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Dinner before the show

By Karen Tina Harrison | Special to amNewYork

3:46 PM EST, January 3, 2007

The famous burger at db Bistro Moderne. (J Bourcart)

Dinner-and-a-show is a New York tradition, and many Big Apple restaurants cater to chowhounds with an 8 p.m. curtain. Theatergoers can expect fine food and a timely check at these dependable eateries near the city's stages.

Le Madeleine This comfy, romantic Parisian-style bistro has been garnering rave reviews since 1979. However your play turns out, you can count on Le Madeleine's pre-show meal featuring three creative courses from chef Bruce Beaty. (403 W. 43th St.; 212-246-2993; Pre-theater prix fixe, $32)

Becco Dynamic dining duo Lidia and Joe Bastianich run this rustic Italian kitchen on Restaurant Row. Broadway-bound diners delight in Becco's unlimited pasta du jour deal and more than 100 Italian wines for $25 per bottle. (355 W. 46th St.; 212-397-759. Pasta special, $21.95)

7Square This sleek, stylish spot boasts chef Shane McBride's contemporary updates on classics like Caesar salad and roasted pork chops. Yet for all 7Square's modernity, there's an old-fashioned Great White Way buzz in the air. (224 W. 49th St.; 212-333-7749. Entrees, $15-$34)

Pam Real Thai Luckily for pre-theater patrons, early is the best time to try these popular Siamese twin kitchens. Anticipate authentic coconut-chicken soup, creamy curries, basil-sparked duck and Riesling-like lychee wine from Thailand. (402 W. 47th St.; 212-315-4441 or 404 W. 49th St.; 212-333-7500. Entrees, $5.95-$18.95)

db Bistro Moderne At this plush, ruby-hued bistro, French master chefs Daniel Boulud and Olivier Mueller put a Gallic spin on hearty American fare. Their signature dish is the Original db Burger, stuffed with foie gras and short ribs and lavished with truffle sauce. (55 W. 44th St.; 212-391-2400. Entrees, $28-$48)

Pearl on the Sushi This compact, informal Japanese cafe is a terrific choice for a casual meal before a show. Pearl excels with inexpensive sushi assortments, innovative rolls and bento boxes. Leave room for a tropical smoothie. (695 Ninth Ave.; 212-977-8809. Entrees, $6.95-$16.95)

Havana Central Convenient to both the Theater District and the Union Square Theater, Havana Central captures the festive flavor and sexy mood of old Cuba. Servings are generous, and the lovingly cooked paella is big enough to share. (151 W. 46th St.; 212-398-7440 or 22 E. 17th St.; 212-414-4999. Entrees, $12-$28)

Metro Marché Times Square has gotten so nice that there's now a perfectly Parisian brasserie right in Port Authority. And since Metro Marché is steps from the theaters, you can linger over chef Simon Glenn's something-for-everyone menu. (625 Eighth Ave., inside Port Authority; 212-239-1010. Entrees, $9.95-$24.95)

Lattanzi The Lattanzi family's Restaurant Row brownstone serves Roman recipes including dishes from the Eternal City's Jewish community, like fried artichokes with garlic. Swank settings include the brick-walled Sala Rossa and a glass-enclosed garden. (361 W. 46th St.; 212-315-0980. Pre-theater entrees, $17-$34)

Picholine Top toque Terrance Brennan, who also owns Artisanal, jump-started the cheese craze. Picholine tempts Lincoln Center ticketholders with gourmet tasting menus, and a wine and cheese bar promising $20 fromage platters and $20 wine flights. (35 W. 64th St.; 212-724-8585. Wine and cheese, $40; pre-theater prix fixe, $65)

Butter Done up in gleaming aspen wood, this elegant eatery just yards from The Public Theater flaunts chef Alexandra Guarnaschelli's deluxe American cuisine. Foodies crave her cavatappi pasta with lamb sausage and yellow tomato sauce. (415 Lafayette St.; 212-253-2828. Entrees, $24-$36)

BROOKLYN

Thomas Beisl Chef Thomas Ferlesch is Austrian, and "beisl" means "bistro" in German. Hence Thomas Beisl, a true Viennese bistro across from the Brooklyn Academy of Music. There's no cozier place in town for rich beef-cheek goulash or tender veal. (25 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene; 718-222-5800. Entrees, $13-$22)