marli5

We are going to New York City for a 60th birthday in May - what is the best Italian restaurant in New York City? Thanks.

andrew8

Babbo and Il Mulino are the best.
If your going in May, I suggest you make your reservations now.

Aduchamp1

Il Mulino has fallen in many people's estimation Additiionally, there are many many cases of customers complaining about the bills being added incorrectly, naturally in favor of the house.

We enjoyed L'Impero but there has been a recent change in chefs.

bdklein

I am not saying it's the best, but I really enjoyed my dining experience at Del Posto.

ekscrunchy

There are far too many excellent Italian restaurants here to name one as "the best." Certainly Babbo and Del Posto and L'Impero would be right up there in most people's eyes (or palates). (I agree about the first two and have not yet been to Del Posto)



What kind of budget do you have? Prefer cuisine from any area of Italy? Want cozy or more formal?

NeoPatrick

I think the very WORST meal I've ever had in New York City was at Il Mulino. The entire gimmick seemed to be "Look at how huge the portions are". But every course we had was simply awful (except for the antipasta plate at the beginning)! In a bit of fairness, apparently the chef or several chefs were off that night, but still -- no one else knew how to cook?

mclaurie

Agree that in NYC, there is never one best of anything, given different tastes. There are probably more Italian restaurants than anything else to complicate matters. Where are you from, what kind of Italian do you want (norther, southern, Venetian etc.) and how much do you want to spend/person? All the places mentioned so far are easily $75-100/person for dinner.

jodeenyc

We like A Voce, Da Silvano, Da Umberto, San Pietro.

I've also heard good things about I Truli but haven't made it there yet.

Supposedly Batali's sous chef Anne Burrell(that I see all the time on Ion Chef with Batali) has her own restaurant now -Centro Vinoteca which is supposedly very hot right now and hard to get into.

jodeenyc

That would be Iron instead of Ion Chef. Quite a different thing.

ekscrunchy

I've read enough horror stories about Il Mulino to kill any desire I might have to try the place..

Here is another idea: Apizz on Eldrige Street. Beautiful, small and cozy place with brick walls, wood-burning oven, lots of flowers. Excellent food; famous for their meatballs. Owner/Chef has written an excellent book about the place, with recipes:





http://www.amazon.com/Man-His-Meatba.../dp/0060853352

sdbeach

If you're looking for inexpensive, delicious,and a family-like atmosphere (with a little bit of Central Casting), got to Bueno Notte in Little Italy. The pastas are delicious, and a must try in our Atkins-induced world.

It's down-home kind of goodness, not high-end cuisine. Thoroughly delicious!

Aduchamp1

I have been to I Trulli and is fine nothing special. I like I Coppi and Cacio e Pepe much better with I Coppi having more of a celebratory atmosphere.

I would avoid anything in Little Italy including Il Cortile.

otto

del posto was fantastic. i trulli is delicious as well. for more off the beaten path, i like nocello, 55th and 8th, and la vineria on 55th and 5th.

bugswife1

If you have a small party (5 or less) I suggest Erminia. Also, Il Postino on E. 49th is very good.

MFNYC

You have been given many good suggestions that run the gamut.

You haven't specified price (there's a huge difference between something like Del Posto and Cacio e Pepe), also did you want red sauce Italian, something less traditional, etc. Does neighborhood matter?

You can also view menus and comments on menupages.com.

I have eaten at many of the places mentioned already in this post, and of those, they are all good. I haven't eaten at Del Posto, or Il Mulino.

ekscrunchy

Bugswife..Do you often go to Il Postino? Although I live only a few blocks away I have never been, heaving heard that it was overpriced..can you offer any details about the place for us?? I am always looking for great food in my neighborhood...(and am usually thwarted in my ongoing quest!)

Thanks!

bugswife1

Il Postino is as pricy as any other high end Italian. You can view their menu on www.menupages.com

The only thing is - be really careful of the specials. They can run $10 to $15 higher than any other entree on the printed menu.

Also, portions are large and you can easily split dishes.

andrew8

I have had a few very good meals lately at Il Giglio in Tribeca. Its a 26 Food rating in Zagat.

maryanne1

Don't know your price range,but we enjoyed ll Tinellos. Very good service and food,but expensive. One Regis Philbin mentions.

Aduchamp1

I have eaten at Il Giglio it is the sister restaurant to Il Mulino.

I found it a bit disappointing.