Pre-Met dinner recommendations in Manhattan?

My family and I are driving up to NYC for a few days between Xmas and New Years. We'll be staying at a rented apartment on 16th Street b/t 5th and 6th aves.

As a bday/xmas present for my mom, I bought us tickets to a performance at the Met Tuesday night, and I'm thinking of throwing in a nice dinner to round out the gift.

Can someone recommend a nice restaurant near the theater? Preferably somewhere not too pretentious but will provide a good meal that we might not otherwise find in Chicago or DC?

There are a number of good options in the area for a nice dinner that won't break your bank ala Per Se.

I really like Rosa Mexicano, a smaller Mexican place with great food that makes fresh guacamole for you tableside.

There's also Shun Lee West which is really great Chinese.

The tab is pretty high at both places in comparison to what you'll see here in Chicago. But, both are well worth it. Both are very adept at getting you out in time for the show.

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Rosa Mexicano
61 Columbus Ave
212-977-7700

Shun Lee West
43 W. 65th
212-595-8895

For reference, I believe the Met is up at Lincoln Center, which is in the low sixties west of Central Park.

Uncle Nick's, around 50th and 9th Ave, is ok and always a decent meal, but Santorini in Greektown is far better.

For an occasion, I can highly recommend Benedetto on Restaurant Row (48th?) west of eighth. A beautiful room, professional staff, a very good value (but not at all cheap) pre-theater prix fixe menu.

From accumulated chow notes prior to an upcoming visit:

"Grand Sichuan 745 9th Ave, 50th/51st 212-582-2288