Parm Upper West Side

"High chairs: Yes Parm, an Italian restaurant on the Upper West Side, is the casual sibling of Carbone, which means you can eat the famous spicy rigatoni here, but you can also bring your kid along. The large, diner-like spot has Happy Hour and a kids menu, so come here to drink a half-off cocktail while your offspring eats some build-your-own pasta. Parm also has two other locations in downtown Manhattan, and, importantly, s’mores ice cream cake for dessert." - willa moore, molly fitzpatrick

"Ever heard of Carbone? Parm on the Upper West Side is from the same restaurant group, but it’s way more casual, it’s one thousand times easier to get a table (or just walk in), and—drum roll please—they have the same exact only-slightly-spicy rigatoni that’s gained a cult following down in Greenwich Village. For $16 less. You won’t find a tableside caesar salad or servers in purple suits here, but you will find a kids menu, a weekday Happy Hour, and enough space for your entire extended family in the diner-like space. Bring a colleague and share a chicken parm sandwich on a sesame-covered hero at lunch, or come in the evening for a low-key weeknight dinner. Parm also does a lot of takeout in case you want to eat the famous rigatoni in your pajamas. Food Rundown Buffalo Cucumbers This isn’t for everyone, but the people who love it will love it so very much. It’s a small bowl of sliced cucumbers in a pool of buttery buffalo sauce and blue cheese dressing. If this sounds like heartburn, avoid it. But if you feel seen by this exact concoction, start your meal here. Caesar Salad Like at Carbone, the classic caesar salad comes with big croutons that taste as though they’ve been soaked in butter for several hours. Order this. photo credit: Willa Moore Rigatoni Carbone Saucy and glossy, this is a great vodka pasta, with just a slight hint of spice. Eating it next to a kid picking at their chicken tenders isn’t as cool as it would be in a dark blue room next to a dripping candelabra in Greenwich Village, but if you’re looking for an extra-comforting bowl of pasta without all the fanfare, you’ll be happy with this. photo credit: Willa Moore Chicken Parm There’s no skimping on the mozzarella—you can barely even see the chicken under the stretchy white blanket. At dinner, get it in a platter version, which comes with pasta on the side. If you come for lunch, put it on a sesame seed-covered hero." - Willa Moore

"This accessible Italian American restaurant (with several locations) offers comfort food familiarity in a casual dining room. It’s a good place to grab a minute of peace and collect yourself while kids enjoy the make your own sammy or make your own pasta options on the kids menu." - Eater Staff

"Parm is a solid Upper West Side hangout for a quick fix of classic Italian-American fare — in a much more affordable and casual environment than the group’s Michelin-starred sister spot, Carbone. Expect all the classics from the original Mulberry Street location: crisp fried calamari, vinegar-y Buffalo cucumbers, stretchy mozzarella sticks, chicken or eggplant parm platters, creamy rigatoni fra diavola, and a stellar house turkey sandwich." - Ryan Sutton

"Parm is a mini-chain, and it doesn’t try to hide that fact. Just look at the old-timey signs and all the big cans of tomato sauce on display. Fortunately, it’s a mini-chain with reliably good food, and it’s exactly where you want to be when all you’re looking for is a chicken parm sandwich. You can also get some pasta for less than $20, and if you bring a friend, you should be able to convince that person to split some mozzarella sticks with you." - bryan kim