which first, dinner or theatre - we are visting NY in April

Being first time visitors to New York, and reading about the great traditions of eating out and the theatre - we are not sure how to go about arranging our evening. Do you book the meal before or after the show. How far in advance should we book either. Help please

PS.

Thanks, Bettina - we have enjoyed your threads

which first, dinner or theatre - we are visting NY in April

Depends on your preferred routine. I%26#39;m usually starving by 6 PM so I have dinner before the show and then drinks after. But if you are used to eating late, that will work too in New York City. Do make reservations either way. A month in advance should do it.

which first, dinner or theatre - we are visting NY in April

It depends on the restaurant---some places you don%26#39;t need reservations. In fact, we%26#39;ve never made reservations and eat dinner around 5 p.m. and never had a problem getting seated. That said, some places do require reservations, such as Joe Allen%26#39;s. We%26#39;ve gone to Gallagher%26#39;s (for steak) for a pre-theater dinner and didn%26#39;t need reservations--in fact, we were seated immediately.

One of the nice things about New York is that unlike some other cities where the restaurants close at 10 or 11 pm, you have the before or after option in New York. It%26#39;s really just a matter of personal preference. Most restaurants in the midtown area will make sure you get out in time to make curtain if you tell them you%26#39;re going to the theater. For before theater dining, I%26#39;d book at 6 pm to 6:15. For after theater dining, there%26#39;s really no need to make a reservation in most places.

Except for Joe Allen%26#39;s, where you can%26#39;t get a table without a reservation for either pre- or apres-theater dining!

Personally, my stomach%26#39;s not sophisticated enough to wait until 11:00 to eat. Plus I%26#39;ve usually got to go to work in the morning, so I always eat before going to the theater.

It%26#39;s a good idea to book in advance, but some restaurants only take reservations a week or two ahead. My favorites in the theater district (depending on theater location) are Orso, Joe Allen%26#39;s, Becco, Lattanzi, Le Madeleine, Vice Versa, Osteria Stella, Trattoria dell%26#39;Arte, and John%26#39;s Pizzeria.

thank you all for the replies, we think early dinner then show is best ( dont know which one yet, busy looking at shows and hotels). just bought guide book and map ( I know, I know - I got all the info I wanted off the forums - its just nice to have a physical thing in your hand !! ). It is our silver wedding anniversary in April - spending 3 nights in NYC ( shop till you drop )before flying to Vegas ( White Chapel, Elvis and all that ) for 5 nights. We cant wait for it, we are both fit to burst - 2004 was a bad year for us, so we are looking to the future.

thanks

Dave %26amp; Glenis

The downside of dining before the theater (if you go to an 8 p.m. performance, say) is that you%26#39;re constantly looking at your watch, and/or you%26#39;re getting the shoddy meal-before-the-show treatment from the restaurant. that%26#39;s why lately we%26#39;ve been seeing matinees and then picking and choosing restaurants at our leisure and enjoying the meal, without having to rush. Yes, it makes for an early evening...The whole affair is over by 7 or 8, but that%26#39;s ok for us. I agree with Bettina...Eating after the show, at 10 or 11 p.m., is not to everyone%26#39;s taste.

Hi geohab -- I%26#39;ve never gotten shoddy pre-theater service, I really don%26#39;t think it%26#39;s the norm. The only downside of eating before theater is that I%26#39;m more likely to sleep through the show! I generally eat at 6:00, which allows plenty of time to linger over coffee.