City Bites

The best City Bites from New York

M. Butterfly: Theater Pizzazz

Almost thirty years since it first fluttered onto the stage, M. Butterfly is back on Broadway, in a stunning production directed by Julie Taymor. Playwright David Henry Hwang has made some minor revisions, but the play still packs the dramatic wallop it did in 1988, when it won the Tony Award for Best Play. Loosely based on a true story, Butterfly spans twenty-odd years as French diplomat Rene Gallimard (Clive Owen) looks back from his Parisian prison cell in 1986 to the time he was stationed in China. His memories are dominated by his affair with Peking Opera star Song Liling (Jin Ha), also known ... From Theater Pizzazz review by Michael Bracken. Click [...]

By |2017-10-28T13:13:52-04:00November 6th, 2017|Theatre|0 Comments
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Torch Song: Theater Pizzazz

Who’da thunk it? A relic from a time when AIDS meant HELPS and nostalgic even then, Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song Trilogy in revival would surely reek of reminiscence and easy sentiment. How could it not? Yet Moisés Kaufman’s breezy production of Torch Song – the three plays have been slimmed down to one – at Second Stage Tony Kiser Theater, plays as if it were written yesterday (all right, the day before yesterday). It pulses with the vitality of Fierstein’s script and a virtuoso performance by Michael Urie as Arnold, bolstered by the rest of the excellent cast, especially Mercedes Ruehl in a brief but unforgettable ... From Theater Pizzazz [...]

By |2017-11-08T12:37:58-05:00November 2nd, 2017|Theatre|0 Comments
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Introducing Sandi Durell’s Theater Pizzazz

About two years ago when my theatre buddy Tom met Sandi Durell at a holiday party, he decided to introduce us as he had a feeling we'd become friends. He was right. Sandi Durell is Publisher/Editor of the fabulous TheaterPizzazz.com — an entertainment website covering theater and cabaret, with a staff of over 15 contributing writers.  Her site offers interviews, openings and reviews of both on and off broadway shows and music.  Sandi's been writing, reviewing, producing, with a voice in theater, cabaret and entertainment for over 25+ years. We decided to sort of cross-pollinate — me sharing her contributors' theatre reviews here on Bite of the Best, she sharing my [...]

By |2017-11-06T09:13:18-05:00October 31st, 2017|Big Apple Life, Theatre|0 Comments
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Bombay Sandwich Co., Hell’s Kitchen, NYC (“F**king A”)

On my way to Signature Theatre to see one of Suzan-Lori Parks' play "F**king A," that is her sort of take on The Scarlet Letter, I stopped in at a press tasting at the 35th Street location of Bombay Sandwich Co. The play is about a local abortionist (Christine Lahti), branded with an "A", trying to buy her jailed son’s freedom. (Click here for review on Theater Pizzazz ) I learned that Bombay Sandwich Co. started as a booth at NYC's Smorgasburg where the success of its kale & sweet potato wrap ($8.27) led to the opening of the Manhattan stores. The first one opened in 2014 at 48 East 27th [...]

By |2017-11-06T09:07:49-05:00October 20th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|1 Comment
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A Baker’s Dozen Cheap Pre-Theatre Eats: Theatre District

"Where should I eat?" I'm always asked, especially when friends are heading to theatre. To help respond to that query,  I've decided to create a few posts listing suggested places to grab a bite, divided by cost and time. This first post contains a baker's dozen offerings where you can get a quick meal — of course, depending on what you order — for about $25 (not including tax, tip and drinks!) located not far from the theatre district.   Bareburger 366 W 46th St, (212) 673-2273. For a quick burger and fries. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., 1501 Broadway (at 43rd) (212) 391-7100 A down-home atmosphere reminiscent of the “Forrest [...]

By |2018-04-07T08:21:10-04:00September 9th, 2017|NYC Best Bites, Rambling, Theatre|2 Comments
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Treehaus, Hell’s Kitchen (The Whirligig), NYC

The menu at Signature Cafe inside The Pershing Square Signature Center where we were seeing Hamish Linklater’s new play “The Whirligig,” was more limited than it had been when I reviewed it. We ended up next door at Treehaus for a pre-theatre bite. (Click here for review on Theater Pizzazz) Their menu was also limited but offered much more than a salad, sandwich or soup. We started with a glass of their happy hour ($5) rose  (Hecht and Bannier) and their fried clam strips with their housemade "haus" tartar sauce ($9); we never received the menu offered cole slaw and the strips were a bit overcooked. The scallops with roasted [...]

By |2017-10-23T17:17:08-04:00July 21st, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|1 Comment
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Sammy’s House of BBQ, Theatre District (Anastasia), NYC

The best things about Sammy's House of BBQ are the extra-friendly staff and its location in the heart of the theatre district — almost right across from the Broadhurst Theatre where I was seeing "Anastasia," the delightful fairy-tale of a musical about the Czar Nicholas's youngest daughter with amnesia. I decided to order Sammy's slider trio, wanting a little something before the show. That app consisted of three buns each chockfull of a BBQ'd meat  — one with Texas brisket, another with Carolina pulled pork and the third filled with Alabama smoked chicken ($12.95). A hearty snack for sure! My friend arrived... having just finished his dinner and said he [...]

By |2017-09-04T18:33:42-04:00July 9th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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High Street on the Hudson, West Village, NYC + The End of Longing

We stopped into the cozy High Street on the Hudson restaurant before heading to the Lucille Lortel to see The End of Longing, the dark comedy about substance abuse starring and written by Matthew Perry. I'm not sure why F&W 2014 Best New Chef 2014 Eli Kulp would use so many menu terms in need of explanation to most consumers other than to have them dialogue with the servers.  (For example: volkornbrot, shishito, chermoula, verano, espelette...)  When a customer asks a question, I heard the servers commence into their script. "Is this your first time here?" Following the third time I heard those words at nearby tables, I could recite [...]

By |2018-02-05T11:25:19-05:00July 7th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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TBar Restaurant, Upper East Side, NYC + Dolls House 2

TBar offers sidewalk dining under their bright orange awnings, weather permitting. Although it was a balmy night, we opted for an inside table after seeing Dolls House 2, an unexpected 90 minutes of laughter or giggles even with the serious subject. That phenomenal cast includes Laurie Metcalf, Chris Cooper, Jayne Houdyshell and Condola Rashad. From the cocktail menu, the Tanteo margarita ($14) with tequila, triple sec, lime juice and jalapeno pepper is the one with a little spice kick. We started by sharing a lightly dressed Caesar salad with slivers of Parmesan and with crisped melted cheese on their housemade crouton ($14). If you're a reader of my reviews, you [...]

By |2018-02-18T10:09:02-05:00July 3rd, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Room Service, Theatre District (Little Foxes), NYC

Before heading to the Samuel J Friedman Theatre for the second time seeing Lillian Hellman's Little Foxes with the powerful performances of Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon switching rolls, we headed to Ninth Avenue to get a bite. My friend had just been to and raved about the Thai restaurant Room Service. We started with the four crispy corn spring rolls stuffed with noodles and veggies ($6), followed by the eponymous mild-flavored Pad Thai ($16.90) with sauteed glass vermicelli mixed with shrimp, mussels, squid and scallops wrapped in an egg-white pancake. Great for those who don't like spicy food. My friend finished with a bowl with two scoops of coconut [...]

By |2017-09-04T18:34:20-04:00July 1st, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Raffles Bistro, Midtown East, (Marry Harry) NYC

Walking south on Lexington Avenue after seeing the York Theatre Company's fun new musical Marry Harry, directed by Bill Castellino (who also directed Off-Broadway musical Cagney), we walked into Raffles Bistro for a bite to eat and lots of conversation. We decided to share both a small pepperoni pizza ($20) and a burger ($19). Both were edible -- but nothing I'd suggest. The pepperoni pizza is reminiscent of frozen pie; the overcooked cheeseburger wasn't much better. At least the fries were large steak-cut and freshly fried, and the service friendly. Not a place I'd recommend. - bonnie BonnieBOTB Follow @BonnieBOTB   Raffles Bistro 511 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10017 [...]

By |2017-09-04T19:06:33-04:00June 20th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Kings of Kobe, Hell’s Kitchen, NYC (The Hairy Ape)

After seeing the talented Bobby Cannavale in Eugene O'Neill 's "The Hairy Ape" at the Armory (also with David Costabile), we walked over to Hell's Kitchen to sample the fare at King of Kobe, known as the "The Burger & Hot Dog Monarchy." As their guests, we tried lots of the offerings beginning with Manhattanite ($8.75) hot dog topped with caramelized apples, frisee, shaved cheddar and a wasabi aioli. Neither I nor my dining partner generally eat hot dogs but agreed this one could change our minds. The fried balls of Mac & Cheese ($7.25) come creamy on the inside, crisp outside. The four rounds are a meal in themselves [...]

By |2017-09-07T15:40:22-04:00May 1st, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Hourglass Tavern, Theatre District (When it Was You), NYC

Eating after theatre worked best as the one-woman show "When it Was You" at the Clurman Theatre was about 70 minutes. Meaning we could relax and not rush off to catch the curtain. Ana Reeder's performance about a women who had once dated in high school a man who became a mass shooter was riviting. We headed to Hourglass Tavern, the tiny 3-story renovated nineteenth-century brownstone (build in 1894) on theatre row. From what I read, each table originally sported a working hourglass (now there are a couple as art on the walls). Their motto was you wouldn't miss the curtain of your show, as the service would take only the [...]

By |2017-09-04T18:34:39-04:00April 27th, 2017|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Signature Café and Bar, Hell’s Kitchen, NYC

What a find! Conveniently located in the lobby adjacent to Signature's three small theaters at the corner of Tenth Avenue and 42nd Street, the Signature Café and Bar offers light, flavorful and healthful fare from Great Performances. There's also a full bar including a glass of champagne or Prosecco and live music on performance nights. All this comes to you at reasonable prices with the organic produce they served grown at GP’s Katchkie Farm in Kinderhook, NY. You'll need to go to the counter to order from the limited but tasty menu. Much of their food is already packaged — like deliciously dressed chopped Tuscan kale, roasted butternut squash, caramelized apples, [...]

By |2017-09-07T15:25:41-04:00December 23rd, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Zengo, Murray Hill, (Heisenberg) NYC

After seeing the incredible performances by Mary-Louise Parker and Denis Arndt as two strangers who connect in a London train station in Heisenberg at Samuel J Friedman Theatre, we headed to Richard Sandoval's Zengo for a late night meal. The show made me think about relationships and how meeting one person can change your life. Worth seeing! Still on my spicy drink kick, I ordered a Zengo Margarita ($14) made with Rancho Alegre blanco tequila, blood orange juice and serrano peppers. It didn't disappoint. Neither did their Thai lettuce wraps ($14) with a perfect blend of ground chorizo, lots of peanuts, chopped cilantro and tamarind chutney. I'd return just for [...]

By |2017-09-04T19:07:28-04:00December 1st, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Seabird, West Village (All the Ways to Say I Love You), NYC

After seeing the amazing Judith Light in a mesmerizing one-woman performance in All the Ways to Say I Love You at the Lucille Lortel theatre, we stopped by the lively Seabird for a bite to eat. Judith Light deserved an Obie for her performance; catch it if you can. At Seabird on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Washington Place, we shared the octopus fritter ($14 for four) drizzled with both a curry aioli and a black squid ink sauce on a bed of shredded fresh carrots and julienned beets. Interesting concept, but I would  suggest ordering only if you like fried balls of dough. There wasn't much or the [...]

By |2017-11-22T17:12:22-05:00October 8th, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Virgil’s, Theatre District (Shuffle Along), NYC – Revisit

Before seeing the musical Shuffle Along, we stopped for a quick bite at Virgil's. The show is a revival of the 1921 one with music and lyrics by Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake, starring the noticeably pregnant Audra McDonald. This Tony-nominated production brings the sage of the original show and how it changed the world back to life. I returned to Virgil's to see whether the BBQ nachos could possibly be as good as they were when I described them as some of the best I had ever had ($13.95). Instead of salsa, the tortilla chips come topped with smoked pulled chicken, Carolina pulled pork and Texas beef brisket all drizzled [...]

By |2017-09-04T18:35:13-04:00September 7th, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Esca, Hell’s Kitchen (Cagney:The Musical), NYC

I was skeptical about dining at another pricey Italian seafood place after my mediocre-meal experience at Marea the day before. But with Esca right across the street from the Westside Theatre where we were seeing Cagney:The Musical it didn't make sense to change the res. I'm so glad we didn't.  Every dish was seasoned to perfection and service was attentive but not snooty. What a difference! Our amuse consisted of a lick-your-fingers white bean bruschetta. Off to a good start. My friends thought they weren't wild about octopus ($19) until they tasted Esca's version grilled crusty on the outside and tender in, served with giant corona beans, frisée and preserved [...]

By |2017-09-04T18:57:27-04:00June 25th, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Junior’s, Theatre District (Eclipsed), NYC

Since we had a 7 pm curtain of Eclipsed, my friend suggested we stop by Junior's for a quick bite instead of "dining."  As you're seated, Junior's serves bowls of gratis pickled beets, vinegary cole slaw and dill pickles that they'll continue to refill, if asked. As a beet lover, I ate an entire bowl of the sliced marinated dark red veggie and almost asked for me, but needed to save room for the large sandwiches. We ordered two of those sandwiches to share, plus a side of big fat steak fries ($4.95). The piled high turkey reuben ($15.95) on rye was warm and tasty but needed more than the [...]

By |2017-09-04T18:35:32-04:00May 26th, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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Maple, Theatre District (Disaster), NYC

An old grammar-school friend came to visit me in the Big Apple recently.  Our day included lunch where we stopped into Maple at the Night Hotel for a bite to eat on a Sunday midday before heading to the see the rollicking musical Disaster at the Nederlander Theatre. Silly, fun show with some fabulous singing performances. I liked my huevos rancheros, one of my favorite breakfasts. Instead of the more-typical heavy dish, this was more delicate with crispy tortillas, two eggs (I requested mine poached), beans, cheese and a dollop of salsa fresco. Totally satisfying choice, although served sans rice or avocado. My friend had ordered the salmon, prepared as [...]

By |2017-09-04T18:34:53-04:00March 31st, 2016|NYC Restaurant Reviews, Theatre|0 Comments
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