What to order at Otto

[lily.violet]

Helloo,

I visiting New York this week and I was planning on dining at Otto. I was just wondering what are the best things to order from their menu. I looked at order posts, but they're all quite old, nothing from 2009. So I'd appreciate any suggestions that come up! Thanks a lot!

[momosz]

The octopus salad. Every time I've had it it's been so tasty, fresh and tender, like butter.

[uhockey]

If you're lucky enough to be there on a day when they're doing the pea and pancetta bruschetta, order it!

[tursi3214]

You must absolutely get the cheese and salumi plates... but also the baked parmesean and radichio salad... delicious

[cavafan]

I would add the pane frattau, which is pizza with pecorino and a fried egg on top, and the sformato, which is like a parmesan souffle.

[jeffreylydon]

Consider eating at the bar. Excellent bartenders and great company. A real New York experience - I eat there at least once a month and agree with Kathryn's recommendations

[NellyNel]

I have been a few times and have always been wowed by the cheese plate (so fresh and lovely!) as well as the meat platter and desserts.
One time they had a special truffle pizza that was expensive but worth every penny.

The first time I went I got to try lots of dihes because I was there with a large party. I was wholely underwhelmed by the pasta dishes. I felt they were quite bland and too aldente. (I am Italian American and will only eat al dente pasta - but this stuff was "crunchy")
I have never gone near the pasta again after that first time, so I don't know if it was a fluke or not.
I also love the olive oil gelato and a few of the veggie sides.

[notsochubbychubette]

agreed. pasta's there are def undercooked.

[kobetobiko]

I think kathryn nails all the best items on the menu. If you are eating solo and can't order everything, I will highly recommend their cured meats and salumi, particularly the testa. While I like their pasta more than their pizza, if you come from a place where lardo pizza is hard to find, you should definitely try it out.

The olive oil coppetta is my favorite dessert too!

[lavagirl]

I went recently and really enjoyed the mushroom and tallegio pizza (other items weren't quite as memorable). i wanted to try the gelato, but didn't have room left—i've been meaning to go back for wine and dessert.

[notsochubbychubette]

their aglio oglio pizza is delish.
Rock shrimpmchi chi beans and chilis
get the cheese with the dippers
Brussel sprout appetizer is great

[kathryn]

cured meats/salumi platter
the cheese plate with cherries and truffled honey and apricots
corn & fregola
escarole and shaved sunchoke salad
rigatoni
spaghetti carbonara
bucatini
the lardo pizza or bianca (I find their house pizzas are better than the classics)
gelato, especially the olive oil coppetta -- they serve it with a drizzle of olive oil and sea salt on top... my friend who goes VERY often said this is good, too: sweet corn gelato with summer berries.
The composed gelato plates with accompaniments are usually very good. Skip the salted caramel gelato.

[LNG212]

I agree with everything Kathryn said. And I'd just add that great wine list!

[Bob Martinez]

I'd agree with everything Kathryn said with the exception of the pizzas. I don't find them particularly flavorful and while the crust has improved since they first opened, it's still not good. It's not actively bad but with so many very good things on the menu there's no reason to order it.

The carbonara is a particular standout and we owe Joe Bastianich a particular debt of gratitude for that wine list. It's well priced and there are dozens of great choices.

[LNG212]

Is carbonara the one with the egg on it? If so, DH had it and he loved it too. He also liked the lardo bruschetta -- is that still one of the days-of-the-week specials?

[Bob Martinez]

"Is carbonara the one with the egg on it?"

That's the one. Egg white, to be more precise. When poured over the hot spaghetti It cooks on the spot and adds a richness to the dish. They add pancetta to the dish (everything is better with bacon) as well as coarsely ground black pepper. It's wonderful.

[windycity]

I rather liked the salted caramel. Second the olive oil gelato. They also had a good summer corn gelato a while ago.

The accompaniments on the cheese plate are killer.

[daffyduck]

I really want to try the olive oil gelato everyone is talking about, but I am a bit worried that I won't like it. I was wondering do you guys recommend ordering the olive oil coppetta because the other ingredients work together nicely with the olive oil gelato or would it be smarter to order 3 gelatos to see if I like the taste of the olive oil gelato.

[Peter Cherches]

The olive oil gelato has a very subtle flavor. You may not be bowled over (I wasn't) but you definitely won't find it unpalatable. But sure, go for a combo.

[Bob Martinez]

I think of that olive oil like the proverbial dancing elephant - it's not that it dances well, the miracle is that it dances at all. The olive oil gelato isn't terrible but there's really nothing to recommend it over traditional fruit based gelatos.

[NellyNel]

I dont know - i loved the taste of the olive oil gelato - subtle yes - but very appealing to me,

[daffyduck]

what gelatos would u guys recommend in addition to the olive oil. the stracciatella sounds best to me. but i don't think it would mix well with the olive oil. do u know if they could seperate the scoops of gelato into seperate small plates.

[kathryn]

Right now, they also have a really nice summer salad of cucumbers, watermelon, shallots, balsamic vinaigrette, basil, and ricotta salata. Hooray summer!