TOP ITALIAN IN NYC

[netmover]

Please give me your Top 3 in the following categories: Expensive; Moderate; and Budget.

Thanks in advance...

[ashaps]

Adding Il Mulino in the expensive category just b/c it hasn't been mentioned. (Of course Babbo is great).

On the moderate side really like Bellavitae.

As for budget, not sure if it is quite on that level but I really like Piccolo Angelo--and everyone I have given the tip to has been more than happy for it. Also really like Otto, especially for lunch/mid-afternoon.

[Brian S]

Impero was mentioned, and it's a good choice, but I'm surprised that no-one threw Scott Conant's other restaurant, Alto, into the mix. It would be in the expensive category, unless they offer the $24 lunch again next summer, in which case it could squeeze into the cheap.
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/320413

Oh and if you want best in NYC, you should include the outer boroughs. I don't think Batali will be quaking in his boots (or more likely sneakers) at the competition, but there are good contenders for moderate in Bklyn and the Bronx.

[netmover]

La Zie 2000-moderate Chelsea

Bar Pitti-budget-West Village

Carmines-family style Mid-Town

[Jefferstone]

La Revista: high quality food, but pricey. Had the veal milanese under salad... excellent. My friend had Ravioli... also excellent. Somewhat formal, with an older guy playing quiet piano. On same block (46th btwn 8th & 9th), Lattanzi is also excellent, with a unique twist: old world Italian Jewish cuisine!

[livetotravel]

Babbo and L'Impero - expensive and fantastic

Gusto - moderate and Amanda Freitag is now Exec Chef, and also A Voce and Lupa

Bianca - Inexpensive

[chefdater]

a voce on 26th & mad

[Angelina]

Expensive: Babbo and Felidia

Moderate: Lupa and Da Silvano

Budget: (more of a place to grab a quick bite for lunch only because there is not waitress service) Danielle's Piadina

[xigua]

Moderate - Po, Lupa
Expensive - Esca

[Nehna]

Expensive - Babbo
Moderate - Lupa, Bellavitae, Cantinella in EV (if its still there, been a while), 'Inoteca, Otto

[Jimmyg]

La Revista 46th between 8th & 9th is sort of expensive, but excellent. A little less expensive is Sorrento on Mulberry Street.

[Sweatshirt Guy]

Babbo expensive Franks and Pesce Pasta cheap. El Cantina Moderate

[raybird]

i would also suggest pepolino for moderate-to-expensive and noodle pudding for cheap-to-moderate with hearty agreement on babbo, lupa, and frank.

[ceeceee]

babbo for expensive..
cripso & lupa for moderate..
bianca (we just went last night & loved it) & max for cheap

[haleyjen]

San Domenico for expensive.

Lupa for Moderate.

Max or Frank for cheap.

[chow_gal]

'inoteca for moderate.

[NAtiveNewYorker]

Remi for expensive. Bianca for moderate. Tanti Baci for budget.

[ChrisZ]

I would go Lupa for moderate and 'ino for budget.

[cricri7]

moderate: Campanile (29th avenue between Madison and park avenue south) for their linguine frutti di mare.

[RGR]

I agree about Campanile, which we recently tried for the first time. Traditional Italian cuisine expertly prepared and delicious. Very pleasant, comfortable atmospherics.

http://www.campanilenyc.com

Also in the moderate category, I like Via Emilia. Excellent pastas, particularly the lasagna. Much livelier decor in the new location.

http://www.viaemilianyc.net

While L'Impero is not wildly expensive, I guess it belongs in that category. Superb cuisine and lovely ambiance.

http://www.limpero.com

[plf515]

Expensive - Babbo

[designerboy01]

Paprika Cucina Italiana
110 Saint Marks Pl
New York, NY 10009
[phone]

For moderate.