Random question for Wagnerians

[Riverman500]

For those attending Die Walküre, how are you planning your dinner? Curtain is at 6:30 and the last act ends near midnight.

Because of work, I won't have time for a real meal. Do you normally bring snacks, eat at the Grand Tier during intermission, or have dinner afterwards? I'm clueless. Thanks.

[John Francis]

The Grand Tier Restaurant is expert at fitting a proper meal into Metropolitan Opera intermissions. You place your order before the show begins. In the first intermission you're seated and your appetizer or main course is brought to you almost immediately. The second intermission is for dessert, coffee, liqueur. It's expensive, of course, but unequaled for convenience, and the food is good.

[arepo]

I'm with John Francis.
The Grand Tier serves excellent fare (at a price!) and you are right there, so no worries.
I like the idea of going back at intermission to my same table for my dessert although you don't have to do it that way if you don't want to.
They really run a taut ship.

[darren425]

Reviving this thread for Parsifal which starts at 6:00 pm and ends at 11:30 I think.

Curious to hear any first hand reports on The Smith and also the best sandwiches at Epicerie Boulud.

[Sneakeater]

I just walk across the street to Bar Boulud.

Or hop in a cab downtown to Minetta.

[JoanN]

"Or hop in a cab downtown to Minetta."

During intermission?

[Riverman500]

Sneakeater meant after the opera since Minetta is open late. That's what I plan to do anyway.

[Sneakeater]

Yeah that's just what I meant: after the opera, since Minetta's open late.

[Scott_C]

I like The Smith particularly the roast chicken, lobster salad and the pork chop. The restaurant is open all afternoon so you can have dinner there before the opera if you have the time.

Another option would be American Table at Alice Tully Hall, which is operated by the Red Rooster chef Marcus Samuelsson.

The best sandwiches at Epicerie Boulud are the warm sandwiches from the bar particularly the banh mi and the cuban. But I think these should be eaten right away and not smuggled into the opera house for intermission snacks. I seem to recall a pate sandwich which might work though.

[Sneakeater]

To be clear, you'd have to eat at American Table BEFORE "Parsifal", as it will not be open afterward.

(I should note that none of the food I've seen at American Table made me think I'd ever want to spend money on it.) (No matter what chef might have sold his name to Patina in connection with it.)

[darren425]

American Table was a good call. I liked their bbq pork sliders and smoked salmon pancakes. My vegan friend liked her sandwich from Blossom Du Jour nearby. She brought a couple of vegan oatmeal cookies for intermission snacks which were pretty good.

Parsifal was awesome. Can't wait for the Ring!!!

[Riverman500]

Before Siegfried I dropped by Epicerie Boulud and had a very tasty soup with white beans, chorizo and greens. I also enjoyed their pain bagnat with tuna which I had during intermission. The macaron selection was limited but the praline and the chocolate were pretty good. The pate and cheese plates looked interesting. I'll try those next time.

I'll keep Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill in mind for Gotterdammerung. I haven't tried their sushi yet but it's a fun place and I've always enjoyed their cooked dishes.

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Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill
308 W 58th St, New York, NY 10019

Epicerie Boulud
1900 Broadway, New York, NY 10023

[middyboo]

Gotterdammerung tomorrow night! I really wanted to go to Boulud Sud, but it appears the kitchen won't be open. My friend & I just wanted to get a few small plates and a drink or two to decompress before hopping on the 1/2/3 for home. Is Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill or Casellula our only options? Did the Siegried folks find that Bar Boulud stayed open late for their performances?

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Boulud Sud
20 W 64th St, New York, NY 10023

[JoanN]

There's a w onderful small plates restaurant on Amertsdam between 73rd and 74th called Salumeria Rosi. Not sure how late they stay open. At dinner hour, at least, reservations are often necessary.

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Salumeria Rosi
283 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10023

[middyboo]

Thanks Joan. Looks yummy but NY Mag says it closes at 11pm. Don't think we're getting out of the opera until midnight.

[Riverman500]

Yes, Bar Boulud will be open untill 1 am. Landmarc at TWC and Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill will be open until 2 am. Thanks for the Casellula tip. I didn't realize they were open so late.

Salumeria Rosi closes at 11:30 pm, unfortunately.

I'm seeing Gotterdammerung in about a week and trying a new tactic - I scheduled a "business lunch" {{cough}} at Del Posto and plan to eat myself to oblivion with the tasting menu. Then maybe pick up snacks at Chelsea Market or La Bergamote Patisserie just in case I get hungry during the opera.

Enjoy the performance tomorrow. I can't wait to hear Luisi's interpretation and am also keeping my fingers crossed that the stage machinery will work perfectly, particularly during the burning of Valhalla.

[middyboo]

Thanks!! Glad to hear that about Bar Boulud. That'll be our stand by.

Love your new tactic. :) Ditto re the machinery. I happened to be at that performance of Walkure where one of them fell off their "horse"! She still finished the scene. Quite a few bravas for her!!

[foodmonk]

Boulud Sud around the corner is another option. We have had a couple of very nice meals there. In addition, it has a bar that I think seats 8 or 10 for drinks and snacks.

We saw Tosca at the Met last week and slipped away to the bar at Lincoln during the first intermission. To our surprise, we were the only opera goers who had the same idea. Depending on your night, you might try the same. (Though for the Gotterdamerung premiere tomorrow, who knows?)

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Lincoln
142 W 65th St, New York, NY 10023

[Riverman500]

Boulud Sud is great but closes at midnight on Fridays, right when Gotterdammerung ends. It does start serving dinner at 5 pm though which would make it doable for a light meal before the 6 pm curtain.

Maybe I will have a drink at Lincoln in between acts since the Ring intermissions are about 45 minutes long.

[Sneakeater]

Dinner afterward.

If it's late in the week, Bar Boulud (which will then be open till 1 AM).

Early in the week, a trip downtown to Minetta Tavern or The Dutch or some other late-night spot.

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Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

Bar Boulud
1900 Broadway, New York, NY 10023

The Dutch
131 Sullivan St, New York, NY 10012

[fm1963]

Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill on West 58th Street is also open until 2:00 am Monday to Saturday.

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Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill
308 W 58th St, New York, NY 10019

[Sneakeater]

I personally think Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill is not worth spending money in -- but the OP shouldn't stay away on my account.

In the interest of completeness, another place within walking distance of Lincoln Center that's open till 2 AM but where I don't think it's worth spending money is Landmarc in the TWC.

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Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill
308 W 58th St, New York, NY 10019

Landmarc
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

[JoanN]

I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment of Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill. The one and only time I was there, it was so noisy I couldn't hear the person sitting next to me no less the person sitting across the table. And $26 for fried chicken? It was good, but it wasn't *that* good.

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Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill
308 W 58th St, New York, NY 10019

[Riverman500]

Bumping for Siegfried, which is coming up soon. Curtain is at 6:00 pm. I was thinking of bringing snacks from Epicerie Boulud - what's good there? Also, is the cafe at Alice Tully worth a visit? I thought I read something about a pop up but can't seem to find any info online. Thanks.

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at65
1941 Broadway, New York, NY 10023

Epicerie Boulud
1900 Broadway, New York, NY 10023

[Tommy D.]

Marcus Samuelsson's pop up in the cafe at Alice Tully Hall ended last month.

http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.co...

[mahler5]

I've had many things from Epicerie Boulud and all have been excellent. It's the best thing (food-wise) to have happened to the Lincoln Center area in years.

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Epicerie Boulud
1900 Broadway, New York, NY 10023

[Riverman500]

I ended up having a snack before leaving work (falafel from Alan's Falafel cart right outside my office, which was awesome). During the first intermission I tried a grilled chicken croissant from the Met bar (meh), and during the second intermission an almond confection that I smuggled from Financier (excellent). I didn't have time to drop by Bouchon, and Epicerie Boulud hasn't opened yet (the rumored date is May 3).

I could go on about the resplendent singing, the brilliant orchestra, the unfortunate mishap during the Ride of the Valkyries, and the unforgettable final image of Brunhilde amidst glowing embers, but the most important thing was that I survived, and indeed enjoyed, the opera without collapsing from hunger. I'm now prepared for Siegfried and Götterdämmerung next year.

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Financier Patisserie
62 Stone St, New York, NY 10004

Alan's Falafel
140 Broadway, New York, NY 10005

[JoanN]

I'm always flabbergasted by the number of people, at least up in the family circle, who are eating during intermission, even during performances of normal length and even during matinees. I've always wondered why it is that the opera crowd, as opposed to the ballet or theater crowd, seems unable to go three or three-and-a-half hours without something to eat.

I'd say bring a sandwich with you. Everybody else does.

[prima]

It seems most opera singers appear to enjoy food and eating, or at least indulge more frequently, compared to the ballerinas and actors I've met. Maybe it fits that some people in their respective audiences would have similar eating patterns or tendencies. ;-)

[hs70]

Having been at the opening night performance of "Das Rheingold" (I was one of the loudest boo-ers), I am not looking forward to "Valkure" this year. But one must eat. First, the Grand Tier Restaurant is an overpriced ripoff. I suggest having a nice lunch and after Act I you can join others at the "picnic area" on the Dress Circle level. Bring a nice sandwich and some juice or water; sit down (or stand), eat and perhaps talk to others about the ghastly production and, I expect, great singing and orchestral playing. By the way, I've done this at every Wagner opera I've attended, save for "Rheingold" and "The Flying Dutchman." I hope Gelb's police don't read this!

[Riverman500]

I didn't boo Das Rheingold, though I can see how the staging might rankle traditionalists. I did love the descent to the Nibelung cave and the entry to Valhalla with the startling play on gravity and perspective, With that in mind, I'm very curious to see the third act of Die Walküre.

Regarding Grand Tier: I called the restaurant and was told that for my performance date, I could either come at 5:00 pm or earlier then have dessert during the second intermission, or preselect my menu choices and have a full dinner during the first intermission. The 5:00 pm option is too early for me, but the second might be doable.

In a perfect world, Lincoln, which is steps away from the opera house, would offer the same options, but such is life I guess.

The picnic scenario sounds like fun, though I may have to dodge sausages hurled my way if I'm too enthusiastic about the new production.

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The Grand Tier
30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023

[rteplow]

I've never eaten at the Grand Tier restaurant, but I know that their strength is serving dinner in a timely manner between acts. I'm assuming that they give instruction upon making a reservation, but I think that you put in an order either before the opera or at the first intermission and eat at the following intermission, perhaps with desert served at the following intermission.

I don't know if the food is better than average, but it sounds like a novel experience and at least you won't miss any of the opera.

Hope you enjoy the meal and the opera -- the end of the last act is one of my very favorite moments in opera!

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The Grand Tier
30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023

[RGR]

We've had lunch in the Grand Tier Restaurant a few times pre-ballet matinees. The food has actually been very good each time. I have no idea how things work during opera intermissions, but it's certainly worth checking into.

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[Simon]

i'd say smuggle snacks...and if you want to channel the composer: Wagner was a vegetarian, so maybe nuts and cheese and carrot sticks?...and if you want to blow off steam afterward, depending on where you're headed home to, take a cab downtown and get some weehours food at Balthazar...

[Riverman500]

Ok, snacks. I didn't know that Wagner was vegetarian. Bouchon Bakery is a good suggestion. Does anyone know when Epicerie Boulud will open?

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Bouchon Bakery
10 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10019

[RGR]

Epicerie Boulud is supposed to open sometime this month, but no word yet on the exact date yet.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/09/dining/09off.html?_r=1

Boulud Sud will open in May.

http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2011/04/dude_its_boulud_sud.html

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[H Manning]

Looks like Boulud Sud is on schedule. The first-access preview dinner tonight is sold out.
http://perks.urbandaddy.com/new-york/...

[michelleats]

I can't say we have a routine down pat, exactly, since I've only seen the Ring Cycle once... but in the past, I've eaten a snack before the show and then smuggled in nuts, chocolate or cheese to wash down with crummy wine purchased at the bar at intermission. If you're still hungry, after, the greasy, but serviceable Big Nicks, is nearby and open 24 hours a day. Fiorello's across from Lincoln Center also doesn't close until 12:30 most nights.

Other late-night places in the area:

- Landmarc (closes at 2 a.m. every night)
- PJ Clarke's (closes at 1 a.m. every night)
- Casellula (slightly further afield, but better for food than the others, closes at 2 a.m. every night)

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Casellula
401 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019

Landmarc
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

P.J. Clarke's
44 W 63rd St, New York, NY 10023

Big Nick's
70 W 71st St, New York, NY 10023

[Riverman500]

Thanks for this list. I didn't realize that Landmarc closed at 2 am every night.

[ukitali]

Late lunch and then I usually swing by Bouchon Bakery and get some snacks for intermission. And then if you don't mind dining late there seem to be lots of options in the area.

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Bouchon Bakery
10 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10019

[michelleats]

You're very welcome. Hope you enjoy Die Walküre! I know I can't ask you to report back on the opera, but please tell us how the meal goes, after.

[Mr Porkchop]

Smuggle sausages.

[michelleats]

I like the idea of wearing horned helmets and waving sausages around while watching Die Walkure. But I'd be afraid my sausages might end up in the bellies of the bag checkers, they're so odiferous. Have you really smuggled them in, before?

[fm1963]

I'm sure it's been done. I've seen a few picnic blankets with all sorts of stuff in the upper levels. Once someone smuggled a pack of M&Ms which exploded and sent M&Ms flying from the dress circle during that interminable closing scene in Siegfried.

[michelleats]

Oh boy. I'm sure that woke everyone right up!

[David W]

Some years ago, during the second intermission of Siegried, the rather large, very German gentleman sitting next to me pulled a sausage out of his suit jacket, took out a pocket knife and proceeded to polish it off. He did offer me a slice, but I declined. No one noticed, as it was in the high Family Circle.

While not my favorite restaurant, Cafe Fiorello is right across the street, is open all day, and you could get a quick antipasto snack at the bar-they are very good at getting you out quickly:

http://www.cafefiorello.com/Menus.html

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Cafe Fiorello
1900 Broadway, New York, NY 10023

[Riverman500]

Thanks for the suggestion. I've never been to Cafe Fiorello. Is the price point comparable to Bar Boulud or Atlantic Grill? I didn't see any prices on your menu.

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Cafe Fiorello
1900 Broadway, New York, NY 10023

Bar Boulud
1900 Broadway, New York, NY 10023

Atlantic Grill
49 W 64th St, New York, NY 10023

[David W]

Try this one - it's a little higher price than it deserves, but consider the location.
I have a weakness for the "open face" lasagna that is this huge slice of pasta piled with sauce and meatballs, but I don't want to oversell it-I'd much rather go to Bar Boulud.

http://www.zagat.com/r/cafe-fiorello-...

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Bar Boulud
1900 Broadway, New York, NY 10023

[Riverman500]

Got it. Thanks for the new link. I'll try Fiorello one of these days. The open face lasagna sounds great,

[LNG212]

I haven't done this current cycle of the Ring. In the past, we've a) made sure to have a late lunch; b) purchased the cheese plate or other light fare available at the bar during the first intermission; and c) brought some snacks to have during the second intermission.

I've never eaten at the Grand Tier and I've also never gone to dinner afterward (it's just so late!).

I hope you have an awesome time! Is Levine back for the performance?

[fm1963]

Yes Levine is scheduled to conduct and Voigt will sing Brunnhilde.

I usually have a sandwich at my desk before leaving work, then pick up multiple sweets at Bouchon Bakery for intermission snacking. Bar Boulud will be open for drinks in case someone loses his/her voice, the stage machinery falls apart, or blood circulation stops flowing by the time the magic fire engulfs the warrior maiden in deep slumber.

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Bouchon Bakery
10 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10019

Bar Boulud
1900 Broadway, New York, NY 10023