• It is fun to be part of the electric street scene around the Theatre District in Times Square. However when it's time to eat a meal, it can be tricky to screen out the tourist traps and chain restaurants in order to find a place that says New York City and leaves wallets semi-intact.
  
  

Fresh Finds

• The Theatre District features several restaurants.french loaf image by Alexander Afonin from Fotolia.com
  
  Two restaurant gems located next to each other (and run by the same chef) are Nizza and Five Napkin Burgers. Nizza serves fresh Rivera-favored food like pizza, pasta, and salads along with daily main courses in an atmosphere that is bright and contemporary. Its prices are moderate prices. Try dropping in or make reservations via phone or online.
  
  Nizza
  630 Ninth Ave., between 44th and 45th Streets
  New York, NY 10036
  212-956-1800
  www.nizzanyc.com.
  
  Five Napkin Burger has a more American bar and grill feel to it featuring burgers, hot dogs, sliders, and sushi in jazzy setting with affordable prices. It also offers online reservations.
  
  Five Napkin Burger
  630 Ninth Ave., on corner of 45th and 9th Avenue
  New York, NY 10036
  212-757-2277
  www.5napkinBurger.com
  
  

Good Prices, Good Food

• A variety of foods are served in Theatre District restaurants.spices - spezie image by Rido from Fotolia.com
  
  If there's not the time or money to enjoy a meal with a tablecloth, try Green Symphony or Hummus Kitchen for quick and reasonable international meals. Green Symphony serves vegetarian entrees, smoothies and salads. It is a casual eatery and there's a $10 credit card minimum.
  
  Green Symphony
  555 West 43rd St., between 7th and 8th Avenues
  New York, NY 10036
  212-391-4747
  
  Hummus Kitchen prepares very affordable Middle Eastern offerings including sampler platters and homemade beverages.
  
  Hummus Kitchen
  768 9th Ave., between 51st and 52nd Streets
  New York, NY 10019
  212-333-3009
  www.hummuskitchen.com
  
  

Food Adventures

• Vegetable platea bounty of italian foods resting on a cutting board image by David Smith from Fotolia.com
  
  If the weather is nice at lunchtime, walk east from the Theatre District to Sixth Avenue and join the New Yorkers who work along this skyscrapered-street curbside for a wide array of affordable choices for lunch from the street carts and trucks. Everything from falafels to gourmet cupcakes is available to buy, then perch on a bench and get some serious people watching in before the show.
  
  If there's time to savor an eating experience, Carmine's is big, noisy and fun. Located in the center of the Theatre District, it is a crowded family-style restaurant with generous portions priced and sized to be shared. It is aimed at tourists and New Yorkers who want good food value. Save room for their signature dessert" Titanic" or drop by after the show for a sweet since they are open until midnight. Reservations are a must around curtain time.
  
  Carmine's
  200 West 43rd St., between Shubert's Alley and 8th Avenue
  New York, NY 10036
  212-221-3800
  www.carminesnyc.com