Inexpensive authentic Italian for out of town guests

[lisabnyc]

My cousin and her husband are visiting from TX and want to have Italian for dinner. I was thinking something like Max, Supper or Frank, but wanted to see if anyone else have better suggestions.

Criteria is pretty simple:
-Italian
-Pasta Entrees under $20
-Location can be anywhere from Midtown to Financial District
-Delicious
-Good atmosphere a plus

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[lisabnyc]

Thanks for all of the great suggestions. We ended up at Trattoria Trecolore in Times Square area. The choice was based on a theater district inquiry on this board a while back. I must say, I was really impressed, not only by the affordable prices, but with the actual meal. The atmosphere was nothing, but the service was great. We kept things simple: Caprese Salad and Ceasar Salad to start, Entrees were Spaghetti Bolognese, Chicken Parmesan and a special of the Spinach Pasta with Chicken and Mushrooms in a cream sauce. Everyone was so pleased and content....and not to mention, happy that it was only a few steps from their hotel. Would definitely recommend to people that have to meet friends & fam in this area for dinner.

[steakrules85]

Definitely second Crispo.

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Crispo
240 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011

[Simon]

Malatesta would work great...i like Cacio e Vino too...

i'd recommend avoiding Lupa (and all Batali restaurants)....

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Lupa
170 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10012

Malatesta
649 Washington St, New York, NY 10014

Cacio e Vino
80 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003

[rrems]

Lupa and Crispo are great. If you want something even more inexpensive, Da Andrea is quite nice and very authentic.

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Lupa
170 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10012

Crispo
240 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011

Da Andrea
35 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011

[miriamsmarket]

I second boccalupo's suggestion for Lupa! I'd also recommend Cacio E Pepe in the east village. Bon appetit!

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Lupa
170 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10012

[boccalupo]

Actually $20 max for pasta dishes will get you a fairly wide selection of Italian places. ".

Some places that come to mind right away would be Lavagna, Crispo, Lupa, Perbacco, In Vino, Barbone, Cacio e Pepe, Cacio e Vino, Gnocco and Via Emilia. I'd categorize these places as falling somewhere in the "moderate" price level.

Places like Max would actually be on the lower priced end of the scale, say $10 - $11 for a pasta dish.

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Lupa
170 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10012

Barbone
186 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009

Crispo
240 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011

Perbacco
234 East 4th Street, New York, NY 10009

Lavagna
545 E. 5th St., New York, NY 10009

Via Emilia
47 E 21st St, New York, NY 10010

In Vino
215 East 4th Street, New York, NY 10009

Cacio e Vino
80 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003

Cacio e Pepe
182 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003

Gnocco
337 E 10th St Frnt 1, New York, NY 10009

[carijo3]

My immediate thought was Frank but other options that I would absolutely recommend are Bianca Restaurant and Angolo Piccolo.