Canteen @ The Laurie Beechman Theater
Last night I went to The Laurie Beechman Theater located in the basement of the West Bank Cafe on 42nd and 9th Avenue to see Canteen, directed by up-and-coming composer Dylan Glatthorn. This is a great venue to add to your list when you’re looking for an inexpensive night out with a little entertainment and a good bite to eat. In addition to the minimal $10 cover for the show, the venue requires a $15 food/drink minimum, so naturally I took the opportunity to check out the menu and was pleasantly surprised!
Wild Mushroom Risotto Balls! “Stinky Brooklyn” Cheese Plate! Black Pepper Tagliatelle with Duck Confit! This is not your normal Time’s Square sub-par restaurant catering to tourists willing to overpay for bad food. I opted for the Mozzarella and Basil Panini served on Rosemary Focaccia with a side spinach salad served with toasted pine nuts. Simple, but delicious. The friends I was with went straight for dessert, so I also tried a bite of their Chocolate Mousse and Peanut Butter Cake with Banana Fritters. Is there really a more perfect flavor combination? I think not.
The Skim: Even if you just go for the food, you will not be disappointed. But be sure to keep an eye out for shows like Canteen — a hilarious spin on current radio favorites, performed by 5 members of the American army trying not to go crazy. From WW2, these men and women’s only way to stay in touch with themselves is to keep performing as if they were back on the USO! Good food and good times. {407 W. 42nd St / just West of 9th Ave}
8.ate@eight 