So unlike most transplants to the area, my family is actually from Williamsburg. Before it was an indie-arts cultural mecca, it was a ghetto, and before that it was a cute little community of Italian and Polish immigrants. If you are ever curious to know what it was like in Williamsburg during the 50′s, 60′s, and 70′s, there are still a few hidden gems that withstood the tests of time, and are still open for business.  Talk a walk down memory lane – or Graham Avenue – and get your grub on and these old school Italian restaurants.

Bamonte’s
32 Withers St b/w Union and Lorimer
Bamonte’s opened in 1900 and is one of New York’s oldest surviving restaurants.  Walking in to this restaurant is like walking in to the 1960′s (which is probably the last time they decorated.) Bamonte’s your typical old school Italian restaurant.  The staff wears full out tuxedos, the whole kitchen only speaks Italian, and the *paneled* walls are decorated with an array of pictures dating back to the early 1940′s.  If you want to feel like your in a Martin Scorsese film, eat here.  I recommend the stuffed artichoke, and linguini with clams in a white sauce.

Frost Italian Restaurant
193 Frost Street @ Humboldt St.
Frost has been around since 1959 and was one of my parents favorite restaurants to go to while they were dating in the 1970′s – which was the last time the place was renovated.  Frost, best known for their seafood dishes, is still very popular amongst long time neighborhood residents.

Fortunato Brothers Cafe and Pasticceria
289 Manhattan Ave @ Devoe
This old school Italian bakery and cafe is home to all the local pisans.  Best known for their cannoli and gelato (and mafioso ties,) this bakery has been a Williamsburg staple for almost 35 years.  Yum. Gelato.

Caffe Capri
427 Graham Ave b/w Frost & Withers
Open for business since 1974, Caffe Capri has been best known for their ice coffee.  The owners had the idea of feeding coffee through their gelato machine. The result is a perfectly crystallized coffee. Because no ice is added, the drink stays as strong as when it was first served. Thirty-six years later they’re still serving the same drink made with the same device. And prepare to step in to a time warp.  The place looks like this….

DeStefanos Steak house
89 Conselyea St. @ Leonard St.
While DeStefano’s hasn’t been open for decades, the building has been in the family since 1918.   Owned by Williamsburg natives, Joey DeStefano and his wife, this steakhouse has been a favorite amongst locals and Brooklyn natives who don’t feel like dealing with the hoopla of Peter Lugers.  They also offer an amazing prixe-fixe three course menu every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday for only $25! A price that everyone can get down with.

Garden Grill Coffee Shop
318 Graham Ave b/w Ainslie and Devoe
A non-gentrified alternative to Kellogg’s Diner.

JR & Son
578 Lorimer St @ Metropolitan
If you are wondering where all the local Italians go to drink, look no further.

Update:

After this article was published a great article via Brooklyn Based came out on the whole little Graham Avenue Microhood. Check it out!