 12/23/03 at 09:12 PM

[Phantom2]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 11:50pm

All excellent choices, Corine2. Want to go on a date?

Updated On: 12/23/03 at 11:50 PM

[Corine2]

Posted: 12/24/03 at 12:10am

Ha ha.
Thanks for the offer.
Wink.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 12/24/03 at 12:18am

Mister Matt- Has anyone told you lately that you're a Diva?