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 turn to Joshua Colley, who’s readying to watch Worlds Collide when he tours with his Disney pals on the joint Descendants/Zombies tour later this summer. (He stars as young Captain Hook in the Rise of Red installment).
“When I signed on to do it, I had a vision in my head [like], “Oh, it’s gonna be really cute,’” he said, of the venture, in an interview. “It is way more epic and huge than I was expecting. It’s insane….[and] I’m really happy to be along for this journey.”
In addition to his Disney work, Colley’s probably popped up on your screen in Netflix’s Senior Year and Hulu’s Sex Appeal (for which he wrote an original song); he also played sharp-tongued Liam in a recurring arc on Love, Victor, and, most recently, appeared as Monty in Netflix’s Dead Boy Detectives.
But although he’s (deservedly) receiving accolades for his work on TV and film, industry insiders know Colley started on stage. He made his Broadway debut as Les in Newsies (keeping it in the Disney family, natch) and later appeared as Gavroche in the 2014 revival of Les Misérables. Other early stage credits include the title role in York Theater Company’s You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Flounder in The Little Mermaid at the Hollywood Bowl, opposite Sara Bareilles, Tituss Burgess, Rebel Wilson, and John Stamos.
In short, whether it be the lighting, the set design, the hair design, the direction, the choreography, or the dressers, we know, even with his forays into film and TV, he’s a true Broadway baby at heart.
But, with that said, what does Colley crave at mealtime?
(252 W. 47th Street)
Like another of our formerly pint-sized performers, Colley can’t say enough about Glass House Tavern: “The vibes are amazing, and the food is immaculate!”
On the menu for him? The Tavern Burger, “’cause it’s classic and they nail it here!” Cooked to your liking, topped with roasted tomato, grilled Bermuda onion, a signature house sauce, and served on a buttered brioche roll, “you cannot miss!” Colley exclaims. (If you’d like to go a little more upscale, make it a salmon or filet mignon burger – yes, the latter is real! – for an additional charge). And of course, the meal’s not complete without those crispy fries.
As with Scarpaci, Colley’s ties to the restaurant are rooted in his performance background – “[it’s] the place I used to go to celebrate after a show!” – though his connection to the eatery might be a little more personal: “For a period of time, I actually lived directly above it!”
For that reason, he laughs, “In more ways than one, I guess you could call it home.”
Glass House Tavern is open Monday from 3pm-11pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 3pm-12am, Thursday & Friday from 3pm-1am, Saturday from 10am-1am, and Sunday 10am-11pm. Additionally, a Wednesday matinée lunch is served from 11am-3pm (including two-course prix-fixe for $35), and brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from open-3pm.
(570 8th Ave.)
“A hopping little joint with food pumping out quickly,” according to one reviewer, Wok to Walk initially began in 2004 as a tiny restaurant based in Amsterdam.
“We wanted to have fun at work and cook the kind of quick, fresh and yummy food we’d like to eat in our hectic everyday lives,” reads a statement from the chefs.
Now with over 100 establishments around the world, they’re adamant their “commitment and passion haven’t changed a bit since day one.”
Aiming to “inspire others through our food and our craft….we stay true to our origins by offering delicious custom recipes and a great show” in its efficient, on-the-spot, customer-facing preparation.
Pro-tip: As its name suggests, it’s primarily a “to-go” establishment, “and gets pretty crowded,” Colley adds, “so I wouldn’t recommend trying to sit down and stay for too long.” In other words, take your Wok… to Walk!
“I used to get Wok to Walk as a kid after I would leave an audition,” Colley shares, to that end, laughing at how – again, in keeping with what the restaurant suggests – “I’d literally eat it as I walked back home… and maybe even finish it on the way!”
And with good reason. Praised for their affordability, the menu boasts traditional small plates, like egg rolls, potstickers, and kimchi — the former available in pork or vegetable varieties, and served with lettuce, fresh herbs, and a sweet chili dipping sauce — and a variety of Asian classics, from Pad Thai to Beef Steak Udon to Chicken Teriyaki, the latter served with shichimi pickled cucumber & steamed rice, finished with spring onions & sesame, and served with the house-famous teriyaki sauce.
But Colley insists “the dish you have to get” is the beloved Grill Wok stir-fry. Directly off the menu, choose between a Grilled Chicken Curry — snow peas and Thai aubergine atop a charred turmeric thigh bathed in their signature yellow curry sauce — and Thai Charred Greens, a mix of veggies to be topped with either chicken, tofu, or Char siu pork. Or, a popular (and preferred) option: customers can also create their own stir-fry in three easy steps.
Choose a base of either noodles, rice, or a vegetable mix (broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, bok choy, white cabbage), then proteins (pork, marinated chicken, chicken katsu, beef, shrimp, or tofu) or additional veggies, and finally, a sauce (teriyaki, sweet & sour, garlic & black pepper, Spicy Thai peanut and more).
Any direction you go in, “it’s chef’s kiss!” sighs Colley, giving the obligatory gesture, adding that his post-audition strolls are “truly a core memory” of his days in New York.
So, if he ever comes back to the Big Apple in a permanent capacity, he knows his wok will be waiting… just the way he likes it.
Wok to Walk is open Sun-Mon from 11am-12am, Tues-Thurs from 11am-1am, and Fri-Sat from 11am-2am.
Thumbnail photo courtesy of Disney
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!
