I know very little people who don't enjoy a big bowl of steamy, comforting carbs. I can eat pasta all year round, no matter what time of day. In New York, there are a ton of Italian restaurants, so you'll never fall short of Italian goodness. Whenever I'm going out for a dinner with a group of friends, or having a casual lunch, pasta is always a good idea. There are three places which do some excellent pasta dishes. All very different, all very delicious.
BAR PITTI
When you walk past Bar Pitti you might not think it's anything special, but it's a true West Village favorite. The restaurant is pretty big, especially when the large terrace is open. They don't take reservations, so be prepared for a little wait, especially on weekends. But once you sit down, the service is incredibly fast and very Italian. Order some starters or get straight to the pasta. Perfect for a sunny lunch or late dinner. And if you're lucky you'll have a side of celeb-spotting.
What to order: Pappardelle Alla Fiesolana (ask for "no bacon" to make it vegetarian) and Penne All Arrabbiata. Also check out the specials board. The desserts are really good, make sure to order the Panna Cotta.
- 268 6th Ave, Manhattan (no reservations)
This is Williamsburg's hottest restaurant at the moment. They're booked up for the next month, but if you're lucky you can get a table outside (or wait for two hours). We came here after a day party in Williamsburg, hungry. So we got a little table outside and some blankets and dug into some of the tastiest pasta I've had in New York (sadly the portions aren't very big). The Mafaldini was my favorite so I stole a lot from my brother's plate. I want to go back already!
What to order: Rigatoni Diavola and Mafaldini with pink peppercorns (amazing)
- 567 Union Ave, Williamsburg (make a reservation)
CHARLIE BIRD
I recently wrote about this place, so check this post to read more about it. It's one of my favorite restaurants, and everything on the menu is delicious. They have a couple of pasta choices on the menu. The pasta comes in generous portions, so order a couple to share if you want to try some different ones. The cacio e pepe is only available at brunch/lunchtime and it's a must. (Tip: Bar Pitti is located just across the street, so you've got two great options very near each other, in case either one is too full)
What to order: Cacio e Pepe and the Tortellini with nettles and ricotta salata
- 5 King Street (make a reservation)
