42nd: Aureole New York — 135 West 42nd between Broadway/6th (212-319-1660 need reservations). CLASSY WITH GREAT SERVICE. Convenient to 42nd-46th Street theaters! Bar Room Dinner is a la carte. We enjoyed two appetizers - the Fall Market Salad of baby beet, radish, apple, pumpkin seed, turnip, orange $14 and braised short rib and chestnut agnolotti, celery root, apple, pomegranate $18 – and then split the John Dory, Salsify, marble potatoes, swiss chard, verjus $38. Dining Room Dinner: $55 pre-theater or $89 regular three course dinner.

44th: etcetera etcetera — 352 West 44th east of 9th (212-399-4141). GOOD FOOD — THEATER DISTRICT. Special grilled focaccia with black olive tapenade. Amazing antipasti: Parma prosciutto over seasonal melon with grilled dates wrapped in pancetta $13, and baby arugula salad with avocado, hearts of palm, pine nuts, shaved Pecorino cheese $12. Remarkable entrees, especially: veal meat balls with Parmigiano in a rich ''San Marzano'' tomato sauce served with EE French fries $19.50, and crispy, meaty, roasted Cornish hen with lemon sauce, sautéed zucchini, roasted potatoes $22.50. End with Gianduia ice cream doused with Amaretto and espresso $9.

44th: Shake Shack — 691 8th Ave, SW corner at 44th (646-435-0135). NEW YORK FAST FOOD. Burgers $4.75-$8.75. Hot dogs $3.75-$5.75. Great fries $2.75-$3.75. The best thing is the frozen custard – hand-spun shakes $5.25; root bear, purple cow, or creamsicle floats $5.00; cups and cones $3.50-$5.50. Sundaes $4.75-$5.75. Halsey recommends the Great White Way – vanilla custard, marshmallow sauce, and crispy crunchies $6.25. Alice liked salted-peanut-butter hot chocolate $3.75! Skip the wine. Beer on draft $5.25-$6.00.

44th: John's Pizzeria — 260 West 44th at 8th (212-391-7560). FORMER CHURCH WITH TIFFANY GLASS CEILING. Pizza $13.75-$19 plus toppings $2-$4.75. Roasted veggie platter $8.95. Crisp salads $8.50-$11.50. Garlic bread $3.50 half $6.50 whole loaf + $2.50 topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Homemade mozzarella wedges $8.25. Vegetables $5 each – broccoli, spinach, broccoli rabe sautéed in garlic & oil. Chocolate layer cake filled with chocolate cream and covered with chocolate ganache $6.

44th: Angus McIndoe — 258 West 44th at 8th (212-221-9222). THEATER HANGOUT/ COMFORT FOOD. Soup of the day is always good $9. Prix fixe lunch of soup, salad, sandwich $14. Hamburger/turkey burger $13-$15-$24. Wild mushroom lasagna, spinach noodles, ricotta, béchamel, tomato sauce $22. Beer-battered fish and chips, sea salt, malt vinegar, tartar sauce $24. House Specialty: grilled 38oz USDA Prime Porterhouse steak for two, cabernet reduction, choice of sides $79 – after 8pm, with unlimited complimentary wine by the glass. $6 sides – McIncheese, sweet potato gratin, spinach Asiago, and sautéed Brussels sprouts with bacon. $9 desserts – orange pound cake with English custard, warm-pear-cranberry crumble with clotted cream, and sticky-toffee bread pudding with toasted-almond-butterscotch sauce.

44th: Triomphe — 49 West 44th between 5th/6th in the Iroquois Hotel (212-453-4233). FOR A VERY SPECIAL EVENING. We recommend sautéed artichoke heart crostini with saffron aioli and cauliflower puree $15; seared coriander crusted Australian lamb rack, foie-gras stuffed prunes, spinach, port wine reduction $36 or veal osso bucco braised with red wine, crispy herbed mushroom spaetzle, cranberry relish, wilted arugula $31; and chocolate hazelnut pots de crème with whipped cream $9. Also, lovely private room called Le Petit Triomphe with its own bar.

46th: Orso — 322 West 46th between 8th & 9th (212-489-7212). MAKE PLANS FOR A GREAT MEAL! Try the tasty Trevisano salad with apples, grapes, walnuts, goat cheese, and apple ginger vinaigrette $13; charred octopus and potatoes with lemon and marjoram vinaigrette $17; small pizza with prosciutto, arugula, tomatoes, ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan $17; and oven roasted double cut pork chop with Marsala dried cherry sauce and sweet-and-sour butternut squash $26; pear sorbet $8; and warm chocolate cake with vanilla gelato and chocolate sauce $9.

46th: B. Smith — 320 West 46th between 8th & 9th (212-315-1100). PACIFIC RIM/OLD SOUTH. The fried green tomatoes, aged ricotta, roasted red pepper aioli $10 and Saigon shrimp rolls $10 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 $13/$19 and a generous, special roasted free-range chicken mashed potatoes & sugar snap peas in a wild mushroom beurre blanc $30. Both were comfort food at its best. Menu items are trans fat free with the exception of the cornbread served with the ribs! Next time, Halsey wants the pecan sweet potato pie $10 all to himself.

47th: Blue Fin — 1567 Broadway at 47th in W Hotel (212-918-1400). TIMES SQUARE & GREAT PLACE FOR BREAKFAST MEETING: Oatmeal sample $10, cinnamon brioche French toast $12, and eggs Benedict with Canadian bacon $15. Delicious for dinner: Tastes-like-homemade Maine lobster bisque with shrimp, vol au vent $11. Warm-goat-cheese salad with ruby red beets, baby arugula, balsamic vinaigrette $11. Sushi of spicy lobster, tuna, avocado, cilantro $16 and BBQ freshwater eel with cucumber, avocado, tobiko $14. 3 East 3 West oysters $18. Sautéed Atlantic cod with wilted spinach, tomato confit, zucchini, roasted eggplant $26. Fantastic grilled branzini with wheat berries, chanterelle mushrooms, pine nuts, lemon vinaigrette $28. East coast halibut with lemon herb gnocchi, petite Portobello mushrooms, jumbo lump crab $32. Warm chocolate soufflé with espresso ice-cream, caramel bananas $9. Chocolate Graham crackers s’mores with toasted marshmallow, cinnamon ice cream $10. Homemade ice creams/sorbet $8. Going-to-the-theater warm chocolate chip cookies or caramel popcorn to-go $5!

47th: Dervish Mediterranean — 146 West 47th between 6th/7th (212-997-0070). TURKISH JUST OFF TIMES SQUARE.  Beautiful mahogany setting on mezzanine level and second floor. Wonderful $27.75 pre-theater 3-course dinner 4pm-8pm with Babaganoush roasted mashed eggplant with roasted red & green peppers; traditional Doner vertically grilled very thin slices of lamb with vegetable rice pilaf and seasonal vegetables; and baklava. Lovely Moussaka baked layered eggplant slices with ground beef sauce topped, with Béchamel sauce $17.95/lunch. Good wine list, including excellent Turkish wines.

47th/48th: Amarone Ristorante — 686 9th Avenue between 47th & 48th (212-245-6060). A DELIGHTFUL SPOT. Start with “The best Italian buffalo milk mozzarella” with tomato and roast pepper $13. Fresh, homemade pasta such as straccetti/mushroom pasta with cream of truffle and shiitake $20; three color fettuccine with asparagus or spinach and tomato sauce, scallions, ricotta cheese $15; veal tortellini $15; or after 8:00pm Amarone wine risotto $22. A main course such as rockfish sautéed with tomato, herbs and shellfish $22 or grilled and sautéed fillet mignon with cream of truffle and Amarone wine reduction $26. Why not finish with triple apple and amaretto pie $8 or zabaglione For two made with sweet Pellegrino marsala wine $18?

48th: Pigalle Cuisine of South West France — 790 8th Avenue at 48th (212-489-2233). BRUNCH WEEKENDS 10-4:30. The menu focuses on wild mushrooms, truffles, duck, foie gras, walnuts, chestnuts, hams, cheeses and wines and Armagnac. Mediterranean salad with chick peas, roasted peppers & tomatoes, tapenade & anchovies $9.75; charcuterie plate of cured sausages, ham, prosciutto, boudin, pâté, pickled vegetables $14.25; frisée salad, duck confit, lardons, pine nuts, mushrooms, pesto $15.75; steak tartare with capers, cornichons, fresh herbs $8.50/16; duck confit/crispy, slow cooked duck leg, sautéed potato, tomato provençale 19; beef bourguignon with fresh pappardelle $20; and cassoulet of duck confit, sausages, pork confit, white beans, spices $20. Lovely desserts: profiteroles — cream puffs, vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, toasted almonds $7.95 and lemon cheesecake, citron marmalade, pecan cake, raspberry sauce $8.25. Try for upper level area — it's quieter!

49th: Churrascaria Plataforma — 316 West 49th between 9th/8th (212-245-0505) BRAZILIAN. Buffet of appetizers/salads then 17 different grilled MEATS ON SKEWERS. Pre fixe lunch $37.95/dinner $58.95. Desserts/beverages extra. Great group dining.

49th: Da Marino — 220 West 49th between 8th/Broadway (212-541-6601). COZY WITH TASTY, HOMEMADE PASTAS. Delicious Bruschetta Al Pomodoro/toasted bread with fresh tomatoes $9; arugula salad with fresh pear, parmesan cheese, lemon-extra-virgin-olive-oil dressing $18; and grilled calamari in extra virgin olive oil and lemon $22. Excellent miniature cheese ravioli in a tomato basil sauce $19; papardella pasta with homemade tomato meat sauce $21; penne, shrimp, asparagus, fresh tomatoes, scallions, garlic $24; and pounded chicken breast stuffed with mozzarella and prosciutto sautéed in marsala wine sauce $28. Surprising specials on a recent visit: chocolate fettuccini and shrimp in a pink vodka sauce and cavatelli with veal in white wine sauce. On a previous visit, we had peach sorbet in a hollowed out frozen peach and pumpkin sorbet in a small pumpkin (!) $8 each. Delightful!

49th: City Lobster and Steak — 121 West 49th between 7th/6th (212-354-1717). FULL RAW BAR/NEW ENGLAND LOBSTER/CLAM BAKE. Home-run lobster and shell fish dishes. 3-course pre fix $38.50, including: a tenderloin of swordfish with South Beach salsa, late harvest squash, zucchini, chipotle, mango, corn and 2 lb. North Atlantic drunken lobster pan roast (+$10).

49th: Magnolia Bakery — 1240 6th Avenue at 49th (212-767-1123). CUPCAKES AT ROCKEFELLER CENTER! The best sugar fix! Expect a line. Divine chocolate buttermilk or vanilla cupcakes with chocolate or vanilla icing $2.75 each. Red Velvet cupcakes with whipped vanilla icing, Pumpkin cupcakes with a maple cream cheese icing and toasted pecans, German Chocolate cupcakes with coconut-caramel-pecan icing, and Devil's Food cupcakes iced with your choice of mocha, vanilla, chocolate buttercream or caramel cream cheese icing $3.25 each. Call ahead if you need more than 24 cupcakes. Great coffee $1.50/$2. Delicious 2- and 3-layer cakes $38-$46 – inscription $2; decoration $5/$10. Icebox pies $24/$4 slice. Banana pudding - layers of vanilla wafers, fresh bananas, creamy vanilla pudding - $4.50/$5.50 (call ahead for bowls $24/$36 large enough for 10/20 people).

49th: Morrell Wine Bar & Cafe — One Rockefeller Plaza (212-262-7700 reservations recommended). COZY WITH GREAT WINE IN HEART OF ROCKEFELLER CENTER. Good service. Halsey enjoyed a delicious Chardonnay by the glass and the $26 prix fixe lunch of delicate/spicy “pulled pork” tacos, wild mushroom pappardelle, and butterscotch pudding. Alice loved the Cobb salad with free range chicken, egg, roasted tomato, blue cheese, avocado, Applewood smoked bacon $24. Also recommended: pan seared diver scallops, coconut polenta, cilantro & lime $24/$28.

49th: Sea Grill — 19 West 49th (212-332-7610). ENJOY THE SKATERS AT ROCKEFELLER CENTER – SOUTH SIDE. It's fun to experience the excellent food, fine service, and ice skaters/tree at Rockefeller Center with friends. Dinner is 2-course $98 prix fixe. Halsey liked the rich, succulent Sea Grill chowder with smoked bacon, lobster, shrimp, clams followed by olive-oil-poached Scottish salmon with apple-rosemary puree, wasabiko, citrus-fennel salad. Alice loved the select baby lettuce, honeycrisp apples, fresh herbs, and Champagne vinaigrette and the melt-in-your-mouth-all-crab-meat jumbo lump crab cakes with stone ground mustard sauce. Remarkable desserts $13.

50th: Sosa Borella — 832 8th Avenue at 50th (212-262-8811). ITALIAN/ARGENTINEAN FUSION. Wonderful salads – roasted beets, grilled endive, mesclun, goat cheese, sherry vinaigrette $14; grilled calamari, mesclun, lemon herb dressing $13; carpaccio, arugula, Argentinian parmesan cheese $15; and jumbo crab, avocado, mesclun, citrus dressing with cucumber tomato bruschetta $15. 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. Delightful char-grilled pizzas $16. Pasta $18. Homemade desserts $8-14.

50th: Thalia — 828 8th Ave at 50th (212-399-4444 need reservation). 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, Alice enjoyed lobster Benedict $18.95 and Halsey the arugula and Maytag blue cheese salad with shaved fennel, Bosc pears, dried apricots tossed with lemon vinaigrette $9. The tuna tartare $12 was delicious, too.

50th: Rock Center Café — 20 West 50th (212-332-7621). ENJOY THE SKATERS AT ROCKEFELLER CENTER – NORTH SIDE. Jumbo shrimp, curry mayo $17. New England Clam Chowder $13. Crab and risotto cake with watercress salad, mustard aïoli $17/$32. Braised pork shank with stewed cannellini beans and tomatoes $30. Boneless roasted prime rib of beef au jus, Tuscan double baked potato $39. Key lime pie with blackberry sauce $8. Chocolate Whoopie Pie with butter caramel, coconut, walnuts, and warm Valrhona chocolate sauce $9.

50th: Brasserie Ruhlmann — West 50th between 6th/5th (212-974-2020). FRENCH BRASSERIE AT ROCKEFELLER CENTER. Alice adores the amazing chicken sandwich with pesto and mozzarella on airy, moist, chewy, salty, and bubbly bianca bread $23. Halsey likes the lobster roll with lime curry-kaffir $28. Fabulous hand-cut fries $8. Halsey also suggests the goat cheese salad frisée, garlic croutons, sliced bacon, herbs vinaigrette $16 or the salad ''Ruhlmann'' with mix greens and vegetables, oregano dressing $17 or $24 with chicken / $25 with albacore tuna / $26 with shrimp.

51st: Vice Versa — 325 West 51st between 9th/8th (212-399-9291 reservation suggested). CONTEMPORARY NORTHERN ITALIAN. Halsey loves the sautéed calamari tart and artichokes over fresh radicchio salad $15 followed by 10 oz. grilled strip loin with red wine sauce and vegetables medley $26.50. Alice loves the lobster salad with cherry tomatoes, string beans, balsamic vinaigrette $16.50 followed by the veal-raisin-amaretto-cookies-filled ravioli with sage, butter, and pancetta $12/$20. The sesame coated seared salmon with mild horseradish sour cream and spinach $24 is remarkable. Great desserts, including cherry panna cotta with sour cherry sauce $8.50 and Torta “Opera” cake with coffee gelato $8.50. Pre fixe $35.

51st: Insieme (''together'' in Italian) — 777 Seventh Avenue at 51st in Michelangelo Hotel (212-582-1310 call early and ask for a booth). JUST ABOVE TIMES SQUARE. Great service! Good wine. Delightful experience whether you savor the 5 course tasting menu $98 or items from each course menu. Antipasti – beet salad with Sicilian pistachios, Liberty apples, mountain huckleberries and aged Barolo vinegar $16. Primi – melt-in-your-mouth four cheese agnolotti with brown butter, foraged mushrooms, wild sorrel, and quail egg $17 or cavatelli with pork ragu, mint, and parmesan $17. Secondi – halibut piccato/filet of halibut larded with prosciutto, violet artichokes, cardoons, and Castelvetrano olives $35 of braised short ribs with Geoduck clam, spigarello, peperoncino, roasted pear puree, and romanesco $34. Dessert – Cannoli Dorati filled with mascarpone cream, crispy orange meringue and lemon balm $11 or biscotti semifreddo with coffee granita, sassparilla and muscavado sugar gelato $11. Also, private room for entertaining up to 35 people.

51st: Heartland Brewery Radio City — 1285 6th Avenue on 51st (212-582-8244). LIVELY PUB/SEASONAL BEERS. Halsey likes a buffalo burger with fresh-cut Idaho fries $12.95 and a pint of Farmer Jon's Oatmeal Stout $6.50. Alice enjoys lemon-seared Atlantic salmon, sautéed spinach, citrus herb sauce $17.50 with a salad of mesclun greens, cherry tomatoes, sherry vinaigrette $7.75 (add crumbled blue cheese $1.50). House specialties are mini-burgers on soft potato buns, sliced pickles, chopped red onion $9.25; hickory smoked BBQ St. Louis ribs, mashed potatoes, homemade 27-ingredient BBQ sauce $18.50; sesame seared ahi tuna, steamed vegetables, sticky rice $18.95; linguini topped with baby shrimp, crab meat, baby spinach, tomato cream sauce $17.95; steak frites/8 oz. USDA choice tender cut with fresh-cut Idaho fries $21.50; and fettuccini Alfredo with grilled chicken, parmesan cheese $17.95. Sweet potato fries $5.95. Brew House Onion Rings $7.50. Warm Tollhouse cookie pie with ice cream $6.95. Homemade Key lime pie $5.95.

52nd: Russian Samovar — 256 West 52nd near 8th (212-757-0168 need reservation). AUTHENTIC RUSSIAN. Tasty hot borscht with meat pirozhok and sour cream $10 and mushroom vol-au-vent in puff pastry $14. Cabbage or beef pirozhok $4.50. Fabulous beef stroganoff, lean sliced filet of beef smothered in sour cream and mushrooms with a side of noodles $24. Light and moist chicken Kiev $24. Braised rabbit $24. Slowly braised lamb shank served with garden vegetables $26. Roasted duck with apple & plum sauce $26. Side dishes – potato pancake $6, kasha with mushrooms $8, and fried potatoes with mushrooms $10. Desserts – Crème caramel & Armagnac plum $9, Tahitian vanilla crème brule $9, and raspberry Napoleon $10.

52nd: Soba Nippon - 19 West 52nd between 6th/5th (212-489-2525). BUCKWHEAT NOODLES MADE FRESH ON SITE. We just experienced the most delicious home-made tofu (ask for Tofu Dengaku!), made fresh daily from Soba Nippon’s own home-grown soy beans and perfect tasting portion of beef sukiyaki, vegetables, and tofu cooked in an iron casserole with soy sauce based broth $17. Wonderful menu with selections ranging from $3.50 to $38. Sake selections $8+. Delicious 5-course prix fixe dinner includes beef, chicken, or fish as well as a Zen monk appetizer, sushi, and choice of soba noodles $28/$34.

53rd: Maison Cuisine of Brittany — NW corner West 53rd at 7th Avenue (212-757-2233). MODERATELY PRICED/OPEN 24/7. Full breakfast menu includes crepe with smoked ham, gruyere cheese, egg $8.50; crepe with smoked salmon, scrambled eggs $8.95; crepe with asparagus, Swiss cheese, egg $8.50. Belgian waffle $8.50 with strawberries or bananas $9.50. Eggs Copenhagen with smoked salmon $12. Homemade granola with berries, yogurt $8. For lunch, try French onion soup $7 with a baby-spinach-roasted-beet-pecan-Roquefort cheese salad $11 or country-pate-croutons-mustard-cornichons-greens $8.25 or foie-gras-terrine-served-warm-on-brioche-with-brandied-prunes-and-frisée $13 or pizette/roasted red peppers, nicoise olives, goat cheese, anchovies, gruyere and thyme baked on a flaky crust $10. The dinner menu includes bouillabaisse $25, ratatouille and goat cheese crepe with arugula salad $14, crisp duck confit and leek crepe with prunes and roasted garlic $19, and impressive salads $10-$13.

53rd: Remi (''oars'' in Italian) — 145 West 53rd between 7th/6th. ELEGANT & ENERGETIC. (212-581-4242). With friends, we shared the ripe Florida tomatoes with string beans, yellow peppers, parmesan shavings, olive oil, aged balsamic $12.50; beef carpaccio with arugula and parmesan cheese $16.50; seared tuna medium rare seasoned with poppy seeds, roasted mixed vegetables, balsamic reduction $36.50; warm soft chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream $10; and ricotta cheesecake, caramelized pears, raspberry sauce $10. Prix fixe dinner $35. Three private dining rooms.

53rd: The Modern — 9 West 53rd between 6th/5th (reservations start 28 days ahead 212-333-1220 or www.opentable.com). ENTRANCE NEXT TO/IN MUSEUM OF MODERN ART. Actually two restaurants: The upscale, expensive Dining Room overlooking the Sculpture Garden has 4-course prix fixe $98 and 1 seasonal tasting menu $140 + a tailored wine tasking $115 + artisanal cheese cart $21. We recommend the scrumptious chilled Maine lobster salad seasoned with Tahitian Vanilla, Granny Smith apple and shiso +$10 followed by potato “gâteau” with Benton Country ham, pearl onions, Comté cheese, pumpkin seed oil followed by New York prime strip loin, autumn vegetables, basil emulsion followed by warm fig tart with Balsamic reduction, pignoli compote, and olive oil ice cream. The noisy, energetic Bar Room gives you a choice of 30 tastings on small or medium sized plates include an incredibly delicious fresh grilled shrimp, green cabbage, gruyère salad $17. Fabulous roasted Long Island duck breast with peppercorn-crusted apples and toasted pistachio-truffle dipping sauce $17. Grilled diver scallops with roasted beets, Swiss chard and hazelnuts $20. Beignets with maple ice cream, caramel, mango marmalade $10. Ricotta Flan with pain d’épices ice cream 12.

54th: Maze by Gordon Ramsay at The London — 151 West 54th between 6th & 7th (212-468-8889 need reservation). INNOVATIVE FRENCH-BASED TASTING DISHES WITH ASIAN INFLUENCE. With friends, we shared selections from a fantastic 3-course $35 pre-theatre menu. Starters – asparagus velouté with braised morels and elephant garlic or tortellini of beef short rib escarole, trompette royale and dashi. Main course – yuzu glazed sablefish with sweet turnips, aged soy, and nori rice cracker or roasted chicken breast with spring morels, pickled ramps, new potatoes, fiddlehead ferns, and thyme jus. Desserts – Chocolate pudding with stout ice cream, pretzel, and peanut butter powder or carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and walnut praline ice cream.

55th: PizzArte Pizzeria Napoletana — 69 West 55th between 6th/5th (212-247-3936). SPECTACULAR PIZZA! Sleek, high-gloss place with red wood-burning beehive oven for new style of Neapolitan pizza – the Montanara, a puffy pizza dimpled like focaccia quickly deep fried and topped with tomato, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese $16. Alternatively, consider the frittura all’italiana appetizer with small Montanara along with crunchy potato croquettes and rice balls, matchsticks of zucchini, and pizza fritters $18. Delicious Verace with San Marzano tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, basil $19. Lovely salads including Insalarte with watermelon, mache, tomatoes, burrata cheese $14. Paintings are for sale. Table for two in the window. Communal tables upstairs great for groups.

55th: Milos — 125 West 55th (212-245-7400 reservation suggested). EXTRAORDINARY FISH. Expensive, elegant Greek retreat. Prix fixe lunch $24. From the pre/post theater menu $49 5:00-6:30 and 10:00-11:45, we recommend organic Irish smoked salmon with capers and onions; grilled whole Lour de Mer from the island of Cephalonia; and walnut cake with honey-lavender 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.

55th: Osteria Del Circo — 120 West 55th (212-265-3636 need reservation). FUN AND CLASSY. We love sharing lasagne del Circo $26 followed by Mamma Egi's incredible bufala ricotta and spinach ravioli with butter and sage $22. Or, arugula, endive, sliced apples, and bacon salad with blue cheese croquettes $15 followed by the Tuscan brick-pressed chicken, Cipolline onions, roasted potatoes, Swiss chard $27. Spectacular desserts, including cream-filled Tuscan doughnuts with cappuccino cream cup $10 and Babà cake macerated in rum coulis with mascarpone cream and fresh fruit $11. Service is excellent. Pre/post theater 5:30-6:30/after 9:00 $38. Glass-walled private dining room.

55th: Benoit — 60 West 55th between 6th/5th (646-943-7373). A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE! The food was delicious, and the service superb! Waiters promptly brought warm cheese balls and a red “cozy” of crusty country bread and kept replenishing them. The 2-course pre-theatre $38 dinner offered perfect choices. We ordered and highly recommend: endive-beets-blue-cheese-croûton salad; chilled pea soup; grilled salmon with lemon, capers, brown butter, spinach; and duck a l’orange with turnip confit and Bigarade sauce. The tart tatin for two with crème fraiche looked great and was large enough for four!

55th: Michael's — 24 West 55th between 6th/5th (212-767-0555 need reservation). CALIFORNIA CUISINE. What a treat to sit at the window Table #1 and enjoy excellent food and fine service with friends. We shared the Autumn pumpkin soup with maple syrup crème fraiche and pancetta $16. Then, we enjoyed the Long Island duck breast with crispy confit, French lentil, frisée, duck prosciutto, and citrus huckleberry jus $36 and the Ellensburg Rack of Lamb, tzatziki, autumn vegetables, and rosemary Jus $45. For a sinfully delicious dessert, try chocolate mousse, brown butter caramel, and hazelnut brittle $13 or house-made ice creams or sorbets $11.

56th: Norma's — 118 West 56th between 7th/6th in Le Parker Meridien Hotel (212-708-7460 reservations suggested). BREAKFAST TIL 3:00 PM DAILY. Enjoy super blueberry buttermilk pancakes $22; crispy Belgian waffle with fresh berries, Devonshire cream $22; crunchy French toast with warm caramel sauce $22; Eggs Benedict with Norma's own Hollandaise on crispy English muffin $23; huevos rancheros $22; egg white frittata, shrimp, oven-roasted Roma tomatoes $27. For lunch, we like crispy Caesar salad with grilled chicken $23; the Parker Club sandwich — chicken, prosciutto, avocado on whole grain bread with artichoke mayo $22; traditional and tasty Reuben on New York rye $22; tofu, bok choy, and ginger tossed with udon noodles $29; and u-build-em pastas $26; piazza $22 plus toppings $2 each, and sundaes $18. Oh, and milkshakes $8.

56th: Burger Joint at Le Parker Meridien — 119 West 56th St. between 7th/6th behind the curtain in Le Parker Meridien Hotel lobby (212-708-7414 no reservations). AMONG ZAGAT-SELECTED BEST BURGER RESTAURANTS – ALWAYS A LINE. Hamburger $6.89. Cheeseburger $7.35. French fries $1.38. Wine or Sam Adams on Tap or Milkshakes (after 1:30pm) $5.05.  Brownie $2.30. 11am-11:30pm/12:00 F-S.

56th: bricco italiano — 304 West 56th/8th (212-245-7160). DELICIOUS BRICK OVEN BAKED PIZZAS including Magherita Classica tomatoes, mozzarella, fresh basil $16; endive, zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms, mozzarella $17.50; wild mushrooms, ricotta, mozzarella $19; and prosciutto, roasted peppers, artichokes, mozzarella $20. Also brick-oven baked are the artichokes $12.50 and Cornish hens $19. For dessert, tiramisu $8.50, ricotta lemon cheesecake $8.50, and more!

56th: Molyvos — 871 7th Ave at 56th (212-582-7500 reservation suggested). CLASSIC GREEK FOOD. Tender marinated seafood salad with scallops, calamari, mussels, crab meat, shrimp, lemon, olives, dill, and Cretan bread $14. Cabbage stuffed with lamb, beef, pork, Arborio rice, and spiced yogurt garlic sauce $22. Braised savory marinated lamb shanks baked in a clay pot with orzo, tomatoes, Kefalotyri cheese $30. Desserts $9 – we recommend crispy phyllo shells filled with ouzo pastry cream, fennel spoon sweet and honey vanilla ice cream sundae with almond & pistachio praline, Samos caramel, shredded halva. Pre-theater $37 5:30-7:00/9:30-closing.

56th: Topaz Thai — 127 West 56th between 7th/6th (212-957-8020). GOOD, AFFORDABLE THAI. Call ahead to reserve the table for 2 in the window. We like to share Thai spring rolls $3.95/7.95, Siamese ginger duck with ginger and mushrooms $15.95, and grilled half chicken marinated in garlic $11.95. Lots of vegetarian dishes each $8.95. Also delicious are Topaz noodles with egg in sesame oil and seasoning with choice of chicken, roast pork or vegetables $9.20.

60th: Rouge Tomate — 10 East 60th (646-237-8977). PREPARATION IS EXTRAORDINARY! The work of the staff nutritionist is as evident as the work of the chef! Spacious dining room with our private space by the pool with floating cranberries! Homemade ginger beer $5 and crabapple sour cocktail $14 freshly squeezed from the juice bar. Halsey heartily enjoyed the Coho salmon gravlax/Asian pear/fennel/pain d'épices $10 and Alice loved the salad of Brussels sprout Leaves/market pear/La Quercia prosciutto/Duchilly hazelnut/lemon/thyme $13. Then we shared yummy pheasant “à l'orange”/market carrot/endive/Satsuma mandarin orange/vanilla $24. After lovely amuse bouche of red grapefruit juice, we shared the sweet potato crème brûlée/pecan/pear sorbet/cranberry marmalade $11. Armed with a parting gift of homemade granola, we thanked our lovely server, gave our compliments to the chef and nutritionist, and promised to return!

60th: Asiate – in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel at 60th Street/80 Columbus Circle (212-805-8881 reservations required). SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF CENTRAL PARK AND MIDTOWN. Enjoy delicious, beautifully-presented French/Japanese fusion. 3-course pre fixe $85. Tasting menu $55/$125. Weekend brunch 3-course prix fixe $54. Menu highlights include: Bay scallops, langoustine, Little neck clams and hearts of palm with a coconut herb broth; soba noodles, Osetra caviar, and wasabi cream; butter poached lobster with white polenta, Hon Shimeji mushrooms and kaffir emulsion; Wagyu beef tenderloin with smoked potato purée, braised short rib, and yuzu koshou; and black sesame cake with Buddha’s hand lemon crème and fresh berries.

65th: at65 cafe — 70 Lincoln Center Plaza between 65th/66th. GLASS FRONTED CAFÉ AT ALICE TULLY HALL. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We’ve enjoyed delicious sandwiches, chicken pot pie, and mac and cheese with smoked bacon. Easy to get quick desserts like frosted lemon bars and baked treats from Balthazar. $16-$30 per person.

65th: Lincoln at Lincoln Center next to reflecting pool and Henry Moore Sculpture — 142 West 65th between Amsterdam/Broadway (212-359-6500). CONTEMPORARY ITALIAN CUISINE IN STUNNING TRIANGULAR BUILDING WITH SLOPING GRASS ROOF near entrance to Lincoln Center Theater and New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Splurge for an elegant lunch, starting with the insalata verde mista with fennel, eggplant, peppers, and artichoke $16 and then enjoy either Halibut with artichokes, fingerling potatoes, cerignola olives, and mint $22 or braised lamb shank, Castelluccio lentils, and sugo d’agnello $20.

© 2012 The North Group Inc. All rights reserved.
Halsey and Alice North jointly head The North Group Inc. which, since 1987, has been assisting communities and nonprofit arts centers across the country with cultural planning, “use” and fundraising feasibility studies, capital and endowment campaigns, annual operating campaigns, board development, and strategic planning. They are best known for an integrated approach to organizational planning board development, and fundraising. Office/home: 2250 Broadway #20B, NYC 10024, 212-875-8423, halseyalice@northgroup.biz, www.northgroup.biz.