Best place to get fast pre-theater dinner that's not fast food
Sure, you can grab pizza or a sandwich in the food court of the Transportation Building. But if you're heading for one of the playhouses in the Theater District and you want real food fast (even a glass of wine), belly up to the bar at Legal Sea Foods, where the blackened-raw-tuna sashimi ($12.95) or the Maryland-style lump crab cake ($12.95) will be in front of you practically as fast as a beer. We've turned up at Legal at 7 p.m. and been in our aisle seats at the theater at 7:30, belly full of tuna. Well, yeah, that would be quick, since they barely cook it - they just throw the pink, pepper-edged squares gorgeously over a bit of wasabi aioli with a little salad. But according to bartender Jimmy Shea, many menu items that fraternize with heat are equally quick. He advises against ordering anything wood-grilled or steamed (that takes longer), but recommends the Rhode Island calamari, the Cobb salad, even the lemon-caper sole or baked Boston scrod. And then you're out of there, many calories lighter than if you'd opted for a slice.

Legal Sea Foods Park Square, 26 Park Square, Boston, (617) 426-4444, www.legalseafoods.com.