After Otto's ... drinks/dessert suggestions?

[chitowneats]

I have reservations for a group for Otto's ... do you have any suggestions for drinks and/or dessert afterwards? I've read here on Chowhound that the people watching at Otto's itself is pretty good (as long as your not downstairs) but was wondering if there was a 'must stop' place nearby.

Thanks in advance!

[Kanger]

Personally, I would have said cocktails at Angel's Share or dessert at Chikalicious.

[Dianora]

I concur with everyone who says stay at Otto for dessert...but if you're dying to get out of there, walk across the park to Macdougal -- bunch of decent places there: La Lanterna, Olive Tree, Figaro, Caffe Dante...I like Olive Tree best. But that's all fairly generic dessert stuff. Otto will be more exciting.

[bac528]

I hated Otto...a big ripoff for pizza that was the worst...our clam pizza was like a circle of dough with some clams (in their shells) thrown on top and the waiters think they're doing you a favor...no thanks....not for my money!!

[NiKoLe1625]

I would stay at Otto for dessert. Its pretty amazing, especially the olive oil gelato!!

[chitowneats]

Just a follow-up ... the 8 others in my group went to Otto's on Saturday night. They actually "lost" my reservation. I told the maitre d' that I made these reservations weeks ago -- probably close to 3 weeks. The place was packed with no room to spare.

The manager came to me while we were waiting and apologized that they lost my reservation. She offered a free bottle of sparkling wine to soothe things over. (we accepted of course)

Suprisingly, they were able to squeeze us a table in 40 minutes.

That being said, we had a wonderful meal. One person said that was the best pizza they've ever had.

and yes, the olive oil gelato was very good.

Thank you all!

[nyufoodie]

Good to hear that your group had a good time in Otto despite the reservation blunder. That actually happened to me once in ESCA which is also a Batali resto when it just opened. But, sounds like the Otto FOH peeps handled the situation well.

[chitowneats]

<blush> You are probably right ... I was considering Inoteca .... read up on all the reviews, but when I read they didn't take reservations (and we should get there before 7:30 for a decent wait) I pulled the plug for this group of 9 visiting primarily from Chicago.

Thanks for all your help! I appreciate the suggestions!

[nativeNYer]

i strongly second (or third or fourth) the suggestion to stay at otto for dessert - OLIVE OIL GELATO!!! i know... i know... but it's not disgusting . just try it.

[steve h.]

for the record, i didn't know Otto had an upstairs.

[nyufoodie]

...i was actually also wondering what the poster meant about the basement. maybe, he's confusing otto with inoteca?

[dkstar1]

I'd stay at Otto for the desserts (the cheese service and the olive oil gelato worth going to Otto alone)...and instead, consider having a glass of wine at Cru BEFORE going to dinner.

[steve h.]

dkstar1 beat me to it: cheese at otto is outstanding, the gelato can be very good (love the hazelnut). hitting Cru beforehand is redundant imo.

[nyufoodie]

I concur...best to stay at Otto...I usually go there more for the dessert (Olive Oil gelato)...and they have a huge bar area in front that's always festive and fun. You guys can just move there after your meal to linger over more drinks etc....always a fun place to chill specially in this weather.