We will be visiting New York for the forst time and would like to enjoy some of New York's restaurants. However, on reading previous posts and reading reviews, I'm a bit intimidated by the menus and the prices.
The thought of eating calves brains and lamb's tongues and beef cheeks just doesn't do it for me. Also, with our Canadian dollar being so bad, $150 to $200 USD is a bit pricey for us.
Can anyone recommend any more down to earth restaurants in the mid price range with a more traditional menu? Italian food is one of our favourites, as well as American.
Thanks for any help.

One more question needs to be answered: What do you consider "mid price range"?

Try Grey's Popaya for Hot dogs!

Most of the Italian restaurants on Mulberry Street in Little Italy would seem to fit your criteria (Da Nico, Il Fornaio, etc.). Otherwise, there are literally hundreds of great places, generally NOT in midtown, where you can enjoy exceptional food at mid-level prices. Just avoid the tourist areas and you'll find many great options.

Hi Kodi:

I topped the Eating in NYC post that I responded to a few weeks ago with great suggestions for eating well and reasonably in the East Village. There are other good suggestions on the same post from other authors. NYC is a great restaurant town for mid-range prices.

There are lots of medium-priced restaurants in midtown. Take a walk up 9th Avenue, from 42nd Street to say 57th. A good one in this area is Joe Allen on W. 46th, between 8th & 9th., or make a reservation at Becco on restaurant row (W. 47th), where they have all-you-can-eat pasta for $20. (Good pasta, not ziti w/ tomato sauce.) Still a little pricey, I know, but you won't get stuck with a $300 tab and people won't look at you with disdain if you use the wrong fork. Remember, the best way to cut costs is to cut down or completely skip the alcohol.

Where ever you do decide to eat check them on at nysubway.com there is a interactive list where you can check out food service violations. Vermin in food storage areas violations are often in places you don't expect.

Kodi, If you can't find the post Rachele is referring to, do a text serach on "eating in NYC". It will come up and it has many good suggestions. Good food in NYC doesn't have to be expensive at all.

Kodi: Check out the link below. New York Magazine published a list in this week's edition. "The Best 75 meals for under $20."

http://www.newyorkmetro.com/restaurants/articles/cheap_eats/02/az1.htm

Johnie's in Midtown is good Italian food at very reasonable prices.

Thanks so much to all of you for your excellent suggestions. We really appreciate it and are happy to know that we will indeed eat well while in New York.
Rachele, I did find the post you topped for me and printed it, as well as this one.
Thanks again.
Kodi

Midtown: Tout va Bien has a prix fixe dinner for $20--old=fashioned NY French theatre district place (there places are good for NON theatre nights, too, go at 8 and always get a table)

Becco (Italian) nice prix fixe 3 pasta dinner for $19.95