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No Strikes Here: American Express Tastemakers Dish on Some of the Best Restaurants for Dining Out on Broadway

Tastemakers Give Tips on Making the Right Restaurant Pick in the Theater District

NEW YORK (December 20, 2007)

The strike is over and the holiday season is a perfect time of year to catch a Broadway show with family, friends or out of town guests. But which restaurants fit the bill for a pre-show meal? Today, American Express issued its Tastemaker Index and in it, Tastemakers Dish on the restaurants that make pre-theater dining a treat in New York City. The Tastemaker Index is a monthly alert which provides an insider's look at the hottest restaurants recently dined at and talked about on American Express Dish (www.amexnetwork.com/thedish). Dish is a community website dedicated to connecting people who love to dine out.

The Tastemaker Index reveals the Top Restaurants for Dining Out on Broadway:

NEW YORK CITY: Top 5 Theater District Restaurants

Source: American Express Dish Tastemakers

* These rankings are based on the number of charges made by Tastemakers at restaurants. While they don't account for a restaurant's size or hours of operation, they do reflect the dining trends of an exclusive group of food-loving Cardmembers.

Tastemaker Picks

1. Palm West

   250 W. 50th St., New York, NY 10019; 212–333–7256

   • Theater–goers hit up this steak spot for its "great food and reliable pre–theater dining." Although it's easy to rave about the steaks, Tastemakers also applaud the prime rib and side dishes like the "half–and–half" (thinly sliced fried potatoes and thin onion strings).
   • "Great place for a pre–theater beef fix. They get you in and out on time without feeling rushed."
2. Virgil's Real BBQ

   152 W. 44th St., New York, NY 10036; 212–921–9494

   • New Yorkers frequent Virgil's for the most authentic barbeque near Broadway, complimenting the "consistently good ribs and sides" and calling it "excellent BBQ (outside of Texas, of course)."
   • "I really like this place. Good if you are going to a show too. If you like BBQ and southern food....Give this one a try!"
3. Blue Fin

   1567 Broadway, New York, NY 10036; 212–918–1400

   • Tastemakers go for the "fresh and tasty seafood" at this popular Times Square spot and praise the "excellent service" and "wonderfully prepared" food.
   • "Great for brunch on the weekend when you are going to a matinee show – make reservations!"
4. Ruth's Chris Steak House

   148 W. 51st St., New York, NY 10019; 212–245–9600

   • Tastemakers turn to this well–known steakhouse for none other than the obvious — steaks. With warm ambiance and friendly service, this Theater District location is an ideal pre–Broadway meal.
   • "Dark wood and old school decor makes you forget you're in midtown."
5. db bistro moderne

   55 W. 44th St., New York, NY 10036; 212–391–2400

   • Famous for its "over the top burger with short rib," Tastemakers believe "this place is much more than that gimmick." Beyond the hamburger, Tastemakers love the lamb cous cous and tomato tart, giving db high marks for its "solid food and service."
   • "Great place for pre–theater with clients. The db burger is a masterpiece of flavor."

More on Dish

What Dish provides that is unlike any other dining resource is the web's most robust combination of dining offers, information and insights, including peer restaurant ratings, expert picks and instant reservations among other features. Available in New York and San Francisco, Dish is an ongoing platform, allowing diners to tap into the insights of a diverse group of passionate Cardmembers and celebrity foodies, better known as the Dish Tastemaker community. In addition to the existing features and offers on the site, Tastemakers are encouraged to come back often to check out new offers from Dish. A new sweepstakes from New York Dish called "Table for You" will award $400 gift certificates and reservations at some of the city's most exclusive restaurants. American Express will post a featured restaurant, including Nobu, Eleven Madison Park, Del Posto, Russian Tea Room, Gordon Ramsay at The London, Babbo, or 'Cesca, and ask a thought–provoking question such as "which menu item inspires your imagination?" Tastemakers with the most compelling submission can win a $400 gift certificate from the featured restaurant. Check out the Table for You sweepstakes by clicking on the banner on Dish's New York homepage (http://thedish.amexnetwork.com/NYC) and enter for a chance to win new restaurant gift certificates in upcoming weeks, including:

• Week of December 17: Russian Tea Room
• Week of December 24: db bistro moderne
• Week of December 31: The Little Owl
• Week of January 7: Gordon Ramsay at The London

"The Table for You sweepstakes is just one way American Express Dish provides Cardmembers with first–rate access to some of the hottest restaurants in New York City," said Penni Berns, vice president, Network and Merchant Marketing. "Not only do Tastemakers benefit from American Express' restaurant rankings and fellow Tastemaker feedback, they can also take advantage of special offers and savings available only on Dish."

American Express Dish is currently available in New York City and San Francisco. To become a Tastemaker and start dishing, go to www.amexnetwork.com/thedish. Tastemaker participation is open to all U.S. consumers with American Express–branded cards. For official rules on the Table for You sweepstakes , please go to http://thedish.amexnetwork.com/NYC/promos/rules.action.

About American Express

Merchant Services is the merchant network of American Express, which acquires and maintains relationships with millions of merchants around the globe, which welcome American Express–branded Cards. American Express Company is a leading global payments, network, travel and banking company founded in 1850.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE ODDS OF WINNING.  PARTICIPATION IS OPEN TO RESIDENTS OF THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, NEW JERSEY, AND NEW YORK WHO ARE EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AND HOLD AN AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CARD OR CHARGE CARD IN GOOD STANDING AS OF NOVEMBER 26, 2007. ONLINE ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BETWEEN 12:01:00 AM (ET) ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007 AND 11:59:59 PM (ET) ON FEBRUARY 3, 2008. ARV OF EACH PRIZE: $400. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL LAWS RULES OR REGULATIONS. SPONSOR ID: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC. PLEASE SEE http://thedish.amexnetwork.com/NYC/promos/rules.action FOR OFFICIAL RULES.