RECOMMENDED FOR FINE DINING - NEED RESERVATIONS!

The Modern – 9 West 53rd (reservations start 28 days ahead 212-333-1220). ENTRANCE NEXT TO/IN MUSEUM OF MODERN ART. James Beard Foundation Best Chef Nominee 2007 and 2006! The Dining Room overlooking the Sculpture Garden has 3-course prix fixe $85 and 2 seasonal tasting menus $125/$138. Try the scrumptious escargot, pearl onion, and potato “gateau” with ginger parsley jus, and enjoy the roasted Maine lobster in a "folly" of herbs with salsify and green apple. The Bar Room's choice of 30 tastings on small or medium sized plates include an incredibly delicious fresh grilled shrimp, green cabbage, gruyère salad $16. Fabulous charred octopus, warm potato salad $16. Grilled diver scallops, Chianti glazed beets, toasted almonds, cumin-sumac butter $16. Beignets with maple ice cream, caramel, and mango marmalade $10.

etcetera etcetera – 352 West 44th east of 9th (212-399-4141). UNUSUALLY GOOD FOOD – THEATER DISTRICT. A destination restaurant even if you are not going to a Broadway show! Special grilled focaccia with black olive tapenade. Amazing antipasti: superb grilled baby octopus with oven dried tomatoes and watercress salad $13; baby arugula salad with avocado, hearts of palm, pine nuts, shaved Pecorino cheese $11; and veal meat balls with Parmigiano in a rich “San Marzano” tomato sauce $10. Remarkable entrees, especially: veal-raisin-amaretto filled ravioli with butter, pancetta and sage $9/$17, and crispy, meaty, roasted Cornish hen marinated in beer with broccoli rabe and rosemary potatoes $21.50. Despite free cookies, try the sweet, sheep ricotta cassata with almond-pistachio paste $9 and hazelnut ice cream dowsed with amaretto and espresso $9!

Insieme ("together" in Italian) – 777 Seventh Avenue at 51st in Michelangelo Hotel (212-582-1310 ask for a booth). NEW JUST ABOVE TIMES SQUARE. Great service! Good wine. Delightful experience whether you savor the 5 course tasting menu $85 or items from the traditional and contemporary menus. From the traditional menu, we recommend the melt-in-your-mouth spinach lasagna with béchamel and pork-and-beef ragù $16/$26. From the contemporary menu, enjoy beef broth, washugyu beef, roasted beets, star anise, and tiny raviolini filled with La Tur cheese $16 and major-to-die-for lamb chop, saddle, sausage, and breast with Brussel sprouts and roasted Jerusalem artichokes $36. Warm chocolate tart with gingerbread gelato $11. Also, private room for entertaining up to 35 people.

Michael’s – 24 West 55th (212-767-0555). DELICIOUS SEASONAL FOODS. What a treat to sit at the window Table #1 and enjoy excellent food and fine service with friends. Halsey thinks the caramelized carved duck breast with duck confit, accompanied by braised cabbage, sour cream, and sweet potato blini $34 is among the best duck in the city. Jackie Davis, Executive Director, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, thinks the grilled Colorado rack of lamb is fantastic $45. Another friend loved the pan roasted Atlantic cod with chopped spinach, sautéed mushrooms, saffron vanilla beurre blanc $36. Alice enjoys the appetizer of grilled marinated lobster, crispy polenta cake, sorrel and radish spouts with Rouille sauce $20. For a sinfully delicious dessert, try chocolate panna cotta, rhubarb, and sour cream ice cream $12.

Sea Grill – 19 West 49th (212-332-7610). 2007 RESTAURANTS & INSTITUTIONS IVY AWARD WINNER. We recently enjoyed excellent food, fine service, and the ice skaters/tree at Rockefeller Center with friends. Halsey liked the rich, succulent chowder with lobster, shrimp, clams $13 followed by tender, moist Arctic char prepared a la plancha with escarole and green olive emulsion $32. Alice loved the architectural, roasted beet and vegetable crudité with mortar-crushed herb pesto $16 and the grilled whole daurade royale with arugula and confit of Tuscan beans $34. Chad Hershner, Vice President for Advancement, Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, savored the Jones farm baby lettuce salad with fresh herbs and lemon mustard emulsion $12 and the melt-in-your-mouth-all-crab-meat jumbo lump crab cakes $36. Remarkable desserts $12-$14.

Remi ("oars" in Italian) – 145 West 53rd. JUST BEHIND THE HILTON/ELEGANT & ENERGETIC. (212-581-4242). Sandra Gibson, President & CEO, Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Halsey, and Alice recommend sharing the grilled asparagus with shrimp and tomato vinaigrette $16.50; beef carpaccio with arugula and parmesan cheese $12.50; seared tuna medium rare seasoned with poppy seeds, roasted mixed vegetables, and balsamic reduction $27; warm soft chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream $9; and ricotta cheesecake and pears served with raspberry sauce $9. Prix fixe lunch 12:00-3:00 $24.07. Prix fixe dinner 4:00-11:00 $35. Three private dining rooms.

Osteria Del Circo – 120 West 55th (212-265-3636). FUN AND CLASSY. We love sharing Tuscan homemade spaghetti with duck ragù $26 followed by Mamma Egi's incredible bufala ricotta and spinach ravioli with butter and sage $23. Or, arugula salad with sliced apples and gorgonzola cheese $15 followed by the Tuscan brick-pressed chicken, Cipolline onions, Swiss chard $27. Spectacular desserts, including cream-filled Tuscan doughnuts with cappuccino cream cup $10 and Griotte cherry meringue with fromage blanc mousse $10. Service is excellent. Pre/post theater 5:30-6:30/after 9:30 $35. Fun, glass-walled private dining room.

Milos – 125 West 55th (212-245-7400). EXTRAORDINARY FISH. Expensive, elegant Greek retreat. Prix fixe lunch $24.07. From the pre/post theater menu $49 5:00-6:30 and 10:00-11:30, we recommend cheese stuffed calamari with fresh mint followed by a whole, charcoal-grilled fish of the day with olive oil, lemon sauce; and walnut cake with vanilla ice cream for dessert. For a special treat, make your selection from the fresh seafood displayed on ice. Susan Stockton, President, Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, also recommends enjoying a meal of appetizers at the bar.

Molyvos – 871 7th Ave at 56th (212-582-7500). CLASSIC GREEK FOOD. Tender marinated sea scallops, calamari, mussels, octopus, shrimp, lemon, extra virgin olive oil $15. Cabbage stuffed with lamb, beef, pork, Arborio rice, and plain or spiced yogurt garlic sauce $22. Braised savory marinated lamb shanks baked in a clay pot with orzo, tomatoes, Kefalotyri cheese $30. For dessert, light fritters drizzled with cinnamon thyme honey $9 or honey vanilla ice cream sundae with almond & pistachio praline, Samos caramel, shredded halva $9. Pre-theater $36 before 7:00/after 9:30.

Blue Fin – 1567 Broadway at 47th in W Hotel (212-918-1400). TIMES SQUARE & DELICIOUS. Tastes-like-homemade New England clam chowder with Manila clams, Yukon potatoes $9. Warm-goat-cheese salad with ruby red beets, pistachios, baby greens, balsamic vinaigrette $12. Sushi of spicy lobster, tuna, avocado, cilantro $16 and BBQ freshwater eel $14. 3 East 3 West oysters $16.Fantastic mahi mahi with black figs, sweet potato puree, beurre blanc reduction $26. Pan seared black bass with celery root puree, swiss chard, pancetta, pearl onions, Meyer lemon $27. Florida red grouper with butternut squash risotto, black trumpet mushrooms, sweet onion truffle emulsion $30. Chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, graham cracker ice cream $9. Homemade ice creams/sorbet $8.

Thalia – 828 8th Ave at 50th (212-399-4444). PRE-THEATRE PRIX FIXE and BRUNCH. The 3-course pre theatre menu $35 with wine flight $49 is available daily until 7 PM. At the weekend brunch 11:30-3 with complementary wine, Halsey enjoyed Lobster Benedict $16.95 and Alice the arugula and Maytag blue cheese salad with shaved fennel, Bosc pears, dried apricots tossed with lemon vinaigrette $9. Duet of yellow fin tuna $12 was delicious, too.

Vice Versa – 325 West 51st (212-399-9291). CONTEMPORARY NORTHERN ITALIAN FOOD. Halsey loves the sautéed calamari tart and artichokes over fresh radicchio salad $15 followed by grilled skirt steak with asparagus and mushroom truffle sauce $28.50. Alice loves the baby spinach salad with crispy pancetta, toasted almonds, and country mustard dressing $13.50 followed by the veal-raisin-amaretto-cookie-filled ravioli $18. The sesame coated seared salmon with mild horseradish sour cream and spinach $26 is remarkable. Great desserts. Save room for free plate of signature white and dark chocolate cookies, also available for sale at $5 a box. Pre theater 5-7 PM $35.

Rock Center Café – 20 West 50th (212-332-7621). WATCH SKATERS AT ROCKEFELLER CENTER. Jumbo shrimp, curry mayo $15. Stone-ground guacamole, tortilla chips $14. Vine-ripened tomato and watermelon salad, feta cheese, mint, white balsamic vinegar $11. Black-pepper-crusted pork tenderloin, horseradish spaetzle, asparagus, tomatoes, pork jus $26. Boneless roasted prime rib of beef au jus, Tuscan double baked potato $32. Black forest trifle $8. Key lime bar, blackberry reduction $8.

B. Smith – 320 West 46th between 8th & 9th (212-315-1100). PACIFIC RIM MEETS OLD SOUTH. The fried green tomatoes, aged ricotta, roasted red pepper aioli $8 and Saigon shrimp rolls $8 are illustrative of the culturally diverse culinary mix here. We split the salad of slow roasted beets-goat cheese-walnuts-toasted sunflower seed vinaigrette on arugula $10/$17 and a generous, special roasted chicken dinner $30. Both were comfort food at its best. Next time, Halsey wants the pecan sweet potato pie $8 all to himself.

Abboccato – 136 West 55th (212-265-4000). ACROSS FROM NYCITY CENTER. The pencil thin homemade bread sticks are addictive. Split the homemade gnocchi $24 or divine tagliatelle $24. Enjoy the grilled lamb chops crusted with ricotta and brown sugar, warm roasted chestnut salad, and chickpea panella $38. Finish with the homemade sorbetti and gelati sampler $9 or the chocolate mousse, almond cream, passion fruit, marzipan gelato $9. Pre-Theater $38 + wine $53. Six course pasta tasting $25 + wine $55.

Brasserie Ruhlmann – 45 Rockefeller Plaza/West 50th (212-974-2020). CLASSIC FRENCH BRASSERIE. Specialties include tuna tartare $16, jumbo shrimp cocktail $15, and half roasted free range chicken $23 with cream spinach $7. At lunch, Halsey suggests the shredded carrot salad on top of bib lettuce with creamy vinaigrette dressing $9 followed by a delicious black forest ham sandwich $15/$17. Alice recommends the amazing chicken sandwich on chipatta bread with pesto and mozzarella $18. Both sandwiches come with fabulous hand-cut French fries.

City Lobster & Crab Company – 121 West 49th (212-354-1717). FULL RAW BAR/NEW ENGLAND LOBSTER/ CLAM BAKE. Lobster and shell fish specials daily. Pre-theater $32.95 Mon-Thurs -6:30 pm, 3-lb lobster special $58.95 Tue-Sat 4-8 pm, and 2-lb lobster special $38.95 Sun-Mon 3-8 pm.

Churrascaria Plataforma – 316 West 49th (212-245-0505) BRAZILIAN. Buffet of appetizers/salads then 17 different grilled MEATS ON SKEWERS. Pre fixe lunch $32.95/dinner $54.95. Desserts/beverages extra. Great group dining.

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GOOD FOOD AT MORE MODERATE PRICES!

Orso – 322 West 46th between 8th & 9th (212-489-7212). MAKE PLANS FOR A GREAT MEAL! Susan Stockton, President, Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, recommends smoked trout salad with chickpeas, watercress, onions, string beans, tomatoes, and shallot vinaigrette $14 and ravioli filled with chicken, spinach, and ricotta with tomato and basil sauce $18. Halsey and Alice suggest the thinly sliced cold roasted veal in tuna and caper sauce $13; Trevisano salad with apples, grapes, walnuts, goat cheese, and apple ginger vinaigrette $12; the small pizza with chopped tomatoes, mozzarella, parmesan, and basil $16; and pan seared soft shell crabs with spicy romesco sauce, sautéed broccoli rabe, raisins, and toasted pine nuts. A good wine accompaniment is Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva Zaccagninni 2002 Abruzzo $39, and a great dessert is the warm chocolate torte with espresso and chocolate sauces served with nutella gelato $9.

Amarone Ristorate – 686 9th Avenue between 47th & 48th (212-245-6060). THEATER DISTRICT. Susan also joins us in recommending this delightful spot with fresh homemade pastas $10.95-$14.95, good antipasti and salads $6.95-$12.95, delicious entrees $15.95-$27.95, great desserts, and wonderful wine.

Angus McIndoe – 258 West 44th (212-221-9222). THEATER HANGOUT/ COMFORT FOOD. Soup of the day is always good $7. All day breakfast $14. Hamburgers $11-$14. Grilled sirloin steak salad with roasted peppers, avocado, spicy miso dressing $14/$22. Baby spinach salad, fennel, radicchio, roasted pear vinaigrette $10. Pan-roasted bacon-wrapped monkfish, ratatouille, fire-roasted corn cake $24. Apple-golden rum raisin pot pie, caramel gelato $9 and warm banana-pecan bread pudding, bourbon crème anglaise, whipped cream $9.

Da Marino – 220 West 49th (212-541-6601). COZY WITH TASTY, REASONABLE, PLENTIFUL FOOD. With Susan, we enjoyed toasted bread with fresh tomatoes $7; arugula salad with fresh pear, parmesan cheese, lemon-extra-virgin-olive-oil dressing $13.50; arugula and endive salad, toasted pine nuts, goat cheese, lemon-lime dressing $13.50; excellent papardella pasta with homemade tomato meat sauce $16; penne, shrimp, asparagus, fresh tomatoes, scallions, garlic, extra virgin olive oil $21; pounded chicken breast stuffed with mozzarella and prosciutto sautéed in marsala wine sauce $23.50; and fun sorbet – peach in a hollowed out frozen peach and pumpkin in a small pumpkin (!) $8 each. Delightful!

Maison – northwest corner West 53rd at 7th Avenue (212-757-2233). PLEASANT BRASSARIE OPEN 24/7. Full breakfast menu includes Belgian waffle $8.50 with strawberries or bananas $9.50, eggs Copenhagen with smoked salmon $11.95, homemade granola with yogurt $6.95, and your own 3-egg omelet creations $8.95. For lunch, try French onion soup $6.95 with a baby-spinach-roasted-beet-pecan-Roquefort cheese salad $10.95 or warm hummus and pita $7.95 with Mediterranean tapas $10.95. The dinner menu includes bouillabaisse $24.95, ratatouille and goat cheese crepe with arugula salad $13.95, crisp duck confit and leek crepe with prunes and roasted garlic $18.95, and impressive sandwiches $13.95-$14.95.

Sosa Borella – 832 8th Avenue at 50th (212-262-8811). ITALIAN/ARGENTINEAN FUSION. Halsey loves pan-seared Branzino, onion tomato salsa, spinach, oven roasted potatoes $25 and Alice the Parmesan crusted chicken breast with roasted tomatoes, artichokes, mashed potatoes $19. There is a delicious jumbo crab meat, avocado, and mesclun salad with citrus dressing and cucumber tomato bruschetta $15. Delightful char-grilled pizzas $16. Pasta $18. Homemade desserts $8-14.

Soba Nippon – 19 West 52nd (212-489-2525). TASTY BUCKWHEAT NOODLES MADE FRESH ON SITE. Delicious 5-course prix fixe dinner includes beef, chicken, or fish as well as a Zen monk appetizer, sushi, and choice of soba noodles $32. Wonderful menu with selections ranging from $3.50 to $35. Sake selections $8.

Russian Samovar – 256 West 52nd near 8th Ave (212-757-0168 need reservation). TRADITIONAL RUSSIAN. Tasty hot borscht with beef pirozhok and sour cream $9 and mushroom vol-au-vent in puff pastry $12. Fabulous beef stroganoff, lean sliced filet of beef smothered in sour cream and mushrooms with a side of noodles $22. Light and moist chicken Kiev $22. Outstanding karski, 3 double-cut lamb chops, marinated & grilled to your specifications $32. Pre-theater 5 to 7:30 $28.

Norma's – 118 West 57th in Le Parker Meridien Hotel (212-708-7460). BREAKFAST TIL 3:00 PM DAILY. Enjoy super blueberry pancakes, Devonshire cream $20; waffle with fruit inside, fruit outside, crackly brûlée top $20; super-cheesy French Toast with applewood smoked bacon $20; chocolate waffle with peanut-butter and toffee-crunch filling $21; Eggs Benedict, buttermilk pancake, Canadian bacon, grilled asparagus $21; huevos rancheros $22; egg white frittata, shrimp, oven-roasted roma tomato, spinach $25. For lunch, we like crispy Caesar salad with marinated grilled chicken, shaved parmesan, sourdough croutons $17; the "Full Monty" Cristo dressed with mango-chutney $17; chicken pot pie $19; and hardy-oh-so-good lasagna $18.

The Tea Box Cafe – lower level at Takashimaya, 693 5th Avenue (212-350-0180). AFTERNOON TEA – pot of tea (39 different green, black, herbal teas) served with pastries, cookies, finger sandwiches, fruit $18. LIGHT LUNCH – Alice suggests the salad of jasmine-tea-flavored shrimp with crispy rice noodles and tropical fruit compote $13. Our Japanese visitors praised the vegetarian bento box $17. Pot of hot tea $4.50. Freshly-brewed iced tea $5. Steamed edamame $4.50. Shrimp dumplings $6.75. Special sandwiches – cheese, chicken, beef, or salmon $9.75-$13.75.

John's Pizzeria – 260 West 44th (212-391-7560). Former Christian Alliance Gospel Tabernacle with Tiffany glass ceiling. BEST PIZZA $10-16 plus toppings $2-$2.50. Roasted veggie platter $7.75. Crisp salads $6.95-$10.25. Garlic bread $3.25 half $6.25 whole loaf. Pasta $8.50-$11. Triple-layer chocolate cake smothered with chocolate fudge $6.

Topaz Thai – 127 West 56th (212-957-8020). GOOD, AFFORDABLE THAI. Table for 2 in the window. We like to share Thai spring rolls $3.95 and Siamese ginger duck with onion, carrots, celery, and mushrooms $12.95. The grilled fillet of salmon is now topped with garlic sauce, shrimp, carrots, onions, and Thai broccoli $15.95.

Hakata Grill – 230 West 48th (212-245-1020). COZY AND CALM. Alice enjoys the ume obento $17, which includes chicken teriyaki, miso salmon, beef negimaki, and pork gyoza – a lot of food for the money. Halsey likes the soft shell crab-cucumber-onion-avocado roll $14, miso soup $2.75, and hijiki sea vegetable salad $7.50.

Heartland Brewery Radio City – 1285 6th Avenue on 51st (212-582-8244). LIVELY PUB/SEASONAL BEERS. Halsey likes the buffalo burger, sautéed mushrooms, hand-cut Idaho fries $13.25 with a pint of Farmer Jon’s Oatmeal Stout $6.50. Alice enjoys lemon-seared Atlantic salmon, sautéed spinach, citrus herb sauce $16.95 with a salad of mesclun greens and beefsteak tomatoes $7.25. House specialties are meatloaf $15.29, steak topped with mushrooms and onions $18.95, hickory smoked BBQ St. Louis ribs $16.95, and grilled teriyaki chicken filet $15.25.

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© 2008 The North Group Inc. All rights reserved. The North Group Inc. is an arts-management consulting firm assisting nonprofit arts organizations across the country with fundraising, capital fund drives, feasibility studies, strategic planning, and organizational development. Contact: Halsey & Alice North, 2250 Broadway #20B, NYC 10024, 212-875-8423, fax 212-875-8425, HalseyAlice@northgroup.biz, http://www.northgroup.biz.