I’ve been to Italy quite a lot and have experienced food from varying areas of the that country as well as this one. Freshness is key and if you want it, you pay for it. Same here in our very capitalist economy. Manducati’s is a mid-scale, VERY authentic restaurant. $14 for a freshly made meal with good ingredient’s is reasonable for that level of establishment. Any restaurant of this level or above provides a reasonable amount to feel satisfied with the meal and not having to go buy new pants when you finish. If you want to pig out I’m sure there is a great McDonald’s within walking distance where you can get 2 number 3′s for around the same price.

Sorry to hear about your pub #32. I’ve heard that broccoli can make or break a bar…. particularly when they have foodies present.

Also had perfectly prepared fettucini with arugula and shrimp, and a side of sauteed rabe. Tried some desserts and the famous gelato and it was, indeed, sublime. Decadent creaminess, yet impossibly light. The service was warm and welcoming.

Friendly neighborhood ambiance, with family members sitting around the front fireplace and chatting well past closing time. This place is a winner.

Oddly enough, the dining room reminds me of Manetta’s, without the unholy accoustics. Fireplaces in back and street view out front, similar hard surfaces—tiled floors, brick walls, bare tabletops—though Manetta’s compounds the din with metal chair-backs. Manetta’s would cure so many ills in their dining room with tablecloths.

I’m trying Manducati’s Rustica tonight, but I’m already not pleased about a 14-dollar pizza-for-one. At that price, we should be able to easily share it. Fact: even with the increased price of ingredients, a small pizza should not cost $14 in LIC. I’m a neighborhood foodie and I won’t support that. So please don’t tell people, when they are startled by the restaurant’s prices, that they should just eat less. Rude.

RIP McReilly’s. I miss them. The beer was good and cheap and the broccoli was never overcooked. Not bad for a pub.

I do wish that they would charge a buck or 2 more for the pies and make them twice as big. It’s just to expensive a pie. Delicious…….but to expensive. I will stick with Bella Via even though I agree with #10 about their skills going down. I’ve never had a great experience sitting down at Bella Via…but delivery is always fast and efficient.

I did boycott Manetta’s for 4 years as I was lied to once by one of the owners…and I just decided I didn’t want to be there. I go now because I do enjoy Jay at the pizza oven, and the homemade pasta.

I certainly am craving more from Rustica….they are off to a great start in the gelato, ambiance, and taste realm. Just give me more food options…at a working man’s prices. And I’ll be there at least 2 times a week.