The Al Hirschfeld Theater is one of the oldest and most opulent theaters in New York City. (You may know it by its previous name, The Martin Beck Theater.) Located at 302 W. 45th Street, the Hirschfeld is the only Broadway theater west of Eighth Avenue. That puts it on the edge of the Theater District, which means that most restaurants are a few blocks away. Make sure to tell your wait staff that you're going to a play, and leave sufficient time to make the curtain.
One of only five restaurants in New York City to get a three-star rating from the respected 2010 Michelin Guide, Le Bernardin is considered one of the best seafood restaurants in the world. A brisk walk from the Hirschfeld Theater, Le Bernardin opens at noon and offers a lunch menu. Entrees include "barely touched" foods, such as Smoked Yellowfin Tuna and Sauteed Calamari Filled with Sweet Prawns. Then there are "lightly cooked" foods, such as Crispy Black Bass and Bread Crusted Red Snapper. Le Bernardin is also highly rated for its service and decor.
Le Bernardin
155 W. 51 St. (between Sixth and Seventh Avenues)
New York, NY 10019
212-554-1515
le-bernardin.com
Scarlatto's reasonable prices and good location make it one of the best places to have lunch if you're seeing a play at the Hirschfeld. Located only two short blocks from the theater, this casually elegant restaurant describes its food as "Italian with Roman influences." Photographs from the classic movie "Roman Holiday" hang on the walls. Specialties include White Fettucine with Wild Mushrooms and Bistecca Tevere, which is a 12-ounce steak on Garlic Broccoli Rabe. Prices are reasonable (for New York City). Reservations are recommended.
Scarlatto Restaurant
250 West 47th St. (between Seventh and Eighth Avenues)
New York, NY 10036
212-730-4535
scarlattonyc.com
B. Smith is a television personality and lifestyle expert who began opening restaurants in 1986. Her restaurant in the Theater District is one of the best known spots in New York City. The menu features B. Smith's twist on Southern comfort food. The lunch menu includes "Braise of Black Eyed Peas and Greens." B. Smith's has a special prix-fixe pre-theater special lunch, which starts at 11:30 a.m. They also offer discounts when presented with tickets to selected Broadway shows.
B. Smith's Restaurant
320 West 46th St. (near Eighth Avenue)
New York, NY 10036
212-315-1100
bsmith.com
One of the most beautiful spots on Restaurant Row on 46th Street, the Firebird Russian Restaurant is an elegantly renovated brownstone. The restaurant is decorated with antiques from Tsarist Russia. The whole atmosphere of the place evokes pre-revolutionary Russia. Flights of vodka are available, as is a pre-theater lunch menu, starting at 11:45 a.m. Entrees include Georgian Spiced Chicken Breast and Ukrainskii Borsch. A short walk to the Hirschfeld Theater, the Firebird Russian Restaurant is a good place for special occasions.
Firebird Russian Restaurant
365 West 46th St. (between Eighth and Ninth Avenues)
New York, NY 10036
212-586-0244
firebirdrestaurant.com
At night, the Aspen Social Club pulses with dancers and clubbers. During the day they're all asleep, which makes this the perfect spot for quiet lunch in the Theater District. A huge antler-shaped candelabra dominates the restaurant. The food is described as comfort food with a Colorado twist. Diners can pile up lots of small plates with foods like lamb lollipops or grilled asparagus. It's a good spot to bring teenagers.
Aspen Social Club
157 West 47th St. (Between Sixth and Seventh Avenues)
New York, NY 10036
212 -221- 7200
aspensocialclub.com
For those seeking something different, one of the best restaurants to go to near the Hirschfeld Theater is Dervish Mediterranean. The atmosphere is exotic, but the range of foods is broad enough to appeal to picky eaters. Lamb kebabs and Dervish fries are on the menu. One of the best deals is Dervish's Sunday brunch. An all-you-can-eat buffet is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kids under five eat free and, best of all, you don't need to worry about getting out on time to catch the play because you serve yourself.
Dervish Mediterranean Restaurant
146 W. 47 St. (between Sixth and Seventh Avenues)
New York, NY 10036
212- 997 0070
dervishrestaurant.com
