Italian - spaghetti & red sauce required but other, interesting items too!

[Olive123]

I have been trying to come up with an Italian place for dinner for a small group. I tried L'Incontro in Astoria but they are on vacation until the middle of next month. We are now sticking with Manhattan. Convivio, Crispo and Falai have been rejected. We need a place that will serve a tasty pasta with red sauce for one of the diners but I would really like some place with interesting alternatives for the rest of us. I am sure there is something (many somethings) that I am just not thinking of, so apologies for missing the obvious gem with solid red sauce standards and a few interesting options on the side, but I would love some assistance! Neighborhood doesn't matter and I would rather stick with no more pricey than Convivio for $. Thanks so much!

[grouchomarx]

How about Lupa, or Insieme? Both have some old standbys and some more modern dishes on the menu.

[downtownchica]

Another option might be Apizz. They don't have pasta marinara on the menu, but the service is so fabulous and they are so accommodating that I couldn't imagine it would be a problem. And the pasta is all made in house and fabulous.

[RGR]

Scarpetta is, of course, known for Scott Conant's signature spagetti, tomato and basil. And there are certainly interesting alternatives on the menu.

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

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

SD26 has spaghetti and tomato sauce on the menu and plenty of other interesting dishes.

SD26 photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157623709161265/

and here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157624487382774/

Same goes for Maialino:

Maialino photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157623807616970/

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

[ml77]

I agree. When I read the headline, I clicked on it just to make sure that someone had suggested Scarpetta. The spaghetti should satisfy your unadventurous companion, while the polenta, foie gras and duck ravioli, agnolotti, and other dishes will be enjoyed by those of you looking for something a bit more complex.

The atmosphere is nice without being stuffy, good for a group.

[Upperwestsider]

If your radius includes the Financial District, don't exclude Harry's Italian (www.harrysitalian.com). Like all of Harry's offerings, you get very decent food, great service and very affordable prices--esp on the red grape juice side.