A Good Sign: Monte's

I don't know if many people realize what a bit of living history Monte's Restaurant is as they pass through the casbah atmosphere of MacDougal Street between W. 3rd Streeet and Bleeker. It was founded in 1918 and is now owned by the Mosconi family, and it's a miracle the place is still there at all.

The sign is a gem, or course, red and green to match the Italian flag and with its figure of a fat little chef serving up dinner. An added treat is the rusting metal sign that alerts diners that Monte's is triple "A" approved. The Zagat's seal of approval of its time.