Carmine's
Everything is B-I-G at this family-style mainstay with two locations, on the Upper West Side (the original) and in Times Square. Carmine"s, with a dining room vast enough to deserve its own zip code and massive porti... www.carminesnyc.com
Barbetta
The debate over which is New York"s oldest restaurant rages on, and Barbetta (est. 1906) is in the thick of it. But there is no debate over Barbetta"s sustained excellence. The first, and still one of the few,... www.barbettarestaurant.com
Naples 45
At times the bustle and noise in this expansive restaurant in the Met Life Building might remind you of the lobby of Grand Central Station, just down the escalators from it. But don't let the activity deter you from the ... patinagroup.com
Becco
If you"re a fan of Lidia Bastianich"s PBS cooking shows, you can sample her simple, hearty Italian cooking here. Becco, on Restaurant Row, is designed to serve her meals "at a different price point"; (read: cheaper) th... www.becco-nyc.com
Patsy's
Patsy's keeps Broadway dining in the black with its devotion to red. This popular restaurant has been preparing soulful, stirring southern Italian fare since 1944. Spinach cannelloni packed with chicken, veal, spinach and c... metromix.com
Serafina At The Time Hotel
When all else fails, give ";em pizza: That seems to be the battlecry these days at the Time Hotel, whose restless restaurant space has recently been home to blink-and-you"ll-miss-it scattershots Oceo and 7Square. Perhaps th... metromix.com
Abboccato
Abboccato, meaning a touch of sweetness, will feature a menu that reflects the true appetites of Italy. Owned by The Livanos Family, Abboccato will provide a taste and experience similar to that of authentic restaurants in... opentable.com
Orso
This simply decorated trattoria is misleading in many ways. Spare almost to the point of being monastic, it's great for people-watching, especially after the theaters let out: That's when you see the actors, producers, and ... metromix.com
Esca
This temple of seafood is part of the Batali-Bastianich empire, though everyone would agree that its success is owed mainly to fisherman-chef Dave Pasternack. The chef's knowledge of and dedication to the freshest of fish i... metromix.com
Don Giovanni
In the never-ending quest for quality pre-theatre meals, Don Giovanni pleasantly surprises. Located smack in the middle of the touristy Theater District, the trattoria manages to cater both to bridge-and-tunnel and local cr... metromix.com
Scarlatto
Offering a welcome alternative to Olive Gardens and TGIFs of Times Square, Scarlatto is the real deal. And in the heart of the Theater District no less. Management seems to be aware of this, and they offer a nice three cour... metromix.com
Trattoria Lincontro
You"ll be hard-pressed to find an Italian eatery just off Ditmars that eclipses Trattoria L"Incontro, a welcoming, upscale restaurant featuring slightly pricey but wonderful entrees for those who love the classics-and class... metromix.com
Za Za
This enchanting Italian bistro features an outdoor Tuscan garden where you can enjoy-what else?-Tuscan-fueled food. Penne al Sugo Toscano is doused with a hearty sauce of ground beef and vegetables, while daily specials inc... metromix.com
Osteria Laguna
Open, airy and classy, Osteria marries the interior and exterior dining spaces by keeping the floor to ceiling front windows open in nice weather (nice touch!). Not particularly romantic, professionals in the area will find... metromix.com
Cafe San Martin
Cafe San Martin serves Italian-style cooking in an upscale setting. They cater mainly to out-of-towners and corporate clients, but avoid becoming the stereotypical tourist/celebrity-spotting center. With their classic meat ... metromix.com
Pietro's
Pietro's is like the dinosaur of steakhouses...and it shows. Despite its need for a facelift there is a loyal long-time following and a straightforward menu satisfactory enough to keep things going. True to its old-fashione... metromix.com
Pietrasanta
Whether eating al fresco on the corner of 47th Street and Ninth Avenue or nestled at a table or two, patrons of Pietrasanta enjoy moderately priced Northern Italian cuisine in an intimate setting. Crowds tend to gather for ... metromix.com
Strada 57 Ristorante
Strada offers Northern and Southern Italian cuisine in Midtown with a spotlight on fresh, homemade pastas and ingredients flown in daily from Italy. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday $19.95 gets you all-you-can eat pasta din... metromix.com