362894 Mon Jan 22 21:48:30 -0800 2007 6 21 The Best 0 2215497 I'm in New York for a couple of weeks, and would love some suggestions on where to go for Italian food, both upscale and casual. I'm from L.A., and always here you can't get good Italian food except for in NY - so tell me where to go! Mon Jan 22 21:48:30 -0800 2007 68422 sea2seangel 1 2215533 Babbo is a good upscale option, but you need a reservation at least a month in advance.However, I have heard that you can walk in and sit at the bar sometimes. I have no suggestions for casual italian....at least not in the city. Mon Jan 22 21:56:09 -0800 2007 2215497 67742 HungryRubia 2 2215587 I heard about that - great, thanks! Would you reccommend Babbo over Lupa, his other restaurant? Mon Jan 22 22:10:19 -0800 2007 2215533 68422 sea2seangel 1 2224048 Babbo is in a class of its own. Lupa is much more traditional Italian food, while Babbo is is a bit more eclectic. If you really want something out of the ordinary, go to Babbo! Especially if you have never been! If you want a decent casual italian restaurant, try Mario's pizzeria, Otto. They literally serve pizza, pasta, and salad. Oh, and of course dessert. You can get in without a reservation, but while you are waiting, enjoy the enoteca up front! You can get italian "tapas" and drinks! Just fabulous! Wed Jan 24 20:17:42 -0800 2007 2215497 50537 NiKoLe1625 1 2224396 For casual italian, try Miss Williamsburg Manhattan or Brooklyn (great young italian chef), Il Bagato (east village), Bar Pitti (west village), and please eat some pizza while here in ny. many of the best NY style italian spots are not in manhattan and not always restaurants. the latticini joints (leone's, etc.), the delis (Catene, Difontes), steam tables (vinny's restuarant brooklyn, catene), and pizza joints. top of my list is always Difara (pizza on ave j and east 15th in midwood brooklyn)- AMAZING pizza- search the boards- tons of talk about it and how old school it is- his dishes are great too- stellar veal parm - and in brooklyn another BIG favorite of mine is the Catene Deli (4th ave and 9th st)- best chicken parm around, INCREDIBLE spicy eggplant parm, spicey calamari parm, spicey shrimp parm, roast beef w/ mozz, gravy, onions, salt and pepper, great peppers and eggs, stuffed peppers, sausage, ah i love the catene deli. no place to sit, not really a restaurant, but SPECTACULAR. and yes, on the upscale side, you cannot beat Babbo- it is superb. eat a pasta at the bar there to beat the reservation hassle. but don't miss the simple italian pleasures of ny- a slice from just about anywhere, a pastry and an espresso at Veniero's in the east village, a chicken parm... enjoy fb Wed Jan 24 22:49:14 -0800 2007 2215497 40207 frankbooth 1 2226455 San Domiceo (Mid town) , Bar Pitti (Village), Taromina ( Little Italy) , Bice (Midtown). Po's and Babbo , Felidia's Thu Jan 25 12:47:23 -0800 2007 2215497 11512 FAL 1 2229320 If you can get to the Bronx, go to Roberto's in the Arthur Avenue/Belmont section (best during the week; on weekends the wait can be long - they don't take reservations). For a fuller experience, you might save coffee and dessert for one of the pastry shop/cafes in the immediate area (Morrone's, De Lillo's, or Egidio's are my current favorites - in that order). Fri Jan 26 08:32:42 -0800 2007 2215497 12622 Striver