Where to Eat in Little Italy?
 

Family with 3 teens in NYC in June. Would like to have dinner at a non-touristy, comfortable, excellent Italian restaurant in Little Italy. Any recommendations?

honestly, i don't think there is any non-touristy restaurant in little italy on a summer evening. if good italian food with good italian atmosphere is what you are looking for, try I Coppi in the E.Village (E 9th st, betw 1st & 2nd avs). It's like being in Tuscany, very authentic.

Il Cortile on Mulberry Street is one of, if not the best, in Little Italy. It's not cheap, but Zagat rates it a 23 on food and make sure to sit in the enclosed courtyard.

I agree with M that there probably aren't any non-touristy restaurants in Little Italy...I used to take people to Da Nico's on Mulberry Street...during the summer each restaurant has at least one employee stationed outside beckoning you in to their establishment...I don't know how good it is anymore, but I used to go to a restaurant named Lanza's on 1st Avenue between 8th and 9th or 10th Streets...afterwards, you can walk a few doors down and have dessert and coffee at Di Robertii's or Veniero's across the street, although I personally feel from my last few visits, they're not as good as they once were.

I agree that the best non-touristy Italian isn't in Little Italy. There's another place in the East Village, Il Bagatto, that is fantastic. It's on 2nd street between Aves A & B. It's closed on Mondays. There's a Citysearch review here...<BR>http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/7098565/<BR>

I second Il Cortile on Mulberry Street - it's fantastic. It IS expensive, however the food and atmosphere are exquisite.

Jen,<BR><BR>I have also heard great things about Il Cortile. I would also recommend La Mela at 167 Mulberry St.

If your're set on Little Italy, my choice would be II Cortile....I was just there 2 weeks ago and had a very good dining experience.

Yes, it's a touristy location, but dinner in Little Italy is a great experience. My favorites are Da Nico and Il Fornaio, both on Mulberry. <BR><BR>Da Nico has a large outdoor garden that could be perfect in June. Il Fornaio offers a very informal atmosphere -- I prefer it for lunch.<BR><BR>

What about Vincent's? My parents have raved about it.

I Coppi is very good. I personally love Frank Restaurant on 2nd Ave. and 5th St. It's really good Southern Italian style food. It gets really crowded, so go early to avoid waiting. My husband and I go all the time and we've always had excellent food. Reasonably priced too. It is a small restaurant though, so it's not the most plush and roomy place. Great overall atmosphere though, IMO

I personally love Vincent's. I've eaten there 4 times in the last 6 months. One nice thing about the restaurant is that they have different types of red sauce - sweet, medium and spicy, so it's good to take a group there.