We’ve been eating authentic Italian cuisine at La Vecchia since before Teslas were a thing, back when “summoning” meant yelling your kids’ names across the parking lot. Decades later, La Vecchia is still our go-to spot for excellent service, wonderful food, and the kind of consistency you wish your gym routine had.

We’ve taken friends from near, far, and everywhere in between, and everyone leaves plotting their return. Holidays? Perfect. Casual Saturday nights? Even better. Last time was classic La Vecchia: the place was absolutely packed, but we were seated immediately—like they sensed we were on a culinary mission.

We kicked things off with the Stella Filante cocktail: vodka, grapefruit juice, St-Germain, Prosecco, and a lemon twist. Basically sunshine in a glass… if sunshine could get you tipsy. I’d order it again, again, and again, until someone gently takes away the menu.

Food-wise:
Squash Blossoms — some of the best in the city. They’re so good they should have their own fan club.
Calamari Fritti — crispy perfection with spicy marinara that could wake the dead (in a good way).
Pollo Milanese — breaded chicken breast topped with baby arugula and tomatoes tossed in extra virgin olive oil. One of the city’s best. I always add a little garlic oil on top because apparently I’m trying to ward off vampires and also achieve enlightenment.
Scampi La Vecchia — wild blue shrimp sautéed with garlic and rosemary in a white wine sauce. I’d drink the sauce straight from the pan if society allowed it.
Linguini Alle Vongole — clams, garlic, parsley, white wine. Simple. Perfect. Angelic.

Honorable mentions (aka dishes that deserve Oscars):
Rigatoni Bolognese, Lasagna Della Nonna, and literally any of their pizzas. Also, do not—I repeat, do NOT—skip the Caesar Salad with its homemade dressing and mound of Parmigiano Reggiano. It’s practically a personality.

And dessert? The tiramisu. Always. It’s the reason La Vecchia stays locked in my Top 10, and also the reason I don’t fit into my jeans from 1990. No regrets.