If you're looking for somewhere good but modestly priced to eat or drink, ask a cop. Most can direct you to somewhere that has atmosphere and is safe. There are lots of great places in NYC you could walk past without ever knowing they're there.
Irish bars - i'm sure most are fine ( we went to a few!), but in one particular place we had an experience where as soon as the waiter (they were all Irish) heard our English accents , we were made to feel very unwelcome.
Smith & Wollensky's for a steak dinner.