Enjoy world-class Italian dining at one of Midtown's stellar Italian restaurants in NYC.

Most of these fine establishments are within walking distance of some of the city's most popular attractions like Times Square, the Theater District, Central Park and the Empire State Building.

Chazz Palminteri Ristorante Italiano - Midtown Manhattan, NYC

When you mention big time movie hits like A Bronx Tale, The Usual Suspects or the critically acclaimed, Bullets Over Broadway, one name comes to mind, the charismatic Chazz Palminteri. A tough guy with a heart of Gold, Chazz has constantly worked to re-invent himself as both a person and an actor.

Raised in the Bronx, Chazz has always had an insatiable appetite for meaty roles and good, old-fashioned Italian comfort food. One of Chazz's fondest childhood memories was the scintillating scent of Sunday sauce and meatballs wafting into his room from his family's kitchen. You could walk down the block and the intoxicating smell of sweet sausage and peppers or baked ziti would emanate from houses and apartment buildings. These are the treasured memories and tastes that Chazz wants to create for you and your family at his Ristorante Italiano. Start your own family tradition with a very special celebration here. The ambiance is elegant and upscale. Chazz wanted to pay tribute to some of New York's old-school restaurants like Toot Shore's, Jilly Rizzo's and the famed "21" club.

The kitchen excels at just about everything. Must-try's include two very special signature dishes. The Paglia Fieno e Grappe will knock-your-socks off. The dish consists of house-made white and green Spinach fettuccine, sauteed with Shiitake mushrooms, pancetta and peas, inside of a creamy Grappa sauce. If you are looking for a slightly different blend of flavors, order the salmone selvatico palminteri. A really nice piece of grilled salmon is topped with a plum chili sauce and served with grilled radicchio and a divine Mango salad.

Chazz's Ravioli is simply out-of-this-world, both savory and delicious. Choices include the duck ravioli, which is sauteed in a light, creamy, sage and escarole sauce, as well as a mushroom-stuffed ravioli inside a black truffle sauce. The bartenders will mix you the perfect cocktail to complement your dinner. The house signature drink is the BiVi Martini, which is a chilled glass of 100% Sicilian Vodka, with two olives. Chazz has a special sentimental attachment to this cocktail, which was inspired by his friendship many years ago, with the Chairman of the Board, Frank Sinatra.

The waiters here are formally dressed and exude plenty of old-world charm and courtesy. Chazz wants you to feel that you are an honored guest in his home, ready to enjoy an Italian feast for the ages.

Location and Hours:

890 Second Avenue, New York NY 10017
(212) 355-5540
www.chazzpalminterinyc.com

Hours:
Monday -Sunday 11:30 AM to 10 PM  

Quality Italian Steakhouse - Midtown Manhattan, NYC

An exciting concept in fine dining, Quality Italian Steakhouse is inspired by Italy's traditional butcher shops and Guilds. These Guilds, which date back to the Renaissance, were responsible for maintaining the quality control of meats sold in butcher shops from Milan and Florence, to Naples and Palermo.

Quality's decorating team has done an outstanding job. Everywhere that you look there is something that catches the eye. They have made good use of both antique turn of the century butcher's implements as well as the colorful, crested flags that represent each of the  medieval butcher's guilds. These elements have been incorporated into the restaurant's art displays, wall coverings and cabinetry.

The menu at Quality Italian is creative and cutting edge. This is not your Dad's steakhouse or old school Italian eatery. At Quality, special butcher's-cut selections include, roasted veal shank (with hand-cut pappardelle noodles, black truffles and robiola, veal chop Milanese (with pickled peppers and mozzarella) as well as what might just be the best chicken parmigiana anywhere in NYC.

Quality's steaks are lightly brushed with olive oil and herbs. They are dry-aged and delicious. You can choose from their succulent Porterhouse, bone-in Sirloin, Tomahawk rib steak, a flavorful filet mignon gorgonzola dolce or the balsamic lacquered filet with crispy bone marrow. One of their most popular pasta fresca dishes is the fusilli alla Norma. The basil, eggplant and Ricotta blend, will tell you why Quality's regulars cannot get enough of this dish. The kitchen's fresh, handmade Bucatini pasta, is paired up with fresh clams and then tossed in a spicy capicolla ragu with pepperocini and potatoes. Quality's popular sides alla Nonna, such as the Tuscan fries, pistachio-pesto baby potatoes, grilled, garlic mushrooms, kale carbonara or artichoke maccheroni.

For an unforgettable experience, reserve your table at Quality Italian Steakhouse.

Location and Hours

57 West 57th Street, New York NY 10019
(212) 390-1111
www.qualityitalian.com

Hours:
Mon-Wed   11:30 AM to 10:30 PM
Thu-Fri   11:30 AM to 11:30 PM
Saturday  11:00 AM to 11:30 PM
Sunday    11:00 AM to 10:00 PM 

Da Noi - Midtown Manhattan, NYC

The fun starts just as soon as you walk through the door. Tantalizing smells from the kitchen greet every customer as you approach the hostesses station. After walking past the intimate bar area, you will ascend a beautiful staircase and enter one of the most picturesque dining rooms in Manhattan. From your lofty perch in the restaurant, you will feel on top of the world.

At Da Noi they pay careful attention to detail, from the garnish that accompanies your fish, meat and poultry dishes to the spotless, white table clothes and crisp, clean, pyramid-shaped napkins that adorn your place-setting. You will be more than impressed with their classic antipasti selection. The  kitchen does a fantastic Caesar salad with all the trimmings, baked clams oreganata, mozzarella caprese as well as grilled mushrooms over field greens. Mushrooms are a well respected go-to ingredient at Da Noi. These tasty morsels add so much flavor to the Pollo Castelli Romana, a boneless breast of chicken with shallots and artichokes. The house special risotto, is served with mushrooms as are the Rotolo Montanara,(rolls of homemade folded pasta, stuffed with spinach and Ricotta in a plum tomato reduction).

The decor  and vibe at Da Noi is old-school Italian. But the kitchen takes a very contemporary approach to cooking with an emphasis on fresh meats and vegetables along with an innovative use of herbs and seasonings.

Location and Hours :

214 East 49th Street, New York NY 10017
(212) 754-5710

Hours:
Mon-Fri:  11:30 AM to 11:30 PM
Saturday  3 PM to 11:30 PM
Sunday    3 PM to 9 PM 

Tony's Di Napoli - Midtown Manhattan, NYC

Since 1959, Tony's Di Napoli has introduced several generations of hungry New Yorkers to their traditional Southern Italian cuisine and  Neopolitan specialties. The delicious food at Tony's is served family style in huge platters that can feed, at least, 2 to 3 people. A festive atmosphere pervades the air. At every table, people are talking and smiling in between bites, of whatever delicious dish that they are having.

Tony's special recipes have been handed down through the years from his great grandparents to Tony's children. This is a family restaurant and while the generations and faces of the owners may change, the commitment to quality never does. Signature dishes include the twin lobster platter (with clams and mussels over pasta), Tony's Chicken (his version of chicken cutlet Milanese), baked ziti Napolitano, rigatoni with eggplant and mozzarella, Tony's shrimp and chicken Scarpiello. And don't forget the sausage and peppers platter.

For lunch, Tony's is now serving individual combinations. These dishes are individually portioned servings of their classic platters. The chicken and fish selections come with your choice of spaghetti marinara or Broccoli and penne pasta in a light garlic and olive oil dressing. However you choose to order, make sure that you come hungry when dining at Tony's Di Napoli.

Location and Hours

147 West 43rd Street (located in the Casablanca Hotel)
New York NY10036
(212) 221-0100
www.tonysnyc.com

Hours:
Sun-Thu 11:30 AM to 11 PM
Fri-Sat 11:30 AM to 12 AM 

Piccolo Fiore - Midtown Manhattan, NYC

In English, piccolo fiore translates to little flower. This is one very charming and beautiful restaurant. The ambiance is Italian, from the warm welcome that both brand new and regular customers receive to the decor. It is an all-encompassing Mediterranean experience. Executive Chef Gian Franco Ralcovich performs wonders when it comes to matching the right pasta with the perfect sauce. His cavatelli Maria blends parma prosciutto and English peas in a very light and decidedly un-traditional Alfredo sauce.

Another taste treat is the Maccheroni alla Chitarra, which consists of hand-cut spaghetti, braciole, meatballs and sweet Italian sausage. The whole thing is simmered to perfection in plum tomatoes and herbs. Seafood lover's have got to order Chef's shrimp ravioli with fresh asparagus and a lobster-basil gravy. The hand-rolled gnocchi is dressed with eggplant and ricotta that is made in house. The sauce is tomato with a sprinkling of basil.

There is always something special happening at Piccolo Fiore. You can have a traditional Italian Sunday dinnet experience, featuring spaghetti with Nonna Maria's Sunday sauce, for just $23. Happy Hour takes place Mondays through Fridays from 3-7 PM. Beers go for only $4, well liquors for $6 and house wine is available at $7 a glass.

Other special events have included a night in Tuscany tasting menu, as well as a five course dinner and wine pairing with TV personality Ornella Fado, as the guest of honor. A pianist plays nightly, both Broadway show tunes and contemporary music for your dining and listening pleasure.

Location and Hours

230 East 44th Street, New York NY 10017
(212) 922-0581
www.piccolofiorenyc.com

Hours:
Mon-Fri 12 PM to 10 PM
Sat-Sun 4 PM to 10 PM