In this day and age, customers craving Italian can still expect a taste of the old world. Carmine’s II opened last month in Williamsburg, just six blocks from the original Carmine’s Pizzeria & Restaurant on Graham Avenue, a restaurant that was born of an immigrant’s dream in 1979.

16 years after taking over his father Gaetano’s business, and in the midst of an economic recession, Carmine Gangone made the move to open a second Brooklyn location.

“It’s never a good time to open up a new restaurant,” said Gangone, “but I think in the long run it will all pay off.”

Doubtful Carmine’s fans, take note: the food at the new restaurant is just as good and the atmosphere is just as welcoming. The seating capacity remains the same, but Carmine’s II features a smaller, revamped menu and more specials than the original location, a strategy that will hopefully draw in more customers and get the new crowds in town to the restaurant.

“Sometimes smaller means bigger,” said Gangone.

Carmine’s II also features an outdoor garden that gives patrons the feeling that they are in Italy or café-style Europe.

As part of a grand opening celebration for Carmine’s II and to encourage people to check out the new location, Gangone is hosting an outdoor film festival of Italian films, which will be presented on a 9 feet high by 12 foot wide screen, with seating to accommodate more than 40 people. The films are complimentary for outdoor diners who order dinner, desert or both.

“I’m trying to find myself a meaning in this new place, like another place to call home,” said Gangone. “With these movies being shown, I’m connecting with the people of Williamsburg, who are very known to be involved with the arts.”

The classic films will be shown nightly at 8:30 p.m. through Sunday, June 27. The schedule is as follows: Il Mostro (Thursday 6/24), La Dolce Vita (Friday 6/25), Cinema Paradiso (Saturday 6/26) and Big Night (Sunday 6/27). Each screening will be preceded by the live music of Jimmy the Legend, starting at 7:00 p.m.

Carmine’s II is located at 436 Union Avenue in Williamsburg. For more information, visit www.carminespizzeria.com.