Patrick Wilson's Broadway

The stage veteran, now starring in the movie The Phantom of the Opera, shares his favorite neighborhood haunts.

By Evelyn Poitevent

It all started last year. That's when two-time Tony nominee Patrick Wilson turned heads with an excruciatingly believable performance as a repressed gay Mormon in HBO's acclaimed miniseries Angels in America. That's also when the actor officially set off from his comfy, eight-year home on Broadway for a sunnier, but higher-stakes, life in Hollywood.

Unfortunately, his first movie, The Alamo, was a box-office flop. But it did prove that the Broadway star of "The Full Monty" and "Oklahoma!" could hang with the big guns of the West Coast.

Now, Wilson's career comes full circle with the Joel Schumacher-directed, Andrew Lloyd Webber-produced movie remake of "The Phantom of the Opera," opening Wednesday in some cities. And fittingly, Wilson, 31, who plays Raoul, has decided to return to the Big Apple. "It's where my heart is," he says. So, who better to show us around the famous theater district for the holidays? Here's Wilson's guide to the best ...

Watering hole for star sightings: Joe Allen (46th Street near Eighth Avenue). "[Al] Pacino always has a table," Wilson says. You also can try the third floor at Angus McIndoe (44th Street near Eighth Avenue), the place Nathan Lane co-opened next door to "The Producers," or Vintage (Ninth Avenue at 51st Street). "It's where we've lived for seven years ... the young Broadway crew."

Dinner spot: Ninth Avenue. "It's neighborhood-y and not so touristy," Wilson says of his old stamping grounds. On "the Niner": Hell's Kitchen restaurant, between 46th and 47th streets, for Mexican; Yum Yum Bangkok, between 45th and 46th, for Thai; or Amarone, between 47th and 48th, for Italian.

Burger: For the real deal, try McHale's, on 46th Street at Eighth Avenue. "The best in town," Wilson says. "And huge."

Singalong cabaret: Don't Tell Mama (46th Street between Eighth and Ninth avenues). Head there on Thursday evenings for "Seth's Broadway Chatterbox." Seth, a pianist, worked on "Harmony," "a Barry Manilow show we did back in '97 that's finally coming to Broadway."

Haircut: Three Aces, Wilson's beloved old-school barbershop, on Ninth near 46th. "It was $8 for a cut," he says. "Now they've raised it to $10." It's right next door to tasty Amy's Bread, in case you get a carb craving.

Hook-up for cheap tickets: See a show in previews. "If you go a week before it opens," Wilson says, "things aren't going to change that much." And there's always the TKTS booth (47th and Broadway), where you can stand in long lines for day-of tickets discounted 25% to 50%. But here's a tip: Lines are shorter at the downtown booth at South Street Seaport (Front and John streets). If you're crafty, Wilson says, you never have to pay full price for Broadway. He of the $10 haircut should know.