Can't get reservations at Babbo for mid-October. Want good Italian and would like to keep it around $20-$30 for an entree. We're staying at the Manhattan Club Suites, but can take a cab for great food ! Any suggestions ? Been to Becco, loved it but want to try someplace different.

If you go back to a thread "Dining in Manhattan" you'll find some awesome suggestions that I got for our upcoming trip in October.
JoeG

If you don't mind Midtown, Felidia is very, very good. It's owned by Lidia Bastianich, who has a PBS cooking show. I should caveat by saying the entrees may run just a little bit above $30. She really is an excellant chef.

For good Northern Italian, Da Silvano is good. Although it is popular with the celebrity set, it doesn't come across as pretentious or snobby. They make a great Osso Buco with risotto Milanese.

Altough Batali isn't involved with it anymore, PO is still good option. Prices will be less than your range.

I like Il Cortile and I Coppi.

Becco & Babbo are not in the same league at all (Babbo much better). For the same league as Babbo, how about $60/person 3 course meal at Scalini Fedeli? Here's the menu. It's all the way downtown.

http://menupages.com/screenmenu.asp?...een=ST533.html

or, if you loved Becco, try Lattanzi on the same street.

Closer to your hotel, try Trattoria Dell'Arte. Fun place with good food.

http://www.menupages.com/screenmenu....een=MW446.html

I love their veal chop parmesan pounded thin.

I like ryan's suggestions too. Il Mullino is also in the same league as Babbo & Scalini Fedeli but may be too pricey. Try to check menus online before deciding. There's no shortage of good Italian in NYC! Remi (53 betw 6th & 7th) is also near your hotel but I prefer the livelier atmosphere of Trattoria Dell. Remi is a bit more serious.

Here are three excellent ones in the midtown area:
Orso (W. 46th, between 8th & 9th)
Lattanza (also W. 46th, between 8th & 9th)
Remi (West 53rd, between 6th & 7th)
All three are in your price range and are highly recommended.

We had a great meal the other night at Arte -- 21 East 9th Street between 5th Ave. & University Place.

212-473-0077

There are a million decent Italian restaurants in New York, but very few are anywhere in the range of Babbo. You might try Lupa which is cheaper and more casual, but has excellent pastas and the same home cured meats as Babbo -- Batali is a co-owner. Another one to try is L'Impero, which is in midtown east. It's gotten excellent reviews in several publications, and has a 3 or 4 course set menu for $49, or you can order a la carte.

I just reserved Lupa for Thursday, Oct 16. Tried to get a reservation for Friday night but no luck. If you are interested in Lupa, I would reserve right away.

Go for Lupa. I just ate there and it was really wonderful. I recommend the pork shin!