VIPs fill the dining room of this 10-table Italian icon, where who you know is key to entry.
455 E 114th St,
New York, NY 10029
(212) 722-6709

The iconic red- sauce institution has sat at the same corner of 114^th Street and Pleasant Avenue since 1896, making it one of the longest standing restaurants in NYC. Exclusive is an understatement. If you dine there, that’s great, keep it to yourself. If you have thoughts of dining there, fugedaboudit . There are 10 seats, all reserved for VIPs. But if you are lucky enough to score a reservation, also great, keep it to yourself. The heritage restaurant now boasts two west coast restaurants and a line of gourmet pasta sauces, but there is nothing like the old fashioned New York vibe you get from RAO’s East Harlem.