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There's Ruby Foo's, Virgil's, Sapporo for ramen noodles on 49th between Seventh & Sixth, Delta Grill on Ninth Ave & 48th...lots of choices on Ninth Ave but I don't know if you want to be that far west.
You might also try Ollie's (chinese where you can watch them make the dumplings!) or Carmine's. Carmine's will be packed (and they only take reservations for 6 or more), but it's family-style Italian and loud and fun.