Italian Restaurants in Manhattan (consolidated)
Sep 14, 2008, 9:47 am
#16
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I love Il Tinello as a high-end, formal and traditional old-school Italian restaurant. Il Tinello is at 16 W. 56 St.
Sep 14, 2008, 11:46 am
#17
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: New York, NY USA
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As a life long New Yorker and dedicated foodie my vote goes for Patsy's restaurant at 236 West 56th Street. http://www.patsys.com/
Sep 14, 2008, 12:22 pm
#18
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I have only been in NYC once and a girlfriend told me to go to John's on 12th Street. As I recall it was a little off the beaten path in the Village (native New Yorker's can correct me). It was a tiny little place and cash only, but OMG the Italian food was amazing and the best I have ever had. My brother ordered the anchovie pasta and WOW!
Thanks to everyone who replied
Sep 14, 2008, 3:46 pm
#21
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 68
6 months ago I couldn't agree more. These days, however, La Traviata has definitely taken a turn for the worse and I've only had mediocre to poor food from them recently.
Sep 14, 2008, 4:12 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 8,498
I'm a big fan of Lupa.
In Little Italy be warned that most of the restaurants are really bad. There are probably some good ones, but most aren't, so be sure you have a good, specific recommendations.
I've also been to Patsy's on 56th and was unimpressed. If you have a Sinatra fetish, I guess it can be fun (it was his hangout), but if it weren't for its association with the man this place would have closed decades ago. It's the kind of place that in many small US cities would be considered top end Italian, but in NYC there are many, many places to go that have better, less-expensive, more interesting food in a less stuffy atmosphere.
In Little Italy be warned that most of the restaurants are really bad. There are probably some good ones, but most aren't, so be sure you have a good, specific recommendations.
I've also been to Patsy's on 56th and was unimpressed. If you have a Sinatra fetish, I guess it can be fun (it was his hangout), but if it weren't for its association with the man this place would have closed decades ago. It's the kind of place that in many small US cities would be considered top end Italian, but in NYC there are many, many places to go that have better, less-expensive, more interesting food in a less stuffy atmosphere.
Sep 14, 2008, 7:39 pm
#23
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NY
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Honestly are there any that good in NYC? If you want real Italian try LaParma I, II, and III in Long Island (three total listed below- same owner). I have been to the one on Willis Avenue I believe ext 37 off of LIE. there is no better -guaranteed. La Parma has been awarded with “Excellent” rating by Zagat for six consecutive years.
Williston Park, NY
707 Willis Avenue
516-294-6610
Huntington, NY
452 Jericho Tpke.
631-367-6360
Oceanside, NY
410 Merrick Road
516-763-1815
Sep 14, 2008, 8:06 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: New York, NY USA
Posts: 631
I'm a big fan of Lupa.
In Little Italy be warned that most of the restaurants are really bad. There are probably some good ones, but most aren't, so be sure you have a good, specific recommendations.
I've also been to Patsy's on 56th and was unimpressed. If you have a Sinatra fetish, I guess it can be fun (it was his hangout), but if it weren't for its association with the man this place would have closed decades ago. It's the kind of place that in many small US cities would be considered top end Italian, but in NYC there are many, many places to go that have better, less-expensive, more interesting food in a less stuffy atmosphere.
In Little Italy be warned that most of the restaurants are really bad. There are probably some good ones, but most aren't, so be sure you have a good, specific recommendations.
I've also been to Patsy's on 56th and was unimpressed. If you have a Sinatra fetish, I guess it can be fun (it was his hangout), but if it weren't for its association with the man this place would have closed decades ago. It's the kind of place that in many small US cities would be considered top end Italian, but in NYC there are many, many places to go that have better, less-expensive, more interesting food in a less stuffy atmosphere.
Sep 14, 2008, 9:07 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 68
I'm definitely not trying to ruin a business, and I should have added a qualifier in my first post.
I used to get delivery from La Traviata roughly twice a week for around a year and enjoyed it very much... After their separate delivery arm closed (a few months ago) the food delivered from the retail location declined in quality. It got to the point where neither I nor my co-workers will order from them anymore.
Here's the catch: I've never eaten in house at La Traviata! Many restaurants have varying quality for take out vs. in house, and I really hope this is one of those cases - Traviata used to be my favorite delivery resteraunt in the area. I should actually try eating-in there some day
I'm glad to see its still getting good reviews ... I'll have to give it another chance 
Last edited by GreyedOut; Sep 14, 2008 at 9:13 pm Reason: grammar
Sep 14, 2008, 9:16 pm
#26
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I've also been to Patsy's on 56th and was unimpressed...
It's the kind of place that in many small US cities would be considered top end Italian, but in NYC there are many, many places to go that have better, less-expensive, more interesting food in a less stuffy atmosphere.
It's the kind of place that in many small US cities would be considered top end Italian, but in NYC there are many, many places to go that have better, less-expensive, more interesting food in a less stuffy atmosphere.
But hey, it sounds like some people will travel to NYC to spend 30 bucks on a chicken cacciatore or veal piccata.
Sep 14, 2008, 9:34 pm
#27
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[QUOTE If you want real Italian try LaParma I, II, and III in Long Island I have been to the one on Willis Avenue I believe ext 37 off of LIE. there is no better -guaranteed. La Parma has been awarded with “Excellent” rating by Zagat for six consecutive years. [/QUOTE]
ha ha ha
these are popular with zagat since the portions are humongous- each dish easily feeds 4 as a main course or 8 as an appetizer!!! seriously - this is "lawn guylandt family style"
although the food is yummy- especially if you are a "anything parmagiana" fan but its more for large groups who can handle the sheer volume
if you are a just a couple you will not be happy- bring six of your friends
lets reiterate the difference between the many "southern italian" - red sauce places and the "northern italian" brown sauce restaurants - both can be good but "fine dining' is usually, to me, northern style
ma, siamo tutti italiani
ha ha ha
these are popular with zagat since the portions are humongous- each dish easily feeds 4 as a main course or 8 as an appetizer!!! seriously - this is "lawn guylandt family style"
although the food is yummy- especially if you are a "anything parmagiana" fan but its more for large groups who can handle the sheer volume
if you are a just a couple you will not be happy- bring six of your friends
lets reiterate the difference between the many "southern italian" - red sauce places and the "northern italian" brown sauce restaurants - both can be good but "fine dining' is usually, to me, northern style
ma, siamo tutti italiani
Sep 15, 2008, 4:00 pm
#28
formerly known as daveland
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Sep 15, 2008, 8:19 pm
#30
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+1, I recently had a spectacular meal there and the service was just as good as the food and wine ^
I used to go to Johns on 12th (on East 12th btwn 1st & 2nd - closer to 2nd Ave) a lot back when i was in school. fyi, if an old school, neighborhood red sauce joint is what you're in the mood for, you could certainly do a lot worse.
speaking of neighborhood spots, Lil Frankies in the East Village always seems to be a popular choice, Sadly I've yet to actually eat there.
I have only been in NYC once and a girlfriend told me to go to John's on 12th Street. As I recall it was a little off the beaten path in the Village (native New Yorker's can correct me). It was a tiny little place and cash only, but OMG the Italian food was amazing and the best I have ever had. My brother ordered the anchovie pasta and WOW!
speaking of neighborhood spots, Lil Frankies in the East Village always seems to be a popular choice, Sadly I've yet to actually eat there.