In search of a big bowl of pasta like Nonna used to make? A plate of veal saltimboccacca? A warm Italian smile on a cold day? We hear you. And we’ve pulled together a list of spots where you can get one or more of the above.

Some of these eateries have been around for decades. Others are newer on the scene. In either case, they serve us well as the little “red sauce joints”: the neighborhood spots where we seek respite at the end of a long day, celebrate a casual birthday or seek out intimate tables for a first date. The vibe is friendly and casual. The seating is close.