6:15 dinner okay for pre-show meal?

[WhatsYourNameMan2]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 1:04am

I know this is a bit fastidious, but I'm going to my first Broadway show in little more than a week's time and I'm quite anxious about the plans.  Especially dinner - we made reservations at Milos for 6:15, they have a prix fixe menu, it's about a 15 min walk according to Google back to the Richard Rodgers theater for our 8pm show of Hamilton!

Is that a reasonable time to eat before the show, with enough time to walk back, have a cocktail nearby, and scoot to the show?  We have tickets in hand, so no waiting at Will Call.  I just don't know if NYC fancy pants meals take longer than I'm expecting.  I'm not accustomed to nice restaurants to be perfectly honest.

Okay, thanks!

Updated On: 5/22/16 at 01:04 AM

[@z5]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 1:10am

That does seem to be cutting it a little close, especially with the 15 min walk, plus you don't know fi there will be any wait to sit or wait for food at the restaurant and all, and also depending on how long you take to eat.

[bunnie3]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 1:16am

You need more time. (I live in the nabe, and work in the theatre). I would say 5:45.or even a bit earlier, if you plan on having cocktails, and a 2-3 course dinner.Remember, you have the MOB!! scene of leaving your restaurant, crossing over Times Square, standing in line with your tix going thru theatre security.  You want have a relaxed, beautiful dinner and enjoy your show.  You should be at your theatre by 7:30.  (Everything takes longer in ny and the theatre district). Edit:  what street is your theatre on?  If you re going to MILOS on. 55th st, it s going to be more of a 30 minute walk.  Give yourself 2 hours for dinner.  

Updated On: 5/22/16 at 01:16 AM

[mpkie]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 1:22am

Not familiar with the restaurant but I think you should be okay, especially if you all take a look at the menu beforehand and have a good idea what you want. It's a solid 60-75 minutes for dinner, seems plenty. But @z5 makes a good point - no idea how fast you all eat. Or how fast you walk for that matter.

Normally it takes about 15 min for people to decide on what to order, 20 min to finish a meal if no one is talking. If you shave down the deciding time, you will have plenty of time to socialize and still get to the theater. It REALLY doesn't take long to eat. However, prix fixe slows things down a bit since each course comes out one at a time and they wait for EVERYONE to be done with the previous course.

Typically when I'm in a situation like this, we just let the server politely know that we are in a rush to catch a show, etc. You can ask for the check even before everyone is done eating; I've done this before. You can also ask for the plates to come out together. Perhaps you can also show up a little earlier (if you are able to to) and see if they will seat you earlier.

And I just noticed you want a cocktail too... why don't you play that one by ear... or get one from the theater.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 1:26am

Lots of other good replies here.

Something people often don't think about: How long Act 1 will be, and how likely they are to have to pee depending on what they eat. I have a pretty small bladder, so I stop drinking anything an hour before curtain if I can help it. In this context, 6:15 seems pretty close, but you know you best!

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 3:29am

Where's the show? I looked and found Google Map entries for two "Milos" restaurants on 55th or 56th - both bet. 7th & 6th Ave. Depending on the theatre, how fast you walk, your route, and skill in navigating crowds, getting to the Broadway theatres can be 5 minutes for a fast walker (Studio 54) to 25 minutes (Nederlander, through the most crowded Broadway sidewalks).

What are the courses? A common 3 course, pre-show set menu might have a pre-plated starter, a main course and dessert. If you know what you want and tell your server you've got a show, they're usually pros and without hurrying you can get out in 25 minutes. 

So, it depends. In any event, you DO want a relaxing evening so if it looks tight and you can change your res, it may be wise. 

You may want to call or email the restaurant.

...and in any event, I'd recommend avoiding the Times Square mob and backtracking a bit to 6th Ave (Ave of the Americas) and walk down 6th until you reach the theatre's street for anything below 48th - wide sidewalks with little pedestrian crowding. Especially for the easternmost houses: Cort, Lyceum, Belasco & Sondheim theatres. (Avoid 7th Ave between 47th-45th.)

Re-reading your original post, I notice you're thinking of stopping by a second place for a pre-show drink. That mob scene can be as bad as the sidewalks for the unwary. If you tell us the show/theatre, we may be able to help you with suggestions for the bar as well.
 

Updated On: 5/22/16 at 03:29 AM

[mc1227]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 4:48am

I have eaten dinner at 6 at a few places and been fine for the show but that's usually in and around 44-46th St areas.  Most restaurants in the theater district will ask if you are seeing a show but if they don't, you should mention it up front.  If possible, I would suggest changing the time to 5:45 just so you can enjoy the dinner without worrying about the time.  If not, see if Becco on 46th has an opening that night.  They are excellent in getting you out quickly in time for shows.  I've eaten there as late as 6:45 and been fine for an 8 pm show.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 6:57am

I think you would be fine at 6:15 but you want to relax and enjoy your meal and not checking the clock worrying about making it to the theater in time. Like others have said, see if you can get reservation a little earlier.

[Mike66]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 8:41am

You will be fine at 6:15.  That is the time that we always have our reservation. 

If the maître d (and waiter) don't ask -- tell them you have an 8 PM curtain.  That makes a big deal.  Also, be a few minutes early, so you don't get caught up in the 6:30 reservations who are coming early.

And most importantly, try to read the menu, learn the specials, and order promptly.  The delay in good restaurants is the time it takes to prepare your food -- the stuff isn't made in advance.

 

We've never had a problem having a nice leisurely dinner and making it to the curtain.  And remember, almost all the theatres wont let you in until just before the show -- so if you are a half hour early, you get to wait on line on the street.  (Which is no fun in the rain.)

 

Now, having said all of this (every word of which is true, to my experience) -- why get indigestion as day long worrying???  Wouldn't you rather look at your watch and say "Oh, we have lots of time."  Therefore, it might be better to get a reservation for 6PM, or at least show up early for your 6:15. 

 

But really, you'll be fine.

 

ENJOY!!

[Dave13]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 8:58am

Can't add much except agreeing with telling both the waitress and Hostess that you are seeing a show. Restaurants in the theater district are pretty good at accommodating theater guests. They are used to it.  However, knowing what you want ahead of time could save you at least 10-15 minutes. 6:15 should be fine, but if you eat or walk slow it maybe pushing it.  

[WhatsYourNameMan2]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 9:56am

OP here!

It's the Richard Rodgers Theater (Hamilton!!), and I'm doing the Prix Fixe menu so I definitely know what I'm getting already.  

Thanks for all of the great answers.  I suppose it might be prudent to change to a 6pm dinner, just to guarantee some casual relaxation / drink time before the show.  I'm Mountain time zone at home so it's just going to be eating dinner at 4pm, so we'll just make sure to have a light lunch :)

[Poconopanther]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 10:13am

If your body is on Mountain Time... Maybe consider dinner after the show?  

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 10:19am

You plan to get to a restaurant AND be seated AND served by 6:15pm AND you want to mozy over to bar for a pre-show cocktail AND walk thru the theatre district to the theatre ALL in 90 minutes?   If no one in your party talks, that is.  

 

Good luck, amigo.  I always make 5:30pm dinner reservations for an 8pm curtain due to past experience.  I'm always amused by people's lack of time-management factoring logistics.  One of my friends always thinks everything takes 15 minutes then 2 hours later we're still dealing.  Ugh!  

[WhatsYourNameMan2]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 10:21am

Poconopanther said: "If your body is on Mountain Time... Maybe consider dinner after the show?  

We're doing both - the Milos PF Theater menu doesn't look enormous, and afterwards we're sort of looking forward to doing Shake Shack for a burger and shake :)

 

[jo]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 10:29am

BrodyFosse123 said: "You plan to get to a restaurant AND be seated AND served by 6:15pm AND you want to mozy over to bar for a pre-show cocktail AND walk thru the theatre district to the theatre ALL in 90 minutes?   If no one in your party talks, that is.  

 

Good luck, amigo.  I always make 5:30pm dinner reservations for an 8pm curtain due to past experience.  I'm always amused by people's lack of time-management factoring logistics.  One of my friends always thinks everything takes 15 minutes then 2 hours later we're still dealing.  Ugh!  

 

"

I also feel more comfortable with early dinner at 5:30 pm.  Besides, prix fixe dinner is usually lighter than when one orders a la carte.

 

[Poconopanther]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 10:46am

WhatsYourNameMan2 said: "Poconopanther said: "If your body is on Mountain Time... Maybe consider dinner after the show?  

We're doing both - the Milos PF Theater menu doesn't look enormous, and afterwards we're sort of looking forward to doing Shake Shack for a burger and shake :)

 

Milos looks great...and everyone loves Shake Shack! Yum! Put Hamilton in between those two treats and You are going to have a great night!!!

 

Get to Milos early... Tell them you have an 8PM show and you will be fine (maybe a tiny bit rushed). Restaurants in that area deal with folks with Broadway tickets 7 nights a week. They will have you out the door at 7:20. 

 

 

"

 

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 10:48am

Just tell them you have a show.  It's not that big a deal and it won't be the most leisurely meal  but people do it all the time.

[Jane2]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 10:56am

Most, if not all, restaurants in the theater district, ask if you're going to a show. They always get you out on time, in my experience. They specialize in that! I think you'll be fine.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 11:19am

1.  You should be fine, but definitely tell your server.  They'll take care if you.

 

2. You  do NOT have to get to the theatre by 7:30.  All you'll be doing is standing on a long line.  (And having a drink at the  theater is totally overrated AND overpriced. )

3. If you have any women in your group, remind them to use the facilities at the restaurant,  the line st gh ed th heater is awful!

 

Have a wonderful time.  

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 11:56am

An interesting option for a pre-show drink for Hamilton (enjoy!) which has no crowds and lots of charm is a restaurant 2 doors down from the theatre with a full, albeit tiny, bar - "Pergola des Artistes." We just ate there pre-show for American Psycho last Tuesday and there were perhaps 2 people at the little bar in front. (Gracious service by the servers and bartender) ...Alex Trabek was eating there before Hamilton that night.

Of course the ultimate pre-show bar is the "Club Sardi's" upstairs bar at Sardi's on 44th (short 3 min. walk to Hamilton, cutting mid-block down Shubert Alley, next to the Shubert [44th] and Booth [45th] which is aligned with the passage through the Marriott Marquis [45th-46th] next to the Richard Rodgers on 46th.) Joe, Jeremy and the rest of the bartenders are the ultimate pros dishing out the drinks to the crowd before a show (Joe has worked there for over 40 years).

...and that set menu at Milos looks great (for a good price)
 

Updated On: 5/22/16 at 11:56 AM

[bunnie3]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 1:06pm

Secret Restroom tip:  during intermission, (or before or after) quickly hop across the street (46th st) to the Edison Hotel, walk thru the corridor to the lobby and ask the desk clerk for the # for the ladies room.  Voila!  Run back for Act 2.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 3:39pm

You can't do that now quite so easily. The Edison Hotel is under construction and the 46th street entrance is closed until at least July. You would have to go around to the 47th street entrance which is not quite as convenient if you are coming from the theater. 

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 3:54pm

AND... Post-show Shake Shack advice.

The place is SERIOUSLY crowded. When you arrive, it's best if someone in your party can immediately dedicate themselves to snagging seats while another stands in line to order.  If you're all familiar with the menu and options, it can help the table person tell the line person what they want when walking in. (Pre-staging condiments and delivering to the hopefully-snagged table is a handy way to pass the minutes waiting for the food after ordering)

Updated On: 5/22/16 at 03:54 PM

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 4:56pm

Ha ha... I'd probably drive most of you crazy, but as someone suggested...I'd opt for 5:30. Better to relax, enjoy the dinner and not have to keep checking the time. Better to be early than late.

[Bell0708]

Posted: 5/22/16 at 6:00pm

I think you should just get Chinese take-out or McDonalds and eat it right in the theatre during the show.  Trust me, the audience will be totally cool with it....hee hee, jk.