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Back when Park Slope’s Fifth Avenue was nothing but bodegas and dollar stores, you could always get a decent meal at Aunt Suzie's. Twenty years later, it remains the same and is immune to the chic-ness around it. A bit of Bay Ridge north of the Gowanus, the décor consists of polished oak tables and family photographs on the walls; the vibe is kid-friendly but resolutely adult in a gentle mafia sort of way; and the cuisine is generous portions of Italian-American favorites. The headers and categories on the extensive menu can be a little dizzying, but the “Fancy Pastas Menu” provides a great cheese tortellini in Gramma’s meat sauce and the “Really Cheap Menu” features a hearty scungilli in hot sauce. Unfortunately, the heavily touted lobster tail special (with pasta marinara or salad) proves to be a disappointment since the lobster is pressed. For dieters, many dishes have Atkins and Weight Watchers translations listed (maybe the real Aunt Suzie is counting carbs and points, too). Of course, the best offerings aren’t Twiggy-friendly like the pasta with peas, onions and prosciutto in pink sauce which can be ordered for “Two Italians or four Yuppies." — Lisa Selin Davis

Aunt Chovy’s salad, $6.90; pasta with sun dried tomatoes & green peppercorns in cream sauce, $10.90; Aunt Pat's frozen key lime pie, $5.90