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Sant Ambroeus—West Village
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259 W. 4th St.
Shortly after the original Sant Ambroeus opened its doors in Milan in 1936, a devoted following emerged. This celebrated patisceria and confetteria became a meeting place for the local intelligentsia, whether beginning their day with Sant Ambroeus' legendary cappuccino and cornetto, savoring panini at lunch or spending their evening enjoying refined cuisine in the restaurant's elegant dining room. Sant Ambroeus translated these Old World sensibilities to modern times and imported these rich culinary traditions to New York. Each restaurant remains authentic to its Milanese origins and continues to serve culturally inspired delectables in a casual yet elegant environment.
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Don Angie
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103 Greenwich Avenue
Prepare to be astonished by the beauty and flavor of two-toned caramelle: pasta that’s crafted to look like wrapped, striped candy and filled with buffalo milk ricotta. Husband-and-wife team Scott Tacinelli and Angie Rito (ex-Quality Italian) make other Italian-American showstoppers like giant garlic flatbread stuffed with cheese and prime rib braciole for two. The 60-seat West Village corner space is lively and chic, the mood heightened by Italian wine and cocktails.
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Dante
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78 Macdougal Street
There’s such a pleasant hubbub in this century-old West Village café that it’s hard not to feel happy, especially when tucking into smoky shishito peppers, saucy organic chicken parm bubbling in a skillet and lusty vegetarian lasagna. Those who like Negronis, take note: there are numerous iterations here—including a classic version on tap—which are discounted daily from 3pm to 6pm.
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Bar Pisellino
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52 Grove Street
Bar Pisellino is not just any corner spot in the West Village. Jody Williams and Rita Sodi, of the across-the-street megahit Via Carota, are behind it. The all-day Italian café is geared toward locals stepping up to the oak-paneled bar for coffee and moist olive-oil cake in the morning, panini and cacio e pepe potato chips later in the day, and Aperol spritzes on tap whenever the mood strikes. It’s mostly standing room (no reservations), but see if you can score a sidewalk table.
