Taking my 3 granddaughters and my daughter and daughter in law to NYC for 3 nights end of June - have tixs for Mamma Mia (which I saw 2 yrs ago but think they'll enjoy it) at the Winter Garden Friday night June 24 - since we are staying on the east side want to get over closer to the theater for dinner so we can walk to theater after dinner - any suggestions?? - the girls are 11 and 10 going on 16 - I was thinking about Joe Allen's (burgers for them) calves liver and mashed potatoes for me!!! Have the rest of time figured out just need restaurant for early Friday night - Joanna

In the Theatre area:

I could recommend Blue Fin (seafood), Ruby Foos (fun chinese/sushi), Tout Va Bien (french bistro).

There are so many others (including Carmine's - family Italian!). Grab a copy of Zagat's NYC guide & make yourself crazy with options.

Please feel free to email me with any questions.
And do not forget TKTS for shows that still have seats available (& at about 1/2 price!)

Enjoy!

Doug

Joanna, I saw Mama Mia in London when we got off VJ7! Know you have seen it, but this show is so fabulous, makes you want to stand up and move just like the advertisements show! Zagat's will drive you crazy, like Doug said. I would just tell the concierge at the hotel what you want. Is there a Joe Allen's in London? Somehow, I remember a dinner there with my daughter....after the theater, not the last trip, but when she was maybe 12.

Thanks Doug - I subscribe to Zagat's online and they made me crazy today with options - I got the tixs as I did not want to stand in line at TKTS since we only have limited time but have done that other times with good results!! If you recall, girls at this age are picky eaters - nothing too fancy (French yuk - Fish yuk) but Italian would be good!! they'd probably be happy with pizza - -also got tix for Movin' Out Sat matinee - big pill to swallow paying full price - but when you don't have much time i wanted to plan each day to get most of the time there - Joanna

Olivia:

BUT you have to get the guide (Zagat).

I am always amazed that people spend so much money to go somewhere & then get nuts over a $10 or $20 guide book that could save them serious money and more importantly guide them to a better experience during their limited time wherever thay may be going.

Fodor's, Frommer's, Rick Steve's, Zagat's... I love all of them! (even knowing that they are not perfect!)

Doug

Agree agree - I am a travel book junkie - I had a 2003 Zagat's but signed online for $3.95 for 30 days seems so many restaurants close I wanted to be "current" - - Olivia: Mamma Mia was soooo much fun - yes people were standing and clapping and dancing - music wonderful - but then I am a big Billy Joel fan - go to www.movinoutonbroadway.com and click Broadway show for some music and nostalgia!!! I asked the girls if they knew who he was - they said yes the short guy married to that model (probably from his MTV video with Christie Brinkley when they were 3 or 4 yrs old and watching MTV) - this show is really for ME - Joanna

Doug, you would not believe how many guidebooks I buy, Zagat among them for land trips. Last time I was in New York, I used it, but first checked out the restaurant on another website of people who live there (they said One If By Land... was good and it was...and dissed going to Tavern on the Green, how right they were..) The reason I said check with the concierge is merely because I figure the people come back and report to him how they liked it, not that he/she has been there. By the way, on the other thread, keep us to date on Andi's Mom. It's Mother's Day weekend, and I am glad she can be there with her for this.

I have Zagat for the Palm and it's wonderful. You can select cities and carry the whole thing for many cities with you. I have NY, LA , Chicago, SF, Boston, and London. You can search for food by neighborhood, special requests (kid friendly, romantic etc). Also, if you join on-line you can do the survey and then they send you the guide books free.

NYC has loads and loads of great places to eat. Most post their menus out front. I just walk around until one catches my eye. I do have a few favorites but I couldn't explain where they are. They are Greek and Lebanese which may not go well with the younger crowd if they aren't familiar with the food. There is a diner we like on the west side on 9th, somewhere around 45th street. But if you are staying on the east side that may not be convenient. I wouldn't obsess about a restaurant. I'd "play it by ear" that night.

Colleen: - Will play it by ear - grew up an hr and a half outside of the BA!!!! Joanna

i like b smith and you can find something for everyone.

http://bsmith.com/dine/bsmiths_ny.shtml

i love carmine's too, but the problem is there's always a long wait and they don't do reservations for small parties.

Thanks for the suggestions - Joanna

Kathy:

That is a GREAT tip - I had forgotten about it.
Log in & sign up, review a restaurant & you get a free copy of a Zagat guide when they come out!

Joanna:
With picky kids, book a table at Ruby Foos - Times Sq. Lots of fun & I am sure that they will find something that they like!
You could also look in Dallas Bar-B-Q... ribs, burgers, etc. Not amazing, but not bad.

now, if you were willing to hop on the subway or take a cab...GOD GRAVY! Talk about options.

Enjoy... Doug

PS: Olivia: thanks for asking about Andi's Mom. I won't take up space on this thread about it, but thanks.

Thanks Doug - May have a few more questions in next week or two but will e- mail you pivately - how is Andi's Mom??

Joanna:

Please feel free to email. I'll answer what I can.

Andi's Mom is stable. Not good, but stable.
It is tough with both of our Mom's in hospital at the same time. But this is something that so many have dealt with before.

Your & everyone's concern is so warm and welcome... Thank you all.

Doug

Oh I know - we all have/are dealing with it - good thoughts going your way - Joanna

Gee, Doug - you two have enough on your plate! Please know that we are thinking about you and Andi. We are sorry you are dealing with two hospitalizations.

We've got our 94 y/o (Frank's Mom) we worry about all the time too. We had to force her to move here at 91 because she was falling and broke her hip and there were no relatives in Denver to watch her. We did a few months of almost commuting while she was in the Rehab hospital and then we went there to clean out her home and move some things here for her.

As soon as the kid's are independent, then it's time for the parents to become dependent. I guess that makes us the sandwich generation.

JOanna,

I don't know what street the Winter Garden is on. If you supply that info, I can try to give you recommendations close to the theatre.

I agree with Doug, that Ruby Foo's would be a good choice.

I'll disagree with Colleen about "playing it by ear". That's fine on most nights, but not when you have theatre tickets. Too many of the restaurants fill up at 6:00 and you could spend a good 20 minutes going from place to place and then have to gulp down your meal to get to the theatre on time.

Yes, and DO buy a Zagat and carry it around with you. I do this for every city they have a guide for and it's saved me from a lot of bad meals.

I'm a native NYer and would be glad to help you further. Feel free to post here or to email me privately.

CJ

CJ: Theater at 1634 Broadway (50th) - oh I agree about the rushing to grab dinner before a show - any other time fine but not on theater night - plus when you are dealing with 3 eleven yr olds I think we need to structure the 3 days to get max out of visit - thanks - Joanna

Joanna,
Okay, so now that I know where the theatre is, I double my recommendation for Ruby Foo's. It's only a block away from the theatre, so if you happen to get a rainy night, you won't have far to walk after dinner.

Here's a few more places that I would recommend taking 3 11 yr old's to - not necessarily on theatre night, just places around the city that they might enjoy. I'm not listing addresses or phone #'s, because they're all in Zagat.

AQ Cafe (lunch only - swedish cafe in museum)
Pink Tea Cup
Virgils Real BBQ
Comfort Diner
Popover Cafe
Cowgirl Hall of Fame
Fanelli's Cafe
Serendipity (frozen hot chocolate is a must)
Bubby's
East (26th & 3rd location)
Carmine's
Patsy's Pizza
EJ's Luncheonette
Rosa Mexicana
Markt
Deli's - Sarges, Carnegie, Second Ave,
Paella - El Faro, La Paella, Sevilla
Outdoor dining - Vittorio Cucina, Metropolitan Cafe, Boat House(in Central Park),Cafe St. Barts

If they like indian food, walk on East 6th Street betw. 1st & 2nd Ave's. There are many inexpensive indian places. My fave is Mitali.

Right nearby is Veneiro's - an italian bakery that has tables and chairs. Dessert only, no food.

Take them to Little Italy and wander on Mulberry St. and pick one of the many places. My favorite is Il Fornaio.
Chinatown - right near Little Italy. You could have dinner here and walk for dessert to Little Italy. On Sunday's many places have dim sum brunch/lunch that's so much fun.

If you're exploring the lower east side, then a french bistro called 26 Seats on Ave B and 10th Street is well priced, serves very good food and is charming.

Enjoy NYC!

Doug - Tout Va Bien went out of business a long time ago.

CJ

CJ:

Tout Va Bien is gone because we stopped going there a few years ago, I guess. The lack if business did them in (lol). Don't know why we stopped, it was always a nice meal. *sigh*

Your list is a very good one.

Dim Sum in Chinatown can't be beat.

I don't claim to know every place you list...but I have always heard good things about Rosa Mexicana.
But, between you & me... I really like Victor's.

Now, if it is a great NYC steak house you are looking for... try Dylan Prime in Tribeca. It ain't cheap, but it is wonderful. Check Zagat, Citysearch or ask here on the board.
My cousin owns it. So, with a little advance notice I can get you a table.
It is about a $10 cab from Times Sq.
I eat (& pay my own way) there often.

Doug

Thank you for all the great suggestions! Joanna

Oh Joanna, I misread your original post. I thought you were going to dinner AFTER the show. In that case either "scout out a joint" earlier in the day or make a reservation. Hang around the TKTS booth in Times Square and loads of people will be handing out ads for places you may find interesting, too. This takes about 5 minutes. No need to stay long. They will find you. Besides you will all get to see the naked cowboy. Don't worry, he's PG.

Colleen: I forgot about the naked cowboy - we plan to do Little Italy and Chinatown - I was just remembering our trip a few years ago over the 4th of July - headed up to a high rise apt to watch fireworks and got trapped on an elevator for 90 minutes with 8 other people - scary - and of course we missed most of the fireworks -

Doug,

That's correct. Tout Va Bien's demise is ALL your fault! :) I was wondering who to blame, as I loved that little place.

Have not been to Dylan Prime. DH does not eat red meat, so steak houses are not big on our list. I know they serve high quality cuts of fish, but he prefers a more complex dish to the basics and at the prices the steak houses charge, he'd rather hit a place like Tabla, Madison 11, Bouley or RM. Once in a while we go with friends to a steakhouse - I like Sparks because of the wine list, but would like to try Dylan Prime, so I'll keep your offer of a resy in mind. Thanks for that!

Rosa Mexicana is really excellent and I prefer their 58th & 1st Ave location. I'm also a big fan of Pampano's for creative mexican.

I like Victors alot too, but don't go there anymore. I used to go there with my Dad when he came to NY about 5 times a year. He died about 2 years ago, so there's too much sadness for me personally, though I do recommend it to others.

CJ

Wicked is another great musical that appeals to all ages. It's a revision of the Wizard of Oz from the Wicked Witch of the West's point of view (more or less).

Oh and don't forget Papaya King at 86th and Lex for the quintessential New York experience! Best hot dogs and shakes around (shakes are freshly made from your choice of all sorts of fresh fruits and vegetables). Also catching a movie at the Clearview Ziegfeld is quite an experience; it's an old theater that was converted in a movie theater. It still has the feel of a theater rather than a cinema. However, they only show one movie there at a time which is limiting.

Joanna, Is Tony making the trip as well?