Moderate priced near 86th/3rd?

[chowNYC]

Looking for a moderately priced restaurant (no entree over $16ish unless it's a big steak) near 86th and 3rd. Cuisine preference: Italian, American, French Bistro... no Indian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Spanish.

Any ideas? Thanks much!

[ballulah]

Paola's on 84th between 2nd & 3rd, but near 2nd is very good. If you stick to the pasta menu it's within your budget, but if you stray into the secondi piatti menu you're looking at over $20 for entrees.

[Gelaine]

I went by Sotto Cinque yesterday and it looks like it's closed. ???

[Kanger]

Were you at the old location (2nd Ave btw 85th and 86th)? If so, they moved to 86th between 2nd and 1st Ave ...

[valerie]

Another Italian is Mangiarini, 83rd & 2nd. Entrees are between $15-$20, but pastas are less. I haven't been in a while, but someone asked about it on CH recently and subsequently ate there and really enjoyed it.

http://menupages.com/restaurantdetail...

[chowNYC]

Thanks everyone! 3 Italian places within an hour of posting. Oh how I love Chowhound. :)

[LFeinberg]

Ditto for Mangiarini!!!

[Bugsey34]

With your selections far better than any of those Italian selections is Cafe D'Alsace Alsatian bistro on 88th & 2nd.

[Kanger]

I'd put D'Alsace (inconsistency and all) above the 3 Italian joints too, but it's also a lot more expensive. Or maybe I just end up spending a lot more money every time I go ... love the bone marrow and the extensive beer selection.

[Bugsey34]

It depends on what you order I guess, there are some cheaper selections on the menu!

[Michael Ambrosio]

For Italian, you can try Sotto Cinque on 86th between 2nd & 3rd... pretty solid Italian food in your price range.

[Julia]

actually, sotto cinque is between 1st and 2nd aves.

[Kanger]

Ah that's right, they moved ... how is it since the move? Same as before?

[RJ1980]

I love Caffe Buon Gusto on 77th b/w 2nd and 3rd. The food is delicious and most pasta, chicken, and veal dishes are $12-$15 - fish can be a few dollars more. You can check out the menu on MenuPages. Also, it is quite small, so you may want to make a reservation.