Over the last several decades whatever Italian restaurants operate in Little Italy are overpriced and 'touristy'

The days of getting true home cooked meals from authentic Italian kitchens at great prices is over. That was the big allure at one time. When the area was actually all "Italian" and it was a Little Italy.

Nowadays you can get better food for the most part at uptown places. And the prices are comparable.

IMO better (more authentic) places are in the outer boroughs of Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. Its a different neighborhood today. NO more Little Italy. Thats only a name. Today it's all plastic.