Umberto's Clam House (NYC)

I first ate here on a double date in the early 80's, arranged by a friend who knew my interest in all things "gangland". Unfortunately, I was more interested in the restaurant than I was in my date. Over the years, I ate here regularly with friends (and some dates), although it wasn't cheap, and it wasn't the best restaurant on Mulberry Street (Luna's, which was located nearby, used to be Crazy Joe Gallo's regular hangout during the 1950's and early 1960's, and served the best veal parmigiana I've ever eaten). The story was that in April 1972, Gallo and his entourage were coming from the Copacabana (where they had been celebrating his birthday and reminiscing with star Don Rickles), and that Umberto's, a fairly new restaurant, was the only place open at that late (or early) hour (initially, they had wanted to eat in nearby Chinatown). Gallo, his new wife, his stepdaughter, his sister, and his bodyguard took a table by the side door (on Mulberry Street) and ordered extensively. He excus... Read more

Loses a star because in its new incarnation its two blocks away from the original location at the end of Mulberry Street. Famous for being the scene of the murder of Crazy Joey Gallo back in 1972, and the place has lived off is notoriety ever since.