Manhattan's Little Italy is all about nostalgia, and one new red sauce joint is giving us a major throwback.  Opening on Thursday, March 31, Manero's on Mulberry is a full-service restaurant by the owners of nearby Manero's Pizza, which is known for its hybrid Neapolitan and NYC-style pizzas served by the slice. The new Italian restaurant is envisioned as an homage to Italian joints in Brooklyn, with the atmosphere of the disco era.

Family recipes are key, and many dishes will be prepared in the pizza oven. Expect dishes that tap into owner Roman Gradinetti’s Bensonhurst roots with dishes like Momma Regina’s Meatballs (also served vegetarian style) and Richard’s Steak Pizzaiola, an old school dish Roman’s dad used to enjoy consisting of thinly cut pan-fried steaks braised in a tomato sauce (traditionally from leftover pizza sauce).