- Premium five-star Italian restaurants in New York City.italian salad image by Pat Lalli from Fotolia.com
New York City is a mecca for those who love to eat and splurge. If you are serious about your dining options, chances are very little places in the world will be able to offer you the options that NYC does in terms of cuisine and quality selection. If you are craving some Italian food, check out these premium five-star fine dining establishments. - As soon as you enter the restaurant, you feel as if you have entered a dramatic rustic Italian ambiance. The chairs, circular booths and bar stools are covered with plush brown velvet and this is accompanied with chandeliers and iron lamps. The table centerpiece is a roaring wood-burning oven used to roast the food. The food served is described as southern Italian regional cuisine. The unusual menu includes platters like roasted sardines with soft eggs, slow-cooked meats and roasted oysters, among others. However, do save some room for deserts like the rosemary pannacotta, which should absolutely not be missed. The service is friendly and the restaurant spacious and comfortable. The restaurant also has a large bar area that has an amazing selection of Italian wines from Sicily, Trentino and Puglia, specially selected by Antonio Mazzalo, a wine expert. The restaurant is very popular and thus it is advisable to make reservations in advance.
Cesca Restaurant
164 W. 75th St.
New York, NY 10023
212-787-6300
cescanyc.com - This yellow-booth Italian restaurant is owned by the Livanos family, the owners of Oceana and Molyvos. Abboccato boasts of a hearty and ambitious menu with great service and uptown elegance. The restaurant offers small plates for sharing that encourage lively dining experience. The menu includes appetizers like affetati misti--cured meat platter, grilled tripe, spaghetti with razor churns, pesco crudo, orecchiette with cuttlefish and rich meat mains including beef short ribs and crispy veal sweetbreads.
Abboccato
136 W. 55th St.
New York, NY 10019
212-265-4000
abboccato.com - Barbetta has been a popular Italian restaurant since 1906. This is one of the first New York restaurants that serve cuisine from Piemonte. The food and decor are richly elegant. You can choose creations like bolliti misti--boiled meats and broth--that is served from an antique silver cart. The freshly made gnocchi in cheese sauce and quails nest filled with fonduta cheese is a must try. During winters, you may have the pleasure of having white truffles, specially flown in from Piemonte, grated over your food. The restaurant offers an impressive Italian wine list and has a beautiful and very romantic outdoor garden.
Barbetta
321 W. 46th St,
New York, NY 10036
212-246-9171
barbettarestaurant.com - Gemma features a farmhouse look with an open kitchen, loud bar and wood-fired oven. The restaurant is located in the Bowery Hotel and often has many celebrity guests coming in. The food is simple and the wine and cheese selection is vast. The restaurant strictly serves on first come basis. It does not accept any advance reservations. The meal portions are huge so take care while ordering.
Gemma
335 Bowery
New York, NY 10003
212-505-9100
theboweryhotel.com - Hearth is located in the East Village. The restaurant, its food and drinks is as welcoming as its name. Try the three-course cucina povera that includes ribollita, braised lamb shank and a soup of cabbage, beans and Parmesan. Alternatively, try the chef's rabbit ballotine or snapper crudo. The wine and tequila selection is excellent and so is the service. The seating is comfortable, that confirms the restaurants public policy, "all the needs of the guest have been met and exceeded." It is highly recommended that advance reservations are made.
Hearth
403 E. 12th St.
New York, NY 10009
646-602-1300
restauranthearth.com
Cesca
Abboccato
Barbetta
Gemma
Hearth
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