Favorite low/mid-range non-ethnic restaurants?

[sholli]

I'm looking for recommendations for somewhere to have dinner for 6 that will accommodate varying levels of price sensitivity but still qualify as a nice, social dinner out--ideally entrees under $20, although we'll consider places a little pricier. I'm trying to avoid going explicitly ethnic, although I'll certainly entertain suggestions if people have favorites, and places that take reservations are a plus. We're not very location-sensitive, although relatively central (between WTC and Central Park) is definitely preferable. Thanks.

[kathryn]

Five Points, Blue Ribbon Brasserie, Blue Ribbon Bakery, or Perilla? Entrees are more like mid-20s but the food is good and atmosphere is nice at all of these. And they all take reservations for parties of that size (in fact, the Blue Ribbons ONLY take them for 5 or more people)

[Pan]

As much as "ethnic" can be confusing, "non-ethnic" is even more confusing. What do you mean by that? American...and...? Give us more of an idea of what you're looking for. Is Italian "non-ethnic"? Is French? Greek? Chinese?

If Italian qualifies, consider trying to reserve a table in the back room of Lupa (Crispo is an alternative, if Lupa proves impossible to book at a reasonable hour). If you want French food, La Sirene is a lovely little place and pushes your upper limit a bit but less drastically than most (I think it's a good value). I don't know if it's a problem that it's pretty far west (ergo, not "central") in Soho.