Need interesting restaurant suggestion around 40th and Broadway

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

Hi everyone,

I'm taking my middle child (age 13) into the city to see Rent tomorrow. The theatre is at 41st and 7th. Although she wanted to go back to Ellen's, it's about 10 blocks away and last time I was there it was not so great...so I'm looking for ideas for a good lunch place.

Any suggestions? We've already done the whole Hard Rock/Planet Hollywood thing as well. I just thought something a little more special than Bennigan's would be nice, and she is not into sports so ESPN Zone would be out.

Thanks,

Sharon

[rklein01 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rklein01]

For a more genuine NYC experience, how about one of the places on Restaurant row?

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

If you want to treat yourself then try Uncle Jack's Steakhouse in New York City,Manhattan,Steakhouses in New York City,New York City steakhouses,restaurants in New York City

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

Thanks for the suggestions guys...but I really need something very close to where the theatre is so that there isn't a lot of walking involved. That steak house sounds great Frank...but we would have to cab it there and back (I'm going to park at 40th and 7th) and I never like to rely on a cab to get back in time for a show!!

Sharon

[mschatz Member Find all posts View Profile Close mschatz]

John's Pizzeria or Virgils

I always like John's pizzeria on 44th Street between 7th and 8th. The space is nice and the pizza is great.

I also like Virgil's BBQ on 44th just east of Broadway. It is a little touristy, but I think the BBQ is still good.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Thanks for the suggestions guys...but I really need something very close to where the theatre is so that there isn't a lot of walking involved. That steak house sounds great Frank...but we would have to cab it there and back (I'm going to park at 40th and 7th) and I never like to rely on a cab to get back in time for a show!!

Sharon

The restasurant is on 9th and 35th. That is walking distance, only about 5 to 6 blocks away.

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

Hi everyone,

I'm taking my middle child (age 13) into the city to see Rent tomorrow. The theatre is at 41st and 7th. Although she wanted to go back to Ellen's, it's about 10 blocks away and last time I was there it was not so great...so I'm looking for ideas for a good lunch place.

Any suggestions? We've already done the whole Hard Rock/Planet Hollywood thing as well. I just thought something a little more special than Bennigan's would be nice, and she is not into sports so ESPN Zone would be out.

Thanks,

Sharon

I know this sounds awful--but there's a Red Lobster with a giant neon lobster right on that corner. I pass it on my way home many a night.

Also there's a decent-looking bistro-type restaurant IN the Port Authority now. It must be the northern corner of the south building. I guess it's Metro Marche? (I just looked on the Port Authority web site.) I've looked at the menu and it looks pretty nice. Less than a block from the Nederlander.

[Linda74 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Linda74]

Hi Sharon,
This is one of our favorites for lunch before the theatre....Rachel Ray rates it the best burger in NYC. They have lots of other menu items. On Sunday, they do brunch as well.
Restaurant Thalia

We were in last night to see Phantom of the umteenth time.....ate at Pietrasanta on 47th and 9th.....that is always good as well but I think your daughter might enjoy Thalia better....kind of trendy.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Hi Sharon,
This is one of our favorites for lunch before the theatre....Rachel Ray rates it the best burger in NYC. They have lots of other menu items. On Sunday, they do brunch as well.
Restaurant Thalia

We were in last night to see Phantom of the umteenth time.....ate at Pietrasanta on 47th and 9th.....that is always good as well but I think your daughter might enjoy Thalia better....kind of trendy.

Thalia is good, and less staid than most theatre district places, but it's at 50th and 8th. Ruby Foo's might be fun for a 13 y.o., Bway around 47th. Touristy but my kids like it; upscale-ish chinese. Still a few blocks, though. If location not an issue, Thalia is definitely better.

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

Thank you for all the suggestions. We'll see how tired she is when we get there...this theatre is pretty low down in the theatre district so it limits some of the more popular choices.

Thanks again!

Sharon

[Kay H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kay H]

Sharon, you are very brave to drive in NYC.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

If it's not too late, I have another idea-- go up to the lobby floor in the Marriott Marquis, that's around 44th and bway, there should a few choices there and it's a cool lobby. I seem to remember another small cafe type place further up, not The View, not sure if it's still there but you can ask. And finally, The View would be a lot of fun (rotating atop the Marquis), lunch may be more reasonable than dinner.

[IreneLF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close IreneLF]

Thanks for the Marquis tip, didn't know about the lobby restaurants - haven't been there in years so this was news to me. Starbucks in that location looks like a good find and place to relax.

Just wanted to add, The View is not generally open for lunch, yes they have a Sunday brunch which would work today, but just dinner the other days.

[hudson Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hudson]

Take the shuttle to GCT

This comes too late for the OP, but what I suggest is to take the subway shuttle from Times Sq to Grand Central Terminal ( no stops) and eat in one of the dozens of restaurants or ethnic food court options in GCT. Then just shuttle back to Times Sq for the show.

It's a great change of scenery and you get to see more of the city experience. The terminal is historic and interesting and during the holiday time has a free laser light show with music on the ceiling and walls of the main room. The holiday market in Vanderbilt Hall in the terminal is fun for gift shopping for the holidays.

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

Thanks everyone.

We were going to try for Ruby Foos and started the walk up there, but my daughter got too tired and so we stopped at our usual and basic Hard Rock. Food is always great there though! I just wanted to try something new. It was a good thing we did though, because on the way back to the Theatre we stopped into the Gap and she couldn't even walk up the stairs because she was so exhausted, so we found a Starbucks to lounge in for a half hour until the show.

Glitter, thanks for the Marriott suggestion! Maybe next time...although our next show is Wicked which is in a whole different area I think....I have to look into that.

(Hudson, thanks...my daughter has never been on the subway and would like to see it someday, but actually, the walk from the station downstairs in Grand Central even to the lower level and then back would have been a little much for her...she has a health problem.)

Sharon