I tripped over the lively BXL Cafe as it was a couple of blocks south of the Lyceum Theatre where we were seeing Is This a Room. Oddly, it was the first restaurant I’ve been to where the staff didn’t check our vaccination card and the servers were not wearing masks.

BXL has a pub atmosphere and menu along with friendly service. The food, with many Belgian specialties like mussels and frites, is okay. Nothing to go out of your way for.

I had a Ceasar Salad ($11) with grilled shrimp (+$9), my dining partner the Bouchée À la Reine ($25) a puff pastry round atop chicken, bacon and diced meatballs in a creamy sauce served with fries.

 

The unusual show is a 65-minute verbatim transcript of the actual FBI interview with Reality Winner, accused of espionage. Yes, that’s her real name.  One agent tells her it’s about the possible mishandling of classified info. During the interview, wherever the F.B.I. transcript redacts information as sensitive, the stage lights blink. For a complete review on Theater Pizzazz of this unusual performance, click here. 

Coming out of the theatre on a gorgeously clear night, I couldn’t resist taking this photo of the Empire State Building, as this view always takes my breath away.

BXL Cafe
Time Square
125 West 43rd Street,
New York, NY 10036
(212) 768 – 0200