Critic's Review
When I first peeked into this place, I thought it looked a lot like an Anthony's coal fired pizza. One thing about Anthony's is that they have a very small menu, whereas they have a full menu here. Rigatoni seems to be the big thing; entrees come with a side of rigatoni, and lunch specials include it as well. They only serve the lunch specials until 3pm, but I got in a bit after that.
I'll take this paragraph to express my opinion on the 3pm lunch special cut off. First of all, it's backwards. The place is empty after 3pm. But more than that, do I really have to order off of the dinner menu at 3:15pm?
I've you've been to an Anthony's, you understand what I mean when you walk into this place.
They also have all of the NY themed pictures on the wall. One cool thing is that they have subway signs that anyone who has lived or worked in New York City will recognize.
My server didn't say much. No explanation of anything. It was 3:15 and they usually tell you if you can still get lunch. I was the only person in the place. I didn't want any of the lunch specials anyway, so no matter I guess. I ordered an iced tea and the veal parmesan.
TVs are stuck on ESPN; music is eclectic nostalgia, with Frank Sinatra, The Go-Gos, Journey and Tony Bennet mixing it up. The entrees come with soup; pasta fagioli is the only choice. My first impression was that it was a decent size for a "cup" of soup.
The soup was good; better than Carlucci's but not as good as Sindaco's. A good mix of beans and pasta. My server had brought out an empty plate and some silverware. There's no bread at Liguori's apparently.
I was done with the soup for a bit before the entree came out.
Red sauce with al dente pasta, straight up. The veal parm was a single, large breaded cutlet with cheese melted over the top. Nothing crazy about it. Very little sauce on the veal.
My server asked if I needed anything; I didn't ask for freshly grated cheese and none was offered. They just had the sawdust on the table. The food was decent. I didn't particularly care for the sauce; it was too pungent. Italian food without bread or garlic.
$23. for this and I had some veal to take home.
I made the leftovers at home a day later with my own sauce and some Pecorino Romano. Here's my version of Italian food.
If you like Anthony's, you'll probably like Liguori's Fired Up! It's much more South Florida than Brooklyn.