I found a small Chinese restaurant on W44th between 7th and 8th Ave called China River. Food is very good but it is mostly spicy Sichuan cuisine and a few non-spicy dishes as well. Can’t beat the location.
Found a jewel in the Theater District on my most recent trip. We couldn’t get a table but they were happy to offer us a stool at the bar which was a fun change for us since we were just a party of two and we were eating earlier than normal. The bartenders were very friendly, chatty and helpful. Other patrons at the bar were very friendly and happy share theater tips! So much for the New Yorker stereotypes!
Our dinner was delish! We chose meatloaf (served with mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach) and grilled shrimp (served with Asian slaw, avocado, sesame seeds, spicy soy-cilantro dressing). I laughed that we couldn’t order meatloaf in NYC! The bartender said that lots of people do and everyone of them love it! He was so right! Comfort food abounds… so, if that’s your cup of tea, go for it at Joe Allen. It was a quick 10 minute walk to see Glenda Jackson’s amazing performance as King Lear!
Cafe Un Deux Trois
Marseille
Cafe Un Deux Trois is on the east side of Broadway, Marseille on 9th Ave
I always prefer being on the West Side of Broadway as that way you don’t have to fight the crowds to get to the theater
There is also a non-reservation place, Don Giovanni that is a family favorite on 44th just off 9th
Another one that I recommend but a bit farther walk is West Bank Cafe on 42nd right off 9th. Great if you are seeing anything at Theatre Row or Fiddler in Yiddish, which I totally recommend seeing anyway