Need Restaurant for tonight- Red Sauce Italian, Dressy

[cookbooknola]

Hi,

One of the members of our group is really wishing for Italian tonight. We had a reservation at Daniel, so $$ isn't a factor since we were planning to spend bucks, a reservation may be an issue anywhere really nice. We would like somewhere we can dress up.

We are willing to go anywhere in Manhattan and eat as early as 6:30 and as late as 8:45.

The key- fresh pasta, good red sauce and great bread.

Suggestions??

[edwardspk]

I agree, stick to Daniel. Have eaten there twice recently, after Bruni kept it at 4 stars, and both meals were fantastic.

On another visit for Italian, I second Convivio, but especially Babbo. Babbo has an AMAZING pasta tasting menu that just shouldn't be passed up. A more upscale Batali restaurant is Del Posto, but I like Babbo's food better.

[phantomdoc]

Gabriel near Columbus circle. You will love it.

[Cpalms]

go to Daniel, Michelin just gave them their third star today, should be pretty interesting in there tonight...

http://www.the-feedbag.com/lost-in-th...

[Hurner]

For your key requirements - fresh pasta, good red sauce and great bread -- Campanile would be perfect.

http://www.campanilenyc.com/

[hcbk0702]

It's not "red sauce" Italian, but the standard rec for upscale, outstanding Italian pasta is Convivio. Any of the "red sauce" (e.g. Il Mulino) places would be an enormous drop-off from Daniel in terms of food and you may be sorely disappointed. Most of them aren't particularly upscale either if dressy is what you're looking for. I would urge you to try the more accomplished and ambitious Italian restaurants in the city, including Alto, Babbo, Convivio, Marea, and Scarpetta. Babbo would certainly be the hardest table to get unless there are last-minute cancellations.

I might keep the reservation at Daniel though, even if someone wants Italian. After receiving three stars from Michelin this very morning, the staff there will be running on a major high. It would be fun seeing the restaurant humming with energy and I'm sure your meal would be extra special given the circumstances.

[maggiej]

You might try Locanda Verde. Not "red sauce italian" but great fresh pasta.

[Striver]

Well, I normally wouldn't recommend Il Mulino, but if price is no object and you want high end red sauce, they might just be what you're looking for. Not an easy res, but since it's Monday, it's worth a try.

[smokeandapancake]

yum....they will stuff you too....they never stop feeding you...just like grandma's.
The bread basket is pretty incredible too...