My mother, grandmother, sister-in-law are heading to NY for some Christmas fun. We were thinking of having dinner in Little Italy on Friday night. Any suggestions? We currently have reservations for Tavern on the Green for Sat. night, but not sure if we'll keep them. I've heard mixed reviews on the food but great reviews on the festive atmosphere. Any other recommendations for restaraunts for either night or day would be appreciated!

Most folks consider Little italy to be way past its heyday regarding quality and number of restaurants. That said, there are a few that are still consdered fairly decent. I can't recall the names but it was all part of a recent thread at www.egullet.com - it's a free forum based food/dining discussion site. Go to the North America/NYC section and scroll through the first several pages of threads - it was recent and should be easily found. I've had dinner at a few places in the Wst Village not far from Little Italy and found them al to be accepatble and decent basic Italian food with fun atmosphere. The only one I didn't care for was Cent 'Anni on Bleecker. Kind of an odd experiecne with two servers who didn't seem to want to be there and the place was mostly empty of a Friday night while surrounding joints were packed. The food was okay but not that memorable. Suggestions will be targeted at what kind of dining you like - a bit more specific info will help folks give you some good ideas. Definitely make reservations if the place in question accepts them - Friday nights are busy.

The best place for Italian food in Little Italy is the
Italian Food Center
86 Grand Street
New York, NY 10013
(212) 925-2954
It's a little store with a great deli and authentic foods... SOOOOO much better than the restaurants in the area!

Keep your Tavern on the Green reservation. It can't be beat for the festive holiday decorations, make sure to be seated in the Crystal Room.

Il Cortile is probably the best Italian restaurant in Little Italy, right on Mulberry Street. The prices are higher than most of the standard Little Italy restaurants. For something more in the old Little Italy traditon of inexpensive red sauce, try Luna's or Puglia.

I agree with Frank about Il Cortile. The food and the service are both outstanding. You will not be disappointed.

http://ilcortile.citysearch.com/

Here's another recommendation for Il Cortile!

Dont go to umbertos clam house, we ate their this weekend and it was lousey!!!!

I would also suggest II Cortile in Little Italy

Thanks for the suggestions! I checked out Il Cortile on the web and it looks great. I made reservations for Friday night. Thanks, again!

I highly rec. Paolucci's on Mulberry (146, I believe). They have great food, a fireplace and it's not at all "touristy". We love it!

Owen - thanks for the www.egullet.com information; I hadn't heard of it and I just checked out out - - very helpful!

Mary Margaret: my two dinners at Il Cortile are part of the reason that I agree with Owen that Little Italy has gone down hill; I hope you will post here again and let us know how it was.

I second Lunas. Not fancy but real old -fashioned Little Italy place and good food.
I would forget about going to Tavern on the Green, especially on the weekend , it will be a madhouse !

Go to Tavern On The Green Saturday even if the food is so-so! When we came home and told all the friends we'd eaten there, it was "Ohhhhh, Tavern on the Green"! When we said we ate at Carmines, it was "uh, an Italian place".

Go to Da Nico on Mulberry Street in Little Italy for a great Italian dinner at a rather reasonable price.

Wonderful food. Courteous and efficient waiters.

I second the suggestion for Da Nico's. I had an excellent meal there. I think it has a good Zagat's rating, too.

My suggestion to you and this is just a long time New York resident, go to an expensive authentic Italian Restaurant. If anyone knows of an inexpensive AUTHENTIC Italian restaurant I am all ears. I just don't know any. Me I would go to Felidia (58th btwn 2nd and 3rd). Maybe you have seen the executive chef and Owner Lydia on PBS on Sunday's? That would be a real authentic Italian Treat. Something you could probably talk about for years. Watch her show once and you will have a hard time thinking of any other option. That is how I feel anyway.

I know it is not exactly in my budget. But I would think Tavern on the Green would be comparable in price. Just wanted to throw the suggestion out there if no one else has.

I like to pick up Christmas treats in Little Italy around this time. I do however find that a lot of the cuisine is heavy, rich not the blend of more subtler flavors that native Italian food is. At least what I have experienced in Italy. I go to Little Italy when I am rushed from shopping if I go at all.

There is also another place down town Il Mulino (?) can someone help me out on the name here? Long tradition of amazing Italian food, I have never been. Many friends of mine rave about this place though.

PS I would cancel Tavern on the Green unless you are going for location. There are just too many high end options at similar prices that will leave you with a very memorable meal.

do yourself a favor and just have drinks at Tavern on The Green and then head down to Little Italy. Even with the cab fare, you'll make out better at Il Corteil - excellent and a really pretty place.

Also, Benetto's II is good. Felida is good, but I think Il Corteil is better.

If it is important to make your neighbors sigh with envy, go to TOTG and have a drink, then take a taxi to Little Italy and have some real good NY Italian food.

Forget Il Cortiles and I used to love Da Nicos but the service has slide down so much they have ruined the last two celebrations we tried to have their. Da Nicos is famous for forgetting a entree or two in parties over four. Last time their thye forgot two entrees and when they finally brought them out 20 minutes later one was wrong.
Our new favorite is called Due Amici, used to be thresas beginning of Mulberry street reasonable, great food, bathroom on same floor. Only draw back it is very small so if you are over 6 people it could be a tight squeeze, but well worth it.