HELP... Who remembers or knows if this place still exists...

[CORoadie]

Okay, three strikes against me, I don't remember the name of the place, the location of the place and it has been 15 years since I was last there but I have a friend going to NYC for the first time and they wanted to go to a 'Classic old style Italian' place near the Theater District and if I can find the name of this place and where it is it would fit the bill perfectly.

Some hints to what it was:

The place was very celebrity friendly (last time I was there Bob Fosse was eating at the table next to me, John Candy and Roger Ebert were across from me and several other Broadway celebs were in the crowd) but not a lot of gawkers.

They place had been there for YEARS!!!!!! Although the last time I was there was the early 90's (living in Denver I don't get back to The City much).

It was a very popular spot AFTER the shows.

I think it was named after two guys (of course Italian names) like Tony and Sals or something like that.

It was famous or a dessert of a plate of strawberries the size or your fist with whipped cream on top when the strawberries were available.

The portions were very generous, the food classic Italian and the place was always packed.

Sorry, I don't have any more to go on. If I hit the streets of NYC I could probably find it.

[thenewlyweds]

I'm going to guess Il Tinello, Trattoria del Arte, or Cafe Luxembourg

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Cafe Luxembourg
200 W 70th St, New York, NY 10023

Il Tinello
16 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019

Arte Restaurant
21 E 9th St Frnt 1, New York, NY 10003

[michlusa]

Mama Leone's came to mind immediately, followed by Patsy's (still there, near Radio City). Sardi's is also Italian and would have been populated by celebrities.

The only celeb place that I can conjure up with men's names is Joe Allen, and while it has some italian dishes, it was always known for its burgers.

And to my recollection, the strawberries the size of your fist were at the original Russia Tea Room - haven't been recently but it was a signature dish.

[JoanN]

Joe Allen? On 46th betw. 8th and 9th? Very much a theatrical hangout in it's time--perhaps even now. Haven't been in years. But it used to be where everyone went after.

[ultbil]

Doesn't fit your two-name criteria, but how about Patsy's (not the pizza place).

Check out menupages.com to search.

[iluvcookies]

Just a few suggestions:
Carmine's
Sardi's
Frankie and Johnnie's
Lattanzi
Tony's di Napoli

Not sure if any of these are correct but can this help you narrow it down?

[CORoadie]

Might be Fankie and Johnnies... I just don't remember it being a steak place but more Italian with some great veal and pasta dishes and killer drinks...

[Bone Thug n Hominy]

I would have guessed Sardi's.