Looking for a cheap ($15-$25/person), cool restaurant for dinner in NYC?

La Caridad on Broadway and 78th is good Chinese-Cuban food, hard to get outside of Miami and New York, no tourists (neighborhood people, cabbies and cops) and very good food, large portions, great cafe con leche, good prices.

If they like Indian food, there are some good, cheap Indian restaurants on 6th Street in the East Village – between 1st and 2nd Avenue. Chinatown on Sunday for Dim Sum is another great choice – Nom Wah’s, on Mulberry St. I believe, is one I like.

If your kids are of the slightly younger, easily amused kind, I would try this

Well, really, it is kind of cool for any aged person, in terms of the atmosphere.

Havana Central on 151 W and 46th. It’s not for kids. It has low lights and an actual band inside. Their mango sauce glazed salmon with rice and beans is the shiiiiiit.

Lima’s Taste at Christopher and Bedford in Greenwich Village is awesome. It’s Peruvian. Great ceviche and Pisco sours, in particular. The music can get a little loud, but it has an otherwise wonderful atmosphere. $20—$30 per person.

i may be a lil biased because my best friend works here, but the food here is amazing and not too expensive.

The Clerkenwell. 49 Clinton Street.

The following are all great places with good, crowd-pleasing food that feels like you’re getting something you can’t get just anywhere:

*Pio Pio http://www.piopionyc.com/ Peruvian rotisserie chicken. It’s cheaper than it looks because the portions are for family style eating. Delicious! And nice inside. My favorite meal there is a whole chicken, maduros, rice, the avocado salad, and sangria.

*Piola http://www.piola.it/mondo2.php?menu_number=3&lang=en&id=6 Actual Italians have told me that the pizza is just like that in Italy. Fun interior, very colorful and cheerful. If you want a cocktail I always like their caipiroskas.

* Hummus Place http://www.hummusplace.com/ I love this place, so filling and delicious and a very breezy atmosphere. The St. Mark’s location is my favorite as is the mushroom hummus and labane. Get the whole wheat pita, it’s tastier and they make it themselves. Their Israeli mojitos are nothing like regular mojitos, but are amazingly refreshing minty concoctions in their own right.

*Village Mingala http://www.yelp.com/biz/village-mingala-new-york Nothing special in terms of atmosphere (not a hole-in-the-wall either), but delicious, cheap Burmese food. Thousand layer pancake for deep-fried goodness and savory curries!

*Bali Nusa http://www.yelp.com/biz/bali-nusa-indah-new-york Similar to Village Mingala, but Indonesian food. Avoid the rice/noodle dishes as they are unremarkable and share some of the great curries and satays.

If you want to go slightly splurgier, Otto is always great. http://www.ottopizzeria.com/ Great food, an extensive wine list, and amazing gelato. Definitely try the olive oil copetta. It’s quite affordable for its class of restaurant and has something for everybody.

All of the above could accommodate a larger group.

the dumpling man!!!! yessss, last year (or the year before? can’t remember) – there were thanksgiving themed dumplings w/ turkey and cranberry, deeeeelish.

Thanks so much for these answers guys. @elocin Suggestions like Otto and Piola looks awesome. Hummus Place looks cute but looks like more of a lunch place and seems to have a limited menu, has anyone been there for dinner?

Another one I was thinking about is the Heartland Brewing Company. It is a brewpub/restaurant with English/American food, nice atmosphere and reasonable prices. There are two or three of them throughout Manhattan – one on Union Square and one in the 40s. The one in the 40s in partiuclar, has a nice “chophouse” atmosphere. Might be a nice choice if your family isn’t too adventurous in their eating habits.

@BBNPS , I’ve been to Hummus place for both lunch and dinner. They put out candles and it has a nice cozy vibe, but it’s definitely a little more casual. The menu is the same but if you order say, some hummus, the shakusha, and some small plates you get stuffed and have a surprising variety.

But I think maybe you should go with Otto. It’s a little more money than the other suggestions, but not that much more (and good value). But you get a nice sit-down atmosphere and a lot to choose from. You can also tell them that it’s a Mario Batali restaurant!

Edit: “particular” damn delayed proofreading.

@elocin Thanks so much, Otto and Hummus Place are looking like the winners here. But everyone feel free to keep suggestions coming for the future.

You’re very welcome, I love eating in NYC! If you do Otto, you WILL want to save room for dessert! Also make a reservation. Have a great time.