Celebrity Sauce

Rao’s opened in East Harlem 100 years ago and it’s still going strong. But there are only eight tables at this Italian home-style restaurant and they are always filled with famous faces. If you call two months in advance, you can join them the next time you’re in New York. Of course, the regulars will be treated well; you won’t.

There is an alternative. You can have Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce sent to you. Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner have been gaga about the stuff for years. The smooth, fresh-tasting sauce, made from imported San Marzano tomatoes, Italian olive oil, onions, fresh basil, oregano and garlic is about as good as jarred pasta sauces get. You don’t even have to doctor it up.

Rao’s marinara sauce is not cheap--three (1-quart) jars cost $27.85, including shipping. And they might even ask you to hurry up when they take your credit card number (they did it to me). But you’ll order again.

* Rao’s Specialty Foods, 445 E. 114th Street, New York, N.Y. 10029. (800) 466-3623.