thoughts on Sardi's or Joe Allens

[cjmclaughlin10]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 11:41am

I have tickets to Hello, Dolly! Next month and am looking for an equally special restaurant for dinner (keeping with the classic Broadway theme, or something grandiose like the Harmonia Gardens).  I know Sardi's and Joe Allen are historic landmarks in the theatre district (and Sardi's is practically across from the Shubert), but I was wondering about the quality of the restaurant its self.  Im a little bit of a food snob, so I don't want to fall into a tourist trap.

So my question is this, should I go for dinner or just cocktails/desert  post-show?  Do you prefer one of these restaurants over the other?  If you can think of any other classic restaurant/bar theater hang outs, please let me know

For reference: our typical (non theatre related)  mid-town staples are Sushi Yasuda, Gabriel Kreuther, Esca and  Estiatorio Milos.

Thanks in advance for all your help! 

Updated On: 3/17/17 at 11:41 AM

[Lot666]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 11:53am

cjmclaughlin10 said: "I have tickets to Hello, Dolly! Next month and am looking for an equally special restaurant for dinner (keeping with the classic Broadway theme, or something grandiose like the Harmonia Gardens).  I know Sardi's and Joe Allen are historic landmarks in the theatre district (and Sardi's is practically across from the Shubert), but I was wondering about the quality of the restaurant its self.  Im a little bit of a food snob, so I don't want to fall into a tourist trap.

So my question is this, should I go for dinner or just cocktails/desert  post-show?  Do you prefer one of these restaurants over the other?  If you can think of any other classic restaurant/bar theater hang outs, please let me know

For reference: our typical (non theatre related)  mid-town staples are Sushi Yasuda, Gabriel Kreuther, Esca and  Estiatorio Milos.

Thanks in advance for all your help!"

I've dined at Sardi's once and Joe Allen twice, and the food at neither called to mind a "tourist trap". Although the menu at Sardi's doesn't seem exorbitantly expensive at a glance, our dinner for four with cocktails resulted in a hefty bill. The menu prices at Joe Allen seem to be similar to Sardi's, but we somehow managed to get out of there without breaking the bank. Joe Allen is famously good at ensuring that all pre-theatre patrons are done in time for their respective curtains.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 11:56am

I still need to find good food in Midtown, I think you can get good food in other areas, although if you go for ethnic food, you may be able to get decent food, even in Midtown, some good Latin, Japanese and Thai spots, but I would stay away from Sardi's or Joe Allen's. Even the expensive restaurants are pretty bad. If you can get food on the East Village, Lower East, even on the Upper East, those are the areas where I have had great food experiences.

Also, I highly recommend Sunset BLVD. if you haven't seen it.

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 12:25pm

CJ, I have been so excited about planning our trip to see Dolly in June. Every detail matters to me. The hotel, restaurants, everything.

Like you, I want the Harmonia Gardens experience, but don't want to break the bank. My daughter (pictured below) and I have been scoping out things for our group of eight and here are our plans.

Dinner: La Grenouille. It has the most fabulous ambiance, full of flowers, terrific French food and arguably the best souffle in New York. And the great news - they have a Prix Fixe pre-theater menu, three courses for $64. That works for us perfectly pricewise and timewise. http://la-grenouille.com/

After Theater: The Shubert is across the street from Sardi's. After the show we're going to hop on over and go upstairs to the bar, which looks out onto the Shubert. Baked Alaska and prosecco for all.

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ETA: I could use some tips on how to post photos. Do I delete some info from the URL?
 

Updated On: 3/17/17 at 12:25 PM

[carolinaguy]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 12:39pm

I found the upstairs bar at Sardi's to be very underwhelming. Plain, with slapdash drinks. If you're going for the history, then OK. If you want a better bar experience, consider the Rum House at the Edison on 47th. (No dessert there, I don't think, though.)

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 12:46pm

Updated On: 3/17/17 at 12:46 PM

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 12:53pm

You can order solo from the bar menu at Sardi's (I've done it). While the upstairs bar at Sardi's is plain in one sense, and old fashioned as all get out, that's kind of what the Dolly experience is all about to me. Only at Sardi's do you get those amazing Hirschfeld caricatures and gorgeous view of the theater which is all decked out in Dolly regalia. Sure there are a lot of great bars in New York with craft cocktails. I'm quite fond of Pegu Club. But this one night is Dolly night for us. If you stick with prosecco you can't go wrong.

ETA: Sardi's isn't family style, but nearby Carmine's is.

Updated On: 3/17/17 at 12:53 PM

[Lot666]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 12:55pm

Phantom4ever said: "The one time I tried to go to Sardi's I was turned away because they said the whole menu is family style and there is nothing for a single diner to order."

That's odd and not remotely true. Are you sure this was Sardi's?

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 1:02pm

Phantom4ever said: "The one time I tried to go to Sardi's I was turned away because they said the whole menu is family style and there is nothing for a single diner to order. "


Do you mean Carmine's? Sardi's is down the block from Carmine's.

http://www.carminesnyc.com/

 

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 1:05pm

Yep.  I meant Carmine's.  My apologies everyone!  Sorry for the incorrect info! 

Updated On: 3/17/17 at 01:05 PM

[Lot666]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 1:07pm

Phantom4ever said: "Yep.  I meant Carmine's.  My apologies everyone!  Sorry for the incorrect info!"

Ah, that makes much more sense!

[AC126748]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 1:10pm

Sardi's is wildly overrated and overpriced. Joe Allen's is better, but the service can be a little brusque. I wouldn't call the food at either place impressive--these are places you go more for the experience than the meal. Neither is a favorite, personally.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 2:25pm

Everything they serve at Sardi's  to me tastes like they took it out of the freezer and put it in the microwave. 

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 2:44pm

We'll be eating at both establishments on our next trip. 

We'll have a pre-show dinner at Sardi's before Dolly. As you mention, it's a classic Broadway experience right across the street. I personally enjoy their cannelloni and their beef tartare is a classic. It's not cheap. It's very old fashioned, but that's what makes a classic classic. We frequent the second floor bar on our trips. While the skilled bartenders DO work quickly, it's hardly slapdash. Their negronis are second-to-none and the atmosphere is full of show talk. I miss the pretzels and cheese spread, but enjoy their quesadillas and club sandwiches at the bar. (Of course you could probably guess that from looking at my profile photo)

We also LOVE Joe Allen. I've not had any issues with service there. In fact, quite the opposite, it functions like a well-oiled machine. Perhaps it may be a matter of polite-but-don't-waste-time NY attitude - which I totally understand and am comfortable with. I love their burgers, lobster rolls, and liver & onions. We'll be grabbing burgers at brunch before Come From Away.

Not that you asked, we're having dinner before Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet at Pergola des Artistes around the corner. 

Updated On: 3/17/17 at 02:44 PM

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 2:49pm

 

I was just at Sardi’s for the first time. I didn’t particularly want to go, but a friend of mine insisted on a pre-show drink there when he found out I’d never been. I found the whole experience kind of obnoxious, actually, from the faux-class dinner patrons to the stuffy bartenders and the preening theater queens looking past each other in every conversation. I took one look at that outlandish bar menu before making the executive decision to dine elsewhere.

[cjmclaughlin10]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 3:07pm

"Sure there are a lot of great bars in New York with craft cocktails. I'm quite fond of Pegu Club. But this one night is Dolly night for us. If you stick with prosecco you can't go wrong.

 

 

"

I really like the idea of Prosecco here  (pre show warm up) and then dinner at what in my mind, is one of the grandest meals in the city, the chefs tasting menu Gabriel Kruether (it kind of reminds me of a modern day Harmonia Gardens...) 

brief side note, dose anyone know the Dolly run time so i can figure out what time to make the reservation for

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 3:20pm

I suggest upstairs at Sardi's after the show. I love getting a window table and looking out over 44th at the marquees.

[AC126748]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 3:28pm

I've not had any issues with service there. In fact, quite the opposite, it functions like a well-oiled machine. Perhaps it may be a matter of polite-but-don't-waste-time NY attitude - which I totally understand and am comfortable with.

No. I lived in New York for fifteen years--I know the difference between no-nonsense, economical service and rude/incompetent service. The few times I've been to Joe Allen recently--and I find myself going less and less because the experiences haven't been pleasant--have been marked by glaring errors in service, like having (on a not particularly busy night) to flag down my server three times to order a second drink, or having a server deliver my food then completely disappear until it was time to drop the check. Since I don't think the food there is anything special, I'm fine with taking it out of my restaurant rotation.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 3:34pm

I enjoy both.  But for a classic show biz experience with better food, you might want to consider Chez Josephine.

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 3:35pm

Thank you for your clarification AC12678. This has not been my experience, but I trust your account. Hopefully I'll not have an experience like yours when we visit in May.

[AC126748]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 3:41pm

henrikegerman said: "I enjoy both.  But for a classic show biz experience with better food, you might want to consider Chez Josephine.

 

"

I agree with this. I had brunch at Chez Josephine recently, not having been there for several years, and the food is still superb. And the atmosphere was lovely.

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 3:46pm

Although this is not the typical experience, last May we stopped by the upstairs bar on a Thursday night after Shuffle Along, there were a bunch of "Humans" there who commonly had drinks after the show a few doors down, Reed Birney, Arian Moyed, one of the daughters (I forget which actress), Joe Mantello with his date, Carol Kane, and Alex Brightman from School of Rock. 

To be frank, although there is a good sprinkling of veteran broadway folk in the mix, I'm more likely to find myself talking to a fellow broadway enthusiast from out of town. And it's great to share in the energy and excitement of a broadway trip, so that's just fine. 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 4:10pm

Dinner - Joe Allen

After Show Dessert-Drinks - Sardi's ***nobody goes to Sardi's for the food but sit upstairs in the bar area that overlooks the Shubert...now that's the experience you want after the show!

Updated On: 3/18/17 at 04:10 PM

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 4:34pm

henrikegerman said: "I enjoy both.  But for a classic show biz experience with better food, you might want to consider Chez Josephine."

 

I quite agree, Henrik. I know some people think of it as a tourist trap or a once-reputable establishment in decline, but I couldn't guess why. I’ve yet to have a disappointing meal or experience at Chez Josephine. And If you’re going before a show, give yourself an extra half-hour to relax into the experience rather than having to eat and run. Enjoy the piano. Have an extra glass of wine. Don’t skip dessert. And bring good company. It's not Jean-Georges, but I wouldn't want it to be. It's kind of perfect unto itself.

Updated On: 3/17/17 at 04:34 PM

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 3/17/17 at 5:47pm

MarkBearSF said: "Although this is not the typical experience, last May we stopped by the upstairs bar on a Thursday night after Shuffle Along, there were a bunch of "Humans" there who commonly had drinks after the show a few doors down, Reed Birney, Arian Moyed, one of the daughters (I forget which actress), Joe Mantello with his date, Carol Kane, and Alex Brightman from School of Rock."

"one of the daughters (I forget which actress)" is adorable.  Now I'm thinking Lily Rabe? Condola Rashad? Mamie or Grace Gummer? Zosia Mamet?