Becco or Marseille's for pre-theater dinner?

[MK440]

Trying to decide which place to go for dinner tonight, any thoughts?

[MK440]

Thanks for all the responses! We went to Marseille and it was great. Definitely a nice change from the typical crowded, loud, rushed pre-theater places. I would definitely go back and recommend it to others.

[Tengo Hambre]

Please do not go to beccos!! I've been to both more than once and i can safely say that Marseille is the better choice.

[DBRoniG]

Becco is not so good. Marseille is fine; Vice Versa, on 51st street, is in a different food league.

[Nosher]

I've got mixed feelings about Marseille-- I find the food to be heavy and perfunctory sometimes (we wrote about it a few months back), but if the choice is Marseille versus Becco, I'd go for Marseille, even factoring in my reservations about the place.

Nosher

NYCnosh: http://nycnosh.com

[pds8232]

I've had decent meals at Becco before theater and we discovered they have an upstairs room which is much more quiet than downstairs. Can't comment on Marseille's.

[RGR]

We were seated in the upstairs room, and it was packed. Perhaps you were fortunate to be dining up there when it wasn't crowded. But when it is full, as I said in my previous post, the noise level is intolerable.

[eve]

ditto Marseille--I regret that I nevver think of going unless in the area for a show.

[JulesEV]

I second the Marseille recommendation. I had a great restaurant week dinner there, and was impressed by the service, food and atmosphere.

http://eatatjules.blogspot.com

[Scott V]

I had a great steak at Becco, but I was sitting at a small table for four that should never seat more than 2 in the middle of a packed room. Waiters elbowed my head every time they served the table behind me. Not my idea of a comfortable dining experience either.

[RGR]

No question about it as far as I'm concerned -- Marseille. The French/Mediterranean cuisine is excellent, service is pleasant and efficient, and the brasserie setting is very attractive.

I have spoken before on this board about my last experience at Becco. The ayce pastas were sub-par, and the noise level was so horrendously high that conversation around our table was impossible without shouting. Not my idea of a comfortable dining experience.

Enjoy the show and Bon Appetit!