Your price-point is tough. Check out El Paso on Lexington (103-104); also Yo In Yo Out on Lex (100-101).

I suggest that your visit list is overly ambitious. Walking across the bridge and hitting the Middle Eastern places on Atlantic works (be sure to visit Sahadi's), but it's a long way to the BBG. Alternatively consider the nearby Bkn Heights Promenade.On Sunday, you could do the cruise, the Indian Museum (note that the WTC requires timed tickets bought in advance) and Chinatown. You might add Rock Ctr. to your Saturday itinerary. For your 4th you could do Katz's, the Tenement Museum and the UN. FYI the Fed, the Indian Museum,and the WTC are near each other, and it's a 15-20 minute walk to Chinatown.

Agree Wa Jeal tops for Szechuan on UES.

If the weather is decent, grab something at one of these places and have a picnic in Central Park together.

The most convenient places are near Madison AV (1 block over). Cafe Grazie (84th east of Madison) would probably work; there's a Le Pain Quotidian on Mad (84th-85th); very informal, but Dean and Delucca might work (Mad and 85th); and the Wright restaurant at the Guggenheim (altho I haven't tried that one).

I'll second the Hens for their incredible coconut cream cake, and their carrot cake, which is also wonderful.

For more than 20 years Agra has been a favorite of my Indian-loving friends (and UN personnel). It's on Lexington between 62 and 63, on the East side of the street--but it's upstairs (2nd floor) so you have to look for the sign. Prices are very reasonable for very high quality (and they serve wine and beer).

I'll bet that Bar Bouloud, right across the street, could handle this with aplomb.

If you choose to stay nearby, my picky friends and relatives have all very much enjoyed ViceVersa on 51st (alternatively, I'd head across the street from New World Stages to Chez Napoleon, and order the baked mussels appetizer and one of their excellent French/Swiss main courses).

If everyone likes chicken and/or civiche and great sangria, you can't beat Pio Pio for quailty and quantity. They also have the best chicken soup in NYC. The one on 10th Av. is very large. Another affordable possibility would be dim sum, altho that's usually a lunch time thing.

Chez Napoleon in the Theatre District still has it on their menu.

Also, the Campbell Apt. has a dress code, no sneakers allowed, and I doubt that jeans are acceptable. After several encounters there, my impression is that they want the young, beautiful--and loud--crowd.

Hakkasan is not in midtown East

I loved their vegetarian soup (and I'm a meat eater), also the lard duck appetizer and the excellent papaya salad (it's spicy!). The vegetable spring roll is the only dish I haven't been happy with (mushy filling). Hope you enjoy it.

Two Little Red Hens, 2nd av 85-86, is excellent, and they do special orders. Had their coconut cream cake for Easter and it was absolutely wonderful. Have also had their carrot cake and that was also tops.

The bar at Crispo might work. Lots of favorable talk here that Rouge et Blanc is worth a trip, and maybe easier to get into.

Jaiya is the best. They say that they deliver within 15 blocks, and they're btw 80-81 on 2nd, so ask. Note that their spicy is very, very spicy (I usually ask for "American spicy", even tho I like hot spice).

Le Pain Quotidien, corner of 7th av and 58th opens at 7 has plenty of pleasant seating as well as takeout I also see a recommendation on Menupages for A Cafe on 58th betw 5th and 6th, and they also open at 7.

I love walking in NYC, so glad you're doing that. Just note that a group of 17 doesn't move at optimum speed; it will take you approx. 1/2 hour to Chinatown and 1 hour to Katz's. My tourist guests love seeing the temple on Mott st., the Chinese supermarket on Canal, and Pearl River, the Chinese dept. store on Lower Broadway (near Grand); Pearl River also has a tea cafe.Years ago there was a kosher Chinese, Bernstein's on Essex, I think. Don't know if there's a kosher Chinese today. I wonder if you could take them to dim sum and let those with dietary restrictions order off the menu (fish?).

Sandwich Planet at 9th and 39th for a huge menu of excellently executed sandwiches; no ambiance, but a sweet and unhurried staff.

Kathryn's list is excellent. My only disagreements would be that there is no place in NY with a steak to match Chicago. I;m also not a NY-style pizza lover (Chicago is much better), and BBQ in NY is lousy compared to most other areas of the US (it's not a NY "native" cuisine).

Close to the museum is Caffe Grazie on 84th, St. Ambroeus on Madison (77-78), EAT (upscale deli) on Madison (80-81), and Serafina Fab. Pizza (79 and Madison). Slightly further are Antonucci Cafe on 81st, Beyagolu (Turkish/Med) at 3rd Av and 81, and Toloache on 82 for Mexican.

Years ago I had the 1/2 sheep's head appetizer at Puglia. It's still on the menu.

There are additional first-come seats and tables where you can eat the take-away food.

For Sunday, I agree with Marseille, and would also recommend Chez Josephine (which has excellent food--altho Marseille probably tops it--but has piano music and a little nicer, quieter atmosphere).

Chez Josephine would be an off-beat choice near your theatre. It's the atmosphere here, dominated by voluptuous, original paintings of Ms. Baker, together with a live jazz piano, and an amusing take on1920'ies bistro decor. The charming maitre'd/owner helps. The food is very good (nice twists on bisto standards), but not the heights of Jean George or Le Bernadin. I like the food at Basso 56, but agree that it's plain, and not particularly romantic. Becco has a pleasant atmosphere, but seems cramped and harried.

Horn of Plenty was on a corner on the West side of Bleeker St. The Little Owl is very closeby (but no reserve--so arrive early), AOC, Perilla (which is mostly American) and Fedora are also nearby (but never been to the new Fedora).

Altho I like the food at Felice, it's basically a tapas place which is loud and crowded. There are many excellent restaurants in that area, eg: JoJo, La Veau d'or, and a veritable restaurant row of good places on E. 58th btw 2nd and 3rd (Felidia, Chola,etc.). And for fish as a specialty it's not far to Aquavit, Oceana, or the Manhattan Ocean Club.

My group of 3 diverse-taste friends loved the food at Crispo, but the noise in the garden room was too much. I'd eat at their bar the next time.

Any restaurant at the Time Warner Center. Also, moderately priced and pleasant atmosphere at Whym on 9th av, between 57 and 58.