How far out is the dinner? For a lot of fancy/buzzy restaurants, you need to book a month in advance if you want a normal dinner time (6:30-8:30). It’s annoying, but it is what it is. Also, what kind of food do you like? Price range?
Manhattan. Any area is fine preferred not Times Square. But I’ll have my car. My daughter is in lower East side so anywhere in the village. Soho. Chelsea upper East upper West would be fine.