I highly recommend Broders as well. It's inexpensive & high quality Italian. Portion sizes are on the smaller end. It does get crazy busy & doesn't take reservations, so I would call at 4pm to put your name on the waitlist to minimize your wait time.
Another place I love is Cafe Lurcat near Loring Park. They have a deconstructed fried rice dish that I ate while I was pregnant & I still dream of that dish! Blackbird Cafe is also great & inexpensive. I love their spicy udon noodles & duck eggrolls while my husband gets the walleye po'boy.
Next on our list to try is Bar La Grassa. We've heard great reviews about this place & have been told it blows Broders out of the water.
Have fun!