Fodor's Expert Review La Sirena

Another Batali and Bastianich temple of Italian gastronomy, La Sirena combines excellent Italian fare with the trendy ambience of the Maritime Hotel (which houses the restaurant). The huge 200-seat space (with a long 38-seat bar) is highlighted by wavy Roman-inspired black-and-white floor tiles and globe-shaped wall lights that help keep the space relatively dim. The menu stretches from the tip to top of the boot with dishes like short-rib carpaccio sprinkled with black truffles, and pastas filled with rich edible jewels such as duck and pancetta. Ballers might opt for the $120 lardo-encrusted, dry-aged, bone-in New York strip for two. The wine list, separated by the regions of Italy, offers some surprisingly affordable bottles.