So, what are the best Italian spots in the city?

There's this place a couple thousand miles west of Brooklyn that's pretty good. Lucrezia is the name.

I'm looking for places in and around the city with a lot of history.

I am not a NYC expert by any means, but when I was there a few years back with some BBers, we went to a place called Carmine's and it was out of this world. I believe it's a chain, so there should be a few areas that have this restaurant. I have eaten at a couple more, but I can't remember the names.

Then again, like I keep telling my kids, California Italian restaurants have absolutely nothing on NYC Italian Restaurants.


TIS

I think an Italian restaurant in NYC is about the best place you could ever take a date -- every night!

They're pretty much all the BEST in the world.

what about the ones in ITALY!!

What do they know about authentic Italian food!! You have to go to XX*th/rd street for that :0

*Substitute X with a number between 0-9 of your choice.

Italian food is limited to only 9 streets?

There are two Xs in my post if you notice. But yeah, nothing more than 99.

Does X mark the spot?

"Remember, X never, ever marks the spot" -Indiana Jones

There are two Carmine's, one on 90th and Broadway, and one in the theater district. They are big and noisy with enormous, family-style portions.

My two favorite are Sal Anthony's SPQR in Little Italy (I think Geoff posted pics of a dinner there in the Photo Gallery) and Becco on 46th, which is owned by Lidia Bastianich, the TV chef.

We went to Carmine's at The Tropicana in Atlantic City last weekend for a party. The food was really outstanding!

I've now been to all three Carmine's in the tri-state area and I will say that the one up on 90th St. and the one in Atlantic City are definitely superior to the one in the theater district.

As for my favorite Italian Restaurant in Manhattan, I have to go with IL GIGLIO on Warren Street. Outstanding food accompanied by professional service along with a nice quaint atmosphere. In my opinion one of the, if not the, best Italian Restaurants in Manhattan.

I haven't eaten at the one in Atlantic City, but I agree that the one on 90th is better than the one in the theater district. It's also livelier.

My brother, who lives in Brooklyn, is very fond of Michael's of Brooklyn. We've dined there, and it's good:

http://michaelsofbrooklyn.com/

Good food, nice decor, excellent service.

I've heard that the veal is the best in the city.

Nah. Turnbull is just pulling your chain. Along with the toilet's, too.

WOW! You've brought back some great memories with that post TB! Michael's of Brooklyn has been a favorite for many years and has managed to stay consistant throughout the years. Defintitley one of Bklyn's best.

We used to frequent another place over on Coney Island Avenue that was off the charts! Nino's. Everything was homemade. You would be there for 3 hours for a meal, but it was really worth the wait.

Unfortunately the old man Nino died. Then the neighborhood slowly began to change. Middle Eastern style food became more in demand because the neighborhood itself slowly changed over from a Jewish / Italian population to a Middle Eastern population. So obviously the demand for Italian Restaurants and Jewish Deli's dwindled down to practically nothing.

At one time I could tell you which of the old Italian Restaurants and Jewish Deli's were the top restaurants in that neighborhood. but I have no idea which of the Middle Eastern restaurants are the top of the line as I have never ate at any of the restaurants there since Nino's, the last of the originals, closed down.

Anyone remember Mamma Leone's in Manhattan? I can remember going there as a kid.

One of my first big dates with my wife was dinner at Mama Leone's and then "Gone With the Wind" theatre re-release in 1968. Year's later went with my wife and daughter (she was about 6 or 7). First we saw the Christmas Show, then Mama's. I remember it as having good food and a nice atmosphere.

This weekend I'll be spending two nights in Manhattan. Saturday matinee - Jersey Boys, dinner at Felidias; Lidia Bastianich's signature restaurant. Great food. Have eaten there twice; both times saw Lidia. In fact, my wife was in the kitchen with her. Second time she came around to the tables to greet everyone. She's as nice in person as she is on TV.

Other Italian restaurants:
In Little Italy: Angelos good food, Puglias good fun, Ferraras for dessert.
Bronx: Dominick's, family style, picnic tables and great food.

Dominick's is GREAT food!! So is Mario's, right down the street. Oh, man, are you making me hungry!!

This is not in NYC (it's about an hour away), but we all went here after my aunt's funeral service this afternoon and it was great! Apparently a lot of big names have been here since '82 -- including some Rat Packers and the like -- according to all the autographed photos on the wall. I definitely wanna go back and try different things!

Jimmy’s Italian Restaurant
1405 Asbury Avenue
Asbury Park, NJ 07712

Two of my all time favorites. Growing up a block and a half away from those places has made me kind of partial though.

However, currently, the best Italian food in the Belmont section of the Bronx can probably be found around the corner at Roberto's on Crescent Avenue.

In Manhattan I'll give the nod to Il Mulino (the original), on West 3rd Street. I'm in the West Village quite a bit and usually try to grab lunch there when I can. Dinner's too crazy.

When i win the lottery and finally get over there, i am going to visit all the places mentioned in this thread. My tummy is growling just reading about them

You're right, PB. Roberto's is absolutely amazing. And since Geoff mentioned a place that's not in the city, then so am I. Il Portico in Tappan, NY has it all - great food, excellent service, lovely ambiance. They also will make you things that are not on the menu, including the best spaghetti carbonara I've had outside of Italy.

there is an Il Mulino in one of the A.C. casinos. This week and last they are having the first "Restaurant Week" in Atlantic City. Prix Fix Menu $33. 70 restaurants are participating and Il Mulino is one. I better go this weekend!

Unfortunetly, I've never been to New York, I want to though! any good recommended restuarants incase I ever go one day?

Yes I'll meet you any time you waaaaant
In our Italian Restauraaaaant.

A bottle red? A bottle of white? It all depends upon your appetite...