New York has been an Italian food capital ever since immigrants from The Boot began settling in the city back in the 19th century. These days there are more pizzerias and corner delis than you can shake a breadstick at, but it’ll take a bit of insider knowledge to root out the best of the bunch. So, we’ve selected seven of the city’s finest Italian restaurants to steer you in the right direction. Save room: you’re going to want secondi.
Marea
Chef Michael White may hail from Wisconsin, but his soulful fluency in Italian cuisine will have you mistaking him for a native. This two Michelin-starred restaurant is his crowning achievement. Specializing in seafood dishes, Marea, perched on the edge of Central Park, wins accolades for dishes like fusilli with octopus and bone marrow.
Scarpetta
Cozy enough to fit in the trattoria camp and yet sufficiently refined to earn top marks amongst New York’s Italian offerings, Scarpetta is led by gifted chef Scott Conant. The Meatpacking District spot has some of the best pasta around; its spaghetti pomodoro is the perfect example of simple, wholesome Italian dining.
Prolific restaurateur Danny Meyer aims high with Maialino, a chic Gramercy Park eatery specializing in traditional Roman fare. The daring can also sample from the offal menu, which, from veal tongue with olives to braised oxtail, offers plates both rustic and delectable.
Il Buco
With an ambiance that’s half-neighborhood restaurant, half-antique shop, Il Buco offers a different menu each evening in stylish yet unpretentious surroundings. An extensive selection of tapas-style appetizers is meant to be shared with copious glasses of wine, while dishes like the homemade pasta with chanterelles, melted leeks, and aged goat cheese are sure winners.
Carbone
The newly opened Carbone turns away from light, contemporary Italian dining and instead evokes Italian midcentury cuisine. Its interior looks like it could’ve been used as a set in The Godfather, and its unapologetically massive plates of veal parmigiana aren’t messing around. The service here fits to a tee.
Del Posto
After teaming up with Joe and Lidia Bastianich, celebrity chef Mario Batali has earned his long-awaited four stars with Del Posto, a perfectly poised, tremendously accomplished restaurant. Dining at this consummately New York venue is a joy, from a starter of truffled beef cruda to a conclusion of browned butter panna cotta.
Locanda Verde
Owned by Robert De Niro and overseen by lauded chef Andrew Carmellini, Locanda Verde was always destined to be a success. Come for artful renditions of casual Italian fare, like the freshly made sheep’s milk ricotta crostini and crispy fried artichokes.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to… whose guides cover all the best hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, sights, shops and spas
(Featured image: © Noah Fecks)
