At the Ballet...and Nearby

Every year my parents, who are supporters of the American Ballet Theater, get me tickets to come with them and bring a friend.  It's always a special night as I love being at the ballet.  I never cease to be amazed by the sheer beauty of this art.
With the performances at 7:30, dinner is early, and one of my favorite restaurants near Lincoln Center (a choice I share with my parents) is Cafe Fiorello on Broadway, just across the beautiful fountain.  They have a large menu, including gluten free pasta specials and three vegan pizza options (!), but it's their cold salad bar that gets me every time.  It's not a buffet ~ don't picture that.  It's a bar, topped with ice, with easily 20 selections of cured olives, vegetables prepared in multiple ways, seafood choices, etc.
To start I chose the brussel sprouts and bell peppers, lightly tossed in olive oil.  The green, yellow and red dish looked so pretty it was a must have (and it didn't disappoint.)
As an entree, I selected three other options: simply roasted beets, bittersweet broccoli rabe with golden raisins and the show-stopping carmelized (truly made without butter) fennel.  Seriously...browned sugar and fennel.  Enough said.  Trust me.
It may sound like a lot, but the portions are reasonable and my dad was getting dessert so, like father like daughter, I ordered the dairy free dark chocolate rum sorbet.  I didn't finish it but only because it tasted so sinful I'd have felt too guilty!  After all, I was going to watch the ballet, not dance myself!
When you find yourself on the Upper West Side, it's a must.  You'll thank me.