LT

Have family coming into town (DC) right before Christmas, and we're going to NYC the Saturday & Sunday before Christmas. Am thinking positively that things will be much better than they are now, and thus, I'd like locals' opinions on which Italian restaurant in Manhattan is the best? BTW, everyone here is pulling for the folks in NY & NJ . . .

J62

What is your criteria for best?

For many people it means huge plates of pasta & meatballs that are to die for (or from).

For others it's a place that has the traditional Italian restaurant menu - all the pastas, chicken, veal, & eggplant parmesan, saltimboca, etc - the same menu you'll find in a gazillion places

For others it's more modern Italian inspired dishes, but with some chef's creativity.

mclaurie

Babbo and Del Pesto, 2 Mario Batali restaurants are considerred some of the best by critics. Marea is another. Here's a Zagat list. http://blog.zagat.com/2012/05/new-yo...staurants.html

HappyTrvlr

We love this neighborhood place, Barbone on Avenue B.
Mario Battali's Chelsea restaurant on 10th Avenue at 15/16 is Del Posto.

Fra_Diavolo

I don't know if it is the finest, but Maialino is certainly very fine.

http://maialinonyc.com/

HowardR

Key question: How much do you want to spend? Or is there no limit to the cost?

fmpden

Best by itself means nothing. So what are the adjectives?

nytraveler

We are traditional and go for Babbo. but agree - how much do you want to spend - specific $ amount either for entree or whole meal with drinks and/or wine? Or, if you prefer, go to menupages.com to see the actual menus with prices.

DRJ

Del Posto. (Bring money.)

doug_stallings

Maria or Del Posto are the best in my opinion, but there are a lot of excellent Italian restaurants in the city. Maialino is great, but it only takes reservations 4 weeks in advance.

doug_stallings

I see I mistyped r was auto corrected. It's Marea and specializes in fish. Of course it's also super expensive.

HowardR

The OP still hasn't given us any hint as to a price point. Until such time, it almost seems silly to recommend anything. I can think of favorite spots at a variety of price ranges.
So, what do you say, LT, let us know how much you want to spend.