Carmine’s.

Carmine’s is the loud, giant, family-style Italian right in the belly of West 44th, and for a group it is unbeatable for one reason. It is directly across from the St. James and steps from the Majestic and Broadhurst. You could genuinely finish your last bite of chicken parm, walk out the door, and be in your seat in the time it takes to find your row.

Portions are enormous and meant for sharing, so this is a place for four or more, not a solo lunch. Get there when they open, around 11 on Saturdays, order two or three platters for the table, and let the family bicker over the last of the linguine while somebody flags the check. Is it a locals-only secret? Absolutely not. But when you are wrangling six people and a 2 o’clock curtain across the street, “one minute away” beats “authentic” every single time.

For over 30 years, Carmine’s has been one of the most iconic family restaurants in New York City. The restaurant serves all the typical Italian fared food, from pasta to some of the best tiramisu. But what sets them apart is the portion sizes.

The kid-friendly NYC restaurant has been welcoming visitors and locals alike since 1990. It’s rare to find the place empty. I brought my sisters here on their first trip to the Big Apple and they still reminisce of the meal often, it was that memorable to them!