Good Italian (Staten Island?)

[nmprisons]

Looking for good (actually very good) Italian food without the Manhattan prices for my dad who loves food but hates paying. I am paying, so all that matters is great food. Thinking about a trip to Staten Island, but would consider anyone for the right place: Down home "americanized" italian food.

[irvingk]

Have to agree with Tay about Trattoria Romano, really great food. Not that fond of Da Noi. Don't like Basilio.

[Tay]

I don't know if you've been to more than one location.. I've found the food and service at Da Noi's Victory Blvd location to be better than their Fingerboard Rd restaurant and their daily specials offerings to be better choices than their standard dishes.

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Da Noi
4358 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314

[comestible]

Too bad the old Brighton Lounge is long gone. That would fit the bill to a T. :)

Checkered tablecloths, red wine in little tumblers...memories.

[bklynsausage]

I do not remember that one. but I remember when the Rosebank Tavern had good Italian food.. I think Mary used to cook there..

Ciao-

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Rosebank Tavern
1258 Bay St, Staten Island, NY 10305

[Bob Martinez]

As a bonus, the Brighton Lounge had one of those wall mounted water closets in the bathroom like the one in the first Godfather movie. The first time i saw it I felt behind it, looking for a gun.

[Tay]

"The first time i saw it I felt behind it, looking for a gun."

No doubt you checked too early.... Or too late.

[bklynsausage]

Nuccis on Forest Ave., Salvatores of SOHO has some dishes as well as some of the best brick oven Pizza you can get. DaNoi is pretty good also they have two locations on SI. Trattoria Romana on Hylan Blvd. Basilio Inn by the VZ bridge this place is really old school good real Italian American food.

Enjoy-

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Da Noi
4358 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314

Da Noi
138 Fingerboard Rd, Staten Island, NY 10305

Basilio Inn
6 Galesville Ct, Staten Island, NY 10305

Trattoria Romana
1476 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10305

Nucci's
616 Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310

Salvatore of Soho
1880 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10305

[Tay]

Please define, "Down home "americanized" italian food"

[nmprisons]

he is accustomed to eating his Italian food in Baltimore's Little Italy. He prefers the Southern Italian style cooking most frequently associated with Little Italy (and the suburbs). Not into the fancy preparations seen in places like Del Posto or Lincoln or Scarpetta, etc.

[Tay]

I'd have to second bklynsausage's rec of Trattoria Romana for really top notch food, though it.s definitely NOT a 'Red sauce' place., The chef/owner has true passion for his craft and it shows in his food. Da Noi also has more of an upscale menu. I'd have to respectfully disagree RE: Nucci's and the overhyped Salvatore's of Soho. I've found Basilio's to be just plain awful.
If Dad enjoys more traditional pasta and chicken/veal/seafood dishes, he might enjoy Gennnaro's, located mid Island, Hylan Blvd and New Dorp Lane. They have two dining rooms. One geared more for pizza/heros/calzones, the other a traditional dining room with tablecloths, relaxed lighting, Sinatra playing in the background, etc. As for price, Dad will be very happy. Except for Sat, nights, aside from their regular a la carte menu, they offer dinners in 3 price catagories that include choice of about 10 different appetizers, house salad, beverage and main course. All main courses (except pasta mains) come with choice of side pasta or potato croquettes and veg of the day. Dessert is not included but their portions are generous and for approx. $15, $17 or $19, depending on choice of main, you really can't find much to complain about.. It's not gourmet and the service is neighborhood casual though friendly, but for reasonably priced, casual old school dining , you'd be hard pressed to find a better value. They are one of the few Italian restaurant on the Island that doesn't deliver (Not even pizza) and the place does a huge takeout business, so they must be doing something right. :-)
Regardless of where you decide to go, and what the outcome, please post and share your experience

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Da Noi
4358 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314

Trattoria Romana
1476 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10305

Gennaro's
413 New Dorp Ln, Staten Island, NY 10306

Nucci's
616 Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310