Lunch Restaurant Between Grand Central and Penn Station?

My wife is meeting a relative for the first time in NYC tomorrow and is looking for a reasonable restaurant to meet.

One is coming in to Grand Central, the other to Penn Station, so they figure a place in-between is best.

Main criterion are: reasonable noise level (understanding we are talking Manhattan); not prohibitively expensive; good salads.

Bryant Park Grill hands down. Lovely setting at Bryant Park,tucked behind the NY Public Library! 

Or, for al fresco dining, there's a new Pain Quotidien kiosk right in the park, where you will find tables and chairs.

Thanks.  They went to Le Pain Quotidien and had a wonderful time.