My husband and I will be going to NYC later this month. I've been searching the web and agonizing over which restaurants to go to. I finally made a reservation for Blue Water Grill for our nice seafood pre-theatre dinner.

Now I need our help for an Italian restaurant for Friday night. I'm looking for something intimate yet casual. My price range is under $80 for two with a glass of wine each if possible. If that is unrealistic, then up to $100.

Thank in advance for your help.

Remi 145 W. 53 St.
Fresco by Scotto 34 E. 52 St.
Trattoria Del'Arte 7th Ave 56th/57th
Vice Versa 325 W. 57th

All are wonderful.

Blue Water Grill is downtown on Union Sq. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the theatre.

Have a good time.

Try "Il Vomito" on the Upper East Side.
Great Italian Food.

A place I like that's small and casual is La Locanda dei Vini on Ninth Ave & 50th St. It's probably around $30-$40 per person without wine.

Try Po in the West Village.

La Mela or Il Cortile in Little Italy.

Pisano's or La Luna in Little Italy, or any other restuarant on Mulberry Street in Little Italy.

Gigino trattoria in Tribeca. Very authentic trattoria type restaurant and the food is incredibly light and fresh. This restaurant was featured in the movie Dinner Rush. For a more tuscan experience, try I Coppi in the E. Village. Also in the West Village, Palma on COrnelia St. Po is good if you can get a reservation. It's across the street from Palma.

Michelle, have fun in NYC. Little Italy is a nice choice. Mulberry Street is closed to traffic and you can just wlk the block...stop in a place for dinner...and then to another restaurant for dessert.

In the East Village, I love the restaurant Fruitte de Mare (east 4th and 2nd). Very casual and in-expensive. Great food. I have been going down there for years. Across the street, is Cucina de Pesce another nice casual place. For dessert, I would recommend Veniero's on East 11th bet. 1st and 2nd.

Blue Water Grill is excellent for seafood! Good choice. You'll just need to hop in a cab (which will be no problem) and go to Midtown 10 min cab drive. I would recommend calling back the restaurant and request a table downstairs in the "Jazz room"...quite nice and romantic (but don't worry...not too bad)

Da Nico on Mulberry Street. Perfect for what you're looking for.

I love Becco on west 46th street (owned by the cooking show diva Lidia)- and my all time favorite is MONTE'S (97 MacDougal Street bet. Bleecker & W. 3rd Sts) in the west village. It has been there since 1918 and- although slightly kitschy in decor....there is an "old school" feeling when the italian guy at the door kisses your cheek although he doesn't know you!

Lupa, in the Village, one of Mario Batali's restaurants, is a downscaled version of Babbo, and IMO, excellent. I also love Campagna, on East 21st, which is a bit pricey, but very worth it. Try them for lunch if you want less expensive. ALso, I Truli, on 27th Street, is wonderful and has a great garden and/or fireplace, depending on the weather. Enjoy!

Hi,
I visited NYC for 5 days about 6 months ago with my family. Before our broadway play one night, we stumbled upon a restaurant called Tratoria Tre Colori...near Times Square (though I don't recall which street). The restaurant was very intimate and authentic, the wait staff were very charming even after we had entered the restaurant only minutes before closing time...they welcomed us to stay and were not quick to rush us out. The food was amazing and so was the red wine. We all loved this place so much we went back a second night before our trip was through. Very charming, wonderful Italian experience.

Michelle,

Here's a good idea, try Pomodoro's on Columbus Ave on the east side of the Ave just south of 72nd St. Great food there, fresh pasta and seafood, right in the ballpark of what you want to spend.

Oh and if you like bread, they make the BEST fresh rosemary foccacia bread. Still trying to duplicate the recipe at home, almost but not quite. And they make it all night long, oh so good.

It is close to Lincoln Center and not very far from the Theatre district. After dinner there go a bit south to Cafe Mozart for some wonderful desert.

Have a great time while you are here,

a little more on the expensive side but still excellent are: San Domenico (Uptown) and Scalini Fedeli (downtown). They are outstanding but expensive more like $120 minimum with wine but still highly recommended. I know for a fact that are much less expensive restaurants out there, with top quality food--the names, however escape me at the moment---the other posters have and will assist in that dept. You picked the right city for Italian though!

I was talking with Bob Sacamano and he's got a restaurant on the lower west north side.

Bob's place is on the upper south east end below canal.

I second Becco. You can have a whole bottle of wine and dinner for two for $80 or less. Try the pasta trio, it's all you can eat! Or, you can have it as a first course with a taste of each pasta.

I just noticed Michelle has already been to NYC. So Michelle, if you're reading this, where did you end up going?

Carmine's. Either is good, but we like the upper west side best.