Looking for a fun, but delicious restaurant in NYC

Chowhounder from the beginning, but haven't been very active in recent years... Headed home to NYC from ATL for a difficult and sad, but necessary visit this weekend. Did a search here but came up empty... hoping for some recommendations. Starting off Thursday night with cousins (ages 40's to late 50's) for a fun girls night. I am staying on 40th and Fifth, they are coming in to Penn. I have my faves, but wanted to hear about any new fun and noteworthy spots or chowhound faves. Good food, moderately priced (not sure what they want to spend), but a place we can let loose a bit...Open to all cuisines, but want to stay "reasonably" close to be mindful that they are schlepping in to see me. ;-) Thanks, in advance.