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 Stephen DeRosa, currently singing and sneezing his way through New York City as Boop! the Musical’s Grampy, in pursuit first of his granddaughter (Tony-nominated starlet Jasmine Amy Rogers), the plucky protagonist of the title, and then, a certain astrophysicist (stage veteran Faith Prince) who stole his heart – and kick-started his sternutation – during a tryst 40 years prior. In addition to his work as the ever-cheerful inventor, DeRosa has also appeared on Broadway in Into the Woods, The Man Who Came to Dinner, On the Town, and Mr. Saturday Night, as well as a turn as Wilbur Turnblad in Hairspray, both on Broadway and on tour. Regional work includes Falsettos, Assassins, and Peter Pan, while TV credits consist of Blue Bloods, The Blacklist, and Boardwalk Empire. DeRosa appeared as John in last year’s world-premiere of the incoming musical The Queen of Versailles and recently wrapped a stint off-Broadway as Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors.
But when comes to Midtown restaurants, where does DeRosa wanna be?
(614 9th Ave.)
Be it a late night or an early morning, Westway Diner has got both tourists and locals covered from sunrise to sunset when it comes to classic diner eats in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen.
“It's been heartbreaking for me that there are fewer and fewer real authentic diners in New York City these days,” DeRosa laments, “but this delicious spot has, thankfully, always saved the day – particularly for a good meal between shows.”
Served with a definitive New York twist in an even cozier classic diner setting, the establishment offers everything anyone could want in a classic diner experience.
What’s more? The scene is relaxed, the staff is friendly — “honestly, like family to me at this point,” DeRosa gushes — and the regulars are aptly-named; from actors, writers, directors, and the like, on any given day, if you’re an industry insider, you’ll be hard-pressed not to run into someone you know. (Also, fun fact: It was at one of these tables that Jerry Seinfeld met with Larry David to devise the original concept of a certain now-hit sitcom that bears his name.)
As for the eats? “I have eaten nearly everything on the menu,” our subject admits, “but you don't have to limit yourself.” If you’re in the mood, breakfast is “consistently wonderful” and served all day; go for a staple like DeRosa’s go-to: the Monte Cristo — here served open-face on French toast, and piled high with generous portions of ham, turkey, and Swiss — or a Westway-exclusive, like the Athenian Wrap (spinach, tomato, olives, feta), Hell’s Kitchen Wrap (turkey sausage, tomato, jalapeños, cheddar cheese) or Farmer’s Wrap (spinach, sun-dried tomato, portobello mushrooms, mozzarella cheese served with home fries), all served with a side of home fries.
And for those more traditional, the usual suspects are also at hand, like assorted bagels, muffins, omelettes and juices.
For dinner, “I’ll dig into their terrific chicken pot pie” — packed with fresh vegetables in a buttery puff pastry crust — and I absolutely love their Salmon Bow-Tie specialty dish” — a fresh salmon fillet over farfalle (bow-tie) pasta, tossed with garlic and olive oil, and served alongside fresh spinach. Another on his list: the Pasta & Avocado special, served just as it sounds, with linguini tossed with avocado, portobello, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and olive oil. (“Boy, I’m getting hungry,” he laughs.)
Pancakes, waffles, patty melts, quesadillas, triple-decker sandwiches and “excellent burgers” are among the plethora of products that round out the jam-packed menu.
“But the most important menu item for me” — the one that you could say, to borrow from Dwayne, really knocks him out — “is the Matzoh Ball Soup.” Packed with carrots, celery, and that spherical star ingredient, “it has comforted me not only through inclement weather, but through inclement days as an older character actor in New York City.”
So, if you’re ever asking yourself, “where is Stephen?,” you know where he is surely headed to… and there’s a good chance you might find him there!
Westway Diner is open 7 days a week from 7am-10pm.
(403 W. 43rd Street)
“My favorite place to eat after a show – and to impress friends and family in town without breaking the bank – is Bea,” he says, referencing the bustling Ninth Avenue bar aptly named for the owners’ grandmother.
“In this area, there are a million pubs and sports bars, and then there’s upscale fine dining restaurants,” says owner Sotir Zonea, who runs the establishment with his brother, Vasile. With its top-notch plates at reasonable prices, “This is the in-between.”
Like another of our consummate contributors, DeRosa praises the charm of its exposed brick walls, wooden chairs and custom-built leaf-imprinted tables that adorn the interior; its lively, but subdued, atmosphere (“fun and festive without feeling crowded”), and “delicious and creative” cocktails – try the citric Lavender Fields, with Wheatly vodka, triple sec and crème de violet, or the “Cool, Calm, Caliente,” featuring cucumber, basil, and spicy honey in a jalapeño-infused tequila.
Of the ambience, he’s particularly fond of the vintage art and foreign films projected (not unlike, say, a Betty Boop short), in their original black-and-white on the walls during mealtimes, an element which, the owners add, is meant to inspire conversation rather than serve as a dinner distraction.
“But for me,” he affirms, “it’s always about the food.”
Noting his aforementioned friends and family mainly consist of picky eaters, DeRosa details how his cousin was so “over the moon” with the Green Pasta — spinach tagliatelle beneath marinated shrimp sautéed in a creamy garlic sauce, a dish also endorsed by the owner — at the end of the meal, “he ordered a second one to take home.”
Similarly, an initially-hesitant actor friend – “[with] a very refined palate” – admitted the Bea Burger, served with Bibb lettuce, tomato, caramelized onions, sweet baby peppers and diner’s choice of cheese, was among “the best he ever tasted.”
DeRosa, growing hungrier with each menu item discussed, rapidly rattles off his personal faves, which include the duck turnover – with smoked gouda, mozzarella, corn, red onion & jalapeño, pineapple pico de gallo, guacamole & micro greens; lamb meatballs – prepared with smoked chipotle, tomato sauce & tzatziki, served with pita bread; grilled shrimp toast – guacamole, pickled red onions & green Tabasco, on grilled flatbread – and baby scallops, tossed with asparagus, white truffle and grape tomatoes, in a garlic oyster sauce.
Much like Grampy would with Valentina, it sounds like he’ll do “whatever it takes” to get hold of a menu item from this place!
“Okay,” he laughs, to that point, as he reviews his list. “Now I’m getting hungry again.”
Bea is open 7 days a week from 5pm-2am, with brunch served Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-4pm.
We’ll continue to present a new performer with a new restaurant and a new menu, so keep checking back to see who we poll and what’s on their mind at mealtime! Until next time, bon appétit!
