Dinner & Drinks: Midtown East
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: 59E59 Theaters
Surrounding Neighborhood: Midtown East
59E59 Theaters is one of the most active places when it comes to presenting top notch Off Broadway work. The space, holding three theatres, shows a wide range of work consisting of plays, musicals, and performance pieces from a variety of sources. Founded by the non-profit Elysabeth Kleinhans Theatrical Foundation in 2002, 59E59 have committed themselves to presenting “Off-Broadway productions by not-for-profit companies from across the United States and around the world.” Whether you buy a ticket to a one-off production, or their Brits Off Broadway series, or plays presented by esteemed theatre companies such as: Godlight Theatre Company, The Director’s Company, or Parallel Exit, 59E59 welcomes smaller shows with open arms, giving them the benefit of productions within walking distance of the midtown theatre district.
The surrounding neighborhood is certainly an active one. Shoppers bustle around 5th Avenue, the Apple store, and Bloomingdales, but finding a place to eat can be a surprising challenging in this busy part of our metropolis. With so many wonderful theatre pieces to sample at 59E59, you should have a broad choice of restaurants to match. While they may be more elusive amidst the crowds, we strive to bring these great eateries to your attention. No one should have to watch a show on an empty stomach.
SARABETH’S — $$ — $$$
40 Central Park South, btw. 5th & 6th Avenue
Brunch before a matinee. Elegant food and atmosphere. Here’s to the ladies who lunch.
“You’ll find contemporary American food, a warm atmosphere and the friendly service Sarabeth’s is known for at our Central Park South location. A neighborhood staple and easy destination for visitors, Sarabeth’s CPS is within walking distance of the historic Plaza Hotel, Carnegie Hall, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and just steps from Central Park. [They] serve breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of the week, as well as weekend brunch with a full bar and specialty cocktails.”
ROTISSERIE GEORGETTE — $$$ — $$$$
14 East 60th Street, btw. Madison & 5th Avenue
Upscale dinning. Impressive drink menu with sound astounding wines and cocktails.
“Stop in at the bar for perfectly pitched cocktails by Head Bartender Jeremy Buck. Why not pair your cocktail with our chef’s tempting bar snacks, not to mention [their] complete lunch and dinner menus. … Chef Chad Brauze’s contemporary comfort food has a French accent, no apology for the occasional luxury, and is always based on quality regional ingredients from trusted sources.”
DAVID BURKE AT BLOOMINGDALES aka “BURKE IN THE BOX” — $$
150 E. 59th Street, btw. Lexington & 3rd Avenue
Casual and delicious. Fun and flavorful. Great for solo dining, or a relaxed meal with friends.
“The dual-concept restaurant opened in 2005 and spans the 59th Street frontage of the world-famous Bloomingdale’s department store and offers a stylish, full service Burke Bar Cafe on one side and a convenient Burke in the Box eat-in/take-out concept on the other…Chef Jose Lavariega oversees the kitchen, where sandwiches, award-winning burgers, salads and small plates highlight the menus…favorites include Grilled Fish Tacos and a Large Chicken Market Salad replete with bacon lardons, beets, goat cheese and walnuts. ‘Knife and Fork’ sandwiches and more traditional sandwich selections run the gamut here, as do sliders and the burger that the New York State Beef Council said was the best burger in the city — the Juicy Burker. More traditional dinner choices trend towards classic Burke Group cuisine, such as Wild Mushroom Risotto, Steak Frites and BBQ Miso Salmon.” Mmmm…that risotto!
SERAFINA ALWAYS — $$ — $$$
33 E. 61st Street, btw. Park & Madison Avenue
Classic Italian. Reliable restaurant with a proven track record in NYC. Bring the family.
“Everyone, from beautiful models and young professionals to families and business types on power lunches, flocks to Serafina Fabulous Grill to enjoy the ambiance and delicious cuisine found in this upbeat three room restaurant. Choose from a variety of homemade pastas and fresh grilled meats, fish and vegetables. Always buzzing with good music, animated conversation and hearty laughter, diners can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine on the terrace, in the main dining room with the open fire grill and cherrywood burning oven or at the lively bar.”
BRASSERIE 8 ½ — $$$
9 W. 57th Street, btw. 5th & 6th Avenue
A new look at French cuisine. Trendy and entertaining. They have a $38 pre-fixe menu too!
“Brasserie 8 ½ is a stylish French brasserie just steps from Fifth Avenue on 57th Street. Chef Franck Deletrain deftly upgrades dishes from the brasserie repertoire, offering sophisticated French cuisine amidst original artwork by Léger, Matisse and others favored by the Louvre… For business or pleasure, Brasserie 8 ½ offers an enticing, modern slice of la belle époque and all its spécialités, from Kir Royales to Seafood Plateaux and Crème Caramel.”
CIRCUS — $$ — $$$
132 E. 61st Street, btw. Park & Lexington Avenue
Flavorful Brazilian. Charming and intimate ambiance. Date night!
“Circus Restaurant serves fine Brazilian cuisine, recognized for more than 17 years for its sophisticated twist on authentic Brazilian food. Transport yourself to Brazil with one of the various tropical flavors of caipirinha (Brazil’s national drink). The restaurant features an inventive bar and drink menu, and an extensive cachaça list. A lunch/dinner prix-fixe menu is available.”
To check out the rest of our Dinner & Drinks Series, click here.
