a little help for May 28th visit...50th birthday

[anniversary]

This board has been very helpful over the years. I am looking for recommendations. Me and my wife both enjoy Italian, we have tried Babbo, Lupa, Otto, and Becco. Have read rewiews of others on this board. Price is not an issue. Would like something that is has great pasta, and maybe meats as well. Also we are thinking of place for Tapas, we love Casa Mono. Location is not an issue as long as in Manhattan. Also looking for a nice place for wine before dinner maybe in village. We are in town friday -monday afternoon. Finally a place for good duck, could be chineese or duck in general.

thanks

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Lupa
170 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10012

Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011

Casa Mono
52 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003

Becco
355 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10010

[Upperwestsider]

Sticking with Italian for now; there are Chowposts on all of the following: apizz, Bianca, Crispo, and Da Andrea. I have been to all, and you won't be dissapointed by any of them; but each is different and has its own magnetism. As I mentioned, the 'hounds will give you a bigger (and better) data sample.

You are right about the duck; thought the Austrians (Wallse, Blaue Gans, etc) would have it offered, but perhaps it is seasonal with them. A Chinese restaurant is your best bet.

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Crispo
240 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011

Da Andrea
35 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011

Blaue Gans
139 Duane Street, New York, NY 10013

[anniversary]

Does anyone know if Maialino, would serve that suckling pig dish for 2 and is it something that has to be ordered in advance? opinions....read NYT review of it.

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Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010

[kathryn]

The suckling pig is meant to serve 2 or 3 people. I've ordered it as a party of two with no problems, but we did have a bunch of pork and potatoes leftover. It does not have to be ordered in advance.

[RGR]

The eponymous "maialino" is no longer on the regular menu. While it is now considered a special, it is still being served regularly though it's possible it might not be available on a particular day. Also, they do run out of it later in the evening, so if you are going with the specific intention of having it, it is best to make that known when you reserve. That's what we did. As Kathryn indicated, for two people, unless you have gargantuan appetites, there will be leftovers. There were three of us, and we polished off every speck.

You can see photos of the maialino here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391...

[RGR]

Chef Michael White is known for his pastas, so you might want to consider any or all of his restaurants: Convivio, Alto, and Marea. We haven't been to Convivio in a very long time, but we have had dinner at Alto and Marea fairly recently. Of the two, I would choose Alto.

Alto Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157622135047462/

Marea Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157623170508583/

Two other Italian restaurants that you should definitely consider: Scarpetta and Maialino

Scarpetta Photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157622038539682/

and here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157622206527768/

Maialino Photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157623676374010/

and here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391...