Ah, the theater! One of the many great reasons to live in this city, despite the horrors. Especially in the doldrums of late autumn, there’s nothing better than getting gussied up to see a show. (I know, I know, people wear sweatpants to the theater now. I refuse!)
The perfect pre-show dinner near the nexus of theaters is something I seek out year-round. Technically speaking, the theater district is actually a pretty small neighborhood, so I’m fudging the borders a bit to get you the best possible recommendations. Pre-Broadway and off-Broadway dining is a necessity for visitors seeing shows and New Yorkers hosting tourists around the holidays. There are always plenty of factors at play: sundry groups, mixed ages, options that range from standing-room-only taco shops to baller steakhouses.
Behold, some Midtown spots within a nonpanicky distance from the marquees that will get you to your show on time with that “just-ate-something-delicious” glow.
Crowd-pleasing skewers
Right in the center of the Broadway show action is a place for truly everyone: Yakitori Totto, a Japanese skewer spot that’s kind of a show in its own right. Enter the bustling, very narrow second-floor room and you’ll be completely swept up by the smell of grilled meats (hope you don’t mind that smell lingering on your clothes). It’s totally fine for kids, and even better for couples, so you can sit at the bar and watch the chefs grill skewers of kalbi, yakionigiri, oyster mushrooms, and shishito peppers stuffed with seasoned ground chicken.
Midtown glamour, baby!
I love most everything about Le Rock, so much so that I recommend it to anyone who has just 36 hours in New York. The room couldn’t be more Midtown-y, in the best possible way, with skyscraping ceilings and luxurious Art Deco interiors. And the food, like at the restaurant group’s first spot, Frenchette, echoes the chicness of the design. Going for cocktails and snacks, like a martini made “au poivre” with green peppercorns (even the glassware feels like it was lifted from the 1930s) and oysters served with French sausages, is special. But for a full dinner, reserve this for when you’re feeling particularly spendy or celebratory. In those cases, you might as well go all out: bison (also au poivre!), leeks vinaigrette, escargots and a spread of fancy, perfect desserts.
Some brightness for the winter
For something that feels, delightfully sunshine-y even when the sun sets at 4:30 in the afternoon, try LumLum, a Thai restaurant with bamboo walls, vintage Thai signage and charming serving ware. Celebratory vibes abound with colorful, heavily garnished cocktails — they don’t shy away from whole fruit, cucumber rosettes or bright purple butterfly pea flower — and herbaceous dishes. The whole fish, fried or steamed, is excellent, as is the “crying tiger” rib-eye served with garlic rice, crispy shallots and a marinated egg yolk. And, if not for the visual alone, get the pad Thai, which is draped with a delicate crisscrossed web of scrambled egg.
Read past editions of the newsletter here.
If you’re enjoying what you’re reading, please consider recommending it to others. They can sign up here.
Have New York City restaurant questions? Send us a note at here.
Follow NYT Food on TikTok and NYT Cooking on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest.
The post Dinner and a Show and a Little Hustle Near the Theater District appeared first on New York Times.
