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Where is the Best Italian in Downtown Manhattan?

I’ll admit it, I love carbs and cheese. I know those are both against the rules for what girls are “allowed” to eat, but rules are meant to be broken. I’ve sampled many a restaurant in NYC, and here’s what I learned about going to Italian spots: ALWAYS order the pasta. One night while at Locanda Verde, my friend (Italian friend) ordered fish and said, “My Grandfather would roll over in his grave if he knew I was ordering fish at an Italian restaurant,” and he is right, whenever I order a more “sensible” dish, I always regret it (and that night, he did too). Below are my top ten favorite Italian spots in the city. All serve elegant, simple and fabulous food, but each is a “best” for a different reason. Disclaimer: This is my list for 2011. Although I have sampled around 75 Italian spots since I have moved to NYC, the 2012 list is subject to change. That being said, even if new places are added, you can’t go wrong with any place on my top ten.

Best Overall Food: Hearth (403 East 12th, East Village)

Owned by Next Iron Chef’s runner up, Marco Canora and Paul Greco.  Hearth’s menu changes every season, but always include certain staples, including my favorite menu item: veal and ricotta meatballs over homemade spaghetti. In addition, this is a great place to eat at the bar, as it overlooks the kitchen (Zagat rated this highly as well). Side note: check out Terroir, the fabulous wine bar next door. Hearth is also featured in Crush New York article Best Date Spots.

Best Trendy Venue: Locanda Verde (377 Greenwich Street, TriBeCa)

Located in the Greenwich Hotel, this is certainly the trendiest spot on the list. When I hear “Trendy,” I immediately think, “subpar food,” but this is certainly not the case at Locanda (fun fact: Robert Deniro is one of the owners). However, “Trendy” does equal difficult place to get a reservation. The best ways to get a table are: make a reservation ways 3 weeks in advance, walk in and be prepared to wait, or be a celebrity. Locanda is Andrew Carmellini’s best spot (it trumps The Dutch by a landslide; sorry but it’s true).  Everything is fab on the menu, but I highly recommend the starter Sheep’s Milk Ricotta with sea salt and herbs crostini. Locanda Verde is also featured in Crush New York article Best Date Spots.

Best Date Spot: Peasant (194 Elizabeth, SoHo)  

The atmosphere is rustic and cozy, with an open kitchen and wood burning oven.  I celebrated my 6-month anniversary here, and my plus one couldn’t have picked a better place. I usually go for the pasta with meat sauce, but here I suggest you give the gnocchi with mushrooms a whirl. Instead of bread and butter to start, they do bread and ricotta. In addition, there is a sexy wine bar in the basement. is Peasant is also featured in Crush New York article Best Date Spots.

Best Deal:  Bianca (5 Bleecker Street, NoHo)

This reasonably priced venue has fabulous food and a fabulous atmosphere (think: Rustic Italian Chic). In March, I went with four girlfriends and split three appetizers, two pastas, a dessert, and of course, prosecco, and left only $25 poorer (that’s two lunches in Midtown, people). Beware: they don’t take reservations, so plan on going early or prepared to wait (don’t worry, you’re only a stone’s throw from Von bar). In addition, it’s cash only.

Best Décor: Caffe Falai (265 Layfayette Street, SoHo)

What makes Falai stand out from the other spots on this list is the venue. Every detail is tastefully decorated from the beautiful chandeliers to the mirrors to the Philip Stark chairs. Falai serves food as unique as the décor; my favorite is the “Tagliolini Saraceno” (buckwheat tagliolini, chickpea soup, onion red confit, pecorino di fossa). Not many know about this little gem, so it’s one of the easier places to get a reservation on this list. 

Best Wine List: L’Artusi (228 W 10th St, West Village)

L’Artusi’s wine list is long, impressive and intimidating. Upstairs there is a walk-in wine room which houses 2,500 bottles. I think they may or may not have every wine from Italy in there. Enough said. This is my boyfriend’s favorite Italian spot (who PS is a big time food snob).  The menu is excellent for sharing, aside from ordering some carbs, make sure to get a side of brussels sprouts. (I don’t care if you don’t like vegetables or green things scare you, this is simply a must). L’artusi is also featured in Crush New York article Best Date Spots.

Best Late Night Deal: Dell’anima (38 8th Avenue, West Village)

This high end (and super fab) Italian spot offers a late night “pasta fixe” Tuesday to Saturday from 12AM-2AM. The meal includes a bowl of pasta and a glass of wine for $25.00. Dell’anima is the sister restaurant to L’Artusi, which also made the list. I took my daddles here, and I made the mistake of ordering fish. Was it good? Absolutely. Was his pasta better? By a landslide.  During the warm months, there is a garden in the back. Don’t forget to check out Anfora next door, which is one of the sexiest spots in Manhattan (best drink date spot).  Dell’Anima is also featured in Crush New York article Best Late Night Fine Dining.

Biggest Portions: Max’s Italian (51 Avenue B, East Village)

At Max, they certainly give you “American Portions” and at recession friendly pricing (average is about $13 per Pasta entrée). In 2009, I was going through a period of “funemployment,” I earned my keep at Max’s. As a result, I sampled everything on the menu. You can’t go wrong with anything, but my favorite is Spaghetti Alla Chitarra (homemade spaghetti with lamb ragu). You simply must pair this with lambrusco (sparkling red wine). FYI – This place doesn’t take reservations and is cash only, so if you don’t want to wait, come early or late on weekends.

Best Prix-Fixe: Pó (31 Cornelia Street, West Village)

Enjoy 6 courses at one of Mario Batali’s Italian gems for $52.00. The prix-fixe menu is available 7 days a week, and includes 6 generous  courses including a salad, 2 pastas, 1 entrée, 1 cheese and a dessert (they give each person a different dessert so you can share!) My personal favorite dish was the hearty spinach and kale ravioli which I hear is often on the tasting menu this time of year. To learn more about my experience, check it out in other Crush New York article.

Best Happy Hour Deal: Centro Vinoteca ( 74 Seventh Avenue South, West Village)

Centro Vinoteca has an “Apertivo” from 4-7 every day. The deal includes $7 quartinos of wine, $8 specialty cocktails, $5 beers and a complimentary trio of piccolini (Disclaimer: A quartino is a third of a bottle of wine). I’m sure you’ve noticed this place on 7^th avenue; I call it the “triangle” restaurant. Sexy, chic and with fabulous food, this West Village staple is an absolute gem. For dinner, everything is lovely but I recommend the Pappardelle (duck confit ragu, carrots & parsley) and Tagliolini (braised lamb ragu & goat cheese). To learn more about Centro Vinoteca, check out this article in Crush New York.

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