re: Food Recs in NYC

honestly, no. You said in your OP you weren't looking for fancy and had kids with you... both of those places are high end steak houses basically. Keen's especially kids would be very out of place.

I'd suggest brunch, Saturday or Sunday at Spotted Pig because the wait is shorter for brunch.

You can also check out Chelsea Market at 75 9th Avenue. It's a food shopping center, with great restaurants, cafe's, suitable for all ages. It's a must see if you're in Lower Manhattan.

Also, if you're downtown, near NYU and Washington Square Park, go to Bleecker Street and check out the food scene on Bleecker. This street connects the East to the West Village and there's a lot of good food to be discovered. I like FISH, which is a seafood restaurant at Bleecker and 7th Avenue. Family friendly. Reasonably priced. Great place to have a beer and people watch. Get the Grilled Ahi Tuna Sandwich. One of my favorite sandwiches, anywhere.

Went last year and brought one of my kids (at the time 3). We went to il Vagabondo, The Dutch, Salvation Taco, Eataly, and Balthazar.

All, save il Vagabondo, were rather raucous places and so the effect of a toddler was muted. She loved it. Il vagabondo was more subdued but all the waiters are old pros and they kept bringing her little things to keep her interested like a plate of bread and butter here, ice cream, a sleight of the hand trick.

Great food at all. Eataly was a nice lunch as it was across the street from Madison Square Park and she spent an hour or so playing on the playground. Then we went into the pizza/pasta area of Eataly. Not sure the ages of your kids though.

Levain bakery is fantastic as well and located close to the museum of natural history. There is also a shake shack right there as well.

That whole area lacks bars/restaurants but check out Stone Street... it is pedestrian only/protected, lined with bars/restaurants and cool to hang out at when the weather is good.