Italian Culinary Tour – Without Leaving Manhattan
Skip the overseas trip and discover four restaurant gems that are serving traditional and creative Italian fare in New York City with wine lists to perfectly complement their cuisine. Woman Around Town readers will have the feeling that they have travelled to “The Beautiful Country” without ever leaving Manhattan. Eat and enjoy or as they say in Italy, mangia e divertiti.
Il Gradino (Upper East Side) This wonderful Italian restaurant is conveniently situated on Lexington Avenue between 62nd and 63rd Streets giving you a top reason to dine on the Upper East Side. Sophisticated, yet very welcoming, Il Gradino will transport you to Italy with a distinctive menu, well-curated beverage program, beautiful dining room, and gracious service. The entire staff is focused on making the guest experience outstanding. Diego Argudo has opened ll Gradino Ristorante after more than 20 years as the head captain of Scalinatella. The talented executive chef, Carlos Inga has impressive experience as a sous chef at San Pietro and Il Mulino and he is also a veteran of Caravaggio. Chef Inga has developed a menu that will satisfy all of your cravings from time-honored classics to original dishes, and the option to have the culinary team prepare a special off-menu dish to your exact liking.
The Oval at La Devozione (Chelsea Market) There’s only one dining experience in the city like the The Oval at La Devozione. It’s a rare journey into the culinary world of fine pastas, inventive recipes, and delicious versions of traditional Italian fare. The location in the heart Chelsea Market couldn’t be better. It’s a quiet, stylish retreat from the hustle and bustle of downtown while still being in the heart of one of the city’s favorite markets. The Oval offers a 4-course lunch and a 7-course dinner tasting menu with seatings that should be reserved in advance. Guests enjoy sitting at the venue’s comfortable oval shaped, 30-seat bar that wraps around the open kitchen so you can view every step of the meal preparation. Executive Chef Alessio Rossetti meticulously prepares and plates the savory courses. The menu reflects the finest seasonal ingredients each of them includes one of Pastificio Di Martino’s 120 pastas shapes, cooked al dente. Guests are served with the finest Italian tableware, a special part of the meal’s beautiful and artistic presentation.
Duomo 51 (Rockefeller Center) The recently opened fine-dining Italian restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Located on the 7th floor of the Doubletree Hotel on West 51st Street between 5th and 6th Avenue, it is a beautiful spot with a spacious dining room and terrace that boasts terrific views of the Rockefeller Center neighborhood. The menu curated by Executive Chef Vilfrid Hodoj gives guests a true taste of Tuscany using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Signature handmade pastas along with specialties from Land and Sea offer guests an array of delectable options. Chef Hodoj has curated a menu of traditional and original dishes that highlight the freshest flavors. It’s an ideal destination for the midtown neighborhood.
Tino’s (Chelsea) Tino’s Artisan Pizza Co. is in the heart of Chelsea at 12 West 18th Street very close to Union Square. With five locations in New Jersey, Tino’s is a welcome addition to the NYC dining scene and their offerings are at a wallet-friendly price point. Guests like that Tino’s has a mission to offer all-natural Italian food using the highest quality ingredients that are sustainable, local, and organic. Their menu items are free of artificial preservatives, colors, sweeteners, flavors, and hydrogenated fats to ensure healthier eating. Tino’s beloved pizzas have a big following. They are made with unbleached, unbromated flour, hand-stretched to 12-inches round, and feature a signature crispy, thin crust. There are both red and white pizza selections. The restaurant also offers starters and entrees, along with salads and starters.
Top photo: Bigstock
