Michael’s

"A sit-down Italian American restaurant located across the street from Michael's Pastry Shop, known for its legendary red sauce and frequent visits by NYC Mayor Eric Adams." - Tierney Plumb

"We frequently find ourselves in the mood for a martini, but at Michael’s in Marine Park, it's more of an insatiable urge that hits you like a brick the second you lay eyes on a group of fur-draped people sitting at the bar, beneath the glow of a large, fully functional fish tank. Someone plays a piano, and beyond that there's a cavernous room where people have been fighting over checks since 1964. For every woman in high heels, there's an 11-year-old in his basketball uniform, celebrating a win with his very own order of baked clams. Do Michael’s right: come with 10 people, have something to celebrate, and ask about the giant pepper grinder. It's approximately three feet tall, and reserved for only the most festive parties." - willa moore, will hartman, sonal shah, neha talreja

"Michaels of Brooklyn is a family-run, white-tablecloth Italian restaurant established in 1964. It features live piano music and a warmly-lit, mirror-meets-wood paneled dining room. The menu includes dishes such as lobster, shrimp and avocado salad, baked clams, fried calamari, rigatoni vodka baked n’burnt, and chicken alla Michael in a white wine, garlic and lemon sauce. The restaurant also offers a well-curated wine list and a variety of desserts, including a pistachio tartufo. Additionally, visitors can purchase the eatery’s unique red sauces and visit the neighboring pastry shop for freshly-baked confections."

"Michael’s of Brooklyn’s sauce was not disappointing, though too sweet and dependent on garlic for flavor, with a tartness that was almost lemony. It was more assertive than the others, which works in its favor." - Robert Sietsema

"You get the feeling that a lot of special moments have happened at Michael’s, an old school Italian restaurant that opened in 1964 on the edge of Marine Park. The service is polished, there’s a live piano player, and every table is draped with white tablecloths. Pick any classic dish, and you’ll be happy. If you want something in a garlicky tomato sauce, choose a pasta shape, and pair it with puttanesca. Next, eat some veal scaloppini in a white wine sauce with tons of shrimp." - Bryan Kim, Carina Finn Koeppicus, Kenny Yang, Neha Talreja, Willa Moore