"Little Italy is surrounded by..." New York City Off The Beaten Path Tip by Xefian

Little Italy is surrounded by Chinatown...located around Mulberry /Mott / Hester Streets its a much smaller neighborhood than Chinatown. Considerably cleaner,quieter,and pricier. There is a gem here worth seeing .Particularly if your a fan of the Godfather Saga .. ...Mara Chiano is a bar on Mulberry-between Hester and Broome. Its a step back in time to the 30s . The walls are adorned with pix of the Proprietor and Frank Sinatra and Al Pacino, and Marilyn Monroe...the atmosphere is unmatched: tile floor, dusted with sawdust huge wooden bar ,ancient cash register,little back room and balcony .(Its easy to picture Brando holding court there).We were tired and hot from wondering Chinatown,looking for a quiet place for a bit a refreshment and stumbled into this place .It was empty save for Tony,the cigar chomping proprietor,who poured our $2 pepsis and graciously allowed us to photograph he and the interior .Check it out.