Broadway Lights Up the 2007 Holidays

New Yorkers and holiday visitors are breathing aThalia
collective sigh of relief, now that Broadway producersThe European-accented American menu isn't the only
and stagehands reached an agreement that lit thestar at this Theater District venue; as the restaurant
lights on Broadway once again. The good news is nothas been since its 1999 beginnings, it's still a place to
only for the theaters, but for the restaurants as well,see and be seen. Upon its debut, Thalia received two
since they were all hurt by the strike. Do your part forstars from The New York Times, and continues to
the Broadway restaurants and get out there and EAT!garner high marks in the Zagat Survey. This
To that end, here are some suggestions for somePre-theater menu is served until 7:00PM for $35.00,
fantastic deals for dining on (or near) the Great Whiteand can be paired with a wine flight for $49.00.
Way, which is finally dressed up in all its glory for theRene Pujol
holidays.Francophiles return again and again for the upscale
PuttanescaFrench cuisine at bistro prices, especially with this
In the heart of Hell's Kitchen and just steps away fromextensive Prix Fixe Menu. Family-run for decades, the
the Theater District, Chef Roberto Passon serves uprestaurant is now cooperatively owned by its workers,
acclaimed homemade pastas and traditional Italian-stylewho say they "combine speed with elegance" before
meat and seafood dishes with Italian passion andtheater, and then "slow down after 8 o'clock" for a
gusto. Enjoy the comfortable ambiance of this"warm and welcoming atmosphere." The Prix Fixe is
225-seat popular restaurant at neighborhood-friendlythe only dinner menu, and is filled with a large selection
prices, made even friendlier with a 20% off specialof French specialties.
offer.Barbetta
AJ Maxwell's SteakhouseStill owned by the family who founded this historic
Watch the Rockettes kick up their heels, and thenlandmark in 1906, Barbetta serves Piemontese cuisine,
head to this Rockefeller Center Steakhouse for whatwith dishes described as "elegant yet ... absolutely
Crain's Bob Lape calls "the best rib-eye in New York."authentic." The Pre-theater menu consists of 24
This Rockefeller Center steakhouse promises "to turndifferent choices including dessert and coffee for
your ordinary occasions into extraordinary meals, and$55.00, and is served in both the opulent dining room or,
special occasions into affairs to remember." Enjoy aweather permitting, the romantic garden, complete with
new interpretation of steakhouse classics, all at 20%a fountain and century-old trees, and filled with the
off food.fragrances of flowering magnolia, oleander, jasmine
Trattoria Dopo Teatroand gardenia.
This theater district favorite combines extraordinaryB. Smith's
Italian cuisine, exquisite décor with differentAcclaimed restaurateur, entrepreneur and television
themes for each of its many rooms and affordablepersonality Barbara (B.) Smith boasts three successful
prices. Home to one of the most beautiful interiorrestaurants - in Long Island Hampton's Sag Harbor and
gardens in New York City, Trattoria Dopo Teatro'sWashington, D.C. as well as her renowned venue on
15% off offer is a hit.Restaurant Row in New York City. Here, the $30.00
Firebird Russian RestaurantPrix Fixe Dinner is served daily from 5:00PM - 9:00PM
Housed in a lavish townhouse with over-the-topand the $19.95 3-course lunch menu is offered 11:30AM
opulence, this "pre-Revolutionary" Russian restaurant- 2:30pm Wed, Sat. & Sun.
has become a favorite destination for New York'sBecco
theatergoers and visitors. The vodka list alone readsOne of The New York Times' "top picks," for "a menu
like "War and Peace" (don't THINK of missing theand wine list that are decidedly unusual," this Lidia and
house-infused Honey Vodka) and the menuJoseph Bastianich theater district stronghold touts the
showcases the elegant delicacies of the Russian"Sinfonia di Pasta" Prix Fixe: a Caesar Salad or
Empire.Antipasto Misto followed by unlimited servings of three
Scarlattopastas. This special is served for lunch ($16.95) and
This acclaimed Italian Broadway venue features adinner ($21.95).
fireplace, a cozy large bar and brick walls, as well as aCafe Un Deux Trois
winning combination of Italian cuisine and an extensiveThis Theater District mainstay has been a Broadway
Italian wine list. Add this great value special offer, andis truly one of the longest-running hits on (actually just
you can't go wrong.off) Broadway. This Prix Fixe Menu offers three
Amaliacourses for $28.50, and is served all night long, every
Adjacent to the new Dream Hotel is this dreamy newnight.
restaurant created by SLDesign, who describes theAzalea Ristorante
bi-level space as "a hyper modern Baroque castle."Featuring the cuisines of Italy's Brescia and Amalfi
The Mediterranean/New American menu by Chef IvyCoast regions, Azalea is adorned with an 18-foot
Stark is offered as a 3-course lunch for $24.00,mahogany ceiling and selections from Georgia
served 11:30AM- 2:30PM daily and a 3-courseO'Keeffe's flower series. The menu combines the "rich,
Pre-theater dinner for $42.00, served 5:00PM - 6:30PMcreamy sauces and hearty meats of Brescia" with
nightly."the fresh seafood and delicate fruits and vegetables
DB Bistro Moderneof Amalfi," which can be sampled for $30.00 on
When the occasion doesn't quite warrant spending aAzalea's Pre-theater dinner menu, served 5:00PM -
month's rent on dinner but you still want a meal to7:00PM daily.
remember, head for DB Bistro Moderne, sisterThere's no place on earth quite like New York City at
restaurant to Daniel, Chef Daniel Boulud's signatureholiday time, and there's no better way to celebrate
space. DB Bistro's Prix Fixe menu offers anthan by seeing a spectacular show and dining at one
opportunity to try Chef Boulud's renowned cuisine forof the myriad restaurants the theater district has to
$48.00, and is served nightly (guests must be seatedoffer. Within a few blocks of every Broadway theater,
between 5:00PM & 6:00PM). DB also offers ayou can find a restaurant to fit virtually any budget and
2-course lunch menu which ranges from $35.00 -palate, so the only question is: What are you waiting
$40.00 for an entree and choice of either dessert orfor? Have a great time, a great meal, and a great
appetizer.holiday!