If you get the chance and have enough people with you, I highly recommend you dine at Carmine's restaurant. There are two locations I know: one off Times Square (44th Street I think) and one on Broadway near West 90th. We went to the latter location, fearing the former one to be mobbed.

We went at 3:30 and got table right away, but by 5 PM when we left, there was a considerable line and wait for tables. If the prices look high it's because each dish is enough to feed 4 people. We ordered a plate of spaghetti in maranara sauce, and I'm pretty sure it was 2 pounds of pasta. The food is very good and the service excellent.

We ate in Little Italy two nights before this, and the food there was great too. I don't remember the restaurant's name, but it's one of many on Mulberry and I've never had a bad meal yet there. Afterwards, we stopped by Ferrara's to get some pastry for dessert. They make my favorite: a sfogliatella which is a shell-shaped pastry stuffed wtih riccota cheese and candied fruit. I have yet to find it here in St Louis. The bakeries on the Hill know what it is but don't make it.

Posted by: Ed at December 30, 2003 7:45 PM