If you've never been to a Brazilian rodazio, Churrascaria Plataforma is fun and within easy walking distance of Times Square.

Here is a link that might be useful: Brazillian steakhouse

SIL and her husband went to NY about a month ago. Not sure what hotel they stayed at but they said a caeser salad cost $22 so they went back up to their room and ordered a pizza from a pizzeria joint.

Hi Ruthanna. That's funny - Scott just went to a Brazilian Steakhouse in Houston last week. Thanks for that suggestion - I will see what he thinks!

khandi, I totally expect pricey - but when you get there as infrequently as we do, we'd like to "experience" it a bit...:-) I just can't have a place that takes 4 hours and has 17 courses and frowns on a 10 year old who likes to laugh and have fun...

:-) I'll let you know if we end up with pizza!

Stacy

I can't believe I am saying this, but you might want to consider the Hard Rock Cafe. That's where I ate last time I was in Times Square with a middle class, family group. The food was fine, nothing memorable, but not terribly expensive. Service was good. I think they make up for the food profit by the tchotchkes they sell at the gift shop.

Lidia Bastianich's son has a restaurant somewhere around there, which is where I might try to go if I was staying there. Don't know how convenient it is for a show though. What I have seen online says it is in the "theatre district." It's called "Becca." I have never eaten there and the place seems to get mixed reviews. I think a lot of the nicer independent restaurants are like that, kinda depends on the karma of the night. So many variables go into something like that in a big city like NY.

Stacy,

You've got so many choices it's hard to even suggest something. We LOVE the food & the ambiance at Uncle Jack's SteakHouse midtown. It's where we go for our anniversay dinners. It's just really hard to find a better steak anywhere in the US although Delmonico's will argue with me. They also have stuff besides steak but if you don't want steak then I'd recommend another restaurant because Uncle Jack's is the ultimate steakhouse. I just checked their menu & a Ceasar salad is $10...but don't peek at the steak prices without smelling salts! I've actually never seen a menu there. My DH always orders for me (he does that a lot...started back when we were dating).

Uncle Jack's is a bit of a walk from Times Square...guessing 6-10 blocks. You'll need the walk back to wear off dinner!

For a look at the menu...click on locations, choose Manhattan, then Menu, and finally Dinner.

Uncle Jack's is the classic New York steakhouse experience. Figure about $100/person.

/tricia

Here is a link that might be useful: Uncle Jack's

A lot of places have pre fixed meals for theater dining.
My husband and I have been to Cafe Un Deux Trois and had a very nice meal for 28.50 per person. Check out the link below for more places or do a search on NYC pre fixe theater dining. Have fun.
Lisa

Here is a link that might be useful: NYC Before Theater Meals

lpink, I had read about Becco, and we're considering it. It's also listed in the great link that lisa provided. (thanks!)

Tricia, I think the 6-10 blocks might be too much after doing plenty of walking around the city during the day and trying to get to an 8 o clock show...maybe next time if it's just Scott and me, we'll check it out!

Stacy

Stacy, you might find this website helpful. You can check out restaurants by area of Manhattan or type of restaurant, read reviews, and if you click on the on-screen or printable menu links, it will show the restaurant's menu, with prices included on about +95% of them. It's quite an active website so the prices and reviews are usually current.

Here is a link that might be useful: New York City menu pages

One nice thing about the pre-theater dining is that they know you have a show to make so the service is speedy.
Lisa

Carmine's!

Here is a link that might be useful: Carmine's NYC

Will might enjoy the theme places, like Laurie said, they're fun, not exactly the greatest food, but definitely memorable. My kids liked those places when we schlepped into the city, as well as better places. Haven't tried Max Brenner's or Ellen's Stardust Diner yet, but they got great reviews on a different forum I visited! Bubbeskitchen Renee, she should have some great suggestions, too!

Ellen's Stardust Diner click here

Mars 2112
ESPN Zone New York City

Also Ruby Foo's or Blue Fin. I think Will is a foodie, if I remember correctly? So he may also enjoy a regular restaurant rather than a theme.
Blue Fin click here

Ruby Foo's click here

These are two are very good for Italian.
Tony Di Napoli's click here

Carmine's Click here

Hard to get away with inexpensive in the city.

Ooooo! Grease is the word! You'll love it! We did :)

I would personally nix Ellen's Stardust Diner. We went there with the 3 grands and while the kids enjoyed it (mac and cheese and singing waitstaff with a lot of energy and talent), it was extremely crowded pre-theater and you're tightly packed in and it just is not a place I'd go back to - no matter how much I loved the kid trying to drag me LOL!

Patsys http://www.patsys.com/restaurant/index.htm is filled with Frank Sinatra mementoes and very good food and when we were there there were several children who seemed happy enough.

Pizza anyone? http://www.johnspizzerianyc.com/index2.htm

In case you decide you want to stretch your legs - Dylans Candy Bar is a very worthwhile stop! http://www.dylanscandybar.com/

I'd second Carmine's for a fun and tasty experience (do they still have the mouthwash dispensers and little paper cups in the rest rooms - can you spell g-a-r-l-i-c?) and Tony DiNapolis is on my list thanks to Dishes and my cousin who also recommended it.

Ditto to Woodie!

Patsy's....I've not been there in awhile.

Hi Little River! We could meet you and the Doc at Patsy's in December, how about it?

We love Havana Central @ 151 West 46th street btwn 6&7 the food is great as is the atmosphere and believe me the price is right!!!! Carmines is ok but crowded...Becco,I wasnt impressed.

Woodie, It will be in October this year.
We would love to see you and Ken. I'll e-mail you when I get info on the night we are to see Mamma Mia!

Not sure how close you will be to Sardi's but I loved it years ago. And order a baked Alaska as you order your main course. They get you out in time for the theater.

ruthanna, great site, that helped alot.

We were going to try Carmine's but nothing available that night.

Carol, thanks for the links - you're right, Will is a foodie and I know would probably prefer a non-theme restaurant - thank goodness! Tony Di Napoli is one of our final considerations at this point.

And Woodie, John's Pizzeria is our other final. BUT they don't take reservations - should we chance it on a Saturday night?

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone.

So, John's is first and Tony's is second. Should we chance John's PIzzeria on a Saturday night - without reservations???

THANKS!
Stacy

Hi Stacy,

My son is a foodie also, and out of all the places we went to his favourite was Ruby Foo's. (although he is partial to asian style food). He especially loved their bento box dessert.

Shelley

Shelley, try China Grill, too, if your son likes Asian style. Just went on Wednesday to see Mamma Mia and had lunch at there. Was very good! Their Asian Caesar Salad was fantastic! We had the restaurant week lunch so we had lots of tastes to try!

Stacy, I'd assume John's would be busy on a Saturday night. but waiting is fun, too :) Have a great time in NYC, looking forward to hearing about it! Take pictures!

Here is a link that might be useful: China Grill

If you really want a treat and are into Northern
Italian food, try Marchi's Restaurant on East 31st
near Second ave. No menu. Many courses. You sit
and they bring food. Great wines as well. And
an Italian Family atmosphere. Small dining rooms,
heavy drapes.

Here's one of my favorite pre-theater spots in NYC. It is a bit of a walk from Times Square, but you'll need it on the way back, as you will be so full! Prices are very reasonable and it may be some of the best italian I have had in NYC. The place is tiny, but with a great atmosphere and the service is superb. Enjoy the city!

Here is a link that might be useful: Cara Mia

oh, i am home sick already.
son lived across the street from grand central>>>>he moved last month>>>to Sweden.>>>>
he took me to so many wonderful places to eat when i would visit.....i don't really know what is close to the theatre district......but the menu finder Ruthanna sent is wonderful.......Indian places are excellnt choices also..and delicious....i am drooling just thinking of it all. have a wonderful time,,,and u can always get a direction from your hotel.
Linda in Tennesee

My favorite theater district restaurant is an italian place called Pietrasanta on 47th and 9th avenue -- would be very close to your theater, food is reliably tasty (and they make their own pasta!), service is prompt, and prices are reasonable.

Have a great time in the city!
Emily

Here is a link that might be useful: Pietrasanta

Thanks again. Emily, that place looks wonderful. AS someone mentioned early in this thread, there are SOOOO many great places to choose from - it's mind boggling!

We could have kept contemplating it until it was too late - and I was spending lots of time investigating options as was my DSIL...so we settled on reservations at Tony's with an option of John's if things pan out during the day, we'd cancel.

We had to just make a decision and stick with it - LOL.

Thanks - I will be saving this thread for future reference!

Stacy

PS - Linda, it is nice to see you again. :-)

I'll keep Pietrasanta in mind for future reference. Their selection of pasta is very interesting and affordable.

Thanks, Emily.

Jim

I go to about one Broadway show a year, and I always go to Sardi's first for shrimp cocktail or a salad, they do a great tomato and mozzarella salad. I can also recommend Heartland Brewery on Sixth Ave, right near Radio City. Lots of beers (I went in October for Octoberfest) and decent food. Not terribly expensive, I think I got a big chicken pot pie for about $11. Have fun wherever you go!

Stacy, sounds good!

I know people always say to avoid hotel restuarants but in the case of The View restaurant in your hotel - I say don't miss it!. I always bring visitors there. They had a nice pre-theater buffet that wasn't too $$$ considering that it is NY's only revolving restaurant and the view - but I haven't been in a while. It seems like it could be stuffy but it isn't. Since your set for dinner, maybe you can do dessert there or brunch - or just a nightcap. It is a fun experience.

So funny I was thinking of you. I just spent time in Northern New York and when someone offered us cheese curds I realized I must be in your area of the world! LOL So beautiful up there! We were in Watertown and Alex Bay (said like a local, right?:)

Have fun in NYC!