I like:
-Nizza (It's my go-to place - even if they took away the warm calamari and potato salad)
-Marseille
-Caselulla (If you can get a seat!)
-Roberto Passon (Though it is in transition, yes?)
-Room Service (for their amazing lunch specials and decor)
-Whym (great for brunch)

Dislike:
-Kyotofu (I realllly wanted to like it but their key lime tofu tasted like windex and nothing else was memorable.)
-Basilica (Amazing no-fuss italian, and they make their own pasta, but once a manager asked my friend and I to leave after we finished dinner because he needed the table - only ten or so tables. And we had ordered wine and dessert and had yet to finish our last glass. It was unforgivable.)

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Casellula
401 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019

Kyotofu
705 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019

Nizza
630 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10036

Marseille
630 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10036

Whym
889 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019

Basilica
676 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036

Room Service
690 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036

That's a shame. That papardelle with lamb ragu was amazeballs!

I had a lovely, simple meal at Sette Mezzo, but it cost an arm and a leg. For that type of money, I want food that will challenge my tastebuds and waiters that know what they are doing, not just have a charming accent. Take the train somewhere if you are in the East 70s. You'll be happy elsewhere.