Ok,,,I'm sure this is asking a lot. A reasonably priced Italian restaurant with charm in Manhattan. We will be seeing a matinee of a Broadway play next month and want to dine after the show. I'm from LA and know quite a few good hole in the all hidden gems here. I'm hoping one of you knows of a place in NY. Doesn't have to be right in the theater district...but it could be. However, we have no problem going into grenich village or other areas..as long as it's good food,,,budget friendly..and has some character and charm. Lol. Am I asking for the impossible ..help

You really need to define budget friendly in $ - it can mean very different things to different people. (A dinner for 2 in our neighborhood italian place is about $80 with 1 glass of wine each.)

I love Mercato at 39th and 9th - walking distance from Broadway. Great lasagna! http://mercatonyc.com/

I love Mercato at 39th and 9th - walking distance from Broadway. Great lasagna! http://mercatonyc.com/

Wow, Mercato's menu looks good and value priced, thanks for the tip.

I guess by budget friendly I mean 100 bucks for 2

Have a look at Vice Versa on west 51st - that should fit within if you just each have a glass of wine.

Piccolo Angolo on Hudson St, downtown from theatre district, a walk of about a mile and a half, is beloved by many people...cozy and moderately priced.

Take a look at Supper, Luzo's, and Frank's in the East Village. And for excellent pizza take a peek at Motorino.

Malatesta Trattoria. Cash only.

I second Malatesta Trattoria or Lavagna in the East Village!

Carmine's is also really good but its a family style restaurant. Not sure how many people will be traveling with you.

Bello restaurant 863 9th Ave. I dined here in December. Food was excellent and reasonably priced!

Carmine's is basic red sauce Italian - OK but nothing to write home about. And since portions are so obscenely large a couple might end up paying for way more food than they wanted.

Il Bastardo in Chelsea
Maria Pia in Theatre
The Meatball Shop (meatballs, delicious, $9) - multiple locations

I agree with nytraveler on Carmines. It is very loud too, but great if you have a large group. You can all share. It is okay Italian in my opinion, not great and in NY, you can get great Italian food.

Carmine's is perfect for a gang of teenagers.