italian food in connecticut... family-run type places with huge portions!

hi everyone,
i'm needing a recommendation for a good italian place in connecticut...
i've been to, and love, such places as tony and lucille's in new haven, ficara's in hartford, paul's pasta in groton, roseland apizza in derby, and lucibello's in west haven, and now want to find a new place to try that is similar to these!  all of these places had amazing atmosphere, great food, and great portions, and i'm trying to search out any other places like it in connecticut... recommendations from anywhere in connecticut would be very much appreciated!!!
thanks so much in advance!

If the new Leons on Long Wharf in New Haven is anything like the old one on Washington Avenue then it's a winner. The old one is where my family used to go starting when I was just a little kid. It was a neighborhood place that happened to draw people from New York and Boston. It was a great place populated by cops and robbers, as well as families large and small.
 
Oh, it's the same family -- the Varipapas.

thanks!  i've heard a lot about leon's, so i'm glad to get a positive recommendation for it!

chainsaw


thanks!  i've heard a lot about leon's, so i'm glad to get a positive recommendation for it!

It's a recommendation only if it's anything like the old Leon's.

okay thanks... i remember reading the article in the register about its reopening...
does anyone have any other ideas in addition to leons???

Italia Pizzeria and restaurant on Main Ave. (rt. 7) in Norwalk has been around for years and offers very good food at reasonable prices.