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The Best Meals and Theater to Enjoy in NYC in 2020

The Best Meals and Theater to Enjoy in NYC in 2020

FOOD + WINE, NEW YORK

New Yorkā€™s arts scene and culinary scene are equally celebrated around the country and the world, drawing millions of visitors seeking to be inspired and delighted each year. If you find yourself in Manhattan in 2017, make sure to take some time to paint the town red with a meal at one of the cityā€™s hottest restaurants and tickets to a Broadway show. In a single evening, you can discover why itā€™s undeniably true that thereā€™s no place on earth like New York.

Estiatorio MilosĀ | 125 West 55thĀ Street

Home to the freshest seafood youā€™ll find anywhere, this Midtown eatery is the perfect spot for a pre- or post-theater meal. At Estiatorio Milos, you can enjoy a wide variety of the worldā€™s best seafood, flown in from Greece, Portugal, and Spain, and used to create everything from Greek-style ceviche to big eye tuna sashimi. Pair your meal with tickets to the hilariousĀ Book of Mormon, a comical look at the LDS Church written byĀ South ParkĀ creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, playing just a few blocks away at the Eugene Oā€™Neill Theater on West 49thĀ Street.

Courtesy of Milos New York
Courtesy of Milos New York
The Book of Mormon Courtesy of Eugene Oā€™Neill Theater
The Book of Mormon Courtesy of Eugene Oā€™Neill Theater

The Modern | 9 West 53rdĀ Street(American, west 50s)

Another home run for Danny Meyer-helmed Union Square Hospitality Group, The Modern is the place to enjoy new American cuisine in Manhattan. Located in the always-enchanting Museum of Modern Art, the culinary mastery of the chefs at The Modern is as much an art form as the paintings that surround it. Start your meal with a plate of seared prawns with pickled black radish and grapefruit confit and follow it with the peerless pistachio stuffed chicken with glazed leeks in a foie gras sauce. To complement your American fare, snag a pair of tickets to Lin-Manuel Mirandaā€™s Tony Award-winningĀ Hamilton, a hip-hop infused musical about the life and death of Alexander Hamilton.

Photo Courtesy of The Modern NYC
Photo Courtesy of The Modern New York City
Hamilton Musical Courtesy of Broadway Richard Rodgers Theatre
Hamilton Musical Courtesy of Broadway Richard Rodgers Theatre

Per SeĀ | The Shops at Columbus Circle (French-American, west 50s)

Another hit for celebrity restaurateur Thomas Keller, Per Se has long been lauded as one of the best restaurants, not just in New York, but anywhere in the world. Anyone eager to enjoy some of the cityā€™s best food would be wise to book a table at this highly-praised hotspot, where a rotating menu of seasonal dishes, like Hudson Valley duck foie gras with radicchio, turnips, walnuts, and flowering quince, delight diners night after night. Cap your night with tickets toĀ Wicked, Ā the beloved reinterpretation of theĀ Wizard of OzĀ fromĀ My So-Called LifeĀ creator Winnie Holzman.

Courtesy of Per Se Restaurant New York City
Courtesy of Per Se Restaurant New York City
Wicked Broadway Musical Courtesy Broadway Box Joan Marcus
Wicked Broadway Musical Courtesy Broadway Box Joan Marcus

AsiateĀ | 80 Columbus Circle

Located in the stunning Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Asiate offers a wide variety of Asian-inspired and expertly-prepared seafood and meat dishes. Begin your meal with a plate of smoked Maine lobster with Asian pear, Thai basil, and celtuce and round out the evening with a plate of Waygu beef with piquillo pepper, sweet potato, and bone marrow. Follow up your food with a viewing ofĀ Kinky Boots, a Tony Award-winning musical penned Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein and performed at the Al Hirschfeld Theater on West 45thĀ Street.

Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental - Asiate Restaurant View
Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental – Asiate Restaurant View
Courtesy of Broadway Kinky Boots
Courtesy of Broadway Kinky Boots

Ai FioriĀ | 400 5thĀ Avenue
Italian food is so much more than pizza and pasta, and thereā€™s nowhere that proves just how complex Italyā€™s cuisine can be than Ai Fiori. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, making it ideal for theater-goers catching either matinees or evening shows, Ai Fioriā€™s menu boasts everything from an Ossetra caviar appetizer to entrees like duck ravioli topped with a cherry gastrique and foie gras butter and poached swordfish with artichokes, pesto, and prosciutto. Follow your meal with tickets toĀ Dear Evan Hansen, a coming-of-age musical about a teen whose act of kindness goes viral, thrusting him into a life of celebrity heā€™s hardly prepared for.

Ai Fiori - Courtesy of Langham Hotels
Ai Fiori – Courtesy of Langham Hotels
Courtesy of Dear Evan Hansen - Music Box Theatre New York
Courtesy of Dear Evan Hansen – Music Box Theatre New York

No matter which of these celebrated shows you end up at or restaurants you dine in, New Yorkā€™s top chefs and most influential performers are sure to make your night on the town one you wonā€™t soon forget.

Note: Ā This is a guest post by Candice Schaffer; the views and opinion expressed are those of the author. Candice Schaffer works at Knightsbridge Park, a leading digital marketing firm for luxury real estate brands such asĀ The Astor,Ā The Bryant,Ā The ChatsworthĀ andĀ 88 and 90 Lexington.

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About the author

Carmen Edelson is the Founder of Carmen's Luxury Travel. Carmen has been traveling the world for over a decade. Her travels allow her the opportunity to pursue her itch to travel to the best luxury destinations, and experience those first class tastes from around the world.

50 Comments

  1. Revati
    February 9, 2017 at 11:53 am
    Reply

    Sigh. Sounds like they encompass everything that is New York, don’t they. The Mandarin Oriental has certainly captured my heart!

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 9, 2017 at 6:51 pm

      It’s a great property!

  2. Joe
    February 9, 2017 at 2:47 pm
    Reply

    The seafood/Book of Mormon combo is the most immediately appealing to me. A fresh meal with a pleasant, light aftertaste to set me up for an evening of belly laughs! But I would not be too fussy if someone got me a ticket to any theatre production really, as dinner and a show sounds like a great NY experience.

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 9, 2017 at 6:51 pm

      That’s a great choice, Joe! Thanks for reading.

  3. Lara Dunning
    February 9, 2017 at 10:06 pm
    Reply

    Not sure when I’ll be back in NYC, but I will keep these places in mind as its a must to take in a theater show, and I’m always looking for a good place to dine.

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 12, 2017 at 2:04 am

      I hope you make it to NYC soon, Lara!

  4. Suruchi
    February 10, 2017 at 4:41 am
    Reply

    I love New York. Haven’t been there but sooner I have to see this place. I bookmark all the articles of NY and this one is going to that list for sure.

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 12, 2017 at 2:04 am

      Glad to hear it! Hope you make it to NYC soon šŸ™‚

  5. Siddhartha Joshi
    February 11, 2017 at 2:36 am
    Reply

    Such a lovely list! I am simply fascinated by the view that Asiate gives and the character of Per Se. Bookmarking this, though I am not sure if I will be able to afford them all as yet šŸ™‚

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 12, 2017 at 2:06 am

      Never say never! You have to treat yourself every now and then, right? šŸ˜‰

  6. Indrani
    February 11, 2017 at 3:03 am
    Reply

    Really confusing which one to choose over the other! Such GRANDNESS! Though I love Italian food I will go in for the sea food among these.

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 12, 2017 at 2:06 am

      Seafood is my favorite as well!

  7. Alina
    February 11, 2017 at 5:10 am
    Reply

    Thanks for interesting list. I will see when I am next in New York =)

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 12, 2017 at 2:08 am

      You are very welcome, Alina!

  8. Joanna
    February 11, 2017 at 5:41 am
    Reply

    If I will visit New York I would like to treat myself with one of these luxury experiences, with dinner in an awarded restaurant followed by a play on Broadway. I have seen a play in London before and it was a great experience. I bet in New York is the same, as both cities have great theaters and brilliant actors.

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 12, 2017 at 2:08 am

      Both London and New York have a great theater scene! I hope you make it to NYC soon šŸ™‚ It’s an incredible place for foodie and theater goers.

  9. Parampara
    February 11, 2017 at 6:49 am
    Reply

    I am going to bookmark this post! So elaborately talks of the food must-dos in NYC <3

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 12, 2017 at 2:09 am

      Great! I hope it comes in handy šŸ™‚

  10. Danik
    February 11, 2017 at 6:54 am
    Reply

    I done NYC before many moons ago but never did Broadway. Hopefully one day I will hit up a show, its on my American bucket list šŸ˜€ Great write up šŸ™‚

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 12, 2017 at 2:09 am

      Thanks, Danik! The theater scene in NYC is incredible.

  11. Suze
    February 11, 2017 at 5:34 pm
    Reply

    Love the way you have combined restaurants with shows to see – we saw the Book of Mormon in London and laughed so much! Thanks for the restaurant recommendations, I’m keen to check out Per Se when we next go to NYC

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 12, 2017 at 2:12 am

      Isn’t it HILARIOUS? Definitely one of my favorites. Hope you make it to NYC soon šŸ™‚

  12. Vicki Louise
    February 11, 2017 at 10:31 pm
    Reply

    This is such a great way to showcase a night at a lovely restaurant before heading off to the theater – and combining the two is one of my favorite things to do. Love your theater recommendations too – Kinky Boots and Wicked are incredible!

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 12, 2017 at 2:13 am

      They are two of my favorite shows! Thanks for the kind words, Vicki šŸ™‚

  13. neha
    February 11, 2017 at 11:00 pm
    Reply

    This sounds like a perfect luxury dinner experience. I would definitely like to experience it when I visit nyc. And the shows seem to be great idea of entertainment alongside the meal

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 12, 2017 at 2:13 am

      Food and theater… the best combination šŸ˜‰ Thanks for commenting, Neha!

  14. Stacey Veikalas
    February 12, 2017 at 8:11 am
    Reply

    Love this the theater and dinners what could be better than that! For sure will do when in NYC this summer! Thanks for sharing!

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 14, 2017 at 3:17 pm

      Great! I hope you enjoy NYC this summer.

  15. Hra
    February 12, 2017 at 5:43 pm
    Reply

    I love New York and i am interested in everything there!! Great list and awesome shots!!

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 14, 2017 at 3:17 pm

      Thank you! It’s a great place with something for everyone.

  16. Sandy N Vyjay
    February 12, 2017 at 9:33 pm
    Reply

    Firstly, New York City and above that great restaurants with great food, makes for a great experience. On top of that the entertainment in the form of the Musicals are like the icing on the cake. Would love to spend an evening revelling in this experience.

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 14, 2017 at 3:18 pm

      Definitely the icing on the cake! Hope you make it to NYC soon, Sandy šŸ™‚

  17. Kerri
    February 13, 2017 at 3:50 am
    Reply

    Love NYC. I could go here over and over and over again šŸ™‚ I love the food too so it is always great to get the latest opinions and updates on the best places to eat. The whole Broadway musical scene is still something I haven’t got to, despite many trips to the Big Apple. A reason to get back there…

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 14, 2017 at 3:18 pm

      Definitely a reason to go back, Kerri!

  18. Laura Lynch
    February 13, 2017 at 8:16 am
    Reply

    I’ve wanted to go to Per Se for a very long time, and I also love Wicked, so that’s the perfect pair for me! Why does NYC always have to be so alluring with its incredible restaurants and entertainment!

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 14, 2017 at 3:19 pm

      It really can’t help how alluring it is šŸ˜‰ We must give in to its magic!

  19. Emily
    February 13, 2017 at 10:18 am
    Reply

    The view from the Mandarin Oriental is to die for… I’d probably forget to eat my food I’d be so busy staring out of the window. Must get back to New York one day! I’ve seen the Book of Mormon (very funny) but none of the others, so perhaps Kinky Boots next time.

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 14, 2017 at 3:21 pm

      I know… that view is pretty epic! Definitely worth a visit. Kinky Boots is fabulous! SO much fun.

  20. Abhinav Singh
    February 13, 2017 at 11:29 am
    Reply

    Seems like there is so much to do in NYC. I love polyglot, mukti cultural cities like NYC. Closer home, Mumbai in India is one such city I adore.

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 14, 2017 at 3:22 pm

      I think you’ll love NYC then!

  21. Shane Prather
    February 13, 2017 at 2:11 pm
    Reply

    It’s my dream to one day see a show on Broadway! It would be far different than seeing wicked in my hometown in Ohio.

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 14, 2017 at 3:22 pm

      Yes, it would definitely be different! Thanks for reading, Shane šŸ™‚

  22. Jitaditya Narzary
    February 14, 2017 at 12:08 am
    Reply

    A great city such as NYC surely has a lot to offer. Thanks for taking the effort to list them out. The Wicked Broadway Musical is something that would suit my tastes šŸ˜‰

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 14, 2017 at 3:24 pm

      You are very welcome! Wicked is a fabulous show – fun for everyone.

  23. Rashmi and Chalukya
    February 14, 2017 at 8:37 am
    Reply

    Now you have given us many more things to do to add to when we make a trip to NYC. A musical performance combined with some delicious food treat makes for a great evening. The rotating Menu at Per Se and the Mandarin Oriental hotel is something we would be looking forward to.

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 14, 2017 at 3:25 pm

      I always love a rotating menu! I think you’d definitely enjoy those two restaurants.

  24. Samarpita sharma
    February 14, 2017 at 1:12 pm
    Reply

    I am hoping NYC will happen towards the end of this year. Keeping fingers crossed and bookmarking this write-up, there is so much about food! Thank you!

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 14, 2017 at 3:26 pm

      Crossing my fingers, Samarpita!

  25. Natalie
    February 16, 2017 at 6:31 pm
    Reply

    Dinner and a show!! A perfect night out. We would love to see some of the shows listed- Wicked in particular sounded so interesting that the kids and I looked up the story line. Very cool story! The last show the kids saw was The Lion King and it was really magical.

    • Carmen Edelson
      February 17, 2017 at 4:55 pm

      Kids would absolutely LOVE Wicked! Great choice šŸ™‚

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