Carliss Retif Pond - Taste of Broadway

New York Citys famous Theater District, also widely known as Broadway or the Great White Way, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, luring millions every year. While the show is the thing, the evening becomes an event in itself with a pre-theater or post-theater dinner in one of the myriad restaurants in the area. From century-old institutions continuing the old New York tradition to the newer innovative restaurants beginning their own traditions, the choices offer tastes for every palate and budget. Whether its a mile-high pastrami sandwich from the corner deli or succulent jumbo lump crabcakes at an upscale establishment, the experience is always quintessential New York.

Commonly thought of as just a tourist attraction, the Theater District is also a neighborhood whose residents are regulars at many of these establishments. People from all walks of life eat, drink, and mingle on a daily basis, giving the area its sense of community. The two groupstourists and localsdemand an abundance and variety of eating places.

Restaurants, cafes, diners, and delis not only serve up some of the most delicious food in the world but also offer characters and stories as colorful and dramatic as those onstage. As customers people watch in amazement, it is quite common to hear the waiter or waitress say, Not to worry, no charge for the entertainment. Its truly one of the best deals in town!

One of New Yorks most famous institutions is Sardis, well known for the show-biz caricatures that grace the walls. What many dont realize is that it is still family owned and operated. Sean Rickett, the great-grandson of Vincent Sardi Sr., is regularly seen at the door greeting patrons, as did his grandfather and great-grandfather before him. The original eatery, The Little Restaurant, opened in 1921 but moved down the street to its present location in 1927 when the Shubert brothers offered them space in their newly constructed building. A marriage made in heaven!

Another family restaurant, Pergola Des Artistes (Arbor or Shelter for Artists) has survived and thrived since 1962 following countless setbacks. Marie and Jacques Ponsolle, speaking no English, came to New York City from a tiny town in France. Working long hours in kitchens, they saved and eventually opened their own restaurant. The first week: no customers, robbed of the $40 in the register, and a basement flood that ruined all food and removed all wine labels. The determined couple glued the labels back on. Today, Marie continues to work in her cozy, popular French restaurant with her sons, Christian and Laurent, and grandson Christopher. Truly an example of how the show must go on.

For over a hundred years, the Algonquin has welcomed actors, playwrights, literary figures, journalists and more. But probably the most famous is Matilda, a resident of the hotel since the 1930s. It was then that a shabby cat entered, meowing for food. Always priding himself on service and hospitality, owner Frank Case welcomed her, and there has been a Matilda running the establishment ever since. As the New York celebrity that she is, Matilda has a birthday party every year. In 2002, perhaps feeling more a diva than ever surrounded by 150 of her closest friends, she jumped in her birthday cake. The chef rose to the occasion and no guest left without dessert. You can see this feline star at www.algonquinhotel.com or email her directly at matildaalgonquin@algonquin.com.

Ol Blue Eyes! Does anyone need more information than that? Say Patsys in Manhattan and the immediate response is, Oh, Frank Sinatras hangout! Founded in 1944 by Pasquale Patsy Scognamillo, this quintessential Italian restaurant has had only three chefs: Patsy himself, his son Joe, and grandson Sal. Some believe that Franks ghost still visits his old haunt to indulge in his favorite dishes. Even if you dont believe in ghosts, you might find yourself sitting next to George Clooney, Al Pacino, Placido Domingo, or Robert DeNiro. An extra treat at no extra charge.

At the turn of the twentieth century, Alan Rosens great-grandparents lived in a New York tenement after emigrating from the Ukraine. His grandmother saved every penny and bought a share in a luncheonette for two of her sons, Harry, sixteen, and Mike, eighteen, where they became known for their sandwiches and sodas. It was the beginning of the Rosen tradition, and today Alan continues the family business in Shubert Alley, serving up the best cheesecake in New York City.

One of the Theater Districts most popular steakhouses is Frankie & Johnnies, which opened in 1926 as a speakeasy at the height of Prohibition. Patrons would knock on an unmarked door and a tiny peephole would open. The person on the outside would whisper Frankie, and if the reply was Johnnie, it meant a night of drinking, eating, and frolicking.

Another Prohibition-era speakeasy, now a restaurant, that has been frequented by countless movie stars, theater figures, and presidents throughout the decades is 21 Club, commonly referred to as 21. The distinct facade sports twenty-one painted cast-iron jockey statues along the buildings ornate balcony. Scenes from some of the most popular movies and television shows are set here, including Breakfast at Tiffanys, All About Eve, Wall Street, I Love Lucy, and Sex and the City. The clubs vault, or wine cellar, holds private wine collections of many celebrities, and you can ask to see it.

Many people assume that Broadway Joe and this Steak House belong to Joe Namath, the New York Jets football superstar of the 1970s. Although his photo hangs on the bar wall and he was a regular, Namath was not the owner. Joe Moreno opened this restaurant over fifty years ago, and it became a hotspot for the theater group as a popular site for movie shoots, including FBI Story with James Stewart and Sweet Charity with Shirley MacLaine. Check out the great mural wall and see if you recognize anyone.