Tough decision about Italian restaurant

[anatom12910]

Hi there,
I want to take my girlfriend out to a nice restaurant, and she just adores Italian food. I tried to research what’s good and what’s not, but came across with loads of results. Please help me choose an Italian restaurant, the price does not matter. Thank you very much!

[bronwen]

Il Buco might work.

-----
Il Buco
47 Bond St., New York, NY 10012

[citykid426]

I absolutely love Sfoglia (92nd and Lex). I live nearby and go there at least once a month (the chicken dish is my favorite) with my hubby. The area in the back is my favorite when we want that nice, cozy setting. Otherwise, we sit at the bar area. The restaurant overall is very romantic! Last year we came back from vacation the day that NYC had a horrible snowstorm and they were open! We ate there with some friends, ordered a nice bottle of red, and stayed for about 2 hours. The pasta is always fresh and changes each time we go, so you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu (though my favorite is gnocchi personally).

-----
Sfoglia
1402 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10128

[princeofpork]

Agree on Sfoglia, the pasta bolegnese is outstanding. Also think you should consider Apizz, very warm and romantic.

-----
Apizz
217 Eldridge St., New York, NY 10002

Sfoglia
1402 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10128

[kathryn]

When is the dinner?

What are her favorite foods in Italian cuisine?

What kind of atmosphere do you want?

[anatom12910]

The dinner is on December 9th. I'd perfer a romantic atmoshpere; lightly dimmed, quiet. She loves pasta (ravioli a lot).

[ml77]

Del Posto is very good if you don't mind the price tag. Ciano might also fit the bill. Most of the other top Italian places I can think of are fairly boisterous, so if quiet is something you really want then these would be two of the better options.

-----
Del Posto
85 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Ciano
45 E 22nd St, New York, NY 10010

[anatom12910]

It doesn't have to 'quiet'. Just very good food, service, and romantic. Quiet is just a plus.

[nmprisons]

I would do Del Posto, but the best ravioli I have ever had was at Lincoln

-----
Del Posto
85 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

[financialdistrictresident]

If ravioli is her favorite you might just need a simple, old fashioned red sauce place.

If she's really into food Ciano might work. SO went this week and raved again. We have only been seated in the downstairs dining room. There is a fireplace and it's dimly lit. I'd call it a cozy, Tuscan atmopshere vs. romantic. If you go to Ciano, I'd suggest you request one of the corner tables (one of the corners has a better view of the fireplace than the other and it's my favorite table) in the back near the kitchen when you make your reservation. You can see the entire dining room including the fireplace and bread table (they have amazing bread). Brad the sommelier is very good and will often suggest wine pairings vs. a bottle. A good thing if you're into wine. Our experiece is in this Ciano thread:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/789526

-----
Ciano
45 E 22nd St, New York, NY 10010

[Riverman500]

Second Ciano. Lincoln and Ai Fiori would also be appropriate.

-----
Ciano
45 E 22nd St, New York, NY 10010

Lincoln
142 W 65th St, New York, NY 10023

Ai Fiori
400 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018

[dyrewolf]

+3 on Ciano. I was taken there for my B-Day this past summer... loved it and it wasn't that harsh on the GF's pocket either. Wine 1/2 bottle program is excellent and can be affordable (though you can go crazy with wine... something I do only at the auctions)

-----
Ciano
45 E 22nd St, New York, NY 10010

[financialdistrictresident]

Neighborhood?

What does she adore?

Maybe Ciano. . .

-----
Ciano
45 E 22nd St, New York, NY 10010