Please recommend a restaurant around 53/Broadway (plus minus a few blocks) for a nice dinner with my father and sis before the show. Thai, Asian, or Italian. Looking for nice decor etc but nothing thats ultra expensive. Thank-you

My sister and I recently had a great dinner at Nocello, 257 W 55th, betw 8th
and Broadway. Definitely nice decor, great food. It cost us approx $65 each for salads, dinner, bottle of wine, and coffee (incl tip); I don't think that's ultra expensive. Most entrees were mid to high
$20's.

I suggest Baluchi's, on W 56th St just west of Broadway. Baluchi's is a NYC chain with good quality Indian food and nice decor. Pricewise, I'd say it's inexpensive to moderate, and definitely a good value. I've been to that location a few times and it hasn't been crowded. Here is their menu:
http://www.gotham2go.com/index.php/18/7/70

Siam Inn at 8th & 51-52st is excellent Thai but not at all fancy. Just a nice neighborhood Thai, very affordable and very nice people. China Grill on 53 just off 6th in the CBS building is very good Chinese in a glamorous/modern space but a bit pricey (not ultra). Osteria Stella on 50th b/w 6ht-7th is nice Italian.

Look at reviews and menus of these and others at menupages.com

Vice Versa on 51st between 8th and 9th (about 3 blocks from you) is a wonderful Italian restaurant. Great wine list, excellent pasta, fantastic fish...I lived on 52nd and 8th for 4 years and I miss this place dearly!

another vote for nocello. very authentic italian, reasonable prices. also, try island burger and shakes on 51st and 9th... or there about.

Also consider Trattoria DelArte - on 7th at 55/56 - fun and kind of loud - but reasonably good food.

If you don't mind walking a little bit, there's a great inexpensive restuarant on 53rd and 9th called Mangia E Bevi. Fun atmosphere and great italian food. I promise you'll love it..everyone does..