Activity Planner Arrival: Category: All Adoption Arts and Crafts Auctions Auditions Awards Shows/Banquets Bulletin Board Cabaret Charitable Events Charity Events Classes for kids Classes for parents Comedy Concerts Cultural Arts Dance Expectant Parents Fairs/Festivals Film Food and Drink Food and Drink Fun for Kids Galleries Historical Holiday Celebrations Holiday Celebrations Lectures/Debates Library Activities Literary Marathon Mini-Camps Movietime Museums Museums/Art Galleries Music Nature/Outdoors Nature/Outdoors Open Houses Parades Religious Scavenger Hunts Science Shopping Shopping Showtime Signings and Appearances Signings/Appearances Speakers Sports Story hours Street Fairs Support Groups Television Programming Theater Tournaments Tours Trade Shows Departure: Why does it always seem so hard to think of where to go for dinner before theater? Maybe too many of us remember when most of the restaurants in the Theatre District were for tourists, and real New Yorkers went elsewhere for pre-theatre vittles. But times have changed, and if we urban dwellers know one thing, it’s how to change with them. It is now officially time to reconsider Theatre District dining, because — dare we say it? — there are a myriad of really great choices within just a few blocks of most of the theaters. You can dine in elegance or casual comfort; on just about any ethnic cuisine you can think of; for just a few bucks or a pretty penny; on high-end haute gastronomy or burgers and fries…the point is, you have plenty of options for getting whatever kind of food and in any kind of atmosphere you want — all within walking distance of your show. Just make a reservation. Old World Italian — Baldoria: Call it “Son of Rao” and you won’t be far off the mark: Owner Frank Pellegrino is, in fact, “Junior” to his father, the man renowned for his Rao restaurant. Go for the classic Italian dishes — there are plenty to choose from. From the raw bar to antipasto to bistecca alla pizzaiola to the grilled branzino to the famous Rao’s lemon chicken, the extensive menu has a classic Italian dish for everyone’s palate — and a jukebox filled with opera and Italian pop to keep the mood. 249 W. 49th St., 212-582-0460; www.baldoriamo.com New Asian — Bann: Young Choi, owner of Woo Lae Oak, home of highly touted, modernized Korean fare, got even more creative with Bann. While the décor certainly evokes Korea, the fare is far more eclectic: steak tartare is made with jicama and ginger sauce, and chili-glazed chicken is served with fried plantains. By all means, go for the range of choices on the pre-theatre menu. 350 W. 50th St., 212-582-4446; www.bannrestaurant.com Upscale regional American — Bar Americain: Will culinary magician Bobby Flay’s list of hits ever end? Mesa Grill, Bolo, and now Bar Americain, a highly styled brasserie. This latest eatery from the high-profile celebrity chef sets the stage with glamorous design elements from the early part of the century and regional American food. Gulf shrimp and grits, an artisanal ham tasting, and New England clam-and-sweet-potato chowder are just some of the starters; there’s a “plate of the day” in classic brasserie style, including Sunday’s succulent porterhouse veal chop with fig Cabernet sauce, and entrées including wild salmon with Pinot Noir, cracked wheat, and hazelnuts; and mussels and fries Americain in a green-chili broth, as well as a choice of four cuts for steak. 152 W. 52nd St., 212-265-9700; www.baramericain.com The best deal in the 'hood — Becco: If it was just about unlimited amounts of pasta, that would be one thing, but this is Lidia Bastianich, reigning Italian Food Diva, and the pasta is, in a word, superb. One of the best deals in the neighborhood is the dinner special for $21.95, which includes a salad or antipasto to start and unlimited servings of the three daily pastas. And for non-pasta lovers (or should we call you aliens?), the full menu offers well-executed Italian fare at reasonable prices. 355 W. 46th St., 212-397-7597; www.becconyc.com Glamorous French “Steakhouse” — Cite: This upscale (read: expensive) French steakhouse offers two great options for theatregoers: a prix fixe for $39.50; and the Cite Grill, their less formal, next-door “bistro” with lighter café fare including grilled salmon and croquet monsieur. 120 W. 51st St., 212-956-7100; www.citerestaurant.com Finally, if you feel boxed in by too much planning, head over to West 46th Street — unofficially known as Little Brazil — where (despite the name) you have any number of Latino and South American cuisines to choose from: Argentinean, Brazilian, Mexican, Spanish, and others. Wander west down the block beginning at Fifth Avenue for a slew of inexpensive, no-reservation-required choices. And if you do choose Brazilian, required drinking is the caipirinhas — the tart, seductively strong national cocktail made with lime and sugarcane. Of course, we can’t guarantee you’ll find a table in time for your curtain…but after 8 p.m. on non-theatre nights, most of the restaurants here seem to experience a little lull. Reader Feedback - 0 Replies Be the first to kick-start this discussion Join the discussion To register, please click here