Ok, so I'm a New Yorker who tends to eat at very casual neighborhood restaurants and I'm looking for a nicer place for a dinner soon.
(Yes, I know about Chowhound, and I could post my question there, but it's just not my vibe)
So before everyone freaks about the $100/2 people limitation,let me tell you some details:
This budget does NOT include drinks.
I do not expect more than 2 courses per person (only main dish and EITHER appetizer or dessert)
I am not looking for life changing food--just a step up from the neighborhood pasta/Asian/burger places. I love fresh, unfussy food made from wonderful ingredients.
Most any cuisine, except fish or seafood.
Prefer Union Square area, or west side from Chelsea on up to Columbia
So, any takers to this challenge?

Rest EU on 4th between A and B.
Use Annie Wayte's name for a res.
M

mikemo, thanks for the suggestion, but the location won't work for me this time.Will keep in mind for the future.

Isabella's is a favorite...Columbus and 77th.

http://www.brguestrestaurants.com/re...llas/about.php

Crispo (Italian) or Gavroche,(French) both on W. 14th between 7th and 8th.

Suenos (Mexican) on 17th between 8th and 9th

Cookshop (American) on 10th and 20th.

Red Cat (American) on 10th and 23rd St.

check out menus on www.menupages.com

Union Square Cafe, Olives, Steak Frites all at Union Square fit the bill pefectly.
Go to menupages.com to look at menus and see if they excite you.

Oh, yes, Red Cat is a great idea.

Landmarc, new location in the Time Warner Center

We had a terrific dinner this past weekend at the new (old) place at 222 W. 79th Street - Kefi - rustic Greek food by Michael Psilakis - 3 glasses of wine, 2 appetizers, one entree for two people and we were more than full - for about $50. total . . and the food was delicious! very West Side crowd, no reservations, informal and kinda quirky space, very good service.

Absolutely Red Cat or Cookshop.

Thanks for the updates.
M

Landmarc looks perfect, except for the fact that there seem to be reports of waits of up to an hour for tables. Now if they ever get around to taking reservations...
Kefi is a place I stumbled across a couple of months ago and it looked good to me. Wonder if there will be too much traffic after a couple of recent very good reviews?
Good suggestions, guys, and still looking for other ideas. Thanks

There's a brand new landmarc that opened in the Time Warner Center last week. I think the waits of up to an hour are for the original location in Tribecca. The one in the TWC holds 300 people. And it might take reservations.

Skip Isabella's I haven't been impressed.

Note: Kefi I think is cash only. Supposed to be great.

And I would suggest Upstairs at Bouley but it is not in your desired location.

williamscb13, the reports on Chowhound about the long waits at Landmarc were definitely about the Time Warner location and so far, they don't take reservations
I'm hoping things will quiet down or I'll just have to go on another occasion at a less busy time.

I'm definitely still looking for other people's opinions still, and thank all those who've replied!

I would like to try someplace new and just a bit more upscale than what I usually do, but still 'manageable'. Some of the places suggested here were totally off my radar, and some I'm familiar with and may have discounted for one reason or another (some would definitely be tough to do on this budget and others just don't feel 'special' enough for me)

How about a dinner of tapas at Casa Mono? Great food and fantastic wine list.

Ahh, perhaps it depends on your desired eating time, I am so used to dining late, that I forget that people have waits at 7:30 p.m.

I'm not rereadying through this thread, but has anyone suggested Cookshop in chelsea? definitely fresh and unfussy, and related to the owners of Five Points, but I think a step up.