Patsy's Italian restaurant, located on West 56th Street in New York, has been a beloved institution since 1944. Known for its connection to Frank Sinatra, who frequented the restaurant and even spent a Thanksgiving there alone, Patsy's has served a mix of locals and celebrities throughout its history. The restaurant is still family-owned, with Patsy Scognamillo's grandson, Sal, managing the kitchen. Although Sinatra hoped for a Florida location, Patsy's expanded to Atlantic City instead, and continues to thrive with its classic dishes.
Bettmann/Getty Images You can hardly walk a block in New York without finding good Italian food. But some restaurants have a more impressive pedigree than others, and Patsy's on West 56th Street might have the most impressive of all. The restaurant has been around for an amazing 81 years, opening in the building next door to its current location in 1944, and moving to its permanent home a decade later. Since day one, this Theatre District staple has served locals, tourists, and celebrities. But Patsy's most notable cheerleader was 'Ol Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra.
Sinatra had plenty of favorite restaurants, spanning from Las Vegas to LA to Chicago, but Patsy's was at the top of his list. This family-owned restaurant was a retreat for Sinatra, who first visited in the 1940s and loved the place so much he kept coming back. According to The New York Times, he even spent a lonely Thanksgiving there in the 1950s, with the restaurant opening just for the down-on-his-luck crooner (he didn't find out they'd unlocked their doors especially for him until much later).
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