re: New York Fine Dining

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Anyone have a recommendation for an old school Italian spot in NYC? Going next week want something good, but old school vs Fancy

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Friend,

I love Patsy’s in East Harlem, but their dinner hours are limited. Always get a full pizza while there. Not too far away is Rao’s. I have only eaten there once, thanks to a contact Uncle has maintained. It’s supposedly the hardest table to get in America. I thought it was decent, but I wouldn’t pay someone $1000 to eat there.

Monte’s Trattoria in West Village is great. Atmosphere and pasta wonderful. Gene’s is nearby and their Parm dishes are great. Speaking of Parm, Parm is a local chain that might not be old, but the food is amazing and cheap. Any dish there is top notch — it is the sister restaurant of Carbone and uses the same red sauce recipe! Plus you can get out of there for under $20 per person with ample portions. Seating is tight in the Mulberry St location, which is the only one I’ve visited.

Ballato near Una Pizza isn’t that old, but it is great. Very difficult to get a table there though. It’s on the celebrity list like Carbone so I wouldn’t bother trying. One of my favorite NY Italian restaurants is nearby at John’s of 12th St. Old school Italian. John’s also has a sizable vegan menu. It isn’t related to John’s of Bleecker, which is famous for pizza, but does classics like calamari really well too.

Inevitably someone is going to suggest Bamonte’s over by Best Pizza in Brooklyn. It’s a great atmosphere, but the food honestly is subpar. If you do end up in Brooklyn, Gino’s of Bay Ridge arguably has the best chicken Parm in the world, maybe even better than Impastato’s. It’s a hike down there though.

If you are down on Mulberry St at lunch time, go to Parisi’s Bakery. They make an amazing hoagie. I can’t remember the name of it now, but it has a person’s name. The sandwich is fresh mootz, prosciutto, paper think fried chicken cutlets. It is one of the best sandwiches you’ll ever have. Very connected in there too, although no where to sit except a little bench outside.

Yours,
TulaneLSU

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Le Bernardin is in my opinion the best restaurant in the world. If you can go, go.

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I agree and I say that as someone who doesn't really like seafood. I used to eat lunch there regularly, in the lounge. They had a City Harvest menu, three courses for $45. This was about ten years ago, so I'm sure it's a lot more now. Every meal I have had there, in the lounge, at the bar, in the dining room, has been perfect in every single way.

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Anyone have a recommendation for an old school Italian spot in NYC? Going next week want something good, but old school vs Fancy

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A great spot that isn't old school in that it's not a really old place, but is a traditional red sauce joint is Rubirosa. Very simple food, really well done, simple environment. Best bet is walking in during non peak times.

Hate to hear that about Daniel.its a special place for us and I had the best meal of my life there.