Elevated Dining Experiences: Dinner and a Show in NYC
The confluence of engaging entertainment and delectable cuisine presents a delightful proposition. While live music can enhance a typical meal, select venues in New York City are curating dinner-and-a-show combinations that transcend the ordinary.
Rule of Thirds: Comedy and Japanese Cuisine
Karaage and Comedy Nights
For those who associate comedy clubs with lackluster food, Rule of Thirds offers a refreshing departure. This airy Japanese restaurant, reminiscent of Venice, California, boasts an adjacent event space hosting a monthly comedy showcase with a distinctive DIY ambiance. Patrons are seated at tables, some crafted from milk crates, while comedians perform on a stage backed by stacks of sake delivery boxes. For show schedules, refer to their Instagram page.
Menu Highlights
- Karaage: Crispy Japanese fried chicken drizzled with ginger-soy and tartar sauce ($16).
- Tuna Tartare: Diced tuna with crispy Tenkasu, served with nori sheets for DIY bites ($16).
- Crispy Pork Gyoza: Pan-fried pork dumplings ($8).
Address: 171 Banker Street (Norman Avenue)
The View: Revolving Restaurant with Live Piano
Panoramic City Views and Music
The View, a revolving restaurant atop the Times Square Marriott, provides nightly live piano music alongside an ever-changing cityscape panorama. This unique dining experience, originally launched in 1985 on the 47th and 48th floors, has been revitalized by Danny Meyer’s hospitality group.
Classic American Fare
The menu leans towards classic American dishes. Consider these selections:
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
- Shrimp Cocktail: Four pieces of shrimp with cocktail sauce ($28).
- Cheeseburger: A straightforward cheeseburger enhanced with horseradish sauce ($32).
- Dirty Martini: A Katz’s Deli-inspired martini with brisket-washed gin, pastrami spice rim, and a side of pickle juice ($22).
Allow ample time to reach your table, factoring in escalators, host stands, and a high-speed elevator ride within the hotel.
Address: 1535 Broadway (45th Street)
Lori Jayne at Alphaville: Dive Bar Steak Frites and Entertainment
Steak Frites in an Unexpected Setting
Enjoying steak frites at Alphaville, a Bushwick bar with a punk rock past, encapsulates a quintessential New York City experience. Lori Jayne, operating within Alphaville’s kitchen, serves elevated bar fare, including wings, fried chicken, and exceptional steak frites. The venue offers nightly entertainment ranging from music and comedy to open mic and trivia nights.
Menu Recommendations
- Steak Frites with Mala Au Poivre: Steak frites served in a paper tray with chopsticks and mala au poivre sauce ($22).
- Thrice-Fried Chicken Wings “French Style”: Wings with capers, Grana Padano, parsley, horseradish honey mustard, and au poivre sauce ($19).
Consider a Fernet or a Campari and Diet Coke as beverage pairings.
Address: 140 Wilson Avenue (Suydam Street)
Reader Inquiry
Question: Where can we find a good lunch spot near the Museum of Natural History? My team and I are in the Central Park West area weekly for work and are seeking lunch recommendations. — Katie
Westville: A Reliable Upper West Side Lunch Option
Westville, a vegetable-forward restaurant chain with multiple locations, including a well-regarded Upper West Side branch, is a consistently solid choice. Despite its popularity, Westville offers broad appeal with a menu encompassing salads, burgers, and vegetable platters. For a workday lunch, the dill-infused Greek salad with salmon and a baguette with chevre is a particularly satisfying option.