Though we understand their circumstances may have been a bit different, like Oliver and his clan of orphan boys, we’ve all fallen into a daze dreaming of “food, glorious food” at one point or another.
After all, it’s been said that food is the great equalizer, connecting us and bringing us together, either with family or friends, colleagues or companions, or any others from all walks of life, to dine often at a communal table or gathering space wherein we share stories and reveal the most authentic parts of ourselves.
In our continued effort, however, to find our way into others’ hearts (and stomachs!), sometimes it helps to venture beyond our tables and into the kitchens of others — especially in a city with such a diversified abundance of eateries as New York.
And of course, you can’t spell “theatre” without “eat.”
So, in our food-based series, we continue to poll some of the Great Bright Way’s best to “dish” (get it?) on where they love to eat, drink, and take in the vibes either pre- or post-show, while also answering why they love to sup there, sharing a favorite dish or two, and more.
Today, we take our orders from Claire-Marie Hall, who’s aiming to “move on up” as Jean Leslie (and others) in Operation Mincemeat, reprising her role(s) from the original 2023 West End production, alongside Tony winner Jak Malone and Tony nominees David Cummings, Natasha Hodgson & Zoë Roberts. Additionally, on the West End, she experienced “A Heart Full of Love” as Cosette in Les Misérables and “broke free” as Gabriella in High School Musical, prior to performing in the cast of The Grinning Man, and touring as Tuptim in The King and I. On TV/radio, she’s appeared in several series on the BBC.
But where does Hall have her meals?
(404 W 49th St.)
“On one of our very first evenings in New York, we were blindly wandering around Midtown looking for a good place to eat, and a kind passer-by who was also in the theatre industry recommended this particular restaurant to us,” Hall shares. The crew she’s referring to is, of course, the Operation Mincemeat cast, and the restaurant in question is Hell’s Kitchen’s famed LumLum, an established favorite among one of our past participants.
As discussed previously, with a name meaning “delicious” in the Northern part of Thailand – a catchy homage to the birthplace of the owners, sisters Sommy and Mowarin Hensawang, affectionately known as So and Mo – LumLum aims to produce the same “high-quality dishes and....lively, 24-hour energy” with which So & Mo grew up, as their mother and grandmother co-ran a popular seafood restaurant in Ayutthaya, about 50 miles north of Bangkok.
“We wanted to create a mix between Hawaiian and Thai culture,” says So, describing the aesthetic of their establishment. “We have bamboo lining the walls and the lighting fixtures, and posters displaying different places in both Thailand and Hawaii….our decór is more like a combination of Phuket and Waikiki beach-style.”
No doubt Hall agrees. Commenting on its “chilled out vibe” and “fantastic service,” she adds that her visit with her Mincemeat pals “was so good that I ended up taking my husband on a date night a few weeks later, and then [went] again with my mother-in-law when she came to visit.”
Particular must-haves on each of Hall’s repeat visits include the Crying Tiger, consisting of juicy ribeye steak, marinated egg, crispy fried shallots, and “the most moreish garlic rice you’ve ever eaten” and the Samui Sunset cocktail, a zesty Mezcal drink with pineapple, lime, agave, “and a bit of sriracha chili for those who like a spicy kick.”
“Everything here is ‘top marks’ in terms of flavor, presentation and delivery,” Hall goes on, “with no sense of pretension, which is always a plus” (and moreover, aligns with the sisters’ original vision for the restaurant.)
Good vibes, good service and “mouthwatering food and cocktails to match”?! As Leslie, Montagu, and the Mincemeat crew would say, “God, that’s brilliant!”
LumLum is open for M-Th from 12pm-4pm & 5pm-10pm, Saturday from 12pm-11pm, and Sunday from 12pm-10pm.
(253 W 51st St.)
Though their slogan proudly permits its patrons to “bs all day” (bs, of course, meaning “bibble & sip”), there’s nothing “bs” about this Midtown coffee shop, and customers are loathe to disagree. With its quaint window stool seating and lighthearted, convivial vibe, it’s the perfect place for a quick coffee or a light bite. But whatever you’re looking for, says Hall: “If you like cute combined with tasty, this is the place for you.”
Following his graduation from the International Culinary Center, former communications major/design company manager Gary Chan founded Bibble & Sip in 2014. The former an archaic word meaning “to eat indulgently,” and “sip” implying “relax and decelerate,” Chan envisioned the establishment to be “a casual and fancy experience at the same time,” or, in other words, “a subdued environment offering sophisticated flavors.”
The artisan bakeshop combines Chinese American and Asian flavors with French techniques to create unique and, as Hall refers to them, “adorable little bundles of deliciousness.”
“And some of our bestselling items are actually very personal recipes [I make] at home,” shares Chan, which can only add to the personal flair.
“I feel like this place was made for me,” Hall says, to that end, with a giggle. From flaky croissants to matcha-filled cream puffs to kawaii character sponge cakes (“kawaii” being Japanese for “cute”) and everything in between, all Bibble & Sip items are made fresh in-house “and go great with a cup of coffee,” available in espresso, Americano, macchiato, cortado, or cappuccino varieties, with adjustments and substitutions as you see fit.
Customers crave the Boba Egg Tart – a puff pastry stuffed with vanilla custard and Boba pearls – or the Black Sesame Bolo Bun, with a coconut custard, black sesame paste center, and a cookie crackle seed topping. For drinks, some sip the signature strawberry matcha, with sweet strawberry purée and brown sugar blended in the titular green tea powder.
Specific items and offerings change with the season, with new flavors and varieties introduced frequently. (Of note, not ones to pass up a trend, they’re now offering Labubu Tempura macarons, with a design modeled after the popular plush doll, and a tangy filling of passionfruit and coconut).
While not edible, there’s also a gift shop, in person and virtually, wherein customers can peruse a selection of specialized mugs, cups, saucers, pins, keychains, hoodies and headwear, so they can show off and support the shop wherever they go.
But for the “prettiest sweet treat in Midtown,” Hall advises pairing the bakeshop’s infamous custom macarons – choose from the Biggie Macaron, boasting black sesame seeds and a cream ganache, a Lucky Alpaca, with red bean buttercream filling and a matcha white chocolate ganache, or the Blind Box mystery assortments of macarons, “each featuring a unique flavor surprise” – with their signature matcha jasmine latte. A floral and earthy treat balanced with house-made jasmine syrup and ceremonial matcha from Japan, the soothing beverage – celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, to boot! – is available both iced in a cup outfitted with their signature alpaca logo (“so cute I’ll guarantee you’ll want to keep!” Hall squeals, or hot, with the alpaca latte art prepared right in front of you as you order.
And yes, though you’d never believe it, it’s all true!
Bibble & Sip is open M-F from 8am-8pm and Saturday & Sunday from 9am-8pm.
We’ll continue to present a new performer with new restaurants and new menus, so keep checking back to see who we poll and what’s on their mind at mealtime! Until next time, as always, bon appétit!
