Need a good restaurant in Manhattan (diner, meal, vegetables, Italian)

[sminerva21]

I'm taking my mom to the city for a day trip this weekend, and I was hoping to get some restaurant recommendations.

By dinner time, we'll be closer to the downtown area. We plan to do some things on Bleeker, and then head to Canal Street after that. I'm looking for a good place to eat that isn't to casual, but not too fancy. Also, something not horribly pricey, like in the $20 per meal range. Something simple, like American food would be ideal. Basically, just a fun little place where we can have drinks, relax, talk and have a good meal.

I'm open to any suggestions!

Thanks.

[aplwh]

My personal favorite - tho' it's not American - is Luna's on Mulberry in Little Italy. Great Italian food, tightly spaced tables but homey and really funny waiters!

[newyorkjetsfan74]

carmines in the theatre district is a good place

[Manhattan-ite]

Oh that sure sounds difficult! 20 dollars per person? Not even a diner is that cheap here in Manhattan anymore, darling!

[tvdxer]

Huh? I was just in NYC, solo dining, and I typically spent around $20, and that usually included an appetizer and / or side and soft drink. I could have spent considerably less.

If you want something affordable and good, though perhaps a bit adventurous, try "118 Bagus Malaysia". It's on 1 Doyers St, a short walk from Canal St. in Chinatown. I got two delicious Roti Canai's, a delicious dish called "Nasi Lemak" (a ball of rice surrounded by different things to mix it with, e.g. pickled vegetables, an anchovies mix, etc.), and didn't spend much over $10.

I strongly recommend the site http://www.menupages.com . If you're not ordering alcoholic beverages, most restaurants with $, $$, $$$, and perhaps even $$$$ should work for you.