Explore NYC: Tony’s Di Napoli

℅ Tony’s Di Napoli

Ever been craving Italian food? What about Mozz en Carrozza — cheesy, mozzarella filled triangles — and spaghetti with tomato sauce? Well, these are just a few of the items Tony’s Di Napoli has to offer. Located at 64th and 3rd and in Times Square, Tony’s has been praised by Forbes as a restaurant that “every New Yorker needs to check out.” To learn more about the acclaimed restaurant, The Daltonian sat down with the manager of the 3rd Avenue location, Tony Staub.

Can you tell me a bit about the history of Tony’s? When did it open and why in this area?

We opened 12 years ago at this location. The other location we opened about 25-30 years ago at 82nd and 2nd. We were kicked out and had to move here. We’ve been here for 12 years in April. As for this location, we just found it perfect for family dining and it has been. A lot of things were here before us and didn’t make it, so we’re thankful.

Are you THE Tony of the restaurant’s namesake?

Not the. Coincidence Tony, as I call myself. I’ve been in the family and working with them for 35 years. There’s no real Tony — it’s just the restaurant’s name.

Why did you decide to enter the restaurant space? What’s some of your previous work experience?

This is my first and only managerial job. Everytime I would come home I would work for the family, and they said, “anytime you need a regular job we got you,” and that’s why I’m here. I used to wait tables and sing and dance on cruise ships. I’ve been around the world twice, and loved it. Then I was worn out, felt done, and the age set in. I’ve traveled a very interesting road. 

What role do you hope Tony’s serves for the neighborhood?

Good food, friendly atmosphere, and family. We’re all about family. Family style food and making you feel like family when you come in. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many restaurants suffered. How did Tony’s do?

Not great, but alright. We had a temporary market upstairs and sold some things just to keep going. Once we could open the outside, we had the upstairs outside seating open. We struggled, but we did alright. I can’t complain. They closed the Midtown location because there was no one in Midtown but they kept this one open.

Have any famous people visited Tony’s? 

Of course! One was Tony Bennett.

Does Tony’s have any exciting upcoming events?

Just business as usual. We hope a lot more people come in but we have a pretty good family-based core. Plenty of people in here have been coming back for years and I know most of the frequent customers pretty well.

What do you hope Dalton students who haven’t come in yet know about Tony’s?

Well, we’re all about making you feel like family. Nothing more: to us, it’s all about family. Everything we serve is family style and we want everybody to feel welcome.

Having dined at Tony’s a fair number of times myself — from birthday dinners to reunions with family friends — it has never disappointed. From the complimentary bread brought to the table before your food arrives to the Zucchini Fritti, you will definitely want to take leftovers home to ration for the next few days. All in all, Tony’s Di Napoli truly does live up to its reputation and is a welcoming space where everyone feels like family.