going to ballet, more importantly, what's good to eat?

Talked my husband into going to see the Nutcracker Ballet. It starts at 6, so we%26#39;re thinking to have dinner afterwards. Are there any nice but not too expensive restaurants in the general vacinity of the theatre? Since we would have gone to River Cafe the night before, we really want to keep this meal more towards the lower end of the price spectrum.

Thanks!

going to ballet, more importantly, what's good to eat?

O%26#39;Neal%26#39;s is an old reliable favorite, and has a variety of options. Nice old-fashioned wood-and-brass bar, good food. Across the street from Lincoln Center.

http://www.onealsny.com/

I was just near there last weekend, and picked up a flier for the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District. Here is their list of dining in the area:

http://www.lincolnbid.org/dining.html

Not much is ';low end'; directly near Lincoln Center. You need to go to Clumbus or Amsterdam Aves in the 70s for more options.

going to ballet, more importantly, what's good to eat?

thanks for the links.. will check them out

I think O%26#39;Neal%26#39;s is a good suggestion for the area immediately around Lincoln Center. You can get something as simple as a burger and it tends to be a festive and friendly atmosphere. Another idea -- but this would be for a more light meal - soups, salads,sandwiches --- is the branch of le Pain Quotidien on, I think, 66th or 65th just east of Broadway, near the back entrance to O%26#39;Neals.

Le Pain Quotidien closes at 7:00 p.m. though.

Oh, I thought that branch was open until 9 or 10. Well, scratch that idea.

Actually, that branch at 60 West 65 is, according to menupages, open until 8. So okay for pre-ballet, but unfortunately, no go for post-ballet.

There are lots of options near Lincoln Center that aren%26#39;t too expensive.

The NYCB has a list of nearby restaurants on their website: ttp://www.nycballet.com/visitors/neighborhood.html

(drag down for the restaurants)

Some reccomendations:

Josephina - a bit pricy though

Il Violino - a great little Italian place just up from Lincoln Center on Columbus Ave.

Cafe Luxembourg

Aegean (221 Columbus Ave.) - great, inexpensive Greek food

There%26#39;s a also a great Thai place further up towards the Museum of Natural History - I think it%26#39;s on Columbus or Broadway - perhaps someone here knows which one I%26#39;m talking about.

I would definately make reservations - December is a busy time of year and if there%26#39;s something going on at several of the Lincoln Center theatres, nearby restaurants can be full.

Also, the New York State Theatre can be a bit hectic at Nutcracker time and they inspect bags at the door, so it%26#39;s a good idea to arrive at least 30 minutes early (doors %26amp; foyer are open all day, you are allowed into the the theatre 30 minutes before the show) so you can get in, get into the theatre and have plenty time to find your seats.

Kate

Kate