Dinner & Drinks: Chelsea
With such a vast theatre scene in New York City, selecting the right show can be challenging. With an even more expansive selection of restaurants, deciding where to eat before the show can be just as difficult. We hope our Dinner & Drinks series will ease your minds (as well as your stomachs) by highlighting some great places for all sorts of pre and post-theatre eats, sweets, and liquid treats.
Highlighted Theatre: Atlantic Theater Company: Linda Gross Theatre & Atlantic Stage 2
Surrounding Neighborhood: Chelsea
The Atlantic Theater Company is without question, one of New York City’s leading non-profit theatres. They have injected significant work into veins of NY theatre from playwrights such as: David Mamet, Conor McPherson, Stephen Adly Guirgis, Annie Baker, Halley Fieffer, and Melissa James Gibson to name a mere few. They are most famous for being the company responsible for the popular indie-musical-hit, Spring Awakening. However, it is their work with playwrights and actors that has earned The Atlantic their premiere status within the NY theatre scene.
The Atlantic’s acting ensemble comprises some of New York’s finest actors, and they populate the works of established and emerging writers whose plays are being produced by this institution. Whether you are seeing a thrilling and polished production at their newly renovated Linda Gross Theatre, or the new work of an emerging writer developed by ATC for their Stage 2, you are in for an evening of thought provoking and stimulating theatre. From the macabre world of The Lieutenant of Inishmore to the zany and upbeat world of Found, The Atlantic varies in the scope of their productions; but the quality of excellence remains consistent.
Pleasantly situated in the heart of Chelsea, the Atlantic’s two theaters (The Linda Gross on 20th Street and Stage 2 on 16th Street) are surrounded by rich and diverse culinary options. Lay the groundwork for an evening of delicious theatre, by preempting it with a wonderful meal in this charming neighborhood.
SALINAS -$$$
238 W 19th St, btw. 8th and 9th Avenue
Food from Spain’s Mediterranean coast. They have a Pre-Theater prix-fixe menu as well!
“Salinas specializes in both traditional and inventive tapas as well as regional main course dishes. Chef Luis Bollo, is a co-owner of Salinas and native of San Sebastian in the heart of Basque Country. He focuses on traditional, rustic cooking to introduce lesser-known dishes from the regions of the Spanish Mediterranean. The restaurant is divided into three distinct spaces, a tapas lounge and bar, main dining room, and a garden with a retractable glass roof and a custom-made stone fireplace that offers a charming al fresco dining experience year-round. “
GREY DOG-$
242 W 16th St, btw 7th and 8th Avenue
Burgers, sandwiches and salads with some wine. They have a small-plates menu and a gift shop!
“We set out with a simple mission — Create a place where people would want to be. We named it after our dogs, Moose & Goose Lane.
TIPSY PARSON-$$
156 9th Avenue, btw W 19th and W 20th.
A comfy setting by the High Line for “belly-filling goodness.”
“Chef Ty-Lör Boring’s soulful, full-flavored, seasonal fare features Low Country favorites like shrimp & grits, our famous mac & cheese, flaky buttermilk biscuits and house made habanero & hot pepper jellies. The bar is stocked with an ever-changing selection of small-batch, artisan producers with a curated focus on distillers from NYC and Upstate New York, as well as our friends in the South.”
IL BASTARDO-$$
191 7th Avenue
A club-like scenario with classic Italian food and a party brunch menu!
“IL Bastardo offers a cozy, inviting and sexy setting with exposed brick walls, wood-beam ceilings, a black granite bar and an Enomatic wine dispensing system. The brunch is a weekend staple for so many New Yorkers and visitors.IL Bastardo is known for its one-of-a-kind wine collection and this newest location will be no different. Offering more than 300 unique selections, from an all — Italian wine list, this new location is a spot you’ll want to try. The vibe is cool, with its mixed internationals beat, ranging from Brazilian to Italian, and the service is personalized and genuine.”
CRISPO-$$$
240 W 14th St, btw 7th and 8th Avenue
Classic Italian. They have a beautiful outdoor dining space open through the year.
“Chef and owner Frank Crispo opened Crispo Restaurant in the heart of Chelsea and the West Village in the summer of 2002. Their 150 seats create a lively, warm and friendly atmosphere where you can enjoy our signature Northern Italian cuisine. They were nominated in 2002 for “Best New Restaurant” by Time Out magazine, and received an award for “Best Spaghetti Carbonara” by New York Magazine in 2004. Food is not their only passion. An extensive wine list covers the major regions of Italy and several other countries beyond. For enthusiasts, they have a full bar stocked with grappas, amaros, aperitifs and digestifs. Crispo Restaurant design elements were inspired by architecture present at the turn of the 19th Century. From the spectacular entry way with black steel, glass inlaid awning, the flat iron glass doors, enclosed patio with an old oak leaf wrought iron fence you are taken back in time.”
TELLO RISTORANTE-$$
198 8th Ave, btw 19th & 20th
A pre-theatre ore-fixe menu for just $19.95.
“Lit with candles and chandeliers, this cozy place has a wonderful old-world feel that makes you think you’ve walked onto the set of Martin Scorsese film. A helpful staff serves up heafty portions (light on price) of well prepared Italian fare. Pasta is cooked al dente each time and the seafood is plentiful and fresh.”
SPICE- $$
199 8th Avenue and 236 8th Avenue
Traditional Thai. Value for money.
“Spice was first established in 1997 in the upper eastside with the concept to Americanize Thai food in a place with a modern decor. Spice strive’s to be the premier Thai restaurant in the East Village. They continue to infuse classical Thai cuisine with a hint of the modern to appeal to both the traditionalist and fist time Thai diner. Sample their delicious stuffed crab Rangoon, scrumptious shrimp fritters and popular authentic Pad Thai. For the vegetarian in your group, be sure to try our meat-free dishes.”
THE DISH — $$
201 8th Ave
A potpourri of everything!
“The Dish is offer an eclectic menu of Greek, Italian, American and Mediterranean classics including an array of pastas, steaks, seafood, sandwiches, salads and appetizers. Whether you’re looking for greasy comfort food, healthy choices or fine dining at your door, they can meet your needs in a flash. And because we use only the freshest ingredients and finest meats, they know you will be pleased with the taste and quality of whatever you order.”
CHELSEA MARKET — $$-$$$
75 9th Avenue
“Chelsea Market is a food hall, shopping mall, office building and television production facility located in the Chelsea neighborhood of the borough of Manhattan, in New York City.”
Chelsea Market is a food lover’s paradise with a wide variety of options. You could try the lobster rolls at The Lobster Place, sandwiches at Amy’s Bread or Taco salad at One Lucky Duck. Besides this, you have a whole bunch of options like Bar Suzette, Tuck Shop or Chelsea Thai.
Co-authored with Ishani Chatterji. To check out the rest of our Dinner & Drinks Series, click here.
