Now I understand why my mother's goulash always had potatoes in it. Restaurants here serve it over buttered noodles.

Fedele, if you want good pasta in NY you have to stay away from the Olive Garden and MaMa Leone's. The best - Felidia on the East side. Get there early and you'll find the usually formal bartender in his undershirt. And the chef will bring baskets of fresh herbs to your table for you to sample.