The restaurant, "Two Toms", where the Michael-Barzini meeting was to have taken place, actually exists.

It's in Brooklyn, on the corner of 3rd Avenue and Union Street. No abmbiance whatsoever, food only slightly above average, a real "joint".

I met the owner's son (who worked there as a waiter) more than 25 years ago at poker club in Brooklyn I used to frequent. I ate there several times in those days, but hadn't been back there, strangely enough, until last summer.

The guy still works there (as a waiter), and we quickly remembered each other.

Maybe we should go there for dinner.