Birthday Dinner Theater District

[twochesters]

Hello to all --
I'm looking for suggestions for a birthday dinner for my brother - just 2 of us -- this Wed. evening before going to a show on Broadway.
I once took him to a wonderful dinner at Triomphe but would like to try someplace different.
Any and all ideas welcome!

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Triomphe
49 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036

[twochesters]

Well, thanks to RGR and Kathryn for your help. I took my brother for his birthday dinner to db Bistro last night and it went really well. Per RGR's advice on another post we sat in the lovely and comfortable back room. We ordered from the pretheater menu. We both had the tabouleh and lobster salad, and the warm duck ravioli, both excellent. My brother had a chocolate and raspberry cake for dessert which he thought was just okay. I really enjoyed the walnut mousse.
And service was far from snooty, as I had read elsewhere -- it was extremely friendly and gracious.
Thanks for advice for a lovely meal.
BTW, from there we went to see Jerusalem on Broadway - it was astounding!

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DB Bistro Moderne
55 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036

[RGR]

Thanks for reporting back, twochesters. So glad that you and your brother enjoyed dbBistro. I'm not sure why anyone would say service is snooty there because, as you found out, it is anything but.

We haven't seen "Jerusalem." Last weekend, we saw "Anything Goes." Fabulous!

Happy Birthday to your brother!

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[twochesters]

Well, we're set to go to db bistro tonight and looking forward to it. Would love suggestions for dishes to order on their pretheater menu. Thanks!

[RGR]

With literally hundreds of restaurants in the Theater District area, you need to narrow things down. Cuisine preference(s)? Any avoids? Casual of fancy? Budget per person for food only?

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[twochesters]

You're right, my request was very broad. Actually there are very few avoids. Probably not a steakhouse, that's about it. Someplace with really good food and also someplace attractive maybe with a bit of a buzz, not stuffy, would be ideal.
I did look on zagats and they listed places like del frisco's (I know, it is a steakhouse), sea grill, db bistro moderne. Just looking for someplace that feels a little special. For example, I once took him to Buddakan on his birthday and he loved that, also loved Babbo for the food. Thanks.

[kathryn]

If he loved Babbo, Esca is worth a look, especially if he likes seafood and Italian cuisine (it is also owned by Mario Batali):

http://www.esca-nyc.com/

They are also on OpenTable and showing availability for this Wednesday (the 22nd) for 2 at 5:30 and 5:45pm. I would book quickly.

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Esca
402 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036

[RGR]

Our one experience at Esca many years ago was so disappointing in every respect (food, service, and ambiance) that I've never had any desire to go again. There are, however, many Hounds who are fans.

Our favorite for fish and seafood in the Theater District is Oceana. The cuisine is superb (including desserts, which are fabulous!), you couldn't ask for more attentive service, and the large space has very attractive decor.

Oceana photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157626780418121/

The Modern Dining Room certainly has a celebratory feel. Stellar Alsacian-accented French cuisine, professional service, and a space that is appropriately modern (given the location in MoMA) with a lovely view out to the Sculpture Garden.

The Modern Dining Room photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157626566397307/

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

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The Modern
9 West 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019

Esca
402 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036

Oceana
120 W 49th St, New York, NY 10020

[twochesters]

Thanks so much to you both. I did once have a wonderful lunch long ago at Oceana and that may be a good option. Tho I would love to try someplace new, i know that it is really great.
i did book Esca on Open Table to have the possibility and I will look into it further as well as to the Modern. I would never have thought of that one.

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Esca
402 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036

Oceana
120 W 49th St, New York, NY 10020

[RGR]

Oceana in its current location (street level of the McGraw Hill Bldg., on 49th St., just west of 6th Av.) is *very* different from when it was in the townhouse on 54th St. Not only is there the obvious difference with regard to the space, but the style of the menu has been changed dramatically. So, it would be a totally different experience from the one you had years ago.

That said, as much as I love Oceana, The Modern Dining Room would be my choice for a special occasion meal.

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[twochesters]

Thank you RGR - that's great to know about Oceana. Will look into it. The Modern sounds wonderful but from what I looked at, I think it said prix fixe only for a 4 course meal and I'm a little concerned about how long it would take and our theater is on 45 St. It does sound great.

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Oceana
120 W 49th St, New York, NY 10020

[RGR]

I think you make a good point, twochesters. Even if you get the earliest resevation (5:30), it might be rushed to do 4 courses, especially if your theater is on the west side of 45th. The Modern is so wonderful that it should be experienced when you can feel more relaxed.

Another good option might be dbBistro Moderne, one of 4-star Chef Daniel Boulud's restaurants. This one focuses on contemporary French bistro cuisine. Needless to say, the food is delicious. Service is professional, and the ambiance is pleasant. I prefer the rear dining room, which has more understated decor than the more splashy front room. It's on 44th, b/t 5th & 6th. Much more convenient to your theater. Certainly nice enough for a birthday dinner.

dbBistro photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157623056360330/

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

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DB Bistro Moderne
55 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036

[twochesters]

Thank you so much, RGR. I did call dbBistro and scheduled the latest pretheater time they had available, which was 5:30. Now I have to see what my brother's schedule is and give him a choice or two. Thanks so much for your help and yours too, Kathryn.