My brother suggested a place on Staten Island named Bella Mama. He said they have a guy who sings Italian songs, but very softly.

bugswife1, thanks for the scoop on Baldoria, I didn't know anything about it. Since I'm not in a Rao's Patron's will, I can certainly settle for heading down to 49th. Thanks!

Scoutfish: Check out htis week's TIME magazine.

In a story on the Mafia, they mention a current Sicilian restuarant in NYC run by a famous mob boss. The description sounds just like what you're looking for up to the censors in the ceiling that are supposed to notify the patrons if the Feds have planted any bugs!

Another funny part, TIME reports, is that the piped-in music is, of course, the theme from "The Godfather."

This is why I love this site!!! New Yorker's are much franker about the city than any travel guide. This story is right out of the Godfather!
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/stor...p-131116c.html

Scoutfish, I'm thinking any restaurant on Mulberry between Canal and Broome Sts should provide the grimy intimacy you are looking for. Plus, it's entertaining watching all the young Italian teens barking outside of each restaurant for potential patrons to choose their establishment.

Maybe it is too obvious, but you shouldn't go wrong with the romance and grunge of Little Italy.

The Cast of the Soprano's eat at IlCortile in little Italy on Mulberry street. They started going there as a Tradition to eat after you get killed on the show. They gave you a dinner at IlCortile, now knowbody wants a dinner they all want to stay on the show.

People you're not thinking out of the box on this one.

Scoutfish, immediately upon arrival in New York, make a crack about airline safety and what you might do. Shortly thereafter, you'll find yourself at the Federal Detention Center in Manhattan. After a large bust a few day ago, you'll have about 30 members of the Colombo family as your dining companions.

BTW, if you don't discriminate as to the ethnicity of your gangster's, you'll find PLENTY of the Russian kind at Rasputin's in Brooklyn.

Hey, don't forget Queens! Try Manducatis in Long Island City or Trattoria de Ischia in Woodside. You will get real New York Italian flavor and ambiance at both. Mangia!

What about Il Mulino?