I used to date a girl there years and years ago. It was all Italian, but not as nice as where I am originally from, Morris Park. I recently started a juijitsu class on Buhr Ave. and it is definately not as nice as I remember it. Plus, I have a few deadbeats I visit down there who owe a client some money. They read me the sob story too about the neihborhood.
I got a tab at a good restuarant down there as a result!
"Italian neighborhoods" are a thing of the past. The future in NYC belongs to the Yuppies, Latinos, and Asians whether we like it or not. ;-)