Hello, We are coming to NYC the first weekend in Feb, and have tickets to see Spiderman Friday evening but need a suggestion for somewhere to eat dinner in the theater district. We tend to only eat at either Juniors or Bubba Gump and need a change. Also, we are going to a comedy club Saturday evening but were looking for some broadway show advice for Saturday afternoon. We thought about Once but not 100% sure about it, and would LOVE to see Book of Mormon but I'm sure thats almost near impossible. Just doesn't seem to be a lot of great options on broadway right now...maybe an off Broadway suggestion instead? Thanks in advance for the help!!
I am at JFK going home from NYC right now after seeing:
The Heiress Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Edwin Drood Once Picnic Sleep No More Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Golden Boy Fuerza Bruta Newsies
Once is fantastic, Edwin Drood is great fun and relatively easy to get tickets to (it's not selling very well). Virginia Woolf is a KNOCKOUT. Stay far away from CAT.
Hi and thanks for the response...current shows on broadway that we've seen are Newsies, Wicked, Jersey Boys, Lion King, Mary Poppins, Rock Of Ages, Phantom, and Mama Mia.
Definately DROOD! It's a cant miss and the whole orchestra is cheaper than some once mezz tickets. And in my case I think drood is better! But up to you!
Suggestion only: Fiorello at City Center is on that weekend. They are discounting tickets have have two performances on Saturday 2/2. It should be a fub show and something very different.
Try 54 Below for pre-show dinner. It's part of Studio 54 where The Mystery of Edwin Drood plays, and it's a fun venue. Come back after the show for an 11PM performance by a Broadway great!
Yes, Hourglass Tavern, Dafni's (42nd), Pio Pio (10th ave), Nizza (9th), Gazala place (9th ave), Tabata Ramen (9th ave), Jing (9th), 5 napkin Burger (9th), 44 x 10 (10th ave) Capizzi (best pizza ever, my secret joint behind the Port Authority), Tavola, new, very good trattoria (37-38th/9th). Very cozy. Also, great pizza. All good neighborhood places. And cheap to reasonable prices. I've live around here and have been to all of them. Make reservations for dinner, though, just in case. Avoid those tourist trap joints in Times Square proper.
Actually FEb is a great time to get theater discounts. Practically everythingis discounted. Don't assume. It's the dead of winter/low season. TDF/Ticket Booth in TS.
I'm gonna throw another recommendation for "Edwin Drood" at you, so much fun. As far as pre show dinner, I love Eatery on 53rd and 9th and it's a very quick walk to Studio 54, if you do decide to see Drood. Nizza and Five Napkin are also favorites.
For the NY "experience," I would recommend trying Joe Allen's, 46th St. The food is good, though a little pricey, the atmosphere is nice, and you get to see window cards of famous- and not so famous -- flops on the walls. Sardi's is also worth going to, but that is very expensive. It's more about the atmosphere than the food there. Then there's the Stardust Diner near the Winter Garden with their singing waiters. It's fun, and the food isn't bad.
As for shows, among those you haven't seen, I would recommend Nice Work If You Can Get It. And perhaps-- I pray --- Cinderella will be good. Read the early preview reports here.
I recommend Nizza for dining, as well. The food is great, reasonably priced (most entrees under $20), and it's never particularly hard to get a table there. They make a killer Negroni.
I'll third the charming Hourglass Tavern on west 46th near 9th av for your dining experience, and their bar, Bettibar, on the second floor, also serves food and is open late. It's well-known hangout for Broadway industry people. Don't want to walk that far? Angus, on w44th, near 8th. A good celebrity-spotting place and good food. Both Hourglass Tavern and Angus are privately owned and run, with the proprietors very hands-on and often present.
Honestly, I'd skip Joe Allen's and Sardis. Both are well past their "use by" date, not-great food at too high prices and rather staid in atmosphere - but they are pieces of New York theatrical history, so if that is important to you...
And I'll be the 10th or so to recommend The Mystery of Edwin Drood, a raucous, English Music Hall-style musical.
I think the food at Joe Allen's is better than what you give it credit for. I wouldn't call its atmosphere staid, either.
I would also offer a word of caution regarding Edwin Drood, especially considering the OP's list of previously-seen shows. It's not like those. Many people here love it, but others find it dull and confusing. It hasn't caught on with the public, either. There's a reason for that.
"Many people here love it, but others find it dull and confusing. It hasn't caught on with the public, either."
Maybe it's not a standing room only runaway hit but they were sold out all weekend and it's the best ticket on Broadway now for my money. Not only that, but it was very well reviewed. It may not be like the shows the OP liked in content or form but it has in common with the OP's faves the fact that it is a raucous good time and almost impossible not to leave laughing or smiling.
Anyone who finds it "dull" must have been watching something else, because the pace is lightning quick and there's a laugh at least every other minute. :)
Actually, I was being kind about Joe Allen's atmosphere. I find it snobbish. Their food isn't bad, but for the prices, it isn't anything special, either. I really don't like the place, and only go there anymore when dragged there or when invited to opening night parties. Not my kind of place, but different strokes, etc.
Your caveat regarding Drood is fair. It isn't exactly like the shows that the OP mentioned, but it's the closest thing to them running on Broadway at the moment. Cinderella likely will be more in keeping with the kind of show they are accustomed to, but as you say, we have no idea whether it will be good or not - and just possibly, OP might want to vary their palette a bit. I'll stand by my recommendation of Drood.
No, it isn't selling well as well as I'd thought it would, but far more people seem to love it than not, and not just people here. It did, btw, sell out all 3 shows this past weekend, above capacity. It's a fun show, and an excellent chance to see a bunch of Broadway's best (who doesn't love Chita Rivera, even when comically miscast).
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joined:2/12/08
Posted: 1/22/13 at 07:34pm