Inexpensive Restaurants with Ambiance

[doona]

I have a list of 80 restaurants to try in the city, and almost none of them are places to go on a budget! Help!!

Would much appreciate a list (expensive opinions not necessary) of people's recommendations for restaurants with inexpensive entrees, anywhere in the city.

Examples that I love would be Alias, 'ino, Barmarche, Essex, even Momofuku (which I do love and it is cheap, but not as sceney as I'm looking for, for this list) Think: menupages with three dollar signs.

[180macd]

piadina
casa
prince 24
perbacco
cafe asean
viet cafe
otto
mercadito

[fein]

piadina was my first thought.

[Olive123]

Second Cafe Asean, also like Alta and Kashkaval (though ambiance was better there before they swicthed to those harsher lights).

[dkstar1]

el quinto pino
Bread (SoHo or TriBeCa)
'inoteca
Crif Dogs!
Momofuku (all of them)
Bao Noodles
Penelope
Landmarc
Tartine

[RGR]

I have to say that with the exception of the pho, the food I've had within the past year at Bao Noodles has deteriorated in quality. Very disappointing. :-(

[clashfan]

Da Andrea, great Italian on Hudson, very well priced.

[vinegarhill]

Marinella, on Carmine and Bedford has decently priced Italian food in a very nice quiet setting.

[offthebeatenpath1]

I think anytime you are on a budget, the best places are the ones with good tapas. Otto is a great choice, as would boqueria or Las Ramblas. Also, 'inoteca is a great atmosophere and they have good paninis and it won't cost you too much.

[RGR]

Afaik, Otto does not serve tapas. It sounds as though you're confusing it with Batali's Spanish tapas spot, Casa Mono.

[DarthEater]

Azul Bistro, Maxs,

[KateC.]

Very tough to find anyplace inexpensive with ambiance -- assuming you also want good food!

Inoteca (Italian-ish, little plates, Lower East Side, good wine)
Barrio Chino (superb Mexican food with fresh-fruit cocktails, try the enchiladas verdes or the steak, Lower East Side)
Kuma Inn (Pan-asian tapas, Lower East Side, takes reservations, BYOB)
Cafe Gitane (French Morrocan cafe in Nolita, lots of fashion atmosphere for breakfast and lunch)
Shake Shack (outdoors in Madison Square Park, very pleasant on a nice summer night)

[eeee]

I think Alta offers a lovely atmosphere and food for a reasonable price.

[cimui]

Ivo & Lulu
Flor's Kitchen
Galanga
Snack / Snack Taverna
Moustache
La Palapa Rockola
La Lanterna (great ambiance!)

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Flor's Kitchen
170 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10014

Snack
105 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012

Moustache
90 Bedford St, New York, NY 10014

Ivo & Lulu
558 Broome St, New York, NY 10013

Galanga
149 W 4th St, New York, NY 10012

La Palapa Rockola
359 6th Ave, New York, NY 10014

[layatp]

I'd add the following:
Cafe Mogador
Deborah
Paprika