The Eat Sheet: Former 'The Sopranos' star Vincent Pastore names his top 5 Italian Restaurants in New York

The actor, now appearing on VH1's 'Famous Food,' tells THR the best places in the Big Apple to eat Italiano

Vincent Pastore best known for his role of Salvatore 'Big Pussy' Bonpensiero on the The Sopranos is now part of VH1's newest show Famous Food. Pastore appears with Real Housewives of New Jersey star Danelle Staub, former Bachelor Jake Pavelka, singer Ashley Dupree, Three 6 Mafia’s DJ Paul and Juicy J, and The Hills star Heidi Montag as they compete for a partnership stake in The Dolce Group’s newest restaurant Lemon Basket.
The Dolce Group’s Mike Malin and Lonnie Moore, known for such L.A. Spots as Geisha House and Ketchup, oversee the celebrities as they work to open a new restaurant and at the end of the show, if the spot is turning a profit, one of the celebrities will get a stake in the new restaurant.

Watch Famous Food on Vh1 on Wednesdays at 8PM ET/PT.

If you are looking for an Italian restaurant in New York, here is what Pastore recommends:

Rao’s: "The lemon chicken is amazing and I love the restaurant for the family vibe. You can’t always get a table, but when you do you might be sitting next to Rod Stewart or someone else famous." 455 E. 114th St. (Upper East Side)

Il Cortile: "We would have the most amazing Sopranos parties here. They make great fish dishes here, but if you want good calamari you should definitely go here! The calamari melts in your mouth!" 125 Mulberry St. ( Little Italy)

Umbertos Clam House: "This restaurant is in my grandmother’s neighborhood so this place makes me a tad nostalgic… All I can say is the CLAMSSSS!! These clams are just perfect and steamed just right so that they just pop open." 2356 Arthur Ave (Bronx)

La Manda: "This place has had the same vibe for the past 30 years. When my daughter was young I would take her to see them making pizza through the glass window. Its the BEST pizza I have ever had." 251 Tarrytown Rd, White Plains, NY (914) 502-4013

Cha Cha’s: "If I don’t mention Cha Cha’s, he’ll kill me. The food is fantastic and we’ve been hanging out there for 20 years. You can go in there and you’ll run into Danny Aiello, Armand Assante. People always stop in there to say hello to Cha Cha." 113 Mulberry Street (Little Italy)

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Betty Ford, Former First Lady, Dead at 93

Former First Lady, cancer awareness advocate, and inspiration to many who suffered from addiction, Betty Ford, has passed away at the age of 93.

According to CNN, her death was confirmed by the director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum, Elaine Didier. A family member tells the news organization that she passed Friday evening with family at her bedside. Cause of death has not been reported.

Married to United States President Gerald R. Ford, she served as the First Lady from 1974 - 1977. She established the Betty Ford Clinic in Rancho Mirage, Calif. in 1982 after she herself recovered from an addiction to alcohol and medication prescribed to her in the early-1960s for a pinched nerve. 

The Center became famous for its celebrity clients struggling with addiction and emotional issues, including Ozzy Osbourne, Liz Taylor (who met her husband Larry Fortensky on her second stay there in 1988), Stevie Nicks, Kelsey Grammer, and Lindsay Lohan.

Ford survived breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy in 1974, going on to become one of the earliest advocates for breast cancer awareness.

She leaves behind her four children, Michael, Jack, Steven and Susan, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Former President Ford died on December 26, 2006 also at the age of 93 years old.

"Mrs. Ford was a courageous pioneer, a groundbreaking First Lady, and a forceful advocate for anyone suffering from addiction or breast cancer," Maria Shriver said in a statement. "America fought her struggles with her and learned alongside her. She was brave, outspoken and kind. As a journalist, I had the opportunity to interview her several times and she was just fascinating. She was a wonderful woman who stood up for any human being struggling in the shadows of their personal pain. One of my highlights as First Lady of California was to honor her with a Minerva Award in 2005. My heart goes out to her entire family. Her daughter Susan is a dear friend of mine and continues to carry on Mrs. Ford's work in such a powerful way." 

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