Ideas for an after-theatre meal

[chefhound]

Going to see Al Pacino in October and I'm trying to decide where to go afterwards for a meal. I'm thinking of going to Totto Ramen before the show and I'm looking for somewhere to grab a bite after the show.

I was considering Fatty 'Cue but I've seen some no-so-great reviews. I love the idea of Malaysian food but if it's not good...

Anyway, cuisine, cost and location are not the primary consideration. I'd just like to find somewhere with really great food that is open late. I don't want to get there after the show and feel rushed if we only have an hour before they close.

[kathryn]

Fatty Cue is not really Malaysian, it's more Asian fusion. Really delicious, though, I think it's creative and great. But not Asian food if that is what you seek.

Glengarry Glen Ross appears to be a 1 hr 45 min play, with an 8pm start time most nights, so even if you sit down to eat around 10:15pm or so, you have a fair number of choices. And that gives you about 1.5 hours before the kitchen closes if you choose a place open until midnight.

Is this for a weekday or a Friday or a Saturday?

Even on a weekday these places stay open late:
Blue Ribbon - til 4am
Blue Ribbon Sushi Izakaya - 2am
Momofuku Ssam Bar - midnight
Fatty Cue - midnight
Tertulia - 11:30pm
Joseph Leonard - 2am
Fedora - 2am
Spotted Pig - 2am
The Dutch - midnight
The Breslin - midnight
The John Dory - midnight
Motorino - midnight
Minetta Tavern - 1am
Mission Chinese - midnight
Casa Mono - midnight
Buvette - 2am
dell'anima - midnight on weekdays

[chefhound]

Thanks for all the recommendations, Kathryn. As always, you are the go-to person for info on the NY restaurant scene.

So you would recommend Fatty 'Cue? The menu looks amazing. But I read on another thread that several people considered it their worst dining experience. I also read on Eater that the executive chef was leaving.

I'm in NY for 4 days, so I don't want to waste a meal on a mediocre experience. I visit NY every year and for some reason, I've wanted to go to Fatty Crab and Fatty Cue but I've never made it.

Oh yeah, we're going on a Thursday.

[kathryn]

I like Fatty Cue a lot. I think the thread you're referencing is about Fatty Crab!

Regardless, try it, maybe even just for some deep fried bacon with salsa verde and a cocktail at the bar.

[chefhound]

You're right, I was thinking of Fatty Crab.

I got my reservation for Fatty Cue. Nothing like deep-fried bacon after the theatre.

Now wish me luck on getting a reservation at EMP. I want to go Oct. 20, so I'm going to have to get up early on Sunday and get on OpenTable.

[kathryn]

EMP is 28 days out (4 weeks) INCLUDING the current day, so you'd need to book on Saturday at 9am. Call to confirm.

[chefhound]

I'm glad I mentioned it. It would be horrible if I got online Sunday to discover that I had missed my chance!

[chefhound]

Man, the EMP reservation is impossible to get. I got online at 9 am and there was a 5 pm table for about a second and then it was gone. Too bad, I was really hoping to find out what all the excitement was all about. Maybe next trip (sigh!)

[kathryn]

Are you able to dine there on a weekday for lunch? That's usually a little easier to get.

I would also call and get on the waitlist ASAP.

Not all the tables are on OpenTable.

[chefhound]

Thanks for the suggestion but I would prefer not to be on the waiting list just because we have limited time and I want to have a guaranteed reservation. That's why I've never been to any of the Momofuku places. Luckily, we are getting our own Chang restaurants here in Toronto. Saturday dinner is the only time that works, so I guess it will have to be next time for EMP.

On a positive note, I can now try 15 East, which is also on my list. This trip is developing an Asian theme, completely unintentionally. We are now going to Fatty
Cue, Jungsik and 15 East. And Whitehall for brunch before we leave.

Thanks for your advice, Kathryn.