NYC's Greatest Old-School Italian Restaurants, From Oldest To Newest - New York - The Infatuation

"A special occasion spot for Upper East Side regulars since 1981, Elio’s is packed to the brim with 70th birthdays and big family dinners every night. Most of the people here seem to know the host, who also knows their dad—and everyone is ordering off-menu. Rather than trying to prise menu information from the brusque servers, just take stock of what the people around (and very close to) you are eating. It probably includes a giant pile of fried zucchini and platters of glossy veal piccata." - willa moore, will hartman, sonal shah, neha talreja