No offense taken, to each his own. I have a vowel at the end of my name and I love the place. I have never seen a tourist crowd there and I've been going there for over 25 years.

__________________


Current:
2016 X6 ///M Black Sapphire Metallic

You now have two IL Giglio recommendations.

Their are a number of good restaurants in Little Italy but they can be over run by tourist at times even though italians go to them.

I have three recommendations for great, authentic, inexpensive, but incredible restaurants in lower manhattan.

1) Benito's II in Little Italy, on Mulberry between Spring and Grand. Not to be confused with Benito's I across the street.
order:
1) Stuffed Artichoke
2) Baked Clams
3) Spedini (it's delicious)
4) Stuffed Mushrooms
5) Chicken Scapraelli with sausage over angel hair pasta with garlic sauce
6) Linguini White Clam Sauce

Second restaurant -
2) Joe's Shanghai. On Pell St. in Chinatown just off of Bowery.
They make these things called soup dumplings where they make pot stickers with hot soup enclosed in em. When you eat em, they explode with flavor.. I prefer the pork over the mixed (mixed is pork and crab.)

Lastly, for only a $15-$20 cab ride over to Brooklyn (from Soho, the cab ride should be cheap, your just going over the bridge), you MUST, MUST, MUST, MUST, MUST go to the best steak house EVER.. PETER LUGER'S STEAK HOUSE... It is simply amazing and worth the cab ride and wait..


Btw, all three of these restaurants are casual and affordable.

Good luck and let me know what you liked.
B

__________________
----------------------------------------------------------

"When two people agree on everything, one of them is not necessary" - Arliss

PeteG,
I agree with FLN8tive: Raoul's is excellent.
Also, Canapa at 245 E Houston, is very good, too.

For a more formal northern Italian, my decades long
fave has always been Ristorante Primavera, upper
1st Ave near 82nd (?)...not lower Man., but worth
the cab ride. Nicola, the on site owner, takes care
of everyone. Upper East side, local upscale joint:
my fave on the ol'ExpAcct.

Enjoy GothamCity...ya'll have courage doing it on
Turkey weekend.
GL, mD

__________________
Ol'UncleMotor
From the Home Base of Pro Bono Punditry
and 50 Cent Opins...

Our Mtn Scenes, Car Pics, and Road Trip Pics on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4527537...7627297418250/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4527537...7627332480833/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45275375@N00/

My X Page

ayyy filli pontes...owner is best friends with my grandfather....good guys down there

Has anyone been to Babbo? This is one of Mario Batali's places, I believe it's in the West Village.

http://www.babbonyc.com/

yup 2

__________________
You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.

This thread is killing me!!

__________________
Mike F
Current: 2017 Grand Cherokee HEMI
2017 Kawasaki ZX-14r
2017 Harley RG Ultra
2017 Harley Fatboy S

very good also, although you're also likely to have a tough time getting a table unless far in advance. the bar area is actually pretty cool to eat, if only for two. maybe a bit more romantic, although il giglio is formal and very nice with excellent service. ps- mario batali also a former scarlet knight (rutgers alum)!

as for raoul's, (french) it's considered by many (and me) as the best steak au pouivre in the city. its excellent. if u have trouble getting a table, ask to talk to phillip.

as for little italy, you can do much, much better italian many other places in the city. i've lived here for more than 10yrs and would not bother. if u want another point of reference, look at the zagat ratings.

i eat out for biz/pleasure all the time in ny, but just my 2c