Here are two menus for your HBO's The Soprano's Party. One is reminiscent of the Italian American Trattoria experience circa 1960. The other one is an updated menu typical of contemporary Italian American restaurants.
If you decide to take shortcuts with your cooking, it's worth making an effort to find authentic Italian products. There are few things worse than bad Italian food - it reminds me of the pathetic, pseudo-Italian food served out of a can to kids in the school cafeteria. If you don't have a good Italian restaurant that caters in your area, you might want to shop at Rao's website. Rao's is a small but famous Italian American restaurant located in Harlem, New York City that now sells their food products online. Restaurant co-owner Frank Pellegrino, Sr. also plays Agent Frank Cubitosi on The Sopranos. Also, if you don't have the time to prepare the desserts, locate a real Italian bakery instead of settling for the supermarket facsimile.
A 1960's Italian Trattoria Menu
Breadsticks, Italian Bread and Butter
Anthony's Pasta Sauce, Meatballs and Braciole
Assorted Desserts including Almond Tortoni, Spumoni and Cannolis
Chianti
Espresso
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A Contemporary Italian American Menu
Italian Bread with Plain and Flavored Olive Oils
Crostini alle Olive Nere, Bruschetta
Tiramisu and Gelato di Crema alla Vaniglia
Espresso and Cappucino
