The Big Apple Can Celebrate Your Graduation Dinner in Style

"If it's good enough for Frank, then it's good enough for you." Three generations of the Scognamillo family have been known to frequently write and verbalize the above quote. The Scognamillo's are the owners of Patsy's Italian Restaurant in New York City, located at 236 West 56th Street in Manhattan's Theater District. Frank Sinatra frequented Patsy's on such a regular basis, that an extremely large table upstairs was always reserved for Mr. Sinatra and his entourage. The table was set up against a wall where curtains could be drawn for complete privacy. Through the years, Frank and Posquale "Patsy" Scognamillo became fast friends and the relationship continued throughout their lives. Patsy, the original owner, was also the chef. He had a son Sal, who took over as Joe's age slowly crept up upon him. Joe's son Sal, is now the present chef, a position he has taken over for the past twenty years. Sal always comes out to say hello to his guests and he will recall so many stories he remembers as a young boy growing up in the kitchen of Patsy's. He especially loves to tell the story of Frank Sinatra cooking in the kitchen with his Dad and Grandpa. He adored Mr. Sinatra, and still retains a very special and close relationship with the Sinatra family. You can always hear the latest trivia of the family and the songs they are releasing on CD for Frank's daughter Nancy continues her father's legacy. I have been so taken with this restaurant, that my mom and I have become regulars ourselves and can't think of a better place to have a celebratory dinner. In fact, I took my oldest son Jordan, to Patsy's for just such an occasion. So, I too, hope to continue the legacy of dining at Patsy's through my own family. Tony Danza is a regular at Patsy's and Sal was seen on Tony's show to celebrate Frank's, would be, 90th birthday. Sal has also been on The Today Show, The Martha Stewart Show, and Fox News, just to mention a few. My mom was the original "Bobby Soxer" and there is nothing like going to Patsy's where the atmosphere is total Southern Italian charm. The waiters wear white jackets and are the best waitstaff you will ever encounter. The decor is extremely cozy, yet filled with old world tradition . But nothing, and I mean nothing, prepares you for the food you will be served. I have never tasted pasta cooked any better, and that includes, Italy itself. The perfect "al dente" pasta meets your palate every single time. I must admit, that even if I order, chops, steak, fish, or veal, as my main course, I must order a side of pasta. I only wish I could eat more, hence, the reason I keep going back to Patsy's. If you want something cooked in a special manner, Sal will gladly accommodate you. Don't miss the artichoke appetizer, it is in a class of it's own. In addition, "Patsy's" also has discount parking. You may be surprised to see Jon Bon Jovi, Oprah, Al Pacino, David Letterman, Tom Hanks, George Clooney, and Madonna, just to drop a few names of Patsy's regulars. I promise you will never regret this choice to celebrate a special graduation. Maybe, you will be seated at Frank's private table.

Next stop, is "The 21 Club" located at 21 West 52nd Street in New York City. This is superb American cuisine at its best. There are several rooms but my favorite is the famous Bar Room which has a ceiling covered with a toy collection of fine sports memorabilia. If you make a reservation online between now and June 30, a cocktail or glass of wine will be waiting for you and your entire party at your table. There is also free parking at this time, as you help "The 21 Club" celebrate its 80th anniversary. This is one of the finest restaurants in the Big Apple, and is frequented by so many well known people. In fact, there is a map of the Bar Room which features the tables where celebrities dine. If your graduate loves, Kate Winslet, the Kennedys or the Clintons, ask for table #31. George Bush loves table #7, and Donald Trump, Sean and Robin Wright Penn, favor table #11. Peyton, Eli, and Archie Mannning prefer table 54; while Bill Gates dines at table #42. Rod Stewart sits at table #49 and the late Humphrey Bogart sat at table #30. Frank Sinatra, always dined at table #14, and Nancy Reagan and Ed Koch still sit there today. Joe Torre, and George Steinbrenner sit at table #12(don't think they will dine together again in the near future), while Barbara Walters likes table #9 and Whoopi Goldberg likes #54 along with Mickey Rourke. Let's not forget Larry King who sits at table #2 whenever he is in New York City. There is a private room called the Wine Cellar that is perfect for parties, and a romantic room upstairs that is known to be used for many a marriage proposal.The food is stupendous and the atmosphere is cluby and elegant. I love the outside entrance, for it is flanked with lanterns and disc jockeys. Their steaks are phenomenal and save room for dessert. If your graduate likes an upacale restaurant with a down to earth atmosphere along with fantastic food, then "The 21 Club" would be ideal. Who knows, you just may be celebrating with Eli and Peyton Manning , or Bill Clinton and George Bush! And wouldn't Oprah and Whoopi Goldberg make a great addition to any celebration?

Our final stop in search of the perfect restaurant for a graduation celebration must be the down home feeling of "Carmine's Italian Restaurant". This is a family-style, fun restaurant with two locations in New York City. The first location is in the Theater District at 299 West 44th Street, with discount parking. This is a large and bustling, extremely fun location. The second location is on the Upper West Side at 2450 Broadway also with discount parking. This location has a private room that holds up to 40 guests, complete with red velvet drapes and brass chandeliers. You will love either restaurant, and the menus are identical. The food is remarkable with extremely generous portions served for all to share. It is so much fun ordering dish after dish of unbelievably great food. My nephew, Brandon, had his graduation dinner here, as well as my cousin, Matt, and I can honestly say, both parties were beyond perfect. ( Both were held at the 44th Street location.) Everyone is happy at "Carmines" because there is truly so much food, such good drinks, tantalizing huge desserts, and great camaraderie. As you pass around the different dishes, you realize how very ethnic, and authentic this restaurant is. You become one with your food, and definitely one with your guests; a truly perfect blend of what a celebration is all about. The service is great, the atmoshphere is lively, and the love with which everything is prepared is evident in every bite you take.The pastas, appetizers, chicken scarpariello, and chicken parmesan are so mouth watering that I wish my family had a celebration in the near future so I could enjoy this New York City landmark, once more.

You can't go wrong with any of these three New York City landmark restaurants. Congratulations on your graduation, and let me know which restaurant you choose. Enjoy!

www.patsys.com
www.21club.com
www.carminesnyc.com