It’s a perfect combination—dinner and a Broadway –especially when the dinner is at Bond 45 and the show is Beetlejuice.
BEETLEJUICE is an edgy and irreverent musical comedy based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, which tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and the demon Beetlejuice. To get rid of potential buyers, she enlists him to scare away anyone the non-dead, but he double-crosses her and unleashes pandemonium and a massive sandworm.
BEETLEJUICE stars Tony Award nominee Alex Brightman (School of Rock) in the title role, Two-Time Lortel Award nominee Sophia Anne Caruso(Lazarus) as Lydia, Tony Award nominee Kerry Butler (Mean Girls) as Barbara, Tony Award Nominee Rob McClure(Honeymoon In Vegas) as Adam, Obie Award Winner Adam Dannheisser (Rock of Ages) as Charles, and Two-Time Drama Desk Award Nominee Leslie Kritzer (The Robber Bridegroom) as Delia.
The score by Eddie Perfect is witty and compliments a very well-written book by Scott Brown and Anthony King, and the director are Alex Timbers. These creative folks love the source material. Now, if you are a film fan, the Broadway show has plot similarities. However, the story does move around; we forgive the mess since the performances are perfect, and the set design, by David Korins, is a show all by itself. Say it three times, if you dare – “Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice!” — and get ready for a good time.
Now, to the restaurant. I’ve fallen in love with the Italian cuisine that’s served at Bond 45, a New York Italian Kitchen & Bar and it’s more than just the central location — 221 West 46th Street — I have to share that the staff, starting with the host made my experience so enjoyable that I am planning a return to check out the live entertainment that goes on below, on the second floor. For the old timers, you might recall that it was located on 45th street in the former historic Bond Clothing Store (1948-1977) before relocating to 46th street.
But first, let’s talk about food. They offer an all-day menu, brunch, sit-down breakfast, grab-and-go breakfast, beverages, signature cocktails, and a dizzying selection of desserts. Best known for its vegetable antipasto bar, which offers a rotating selection of market vegetables and features an expansive menu with reasonable prices and generous portions, don’t miss the roasted heirloom carrots and sautéed spinach. Under the specialty appetizers, I am still thinking about the grilled octopus on Sicilian hummus. You can dine from the specialty appetizers and be perfectly content; it’s that good, and the prices (again) are heaven-sent.
The main menu offers a selection from the sea and land. The portions are generous enough that two people might comfortably share. From the sea, there are four first-rate choices: Salmon (True North), Bronzino Al Forno, Dover Sole, and Red Snapper Livornese. From the land where you can add spaghetti Pomodoro ($7.50) to any dish, there are six choices:
- VEAL CUTLET MILANESE
- FILET MIGNON
- NY-STRIP STEAK
- BACON CHEESEBURGER
- CHICKEN PEPPERONI PARMIGIANA
- LEMON CHICKEN
There’s also a robust selection of pizza (5), salads, nine total, with my favorite being the Shrimp Nicoise Salad, and pasta (9) with the creamiest Spaghetti Carbonara I’ve tasted outside of Rome, Italy. For dessert, BOND’S FAMOUS CHOCOLATE MOUSSE with 100% shaved chocolate; NEW YORK CHEESECAKE with fresh strawberries, Valrhona fudge, hazelnut crunch; TWIN CANNOLIS, CHOCOLATE BLACKOUT CAKE with triple-layered Valrhona chocolate cake & chocolate ganache frosting, and LIMONCELLO TART with lemon curd, graham cracker crust For more information, go to https://www.bond45ny.com/ .