Authentic Italian Restaurant New York
 

Staying at the Benjamin in New York in March. Daughters 16th birthday, she loves Italian food, any good authentic Italian restaurants nearby, walking or by cab. Price not an issue want this to be a memorable experience.....

The <b> MOST AMAZING </b> Italian food in New York City is without a doubt found on <b>Arthur Avenue</b> in the Bronx. However, that's probably too far for you to venture.

In Manhattan, the best purely in terms of food is <b>IL MULINO</b>. For very good food and a more festive atmosphere, you can't go wrong with Little Italy (Mulberry Street). Do a search for all kinds of Little Italy suggestions. Check out Il Mulino of Citysearch or Zagat's.

Enjoy!

I don't know what you consider 'authentic' but for a real Roman trattoria experience, Lupa on Thompson St, and for a Tuscan experience, I Coppi on E. 9th St. For the typical red sauce Italian, there are many. If little Italy interests you, do a search on it here because many of the restaurants there are mediocre at best.

Very good Italian in the theater district, Cascina on 9th Av. 10% discount if you show them theater ticket.

Don't know what you consider authentic but I like Babbo and Trattoria d'ell Arte.

Ooh, forgot about Il Mulino! My mouth is watering. Order the osso buco!

vittoria:

I think a 16 yr old girl would be Bored with Il Mulino! Too small Too stufy and Too overated!! My humble opinion!
16 year old kids want to see and be seen! To have FUN! The food is secondary. Now...let me think about where I would take my daughter??? Hmmmmm!

Maybe Lupa! That is kinda happening right now. Let me continue to think about that one a bit and get back to ya!
John

I think it depends on what you call &quot;authentic&quot; and whether you're looking for southern Italian (red sauce) or northern Italian. There are more Italian restaurants per square inch in NYC than you can imagine. And what would she find memorable? Would she like an elegant sophisticated place or a noisy, fun place?

Fresco is near your hotel (52 betw Madison &amp; Park) &amp; is good &amp; noisy but I'm not sure that or any Italian would be all that memorable.

I would suggest some place with a view (like River Cafe), some place in a different neighborhood like the village or soho or some place with music or entertainment. OK, just had a thought F.illi Ponte. It's Italian in Tribeca ON the Hudson with water views. It's a bit far by cab but different.

For authentic, I go to Baldoria in the theater district. For more of a 'scene' I go to Lupa or Pheasant in Soho.

I have posted before about my horrible experience at Il Mulino, but let me speak to the idea that it is AUTHENTIC Italian. I have spent months in Italy and eaten at many great restaurants there. Never have I been to one that serves portions the size of banquet tables for individuals. In Italy usually you can expect small portions of quality food. At Il Mulino it is all about the size of the portions -- simply gigantic. In my book that alone knocks it out of the &quot;authentic&quot; category. Don't get me started on the overcooked pasta swimming in watery sauce that tasted like flour because it obviously hadn't been given a chance to thicken. Or the &quot;baby rack of lamb&quot; that had ribs the size of a full grown horse. Or the unlisted suprise addition of foie gras (of all things) to a giant veal chop already stuffed with proscuitto, mushrooms, and fontina. Or the giant tiramisu that covered a dinner plate and tasted like chocolate flavored cool whip -- not even a hint of espresso or even coffee. Maybe it was an off night -- so they tell me -- but it was reallllllly off.

I'm surprised no one has really mentioned going to Little Italy and walking the street until you find one that she really likes. Menus posted and you can tell by looking at the crowds which are touristy and which aren't. Let her choose the one she wants!!!

As far as Il Mulino goes I am with Patrick it really does stink. Far too commercial, I have walked the streets of Little Utaly for many years( purely in search of food) I have wandered into many great and terrible places. We have probably eaten at most of the place on Mulberry and most of the outshoots.
Half the fun of Little Italy is looking at the places reading the menus and then discovering your own favorite place. We love Due Amici, tiny place they treat you like family. We also like a place in the next block on the left corner. Very good food , bigger then Due Amici . We also add points to a restaurant in LI when the ladies room is on the main level and you don;t have to climb up or down stairs.

For your 16 year old: Downtown Cipriani.
This restaurant is downtown however but in an interesting area.

1. Very Italian in attitude.
2. Very cool looking place with a vibrant atmosphere. It seemed like we were in Milano or Roma, maybe Venezia.
3. Very hot with the young.
4. I had an amazing risotto there in September and others at the table enjoyed their food almost as much as the celebrity watching.
5. Easier to get into than Babbo which I don't &quot;get&quot; anyway. lamb cheeks!
6. Pasta is considered I Primi...a small first course not some enormous glob of over sauced noodles.
7. There were several people there the night I had dinner (early actually at 8 pm). Yoko Ono, Lyle Lovett, two regular cast people from Sex and the City, two models that my friends recognized, a rock band en mass. Since LilMsFoodie is sort of oldish she was doesn't remember the names of the band, models but now remembers the name Cynthia (red hair) from Sex in the City. :-)

Mangia Bene, LMF

LilMsFoodie that's a <b>great</b> idea! You win the prize.

While I disagree w/ Patrick on Il Mulino (I had one of the best meals I've ever eaten there), I would agree it's probably not going to impress a 16 year old. I'd try one of the places in Little Italy (as mentioned above).

A favorite of my family for years, but it's in the Bronx, Frankie and Johnny's. Another claim to fame is that sometimes you can see a Yankee player or two there.

I've heard from New York Italians that Arthurs Avenue in the Bronx is the place to go too. I live in NY and have been trying to go for years. One day...

Merilee Tucker:

Always showing the great Bronx! I love your posts. I get back evry so often to get my bread at Addio, my meal at Amici or Pasta-Pasta, my canoli at Edgio and my Salami and Mozzarella at ?? (Next door to Edidgio Bakery)

As a former Bronxite...I salute you!
John

I would Take the Tour form Manhatten to the Aurthur avenue in the Bronx Get lunch at Domnick's (no credit cards )they will tour some of the Italian landmark business on and off aurthur avenue Addios Bakery for brick oven Bread ,DiLillos Pastery shop for the best Italian ice and pastery , Tetella &amp; sons Deli ( Ask for Red he is the owner ) for the best imported meats .Then go to Mikes deli in the Aurthur Avenue market to get fresh Mozzarella. Marios is another great place across from Domonick's and save room for some real NY Pizza .

An excellent restaurant here in the city that gets very little attention, is Quarto Gati (4 cats), and one of the best Italian restaurants in the city.

It is located just east of 3rd Ave on 81st St., so if you are on the upper east side this would be a good location to try and then you could go up to 86th St for a bit of shopping. Walk up 3rd Ave and there are lots of trendy stores shops, shoe stores and on 86, there are several good clothing stores.

Have a GREAT time in the city.