Best Italian restaurant in NYC
Hi all,
it is my very first post and I think it will be controversial...sort of opening a can of warms...
I am searching for the best italian restaurant in NYC.
By best I am refering to
1. Clean
2. Truly Italian (what is with spaghetti and meatballs?? The do not do that in Italy!)
3. Great service and ambience
4. Cost is average or above, but a couple will not pay more than $200 (wine inclusive)
Thanks
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Me and my friends (we are all italians expats) agree that the best authentic italian food can be found at:
Felice in the Upper East
Aurora in Soho
Cipriani Downtown in Soho
Lupa in the Greenwhich Village
Casa Lever in Midtown North
Fiore in BrooklynI heard great things about Del Posto and Babbo but I've personally never been there...
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Firstly I'd like to say I've had delicious spaghetti and meatballs in Italy. That IS Italian. As far as the best Italian restaurant in NYC, that is too difficult to answer. It depends on what dish you want.
For real ITALIAN lasagna Osteria Morini I think has the best. For Fish perhaps Marea. Ennio and Michael's ( now closed) had great rabbit, Bar Piti has some good pasta dishes. There is no best, just many great places for real Italian and real Italian/American-----
Bar Pitti
268 6th Ave, New York, NY 10014Marea
240 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019Osteria Morini
218 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012›1 Reply-
re: foodwhisperer
Zio in Flatiron district is excellent. Chef from Naples, great food, wine and service. I have tried a number of the manhattan suggestions here and Zio is right up the top of the list. West 19th between 5 and 6th Ave. i was the on Saturday and had excellent antipasti and a great agnello washed down with a classic Aglianico. The weekend before I was in Rome so these guys had to work!
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This is a very old thread. But since it just resurfaced, I would say that of the restaurants I've been to, Ai Fiori is unequivocally the best Italian restaurant in New York and the two meals that I had there recently are two of the best meals I've ever had in New York. Furthermore, their cocktails are just as great as their food. It is expensive, but all the hounds that raved about it deserve thanks for steering me toward it.
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Ai Fiori
400 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018›2 Replies-
re: Pan
Interesting that you consider Ai Fiori an Italian restaurant. Even though Michael White is known to be cooking Italian for a few years, I wouldn't think of Ai Fiori as Italian (putting aside the pasta dishes). I do agree, though, the four meals I have had there since opening have been better than the previous one. Yes Marea is quit good but still don't think as Italian since the focus is fish (again, quit good). Any suggestions for red sauce Italian in the metro area?
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re: martyl9
Ai Fiori is Ligurian. Italy has a very long coastline, and Liguria is one of the regions with the longest coastlines. Fish is central to quite a few regional Italian styles, and there are many, many other styles of pasta than red sauce. Also, since Liguria is in Northern Italy, its cuisine is considerably different from the Southern Italian styles that have mainly served as wellsprings of Italian-American cooking. Nothing I ate at Ai Fiori in two trips struck me as not Italian, though some of the cocktails were quite obviously American-style.
However, I've always liked good spaghetti and meatballs, clam sauce, etc. While I've had good experiences at John's of 12th St., putting its name in the same reply as Ai Fiori is extremely incongruous. There's no comparison whatsoever, in the sense that Ai Fiori is incredibly refined and sublime cuisine at high prices, while John's of 12th is very good traditional Italian-American cuisine with friendly, helpful service in a place redolent of New York history, at moderate prices. But if you want red sauce in Manhattan, I think you'll have a good time at John's of 12th. I've been there twice and find it reliable and pleasant.
However, you'll probably want to post to the Outer Boroughs board for some Brooklyn and Queens recommendations that hounds prefer.
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John's of 12th Street
302 E 12th St, New York, NY 10003Ai Fiori
400 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018
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Peasant
Sandro's
Sapori d'Ischia - Queens
Convivio (you can probably make it out for just about $200, if you are careful)
Spigolo›2 Replies-
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re: ropa vieja
I thought the food was generally very good, with some spots of brilliance. Honestly, while the atmosphere is somewhat charming, it wouldn't be my first pick in restaurants for that reason (particularly when you factor in the seedy street that it is on). What I like about it, and what goes to the first poster's question, is that it is both good and authentic. There are other great Italian restaurants in the city, but many are not classic Italian. I was VERY impressed with Locanda Verde, for instance, but I wouldn't put it on a list of traditional Italian restaurants.
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Some suggestions:
Falai 68 Clinton Street LES modern Italian
Alfredo of Rome 4 West 49th Street Rockefeller Center
Locanda Verde Tribeca
Trattoria Cinque Tribeca
Aroma Wine Bar and Kitchen East Village
Lavagna East Village›2 Replies-
re: patriciarichter
Agree with Falai, but IMHO it's in a different league than Lavagna (very good, can get very noisy) and Locanda Verde (more of a lunch place to me). I have not been to the others. To be fair I have only been to Locanda Verde once, been to Lavagna many times.
Interesting to see what's happened since the original 2006 post!
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il Trifulau
Sep 27, 2009 04:48 AM
Of course the answer to this questions is subjective, but there are a lot of BAD suggestions in this thread.
When I want a good and authentic Italian meal, I go to one of these places for the following reasons:
1. Aurora SoHo. The food is outstanding and sitting at the bar gets you fresh air from the open storefront doors and some solid people watching.
2. Pepolino. The owners are from one of my favorite restaurants in Florence: Cibreo. Their Italian food might be the best I've had in the States. Most of the staff is off-the-boat Florentine and they know their stuff. Outdoor tables here too, 2 interior dining rooms.
3. Bar Pitti. The food is simple, authentic and priced right. The outdoor tables in front are such a scene, you wonder why they bother making such good food. They could probably make money serving less.
4. Morandi. The food is better now than it's ever been, it's a beautiful space and the menu is varied and well-planned. There is little issue here with authenticity at all and their wines by the glass are impressive.
5. Arturo's. Old-school, red-sauce, pizza joint with good Italian-American dishes prepared with fresh ingredients and offered inexpensively. Not gourmet, or even authentic "Italian", but never a bad meal here. The live jazz music adds unparalleled old Village charm.Other honorable mentions: Crispo, Lavagna, Scarpetta,
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re: Beau711
il Trifulau
Sep 27, 2009 07:55 PM
I didn't re-open it and all my suggestions are well over two years old.
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re: ropa vieja
MMRuth
Dec 29, 2009 03:09 PM
Have you tried Sandro's, on the UES? Definitely worth going:
http://www.chow.com/digest/2009/12/bu...
The branzino is also fabulous.
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Foodwise, Crispo is in my opinion the best overall. I have never spent more than $120 for 2 people for 2 courses and a bottle of wine. The food is always fresh, interesting and delicious, and the menu is quite varied. I go there very often and never get bored with the menu. The veal breast parmesan is a wonderful variation on a (usually boring or awful) classic. Such simple things as mozzarella with roasted peppers and sausage-stuffed sage leaves rise to new heights here.
In the higher end category, I consider Babbo to be the most pleasant overall dining experience. The food is innovative without straying too much from "true Italian". And it is really not so expensive for what you get, including a well-chosen selection of moderately priced wines.
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paris221966
Oct 5, 2007 07:58 PM
I went to NYC for the first time a week ago and went to Little Italy. I had the best meal ever at Il Palazzo (bowl of pasta in white sauce, prosciutto, mushrooms). Wow! I had a great seat by the window and the service was excellent! Italian music played in the background and the glass of wine was the best I've ever had.
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re: paris221966
In reply to paris221966: Il Palazzo is very good indeed! Definitely the best in Little Italy (which normally isn't saying much, but this is a fine restaurant with helpful service that shouldn't be missed. We've been there many times, sitting both inside and outside on the bustling sidewalk.)
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artfuldestruct
Oct 5, 2007 09:29 AM
I'd highly recommend A Voce. Everytime I go I have a great meal. Andrew Carmellini is a great chef, and you can tell he pays attention to all the details. The fresh ricotta from italy spread on grilled bread is hard to beat!
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druz99
Oct 5, 2007 09:17 AM
Word on the street is Babbo. Haven't been so lucky as to try yet.
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I like to eats.
http://dru.gobbl.com -
Ill admit to not having hit most of the ones listed here, but my best experience so far has been Crispo in the Village.
Reasonably priced, fresh fresh pasta, terrific meats and cheeses and a great atmosphere.
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I just went to Babbo a week ago...probably the 6th or 7th time I've been over the last 5 years. Either they've gone downhill, or I got them on an "off" night. Usually love the pasta tasting menu (which 2 people could do for less than $200 inc. wine). Unfortunately the pastas weren't properly cooked, weren't served hot, or weren't properly seasoned. I had a much better meal at Del Posto a few days later.
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carolinadawg
Mar 4, 2007 05:24 PM
Col Legno, on 9th Street in the east Village is a wonderful, charming neighborhood place with fantastic food.
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tupac17616
Nov 16, 2006 04:30 PM
Personally, I'd do L'Impero. Don't really know what "authentic" Italian may mean to you, but the food there is delicious, period.
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designerboy01
Nov 16, 2006 05:58 AM
Queen Italian Restaraunt
84 Court St.
Brooklyn , NY 11201
Phone: (718) 596-5955Its in downtown Brooklyn and very easy to get to from Manhattan. A friend took me here and the food was quite good.
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re: mlb202
I grew up in NYC and live a block from Campagnola, and I must wonder where you've eaten Italian in the city to have had the best Italian meal ever there. It's good (not great, but good), but SOOOO overpriced, and I think there is better Italian in the city, even just in the general neighborhood. I think people tend to be very taken with things like the enormous wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano and the exhorbitant antipasti they have. For that kind of money, go over to Lex and get a better meal at the Italian place next to Lumi....the name is escaping me right now...anyone who knows what I'm talking about, chime in :)
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re: gregoryclaude
I had a lovely, simple meal at Sette Mezzo, but it cost an arm and a leg. For that type of money, I want food that will challenge my tastebuds and waiters that know what they are doing, not just have a charming accent. Take the train somewhere if you are in the East 70s. You'll be happy elsewhere.
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Authentic Italian to me means sauces that dont taste like they are out of a can, gnocchi so fresh they do not taste like pasta, FRECH olive oil less than year old, bolognese sauce to die for, GREAT veal and incredible risotto and ravioli.
Some one above makes great point--FIRST you have to express you desire for Italian Region--Piemonte differnt from Tuscan different than Emiglio--etc....
Next you have to define price range.
Right now San Domenico on Central Park South in real come-back mode--and IF you love truffles their truffle courses are insane...Baboo very hard to beat with GREAT wine list...Osteria del Circo is moderate price with GREAT bolognese with wild boar ragu and great risotto--best moderate price I've found
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Joanna's Restaurant
30 E 92nd St, New York 10128
Btwn 5th & Madison Ave
Phone: 212-360-6313›5 Replies-
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re: Dave Feldman
MMRuth
Nov 12, 2006 06:24 PM
Joanna's is closed for now, and is going to reopen in the space in the Hotel Wales previously occupied by 92. I went once - it's v. near where I live - I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food, esp. for the $25 prix fixe lunch, but turned off a bit by the pink table cloths/decor. Will be interesting to see how it is when it reopens.
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LUPA
170 Thompson St
New York, NY 10012
(212) 982-5089true roman style cuisine. batali hooks it up right here and I have had a meal for four with wine for under $250
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I assume when you say "truly Italian", you want to eliminate places that serve Italian-American. If you are looking for some places that serve authentic Italian, there are many. I personally like Teodora in midtown. Whenever I eat there it seems like half the customers are speaking Italian. Under $200.00 with wine is possible, depending upon the quality and quantity ordered.They also own Bianca which is also very good. I would second Le Zie and add Da Andrea. Keep in mind that many of the Italian restaurants specialize in a region of Italy. These are only a few but there are so many that I am sure you will have plenty of recs.
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re: chow_gal
Arte Cafe is actually on the UWS and I was just there this past wknd - DO NOT GO! The service is horrendous, not to mention slow. They charged an extra $130 on my credit card and it took over FIVE phone calls to get it back. To top it off, the food isn't even that great. Go somewhere where they appreciate your business. Okay, I am done ranting now. :)
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Brian S
Nov 9, 2006 04:29 PM
Welcome to the site! I think that for that price you can eat at some of the most expensive places, such aa Babbo, if you order right. But I think what you want is the best small pleasant place with food and atmosphere evocative of Italy. Le Zie comes to mind, but there are many others.
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Wilfrid
Nov 9, 2006 03:46 PM
I don't know if it's controversial, but it's a bit like asking for the best French restaurant in the city, and then saying entrees less than $30.
What you are really asking for is best medium-priced Italian, which is a lot different than best Italian.
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