Coming for two nights. We would like to go somewhere great, but moderately, price, $150 for two, maybe?

After the ballet, where is somewhere good to stop for coffee and dessert on the way back to mid-town? Are reservations needed?

The "must" eat place is Per Se but that is more than double your budget.

My first choice is always Gramercy Tavern.

For that price (or close) you can have a great meal at the Union Square Cafe or Milos (if you're into seafood).

Please don't think I am being rude, but it is not possible to eat at Manhattan's top restaurants for $150 for two unless you are going to drink ice water and share an appetizer.

Per Se is the hottest restaurant right now in Manhattan. You need to book two months in advance for dinner. Le Bernadin is the same.

Asiate is also beyond your budget. So is Chanterelle. Babbo, too.

I haven't eaten at Union Sq. Cafe lately. But, the last time I was there the food was extraordinary. Lunch for two, with a bottle of wine was about $160.

You can eat at Balthazar or Les Halles for $150. Balthazar is always PACKED.

Other hot restaurants are:
Craft
Blue Ribbon
Jean Gorges
Lupa
Pastis
Bouley Bakery
Pearl
Gramercy Tavern

I love Blue Ribbon and we went there twice on our visit to NYC last Fall. We went there one evening after seeing
a show at Lincoln Center. It seemed to be just getting going at that hour. You can google their menu.We took a cab from Lincoln Center to Blue Ribbon and the cost was not extreme. I wish I could find their sauteed calamari here.

I would also recommend Pearl's on COrnelia in the Village. We did a taste test between Pearl's and Mary's Fish Camp and voted hands down for Pearls.

I don't think either place takes reservations.

BTW~For a true bargain and a great thing to do after the "Met"(Museum. Check out Cafe Boulud for lunch. They have a $30 prix fixe which is very good. Service is excellent and food same.

Blue Ribbon is one of my favorite restaurants in NYC and I always recommend for Sunday Brunch.

There are tons of moderately priced restaurants in NYC. I think marginal margiela just named the higher end...

Check out opentable.com and menupages.com for listings.

If you want dessert only place, a recent hype here - try out room4dessert. Which can still be pricey just for dessert.

We had a wonderful dinner at Goblin Market last weekend, which just opened around the corner from Blue Ribbon. The food is very similar to Blue Ribbon (New American), and it's awesome. Landmarc is also another favorite, and the wines are VERY reasonably priced.

I agree, for 150 for two you're definitely not going to eat at the 'must" eat place in NYC, which I actually think is L'atelier de Joel Robuchon right now, but you can still have a really nice meal. What kind of food/scene are you into? That makes a big difference. Also, for dessert try the restaurant Daniel. They have a dessert lounge. It's one of the top restaurants in the city and is extremely well respected, but the prices just for dessert and coffee should be within reach.
http://danielnyc.com/daniel/