Description
This is Mario Batali's pride and joy, a love letter to Italian cuisine in the middle of Greenwich Village. Despite the tourists Batali¹s celebrity attracts, he doesn't dumb down his cooking for anyone, putting everything from goose liver ravioli to charred beef tongue on the menu. Order a la carte or opt for the pasta tasting menu ($69) or the traditional tasting menu ($75). The kitchen utilizes local, seasonal ingredients when they're not using Italian imports. Housed in a stylish townhouse, the restaurant is a buzzing two stories, decorated with warm simplicity. Think of a region of Italy and they probably have a wine from it; the 2,000-strong wine list ranges in price from $35 to more than $1,000. It's no surprise that this is a popular restaurant, so it's probably best to make reservations a month in advance (although if you're feeling more impulsive you can try and snag a seat at the bar).—Keith Wagstaff
