Found a GEM in the Theater District (and other good feedback)!
I just want to RAVE about a restaurant we tried this past weekend in the Theater District, Luxia. What a find! They have an amazing three-course, prix fixe menu for $29.95 if you order by 6:15 p.m. The food was delicious, the service almost perfect, and the atmosphere is heavenly.
The choices for each course are impressive - I had a very difficult time deciding! But I ended up with mussels for an appetizer (they were wonderful - plump and cooked just right with an amazing garlic and white wine broth), oven-roasted chicken with garlic mashed potatoes and wilted greens for an entree, and a to-die-for chocolate torte for dessert. My sister had a bowl of Manhatten clam chowder, the crab cakes, and tiramisu. She loved her meal equally!
The ambiance of this restaurant may be what takes the cake here... it feels tucked away and is decorated with warm colors and lights and is perfectly charming. They have a beautiful garden patio out back as well, so in good weather (like last weekend), it is perfect!
Also wanted to thank those posters who recommended Clinton St. Baking Company and Jane for breakfast/brunch recommendations. We fell in love with both places and the food was outstanding!
One gripe: we went to Trattoria Trecolori (also in the Theater District)for another dinner and did NOT have a good experience - with either the food or the service. Although not completely horrible, I would definitely not recommend it. The food was just so-so (their version of "homemade" tasted more to me like re-heated)and the waitstaff was way overworked - the place was hopping as it was a Friday night, but the service nor anything else about the restaurant felt comfortable or nice... Just had to give my two cents!
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I've been to Luxia several times. The last time was in December 2005. For a few years it had been our go-to post theatre restaurant that no one else knew about and that was SOOO good. My girlfriend still has dreams about the potato-leek soup and I lust after the duck risotto I had on our first visit in '02ish. Our visit at the end of '05 was good, but not up to the standards that had been set previously. Good to see this review is from spring '06 and maybe it was just an off night that we hit it. Next time we're in the city...
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Have to agree with you on both restaurants.
Luxia is a great find for the Theater District and their back garden is really nice in good weather. It feels very far removed from the hustle and bustle outside and the food is good and reasonably priced.
Trattoria Trecolori is one place I dislike because I always feel rushed by the wait staff and the food just doesn't break out of generic Italian - that is - what one can get at just about any of the 50,000 or so other Italian/Continental joints in Manhattan. I want to like it but...
Thanks for reminding me about Luxia.
