Been now a couple of times to this Aria location in Hell’s Kitchen (there’s another one in the West Village), and have been pleasantly surprised.
All the pasta dishes are $12, the meat entress are a very reasonable $14, which I believe are the priciest items on the menu (at least for lunch).
Have tried the lasagna bolognese and spaghetti polpette. Both good, hearty simple dishes. The latter reminded me just how good a properly made spaghetti and meatballs can be. The pasta e fagioli is good too, esp. when the weather is a bit brisk (well, at least for this SoCal wimp).
They have a lunch special for $16, which includes a choice of pasta and a glass of wine. Not bad.
Aria
Hell’s Kitchen, 9th/51st