Toast of Broadway

posted July 7, 2005
by Sara Rae Gore, New York Dish

The neighborhood in NYC that is saturated with the city's hardest working performers is at the center of it all, Times Square! From 42nd Street to about 49th Street, the sidewalks are overloaded with tourists and locals alike heading for their next Broadway experience. The thirst for culture in this town is unparalleled. Our capacity to supply it is unfathomable. There are so many amazing shows right now, that standing in line at the TKTS booth for an hour or two to get tickets is completely justified.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the TKTS booth, here's how it works. The TKTS booth, located at the intersection of 7th Avenue and Broadway on 47th Street, is a hot ticket all its own. It's there where you can buy discounted seats for evening or daytime performances (at 25%, 35%, and 50% off) for virtually any of the shows running all over the city.

However, on any given day, ticket selection can be like Forrest Gump's mama's box of chocolates, "You never know what you're gonna get." Fortunately for me, I saw Doubt before it got a Tony Award. Now, the chance of getting tickets for that one at TKTS are slim. So one should expect to make some concessions to the basic law of supply and demand. But like I said, there are so many amazing shows, that for half-price seats, you really can't go wrong.

I have to say that if I'm not going to or performing in a show, I generally tend to stay away from this bustling epicenter. The seven-days-a-week Sunday stroll sidewalk stampede is enough to make any busy local crazy. Paying your dues in that slow-as-molasses shuffle probably is what was originally meant when they coined the expression "give my regards to Broadway."

Still, a great way to spend an evening in New York, with the expectation of high-volume foot traffic, is to arrive at the TKTS booth at least a half hour before they open (which is 3 pm Monday through Saturday for 8 pm shows, and 3 pm to close for Sunday evening shows) and get in line so that you get the first draft picks on tickets prospects, so to speak.

After you've gotten the evening's entertainment all taken care of, let's talk wining and dining. Carmines may not be an old school classic, but it's great for getting a group of six or more together (as that's how many you will need to make a reservation) to celebrate food, Italian style--lots of variety, lots of garlic, good conversation, warm inviting environment and plenty of plate passing.

Carmines, located in the heart of the theater district at 200 West 44th Street, serves up scrumptious southern Italian food, family style. So, collect your travel group or call some local friends and get a party of 6 together. But do make a reservation because otherwise there is a good chance you could wait an hour or more for a table. Besides, the portions are large and you will want to share. Ask for garlic olive oil for your bread and start with the Caesar Salad. Mmmm the best I've had. Let me warn you, however: With all that garlic, you can expect Puff the Magic Dragon fire breath for the following two days. I'm telling you it's worth it. Stock up on those Listerine Pocketpacks. For the rest of the courses at Carmine's, I would tell your friendly, helpful waiter what you like and he will make appropriate recommendations.

After the show, head to Sardi's, "the toast of Broadway," located down the street from Carmine's at 234 west 44th Street for a post-show, top-notch dirty martini and soak up the auras of hundreds of celebs who have wined and dined in the weathered leather seats over the past 82 years. After an evening like this, you can make your own toast of Broadway!

If you can't wait until you visit, have your own classic Broadway night. Rent A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, or Death of a Salesman and make dirty martinis and dress appropriately! Here's a recipe for dirty martinis with blue cheese stuffed olives. It's a classic of its own.

Sara's Dirty Martini Recipe
http://www.cdkitchen.com/

Serves/Makes: 1
Ready in: < 30 minutes

* 3 ounces good quality vodka (grey goose or ketel one)
* 1/2 ounce olive juice (or more, depending on how dirty you like it)
* 1 dash vermouth
* 2 large blue cheese and almond stuffed olives (or more)

To make your own stuffed olives:

Toast a handful of slivered almonds on a sheet tray in a 350 degree F oven until lightly browned and the aroma of the almonds is coming through, about 5 minutes. Let cool. Form small balls of blue cheese around toasted slivered almonds and stuff into large pitted green olives.

Fill martini glass with crushed ice and cold water and place in freezer for 2-3 minutes to chill. In shaker, add vodka, olive juice, vermouth, and ice and shake well. Strain into chilled (and emptied) martini glass and serve with two or three blue cheese and almond stuffed olives.

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