...when your Italian grandmother comes up from Florida and wants "real Italian" even though she really means "fake Italian"

Carmines
200 West 44th Street
(Between 8th Ave and Shubert Alley)
2450 Broadway
(Between 90th and 91st St)

Here's something you could never tell your Italian grandmother - Italians don't call sauce "gravy", they don't call Manicotti "Manigot" and they never, ever eat Spaghetti with Meatballs. The Great Depression and good-old American marketing convinced Italians in Little Italy that cooking is about feeding as many people as possible with the cheapest ingredients as possible - and that's how "Italian-American Cooking" was born and it still exists itoday (See: Olive Garden).

Now, while there has been a great influx of authentic Italian restaurants in NYC, serving elegant and sophisticated dishes - when Nana comes up from Florida, what she really wants is Veal Parm, Fried Calamari, and of course some Spaghetti and Meatballs. So, pack up the kids, call the aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws, and head to Carmine's.

Perfect for families, this Italian food factory produces a delicious menu that is 100% Italian grandma approved - from Chicken Marsala, to Shrimp Fra Diavolo, to yes, Spaghetti and Meatballs. With menus on the walls and all the dishes served family style, everyone gets to have a taste of everything, and the atmosphere is light and fun (No sommelier and nothing has truffle oil). And not to sound too much like your grandma - have some of the Rigatoni Country style, it's my favorite. You could use a little more meat on your bones, anyway.

Tip: The portions are BIG, so the 6th grade algebra is-

3 People = 1 Appetizer +1 Pasta + 1 Meat

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