“And there is a giant whoosh of light. A smash of noise. And time stops. And then it turns over, thinks a bit, and begins spooling backwards, slow at first . . . And then it speeds up.” – Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
By now you’ve probably surmised that I am a tremendous Harry Potter nerd. So, I was incredibly excited when they announced that the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play was coming to Broadway in NYC this year. Both the fella and I signed up for the ticket lottery and were eventually able to snag a great set of tickets for May, which shaped the primary reason for our most recent trip to NYC.
Though I will openly admit that the script was incredibly disappointing to read when weighed against J.K. Rowling’s original Harry Potter series, I was confident that the play would be spectacular fun. The production had wonderful reviews from its time in London and I was excited for anything Potter-centric after so many years without something new.
I will #keepthesecret and not divulge too much about the plot, however, I do want to gush for a moment about how wonderful the actual production was. The art and special effects were easily the best I’ve seen on any stage production and the acting was fantastic. Though I felt that some of the characters were not written identically to their novel counterparts, the actors themselves did a superb job. I particularly enjoyed the scenes that included Moaning Myrtle as well as Scorpius Malfoy.
The most magical part was the actual theatre, which was recently renovated specifically for the play. Everything from the carpet to the walls assumed a distinctly Harry Potter aesthetic throughout the lobby and rooms. Wall sconces in the shape of dragons and phoenixes, carpets and wallpaper in shades of the four houses and bearing a Hogwarts crest, the ceiling painted to resemble the night sky with thousands of twinkling stars, and a stage that morphed to resemble platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross Station and The Forbidden Forest. What I appreciated most was that none of it was done in an overt or loud way, it was simply beautiful and fitting for such a gorgeous theatre.
If you need some additional encouragement to check it out, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child recently snagged 6 Tony awards, including Best Play.
Theatre District Eats
Los Tacos No 1.
Honestly, who doesn’t love a good taco? Especially, when they are hot, delicious, and directly across the street from the Lyric Theatre. Intermission? You mean “Taco Break”? The lines are always long but move quickly and you’ll always wish you ordered just one more carne asada taco than you did.
Friedman’s
Friedmans is a solid choice for simply prepared fare made with whole ingredients, which you will need to sustain all of the walking you’ll do in NYC. I’ve visited for brunch twice now, but they also serve lunch and dinner. On my most recent visit to this little eatery I went with a simple Cobb salad that.hit.the.spot and the fella went with a classic steak and eggs. Start the morning out on a reasonable foot, like you have no idea your night will inevitably end with a midnight Shake Shack.
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
Though this is part of a sizeable chain, and we generally like to avoid those when traveling, the fella suggested this for dinner on our theatre night as it was close by and we could easily eat grain-free. If you’ve never had Japanese BBQ, it’s essentially meat cooked on a gas or charcoal grill right at your table. Alternatively to teppanyaki, you grill the food yourselves. The paper-thin short rib and toro beef, salmon, and broccoli made for the perfect dinner between parts 1 and 2 of the play.
Ippudo
This restaurant is definitely not SIBO friendly, but you can find (very limited) gluten-free options. If you’re on the hunt for ramen, this is the best I’ve ever had. The Ippudo steam buns are nothing to scoff at either. We loved this place so much we went twice in 4 days on an earlier trip this year.
Post-Theatre Treats
Magnolia Bakery
This is the one super touristy place that I love for the sole fact that their banana pudding is just so good. Skip the cupcakes and other baked goods and just get a container of classic banana pudding and get out of there as fast as possible. Eat it in your hotel room in bed and feel zero regrets.
Milk Bar
Cereal milk soft-serve. I mean, that’s really all you need to know. Also, do not trust Google when it tells you that it’s open until 11pm because you will inevitably walk 23 blocks to get there only find out it closed at 10:30 and the only thing that’s happy is your Fitbit.
Looking for more Potter content?
I’m celebrating Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling’s birthdays on July 31st by filling the month with all things Potter. Check back regularly this month to see additional Harry Potter recipes and content linked in each of my posts as they arrive.
nicole
July 9, 2018 at 9:13 amI’m a major pottered and am so jealous that you were able to see this show! I can’t wait to head back east to visit family and everyone knows that procuring tickets to this show is high on my to-do list!
candy
July 9, 2018 at 10:38 amHope the play comes to an area close to where I live. Big Harry Potter fan. Would love to see this in person.
Ruthie Ridley
July 9, 2018 at 10:50 amWhat a great time and this food looked DIVINE!!!
Izzy
July 9, 2018 at 10:57 amTacos and Harry Potter! Could not be more perfect! I agree the script was not the greatest, and I don’t know if I would have gone to see it based on that. But this post changed my mind. Thank you so much!
Izzy
Isabella David Vintage
Whip & Wander
July 10, 2018 at 8:46 amI’m glad I swayed you. It was a really fun experience!
Mallory
July 9, 2018 at 12:01 pmAll of the food looked amazing. Makes we want to book a trip to New York tomorrow just to eat! I am happy to hear the production ended being great as well!
Nicole Pyles
July 9, 2018 at 12:20 pmOh what a fun time you had! I love all those food shots. I need to read those books for sure now, it all is so magical.
Brittany Nicole
July 9, 2018 at 1:25 pmThis is definitely one of the top items on my bucket list for when I visit NYC in February! I really hope I get to see it! xo, Brittany Nicole | http://www.theblistblog.com
Jade Helm / Tasting Pour
July 9, 2018 at 1:33 pmI am not well versed on Harry Potter but I do love live theatre. In fact my best role to date is “enthusiastic audience member” – Ha! I do miss the days of frequent trips to NY. So much harder since we moved to the west coast. I thought Magnolia was overrated though. Thanks for the vicarious living.
Mary
July 9, 2018 at 2:28 pmWhat an incredible experience!! My kids are almost halfway though the series (we’re currently on book 4), and I LOVE experiencing the magic of this story all over with them. I’d love to take them to see a show like this on broadway! So cool.
Whip & Wander
July 10, 2018 at 8:47 amThat’s so fun! I can’t wait until my nieces are old enough to read the stories with them.
Catherine @ To & Fro Fam
July 9, 2018 at 2:50 pmAnother friend of mine just raved about The Cursed Child, and I would also love to go!!! I’m a big HP fan, too.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife
July 9, 2018 at 3:04 pmWhat a fantastic experience to see the play in NYC!!! Love the good eats suggestions too. That cobb salad looks delicious and satisfying!
Sheree
July 9, 2018 at 5:13 pmAll of the food looks so delicious, makes me want to book another trip ASAP to New York, I will have to check it out, thanks for sharing!
~xo Sheree
poshclassymom.com
Summer Sorensen
July 9, 2018 at 5:29 pmDelicious looking food choices!!! Glad you got to experience Harry Potter live. So fun to indulge in our geeky (to use your word) hobbies!
Alyssa from The Sparkly Life
July 9, 2018 at 6:14 pmI am DYING to see this! And my daughter is, too. We live in NYC, so hoping to go soon!
Marcie
July 9, 2018 at 7:43 pmI’m so jealous you got to see this! We tried when we were in NYC, but it’s so popular! We did see Puffs, which was hysterical and full of Harry Potter fun!
Whip & Wander
July 10, 2018 at 8:48 amI saw an ad for Puffs and it looked really entertaining. I’ll have to check it out on my next trip.
Rachel
July 9, 2018 at 8:19 pmI have read the screenplay so I would love to see this in the theater. Those tacos look pretty amazing too.
Grace
July 9, 2018 at 9:02 pmYou look like you had the best time ever! I’d love to see HP and the Cursed Child one day!
Simone Hjulmand
July 10, 2018 at 3:52 amUgh I want to see The Cursed Child soooo bad! I am so jealous!
simonehjulmand.com
Paula @ I'm Busy Being Awesome
July 10, 2018 at 9:12 amHarry potter’s recipes? YES, Love it, I bet the play was awesome
Mimi
July 10, 2018 at 9:18 amGreat diet tip XD Love it! I wish they did the play in Italy, I read the book and I loved it!
Maritha Indurthy
July 10, 2018 at 10:32 amI was so intrigued by the Harry Potter show but then got lost in the food. Looks so friggin good. And that last photo kills me.
Chelsea Padgett
July 10, 2018 at 10:40 amFood and Theater in NYC are just the best. We haven’t been in years. We are big HP nerds too… I bet it was amazing!
Ayanna @ 21FlavorsofSplendor
July 10, 2018 at 11:44 amThere is just nothing like a weekend in NYC for Broadway and great food.
Samantha
July 10, 2018 at 2:06 pmI LOVED the play, I hope it tours around eventually because I would love to see it too!
Hillary Harper
July 10, 2018 at 9:22 pmSo fun! I would love to see this play, and I am always down for a trip to NYC! 🙂
Theresa Bailey
July 11, 2018 at 5:53 amI love seeing broadway plays and Harry Potter so this would be a win win! I love that they put all those personal touches on the theater.
Julie A
July 11, 2018 at 8:35 amNot sure what is more exciting: going to NYC, a Potter play, or theatre district eats! Maybe all of the above! What an amazing time!
Allison
July 11, 2018 at 1:21 pmHow fun!! I’ve gotten out of the HP craze now that my kids are grown, but maybe I should get back into it!
Angie
July 11, 2018 at 2:38 pmThis would be so fun to go see!
Taylor Reese
July 11, 2018 at 6:40 pmEverything sounds great but that banana pudding looks incredible!!
xo
Taylor
http://www.reeseshardwear.com
Megan Rowsey
July 11, 2018 at 7:40 pmSo fun! I’m such a Broadway nerd and look forward to any touring production that may come through LA.
Luci
July 11, 2018 at 10:19 pmAll that food looks so yummy. I love that tip from the sign, I’m going to add that to my life’s motto.
LuLu B - Calabrisella Mia
July 12, 2018 at 1:57 amHow fun! One of the things I miss about Toronto since moving abroad is going to a play and stopping for food before and/or after at the local eats.
Tami
July 12, 2018 at 4:59 amWhat a wonderful experience. My friend is a huge fan and would give anything to attend.
Meredith
July 12, 2018 at 8:20 amThis is so fun! I love Harry Potter as well! Would LOVE to do something like this with my oldest daughter!