ekscrunchy

Although locals have been shunning the ever-shrinking area's restaurants for decades, tourists continue to pour into the Italian restaurants that do remain. (Locals are, however, much in force at the area's handful of remaining, and superb, food shops including my personal favorite, DiPalo, and Alleva Dairy, where Tony Danza could be spoted behind the counter on some days.) But now there is one less restaurant: Angelo's of Mulberry had a bad fire and is now closed. Very sad: This was the only local old-school southern Italian that locals seemed to patronize on occasion, often with out-of-town visitors in tow. In a commentary on our times, they have a sister restaurant in Delray Beach, Florida.

Article on the demise of this storied area of New York:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/19/n...ttan-fire.html

BigRuss

This "storied area of New York" has been declining for at least 1/4 century.

Fra_Diavolo

Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, New Jersey, Long Island, Westchester, Connecticut . . .

ekscrunchy

Well it is still a "storied area" in the sense that it played a big role in the history of the city. I think its less in a decline than just changing to reflect a changing economy and changing immigration patterns, not to mention the real estate market. Someday maybe the Chinese will be scarce and a new group will begin to plant roots. At least I hope so, otherwise we are doomed to live in a sterile NY only for the top economic tier.

Thank goodness for diPalo. And although the owners still own real estate in the area, they live in Brooklyn.

J62

80-90 years ago the migration was to Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, New Jersey, Long Island, Westchester, Connecticut . . .

Having just spent a week in at the beach, I can safely add Florida the current list of "where the Italians are"

bachslunch

Little Italy has at least one good eatery — Lombardi’s does very good pizza.

Otherwise, Arthur Avenue in the Bronx is probably your best Little Italy type option in NYC.

tuscanlifeedit

I will never forget Angelo's lobster sauteed with lots of garlic. It was the best lobster dish I've ever had.

ekscrunchy

So who does a good garlicky lobster now??? Any recommendations?? Thanks...

IMDonehere

Little Italy really started disappearing 20 years with the then the latest wave of Chinese from Hong Kong from the south. And the invasion of the tragically hip from the north.

I too love Dipalo and very Spanish store Despana.

tuscanlifeedit

I too would love to have an answer to that question.

ekscrunchy

Right on about Florida; tonight we are eating in Casa di Calabria, near Ft. Lauderdale!

Remember when Flushing was Irish and Jewish? Take a look at that area now..some streets could be lifted straight from any random Chinese city:

Amuse * Bouche: Falling for Flushing

travelfan2018

I lived in Tampa Florida and thats where all the great Italian eateries are now! amazing!!