I am planning a February business/personal trip with hubby. We would love to find an Italian restaurant in the city that has the antipasto tables like one would find in Rome. We loved the Roman melanzane ( eggplant) appetizers. Is there a place like this in NYC? Thanks in advance........

Emily-Hi, there are sooo many places like that in NYC that your best bet would be to look at Zagats online and check the neighborhood you will be in and see if there is anything suiting your criteria that way-then ask for opinions on here.It is pretty impossible with this amount of information to direct youconsidering the hundreds of Italian restaurants in the city~ Happy New Year

Emily, I think Michelle may have missed your point. I've eaten in many really good Italian restaurants in New York and know there are literally thousands, but can't recall one with a true "help yourself" antipasto table like some of those I know in Rome. I do know that some will have a small display table, but not what you're thinking about. And I can't imagine that Zagat's would be much help, as I don't recall their mentioning such a thing in any of their tiny write ups. On the other hand, I find it hard to imagine that there aren't several places with exactly what you're looking for. Here's hoping someone will be able to recommend such a place.

Thanks, Patrick.........

There's gotta be a New Yorker out there that loves the antipasto as nuch as I do!! Here's hoping they come to this board!

forget the antipasto and go to I Trulli

jr

Or go to Lupa (less expensive) or Babbo (more expensive). Both are outstanding and Lupa has really authentic Roman cuisine plus some fabulous antipasti. They are also a salumeria so have excellent cold cut antipasti. Trust me, you won't be dissapointed.

Or disappointed either! (I just proofread).

I don't know Patrick-why do you think Michelle missed the point?I know they have restaurants in NJ that have the Roman table/antipasti that Emily is talking about,Cafe Italiano in Englewood Cliffs for one, so why would there not be a few in NYC? Just in Little Italy alone,there are restaurants that have the antipasti table that they bring around...maybe they don't list them in Zagats, but they are there...

Hi Emily,
I love Felidia or Il Tuscanaccio. Either cannot be beat.

Luna's in Little Italy-they take a antipasta table around ..I am pretty sure they are on Mulberry right near Canal.

Thanks.....I knew I'd get some good advice from this board...


Emily

Tuscan Steak (upscale family style... great room, but better with a small group), Fresco by Scotto, Olives (in the new W Hotel in Union Square) ... there are tons of great italian restaurants, but since I don't usually indulge with the antipasto, I'm just going by ones I remember visiting recently.

I think Patrick is right -- there are tons of great Italian restaurants in NYC, but I'm not aware of very many with wonderful antipasto tables like Emily is asking about.

One restaurant where I love the antipasto (although it is not serve yourself) is Pesce Pasta. They have a location at 59th & 1st and also at 87th & 3rd. They don't take reservations and are often crowded, but hang in there. It is inexpensive, but the antipasto is wonderful.

Trattoria Del Arte, very well-known for its antipasti bar....must have reservations. Up near Carnigie Hall, possibly 57th & Broadway??? Was there over holidays & food was great...

Try Fiorello's on Broadway, across the street from Lincoln Center. I don't partake in antipasti, but I know I've seen a whole array of gorgeous looking dishes in the front area. I think they may have an antipasto bar, but I don't know whether it's help yourself.

up for Melissa

Aaahh yes, I remember this one.Patrick, who does not live in NYC, saw fit to correct someone regarding Italian restaurants in NYC. Such a helpful guy.

Huh??? Who's correcting anyone? We're all still waiting for the answers that are what Emily was talking about -- a true, help-yourself antipasto bar in New York like those you see in Rome. There have been a couple of suggestions here, but still no definitive place like Emily was asking for. Although I don't live in New York, I've eaten at Trattoria Del Arte several times and have never seen or been advised of a help-yourself antipasto bar, but maybe there is one. Since you're the x-pert, x, what is your list of recommendations??? You call me a "helpful guy" but please tell us how you have been more helpful that I.
It was suggested to look in Zagats. Would you please name one restaurant listed in Zagats that mentions a help-yourself antipasto bar. I was unable to find one in my copy, but of course I didn't buy mine in New York. If you are a TRUE New Yorker, maybe your copy is different from mine. What is your problem x??????????? Why are you so obsessed with me and my attempts to be helpful?????? Oops, sorry, now you can also post about how "whiney" I am.

I don't know about anyone else, but I am so sick of Patricks defending himself over every thread on this board! P-can't you just ignore it??? I don't know which is worse, the attack or the defense. Stop being such a cry baby!

Todd, you've given your self away as the attacker. Why would anybody complain about a helpful poster defending himeself, rather than complaining about the pointless attack in the first place? Obviously you are defending your pointless attacks. The only difference is you are too much of a coward to use your own name and address as Patrick does, and you keep changing your name so it looks like you are more than one person. Why would anyone ever complain about someone calmly and politely defending himself against a pointless attack?