I like few things better than to discover an incredible restaurant. Finding a good place to eat in New York is sometimes as easy as asking a local. Walking around in Little Italy, having very little success actually finding an Italian restaurant (as we imagined it, anyway), we asked a street vendor who pointed us to "Ray's Restaurant" with the promise of the best lasagna in the city.

To make a mouthful smaller... Ray's was beautiful in so many ways. From the surly waitress to the food that folded into our mouths with pleasure. I've not enjoyed Pasta Carbonara like that since my trip to Rome in 2001. Story has it that the owner of the restaurant was sent to prison for making heroin deals in the basement. I don't wonder if some of the drugs found their way into the meatballs. If you're in Little Italy, stop by Rays. I know I will, even if they only do take cash. 24 Prince Street, between Mott and Elizabeth.