FROM LEFT: Maltagliati with pesto from Locanda Verda; Trattoria Cinque; Civetta Ristorante
While the days of working-class Italian immigrants on steam ships bound for NYC’s shores are long gone, the influence of Italy on our culinary map lives on. The proof? This brand-new crop of satisfyingly relaxed Italian eateries.
Civetta Ristorante
If you’re like us and will happily hoof it for a great meal, you’ve probably already made multiple trips to 92nd Street and Lexington Avenue for a meal at the wonderful Sfoglia, co-owned and run by the talented culinary couple Ron Suhanosky and his wife, Colleen. (And for those of you who live up there, lucky you!). Now the talented pair have taken pity on Downtown and brought their gustatory prowess to Civetta, a rustic Italian gem on the border of Soho complete with big wooden tables, two levels (making the seating a little more ample than its uptown sister), Colleen’s kick-ass bread that everyone loves to hoard and the kind of outstanding house-made pasta you’ve come to expect from the Suhanoskys (the executive chef is none other than Ron himself). 98 Kenmare St., 212-274-9898
Locanda Verde
Still walking around with a heavy heart after Andrew Carmellini’s departure from A Voce? Well, buck up, paesano—he’s back and better than ever with two new partners (Ken Friedman and Josh Pickard), a wood-burning oven and 100 seats for you to plunk down in and experience his radicchio- salad-accompanied porchetta sandwich and killer roasted chicken. Even better, his rustic- Italian talents are available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Speaking of breakfast, make sure you pop in for an espresso to go (made with a vintage 1961 Illy espresso maker—dig it!) and a morning treat by pastry chef Karen DeMasco, whose hazelnut sticky buns and polenta blueberry muffi ns will make you want to send her love letters forever more. 377 Greenwich St., 212-925-3797
FROM LEFT: Mussels from Spina; swordfish from Piccola Cucina
Trattoria Cinque
They weren’t quite ready to rev their engines at the time of this writing, but if Trattoria Cinque is going to be as fun as its Ferrari-red chairs and ’60s Italy retro engineering artwork implied in previews (all the work of architect and designer Garrett Singer), Tribeca is in for a delicious ride. Roomy and fi lled with cognac-colored booths, rare Tom Dixon hammered-brass lights, a gorgeous Carrera marble bar and a duo of cozy fireplaces, it’s the kind of place you’ll want to make your own. And its Milanese chef Mirco Grassini’s dishes—like organic eggplant cannelloni and roasted halibut with olives, cherry tomatoes and potatoes—will have you high-fiving the five-of-everything menu. Tip: Don’t miss the made-in-front-of-you Caesar salad. 363 Greenwich St., 917-868-9847
