As I write this, summer is icumen in. This phrase, so beloved by English Majors, is the opening of a traditional English medieval roundelay, which is probably the oldest example of musical counterpoint. Actually thanks to the effects of non-Medieval current global warming, I thought that summer actually began icumen in at the end of March this year.
What effect do balmy breezes have on theatrical foodies? They stoke our desire to dine al fresco, usually within a short walking distance of whatever show we’re planning to see. Because of the sky-high cost of theatre tickets nowadays – gasp! My L-28 TKTS seats for “Nice Work if You Can Get It” were almost at the exit door and cost $85 per – - – I’m always on the lookout for consistently well prepared, quality ingredients at won’t-put-you-in-the-poorhouse prices at a dining destination, hopefully close enough to the production I’m attending; to let me enjoy a leisurely pleasant meal and arrive at the theatre before the curtain rises with figuratively and literally no sweat. Serving food until midnight at a nearby location provides another significant boon to post-show diners. It lets us face our food quickly enough to elude the pangs of starvation. To me, the greatest advantage of dining at a within-walking-distance location? It allows a lady to use its facilities right before departing and thus avoid the necessity of squirming in that endless intermission queue to the space obviously designed by someone who has never worn pantyhose.
The restaurant/bar at Don’t Tell Mama fills all these requirements, particularly a choice between dining on the outside or inside at it’s slightly concealed sorta street level terrace or in the cool dining room whose open door allows fresh and air-conditioned breezes to mingle for a touch of preferable reality. This recent 2008 addition to Don’t Tell Mama was the vision of the new Israeli owners, who transformed the second Cabaret room, once declared a no-no by L&I, into an acceptable space with very accessible egress. The restaurant serves New American Cuisine with a seasonally changing menu and features a creative blend of in-season produce and delicate sauces. The menu features classic American favorites with European and Asian influence, showcasing the freshest, most delicious ingredients that supply a treat for every palate.
The dining space, with its soft lighting, quasi-Mission woodsy appearance and exposed brick walls, has a calm, clean, cozy and comfortable western-cum-Rocky Mountain ambiance. Pristine linens, posies and soft lighting and red glass encased flickering candles add a touch of romance. Tables for two can be easily regrouped for larger dining parties.
Good ciabatta rolls and a dipping plate of extra virgin olive oil artistically drizzled with balsamic vinegar arrive immediately for nibbling while you peruse the extensive menu. However, what impressed me most during my days of frugality were Pre-Fixe Lunch and Pre-Fixe Dinner menus – three courses for $17 and $24 ($28 on Friday and Saturday nights) respectively which include a choice of an interesting salad or soup de jour, a fish, chicken or vegetarian entre with appropriate vegetable accompaniments and a dessert – the chef’s choice at lunch and usually at diner, the diner’s choice between a warm walnut Brownie or fresh lemon meringue pie.
The ingredients are fresh, nicely prepared and well worth the money, and the service was terrific. Ask for our server – his name is Martin. He took great care of us when we arrived late after a show that unexpectedly lasted an hour longer than we expected. On that occasion two of us dined on items that were not on the Prix Fixe menu and thus were somewhat pricier but well worth it – delicate crab mixed with bell pepper mini crab cakes accented with Lemon Cilantro aioli; an outstanding crisply seared salmon filet with sautéed baby spinach and crushed walnut drizzled honey Dijon aioli, and well received, perfectly cooked al dente spaghetti and a big, succulent meatball in a fresh tasting crushed tomato and roasted garlic gravy. Other recommended dishes that we’ve eaten in the past include an exceptional veal cutlet.
If you have no further post-repast plans, the other three quarters of Don’t Tell Mama the Entertainment Complex, easily supply you with an enjoyable supplemental evening’s amusements. The Cabaret Rooms feature future stars and significant has-beens at quite affordable covers and two drink minimums. Reasonable facsimiles of Judy and Liza often perform on Saturday nights. (In my mind, Tommy Femia is the most multifaceted, hilarious and touching Judy alive or dead.) Or have pre-dinner cocktails with Sirius Radio Star Seth Rudetsky who interviews today’s Broadway stars every Thursday evening at 6 pm on Thursday. After cocktails with someone like Sutton Foster, step next door for dinner. As for the Piano Bar, it’s open until everyone gets tired of drinking, there’s no predicting who will step on stage there from the actual Liza Minnelli or Michael Feinstein.
Don’t Tell Mama Restaurant/Bar
343 West 46th Street
212-757-0788
info@donttellmamanyc.com
Posted by Myra Chanin
on June 8, 2012. Filed under FAMILY,Food and Drink,NEWS,Times Square Community.
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