When Maggiano's Little Italy opened in Lincoln Square, the line was frequently out the door. Now that it has been around for awhile, the crowds have eased up, but you'll still have to wait. Maggiano's is like an upscale Buca di Beppo. The decor is nice and warmly lit, which distracts from the huge crowds, so the place feels smaller than it actually is. The huge portions are served family style, so all you need are a few dishes to pass around. 2 entrees and a salad between the two of us meant lots of leftovers. We really enjoyed our salad, which had big chunks of avocado and bacon. My absolute favorite is their homemade gnocchi, which they served in a creamy marinara sauce. They also have a special counter just for take-out orders which would be good if you really wanted to avoid the crowds.
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