Fodor's Expert Review Lugo Cucina Italiana

The area around Madison Square Garden is a restaurant wasteland with the rare, sparkling exception of this spacious Italian "brasserie," serving comfort food with a dolce vita twist. Stop by for an espresso and pastry in the morning; later, a single menu presents lunch, aperitivo, and dinner options, which include grazing portions of salumi, cheeses, and vegetable dishes like eggplant caponata, Tuscan white-bean salad, and grilled zucchini with pine nuts. Fuller meals of Neapolitan-style pizzas, house-made pastas, and grilled meats and fish also are commendable.