Update as of May 23 2026: before seeing the spectacular "The Balusters," I had dinner at Pattin'. It is one of the three restaurants I visit in the Theatre District. And one of these is a cafe where I get coffee when I've arrived too early for to be seated at Birdland.
Besides the convenience to Samuel J. Friedman, I wanted to check in with Baisy and Stuart; their restaurant is steps away from the Eugene O'Neill Theatre, whose fire-caused damage wreaked havoc on the block. The food and cocktails are so good at Pattin', I would never simply drop by, wish the team well, and leave.
I forgot the name of the cocktail. Not that it matters, because the sense memory of bourbon, amaro, and lemon lingers. The Caesar Salad included anchovies that were not the anchovies we buy in tins and use in pasta sauces. The salad's dressing was bright, unctious, and not heavy. The delicious lettuces acted like cups for the parmesan and the dressing. And the french fries. They are perfect.
Shouts to Everett behind the bar, Laszlo, Stuart, and Baisy.
Next time you've got theatre tickets or a reason to visit Times Square, please have lunch or dinner at Pattin', 240 West 49th between 7th and 8th Avenues, closer to 8th. It will arrive on your Manhattan shortlist.
Earlier review, April 8 2026:
In the early evening on April 8, I had the privilege of dining with a friend at recently opened Pattin', which is two blocks from the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, where we were seeing August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone.
Let it be known: Pattin' is a new, cannot be missed dining destination in the hellscape that is the Theatre District.
Cocktails, food, and service are exceptional. Ideal for dates, two friends catching up, a couple of colleagues talking, and I intend to seek booking all the tables for luncheons and cocktail parties. Shouts to Laszlo (who served all tables that night), Baisy (an absolute master behind and the bar and co-owner), and Stuart (a host who welcomes with grace and intuition, and co-owner).
It had been a day, and I was tired. Laszlo prepped iced coffees for my friend and me, Baisy created a dare I say unctuous beverage with Plum Paloma, whose elegant, subtly sweet, and fruit'ish (not fruity)-ness required being sipped and not shot gunned (shotgunned?).
Food needed to follow, and Laszlo recommended my friend order the halibut instead of the branzino. Well played, Laszlo. The fish was tender, flaky, and softly dense. The roasted beet salad that preceded it was beautiful to look at. The textures of tender sweet beats, raw vegetables, and roasted pistachios were enhanced by the dressing, which tasted of - and I have no idea what was in it - buttermilk, Greek yogurt, white pepper, and garlic. Perfect. My order of butternut squash soup (smoky, sweet, somewhat spicy) and French Fries (which were absolutely fried twice, once to cook and once to crisp) was enjoyed to the point of clean plate clubbing. And I'm a grown person.
Dessert had to follow, and the beignets (perfectly crisp and fluffy without coating our fingers with grease (all respect, Café Du Monde)) and, if memory serves, il laboratorio del gelato's coffee (both scoops infused with what I'd wager were pulverized coffee beans) were a stunning wrap to a spectacular meal.
There's no shortage of places to dine in and surrounding Times Square. Until April 8th, there were no reasons to dine in the Theatre District (with one exception near Birdland Jazz Club, and only for lunch and happy hour). Pattin' changes the game. read more