looking for neighborhood favorites, preferably Italian or French or American in the Greenwich Villagage or general downtown area. I don't need or want fancy places.

Italian
La Lanterna for basic Italian and live jazz.
Malatesta Trattoria

American
North Square
the New French

French
La Ripaille
Bistro Les Amis (Soho).

Are you looking for inexpensive places? Do you have a general budget in mind? Anything you
care to reveal about your tastes/budget would help since there are hundreds of possibilities.

I am not surprised that you did not get much help on Chowhound. The question is too general. You might try doing a search there for something like "West Village restaurants."

Il Mulino...pricey but......

Il Mulino has been over the hill for years. Additionally, there have been numerous complaints about the bills being accidentially computed incorrectly. Guess which way?