Spettro? Milano? Mezze?

What's "not too expensive"?

I haven't eaten at them for a few years (the former two, anyway--I've never
eaten at Mezze but it looks interesting). I ate at Spettro and Milano fairly
often when I lived down there, but that was a while ago.

I love Spettro but I can't imagine a group of 12 working out there. How about Zza? It's not great food but certainly good enough -- I'm a huge fan of their pasta puttanesca -- and a friendly casual atmosphere that would work out well for a group. I think it's wine and beer only, though -- by "great drinks" did you mean a full bar?

There's also a good Italian place a few blocks from the Grand Lake -- Ristorante Milano, I think, or something like that, and I'm pretty sure it has a full bar. And come to think of it, I think last time I was there the waiter was, er, easy on the eyes.

I was going to suggest Zza's too. I think it has a fun and non-pretentious atmosphere. Its good for groups. Like with all Italian food, 2 people could split a salad and an entree and be fine, full actually. They have carafs of wine and a pretty large selection as I recall. More female waiters than male but I recall them being good looking. :)

Spettro is good but I would say sometimes its on the pricier side unless you split an entree or just order pizza.

Le Taza de Cafe is a Cuban place on Grand past Mandana on the left. Live music on the weekends, sangria and tapas style so you could spend as much or as little as you like I imagine.

I think thats about it really. All of those are in walking distance to the theater, although the Cuban place is the furthest away.

Zza's is good. Nice wine bar too.................................

Skip Spettro. It was wonderful when Jeff and his sister Cricket Deetz owned and ran it but since they sold it, it is totally a waste of time.

Thanks for all the suggestions! We ended up going to Milano and it was great!