Vinny's of Carroll Gardens, Smith St. between Union and Sackett Sts.

This restaurant and "luncheonette" is one of the last stalwarts of an older Carroll Gardens and the Italian population that shaped it. The people are friendly, and some of the waitresses, I would say, are downright brassy, but in the best possible way.

I often order food to go here. They have a lunch counter with various Italian things sitting in metal trays over barely boiling water. They got the fried chicken cutlets, the pasta marinara, the eggplant parmigiana, you know, all that Italian stuff.

I like the guys behind the counter. After the third or forth time I ordered some food to go for lunch, one of them said, "what, you don't work?" Because I, unlike most adults my age, have been riding this "barely employed" line for a number of years, making do with a couple of night jobs and acting work. I smiled and said "barely," and they laughed, and I told them I was an actor. The following time I came in, the same guy said, "hey, Mr. New York Times!" He had apparently seen the commercial and after knowing I was an actor, they understood why I show up in their restaurant between 2 and 4pm with bedhead.

Today, a brassy waitress smiled and told me to sit wherever I like. I chose a booth, and ordered what I usually order - Penne Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe. Being as it was the middle of the day, I ordered a Diet Pepsi. They bring it in the plastic bottle with a glass of ice.

The food came, she brought some bread, it was very tasty, though they sometimes leave a generous amount of pasta water in the bottom of the bowl, so if you don't eat quickly enough, you're left with soggy pasta. They leave whole chunks of garlic sitting on top of the broccoli. I fucking love garlic. Between garlic and sex, I would actually choose both, though it never seems to work out that way.

I have no idea what it cost. Maybe 16 bucks? I threw down a 20 and made my way to the door. A warm smile and a "see ya later!" as I left the restaurant.

This luncheonette has a special place in my heart. It reminds me of back home. Where customer service wasn't discussed in meetings with the management. They're happy I'm spending money. And I'm happy with garlic and sausage and no-nonsense attitudes and diet pepsi in a plastic bottle.

Another meal enjoyed, all alone.