Il Bambino Panini – Italian (Sandwiches), Astoria, Queens

Il Bambino 34-08 31st Ave Astoria, Queens (718) 626-0087 Pricing: Not Cheap Venue: Sit Down Cuisine: Italian, Sandwiches Favorite Dish(es): Soppressata panini w hot peppers, asiago, and basil pesto $9 This place has by far the tastiest paninis i’ve ever eaten. Crispy toasted bread with high quality ingredients in amazing combinations. We got delivery this [...]

Artichoke Basilles Pizza & Brewery – Pizza, East Village

Artichoke Basilles Pizza & Brewery 328 E 14th St (212) 228-2004 Pricing: Cheap Venue: Take-Out Cuisine: American, Italian (Pizza) Favorite Dish(es): Margarita Slice ($3.50) Artichoke Pizza is a fairly recent newcomer to the NY gourmet pizza scene.  They offer two signature pizzas that you won’t find anywhere else – Artichoke (of course) and, of all [...]

Dieci – Italian, East Village (St. Marks)

228 E 10th St, between 1st and 2nd Aves (212) 387-9545 Pricing: Not Cheap Venue: Sit Down Cuisine: Italian Favorite Dish(es): Tomato Mousse Crostini (appetizer, $5), Homemade Black Taglioni (entree, $15) First I want to say…I finally got to try squid ink pasta. I’ve been wanting to get the infamous “black tongue” ever since I [...]

Carmine’s – Italian, Midtown West (Times Square)

Carmine’s 200 W 44th St, between 7th and 8th Aves 2450 Broadway, between 90th & 91 Sts (2nd location) (212) 221-3800 Pricing: Not Cheap Venue: Sit Down Cuisine: Italian Favorite Dish(es): Spaghetti with Bolognese Sauce ($26.50), Fried Calamari (appetizer, $28), Peppers and Onions (side dish, $14), Chocolate Torta (dessert, $11.50) This place is another NYC [...]

Lombardi’s – Pizza, Little Italy (Soho)

Lombardi’s 32 Spring St at Mott St (212) 941-7994 Pricing: Not Cheap Venue: Sit Down Cuisine: Pizza Favorite Dish(es): Large Pie with Sausage and Mushrooms ($24.50) Over 100 years old, Lombardi’s has held the title as NYC’s first pizzeria since 1905. Whether that makes it the best pizza or not (we still prefer Grimaldi’s), it’s [...]

Grimaldi’s – Pizza, DUMBO (Brooklyn)

Grimaldi’s 19 Old Fulton St, between Front and Water Sts (under the Brooklyn Bridge) (718) 858-4300 Pricing: Not Cheap Venue: Sit Down Cuisine: Pizza (Italian) Favorite Dish(es): Large 18″ Pizza ($14) with any toppings ($2 each: i.e. sausage, mushrooms, olives) The title of “Best Pizza in New York” is one that holds a lot of [...]

Ferrara Bakery and Cafe – Dessert, Little Italy

195 Grand St, between Mott & Mullberry Sts (212) 226-6150 Pricing: Not Cheap Venue: Sit Down Cuisine: Baked goods, coffee, bar Favorite Dish(es): “Death by” Chocolate Truffle Cake, Strawberry Daiquiri This is one of those famous historic Italian bakeries in Little Italy that you’d expect to see in a date movie. It’s a large two-story [...]

John’s of Bleecker Street – Pizza, West Village

278 Bleecker St, between 6th and 7th Ave (212) 243-1680 Pricing: Not Cheap Venue: Sit Down Cuisine: Pizza Favorite Dish(es): Whole pies range from $12-$23 depending on the size of the pie and toppings you choose. John’s has more than 50 combinations of the traditional sausage, peppers, mushrooms, ricotta, etc type of toppings- however you [...]