Navigating Little Italy

La Scala

La Scala is host to lots of regulars (an excellent sign), but as with many places, regulars get a lot of attention newcomers might not. Be sure to ask your waiter for suggestions and help with the menu. He should be happy to help. La Scala is the kind of family-owned restaurant where the family is always present, working bar or kitchen, saying hello. You may have had a grilled Caesar salad elsewhere by now, but that doesn't make La Scala's any less delicious. The excellent food also seems a dollar or two more reasonable than down the street at Da Mimmo. If you're lucky, the fresh cannolis made by the chef's mother will be available for dessert. It's tragic the cannolis can't be available all the time, but it would be far worse if they were tasteless and machine made. We'll take authentic and occasional any day (any day that we can, that is).

Don't fuggehdaboutit: La Scala also has an indoor bocce court. No joke.

Expensive: $19 or more for a plate of pasta