By Alex E. Borgstrom
Little Italy is an eclectic, rich and lively neighborhood burrowed between Chinatown and the Financial District in the heart of
New York's Lower Manhattan. The neighborhood is characterized by the collection of restaurants, souvenir shops and apartment buildings that run down Mulberry Street.
Gelato
Anyone who's spent time in Italy knows the joy of gelato, a smoother, creamier version of ice cream and one of the best reasons to visit Little Italy on any occasion. The gelato found at any of the many Italian eateries on Mulberry Street isn't going to rival the traditional tastes found in Italy, but it's about as close as anywhere in America is going to get to the real deal Italian gelato flavors. While it's available anywhere, your best bet will be one of the dealers walking up and down Mulberry.
Fine Italian Dining
Lombardi's Pizza is just one of the fantastic authentic Italian restaurants to visit on your trip to Little Italy. Try Amici II if you're a lobster fan. Its huge tank hold some of the choicest crustaceans in the entire city. The fettuccine Alfredo or chicken parmigiana at Casabella Ristorante will give you a true taste of Italy in the United States.
Lombardi's
32 Spring St.
New York, NY 10012-4173
(212) 941-7994
Amici II
165 Mulberry St.
New York, NY 10013
(212) 334-3869
Casabella Ristorante
127 Mulberry St.
New York, NY 10013-4603
(212) 431-4080
Souvenirs and Parades
Souvenir shops can be found on Mulberry Street all year, but if your trip to Little Italy coincides with an Italian holiday, expect to find a crowd, street vendors, banners and a lot of excited local residents. Parades are held on major Italian holidays as well as during the summer festival season.
Carnival in February is sure to draw a crowd even in chilly weather. The summer months, especially July, have plenty of traditional Italian celebrations. (See Resources section)
Resources
About the Author:
Alex E. Borgstrom is a Bachelor of Arts degree holding graduate living in Brooklyn, New York. He is a marketing, and public relations freelancer as well as a published fiction writer. He is also an assistant audio engineer at Plan 9 studio in Park Slope.
