Jackson Heights Life

What do you think a 'reasonable dinner' should cost? Minus alcohol because almost all drinks are similar in cost? And how much do you factor in ambience into the reasonableness?

I'd say that $20 is a fair price for a reasonably priced dinner in a traditional sit-down restaurant similar to La Portena, Uncle Peter's and the like.  You could definitely do something for considerably less, but then you would probably be ordering take out or selecting items from a specially priced menu.

I think that a restaurant's ambiance is factored into menu pricing on most occasions.  The nicer the restaurant, the more you're likely to pay.  There are exceptions of course.  Take a place like Pio Pio.  It's a nice restaurant offering good food and quick service.  They have a Matador combo that includes a whole chicken, rice, beans, plantains, avocado salad and an order of salchipapas, all for $28.  It's enough food for 4 people.  You'd have to put up with lots of activity and noise, but that's part of the restaurant's appeal.  What it boils down to is that pricing depends on what you're in the mood for.

Should we make this a separate topic?

I really like to go to Novo on Mondays for the jazz, sitting in a comfy chair, and having Currasco (SP!), veggies and sometimes a side of potatoes  for under $20. I totally enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.