Please share your favorite place for a GOOD ITALIAN PASTA MEAL in the West Village

Hi there,
Looking for some favorite Italian trattoria (warm,unfussy place)to have a good pasta dish in the West Village.

Some places I've tried and DON'T LIKE: Piadina, Gradisca, Sapore, Otto (too loud and frenetic), Extra Virgin (so-so food), Via delle Zoccoletti, Via della Pace.

Places I have already tried and DO LIKE: Le Zie, Malatesta, Da Andrea, Basta Pasta.

WOULD LOVE TO DISCOVER MORE PLACES (especially with Tuscan cooking). Trying to avoid loud, over-trendy, "scene-y" restaurants.

THANK YOU!

[tsiblis]

I'd second the suggestion of Bar Pitti (cash only) and recommend the first pasta on the menu - the one with artichokes, garlic and olive oil - which is fabulous. It's not a scene, open for lunch and dinner, and is quiet (not fancy).

[darkeraven]

While not a pasta meal, Piccolo Angolo's Osso Buco is one of the best I have ever had. Their pasta is excellent as well.

My advice, take the noisiness with a grain of salt. The food is worth it.

[sarahmc]

I agree - have been to Piccolo Angolo several times and have always been impressed with the quality of the food. the prices are reasonable too!

[Sean Dell]

What about Lupa? Not as west as you might like, but it's one of the best in the city.

The pastas there are miraculous, and if the duck ragu is on, dive in.

- Sean

BAR PITTI on 6th ave at bleecker never disappoints -- they also have a great veal meatball appetizer that's always on the blackboard that they can do over penne.

Just out of curiousity,your original post named Gradisca as one of the places you did not enjoy.What is it about Gradisca that disappoints you? It is on a long list of places to eat but would appreciate your feedback on your experience.Thanks.

Actually there is nothing really "wrong" with GRADISCA. It's just that I prefer smaller, quieter places rather than large places that can get quite noisy.

I know some people that love GRADISCA and the hustle & bustle there. It's just a personal-environment preference. Their service is quite friendly. I found the pasta dishes themselves to be only okay.

BobbyCT:

Another place that I do not like --and that others love-- is OTTO.

I just found it too hectic in there, and the pizza was very sub-par.

Again, I know others who defend OTTO passionately!

To each, his own...

You should definitely go to Borgo Antico- it is very quiet, great food. The staff are all very friendly as well. I am a regular.

Borgo Antico is on the top of my list. Passed by there the other day and it looks warm and inviting on the 2nd floor...

I think you'll like it. I like the pasta with sausage and broccoli rabe.

Try Gene's too!

Is Gene's the full name? I was not able to find it anywhere.

I appreciate your recs.I know your original post asked for recommendations in the West Village but out of curiousity have you tried any in the East Village? It seems like a lot of people on the board like some of the pasta in that area.I am dying to try Cacio e Pepe and Bianca as well as a few others I have heard about.

Yes, there are definitely MANY choices for good Italian in the East Village.

I live in the West Village so that's why I was inquiring first about the West.

Some East Village places I've heard good things about (for good food and atmosphere) are: Gnocco Cafe, Paprika, Per Bacco and Inoteca.

Thanks.What are your thoughts on Piccolo Angolo in the West Village? I have heard mixed things, the negatives being primarily the noise,crowds and moodiness of the owner, but is the food worth it? The menu looks great, especially for someone like me that prefers some of the cream,butter type sauces as well as oil and garlic based pasta dishes over red sauces.

Piccolo Angelo has good food if you don't mind the loud, festive atmosphere (not good for a romantic date though). Their business is steady. Prices reasonable.

Bar Pitti!
On 6th just below bleeker.... great atmoshpherre, very laid back great staff and wonderful wonderful reasonably priced pasta.

Try 50 Carmine or Po.

Thanks for all the great ideas, Chowhounders. JOSEPHSM: I've passed by BORGO ANTICO and the upstairs looks so pretty with all the dark wood.

I forgot to mention that CRISPO is also great for pasta --among various other dishes. (They just get a little loud sometimes.)

Have you tried Gonzo? It gets loud and crowded but I have always enjoyed their food.Very good pasta and grilled pizzas.If you go, try their Penne Gratin.I am glad you posted your message because the responses are giving me some great ideas.Thanks!

This is only one experience from one who has never claimed to be an expert, but I had the only inedible meal of my life at Gonzo. Sorry.

I think Piccolo Angelo, Da Andrea are both good, but I actually really like Osteria del Sole.

Oops, forgot to mention Gene's (just east of 6th Ave on 11th Street) -- definitely one of my favorites.

Borgo Antico (13th near University) fits the bill, although it is more Central Village.

Marinella on Carmine Street is also very good and non-sceney.

A lot of people like Uguale, but I was underwhelmed the one time I ate there.

i love piccolo angelo, but it is a little noisy. also really like beppe and bar pitti....babbo is my favorite in the city, but really pricey.....
i think da silvanos is overrated...

i also love piccolo angelo. it is noisy, but in a festive family, not sceney kind of way.

i though uguale was very good, but its been a long while since i've been there.

Fiamma, on Spring St.

Da Andrea, On Hudson. Wide range of home made pastas, veggie, meat, seafood.

I bet the orignal poster will like this place.

Yeah, the original poster sure will like this place, since it was one of the ones named in the post as already tried and true! Sorry for being repetitive, redundant, and otherways rhetorical.

Jus' messing with ya.

What do you usually get from Da Andrea? I've
only had their pappardelle w/ ragu.

Thanks!

I like the tagliolini al nero (squid pasta with cockle clams!), veal ravioli, the cavatelli with pesto sauce and shrimp, the artichoke ravioli.... kids like the gnocchi (I;m not a fan of any gnocchi).

[octus]

You should try the blue cheese gnocci at A.O.C. Bedford. It's on their early-bird special menu for a slightly cheaper meal. I don't particularly like gnocci or blue cheese, but it was out of this world.