September 2005– Eating and entertainment go hand in hand in New York City. Whether the two of you are heading out to enjoy a show on Broadway or off, or live performances uptown, downtown or in Brooklyn, making reservations ahead of time requires knowing which restaurants serve when. Many eateries around town offer pre-theater or prix fixe menus that not only ensure guests have a pleasurable dining experience but that they arrive at their performances on time. Here’s the scoop on where to go for delicious bites throughout the Big Apple before or after the show.

Cuisine at the Crossroads of the World         

Broadway bound? Best pre-show bets around the Times Square theater district begin on the legendary Restaurant Row, a three block stretch spanning 46th Street between Broadway and Ninth Avenue that offers eclectic eats from around the globe.

• Brazil Brazil Churrascaria (328 W. 46th St., 212-957-4300) serves a delicious $24.95 all you can eat dinner featuring a salad bar, hot buffet with 16 different types of meats, rice and beans and fried banana.
• Nearby, tradition runs strong at the oldest Italian restaurant in New York City, Barbetta (321 W. 46th St.,212-246-9171), which features dishes of the Piedmont region.
• Savory Cuban specialties such as empanadas and carne guisada await at Havana Central (151 W. 46th St., 212-414-4999).
  
• Luxia Restaurant & Bar (315 W. 48th St., 212-957-0800 ) takes pride in its organic Mediterranean menu.
• The Venetian Carnival motif at La Prima Donna Restaurant (163 W. 47th St., 212-398-3400) provides a picturesque setting to sample traditional Italian plates.
• For spectacular scenery to go with your meal, book a table at Restaurant Above (234 W. 42nd St., 212-642-2626), located on the 21st floor of the Hilton Times Square or The View (1535 Broadway, 212-398-1900), the revolving restaurant high atop the New York Marriott Marquis Times Square.

A Symphony of the Senses           

If a concert at Carnegie Hall is on the itinerary, consider these convenient dining destinations.

• Located right across the street, Fontana di Trevi (151 W. 57th St., 212-247-5683 ) draws a crowd with Italian favorites such as gamberi cognac and ravioli al funghi.
  
• Go Greek at Estitorio Milos (125 W. 55th Ave., 212-245-7000) whose three-course pre-theater menu features stuffed calamari, lamp chops and karopita (walnut cake), or Molyvos (871 Seventh Ave., 212-582-7500), with offerings such as lemon and roasted garlic chicken and cabbage dolmades.
  
• Located 50 feet from Carnegie Hall, the Red Eye Grill (890 Seventh Ave., 212-541-9000) appeals to seafood lovers with its shrimp, sushi and smoked fish bar.
• Nearby, Trattoria Dell’Arte (900 Seventh Ave., 212-245-9800 ) has one of the largest antipasto bars in New York City.
  
• Among other fine dining favorites are the 21 Club (21 W. 52nd St.,212-582-7200 ) offering innovative American cuisine and the Four Seasons Restaurant (99 E. 52nd St., 212-754-9494) which tempts the palate with an eclectic mix of styles and ingredients.
  

Planning an evening at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts?

• Consider having dinner at Cafe Fiorello (1900 Broadway, 212-595-5330), or the sophisticated but casual Café Botanica (160 Central Park South, 212-484-5120) at The Essex House.
  
• Before sets start at Jazz at Lincoln Center make reservations at one of the world-class restaurants also located in the new Time Warner Center. Asiate (80 Columbus Circle, 212-805-8881), located at the Mandarin Oriental, New York serves a fusion of French and Japanese cuisine. V Steakhouse (10 Columbus Circle, 212-823-9500) features the finest cuts in an opulent setting.
  

Magnificent Meals in Midtown

Got tickets for a big name act at Radio City Music Hall?

• Try the popular French-American steakhouse Cité (120 W. 51st St, 212-956-7100), or Oceana (55 E. 54th St., 212-759-5941, www.oceana restaurant.com), an outstanding spot for seafood.
• Diners enjoy the contemporary fare at Josephs (1240 Avenue of the Americas, 212-332-1515), while Asia de Cuba (237 Madison Ave., 212-726-7755) offers a unique sharing menu of Asian and Latin cuisine.
  

Dinner and a Show          

• A fabulous night on the town means great food and fine performances. If you’re headed to a performance at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, make reservations at The River Café (One Water St., 718-522-5200), which offers magnificent views of the New York City skyline.
  

>>continued on page 2: Late Night Dining, Happening Spots