Looking for an unpretentious yet delicious dining experience

[melwic]

My parents are coming to visit me in July, and I'm trying to find some good restaurants to take them to. Nothing too upscale or pretentious, but a place with great atmosphere and excellent food nonetheless. I'm looking for anything in the $15-$20 per entree range, the $20-$25 per entree range and the $25-$30 per entree range. Any advice or favorites would be greatly appreciated!

[ian9139]

Clinton St. Baking Company is famous for their pancakes and brunch. The restaurant is nice but I have heard it is absolutely mobbed for brunch. I was just their for dinner and the pancakes (available on the dinner menu) were amazing, but everything else coming out of the kitchen looked great as well. I think most of the entrees were in the 15-20 range (pancakes were $13, huge portion).

[rrems]

Here are some of my favorite casual places, covering various cuisines and locations. you can google them and check their websites for menus and prices:

Perilla
10 Downing
Crispo
Harbour
Olana
Locanda Verde
Convivio
Scarpetta
Aldea
Snack Taverna
Chow Bar
Marseille

[RGR]

What cuisines to you and your parents prefer? Any avoids? Also, any particularly neighborhood(s)?

[fourunder]

Pretentious is arguable, but I would suggest Peasant in Nolita.

http://www.peasantnyc.com/