Across the street from our Hell's Kitchen hotel a new authentic Italian restaurant opened just last Monday. When I say authentic, I mean the owner/chef grew up in a small town in Italy. The decor is a cement floor, brick walls, rough-hewn tables, and shelving sprinkled with pottery from the chef/owner's childhood. Soft lights and candles complete the setting and you swear you were in somebody's European country house.
We went there last Thursday night and had a great time. With no liquor license yet, our friendly, young waiter told us to go ahead and walk around the corner and buy a bottle of wine and he would serve it to us. To go with my purchase, I had spaghetti with fresh tomato, garlic and basil with a side of broccoli rabe with roasted garlic. Bill had the meat lasagna. All were made with fresh vegetables, homemade pasta and sauce, and excellent.
Our waiter, Don Carlo, invited us to the restaurant's grand opening party on Sunday evening, from which we have just returned. Free for the taking was wine and hearty appetizers. We each had a plate consisting of: Caponata (Sicilian eggplant ratatouille), the best pasta salad I ever ate, brochettas with white bean, pesto, and garlic mayo toppings, and fried gnocchi. After we ate enjoying our wine, we met up with our waiter from Thursday where he was sitting with his parents and grandmother to whom he promptly introduced us, followed by some friendly conversation.
Yea, folks, that is the real NYC too, it is not all callous people working the streets. Just stay away from Times Square and go for 9th Ave, the Village, and other little nooks away from the tourists traps and you will be feeling good.
So next time you are looking for a great little comfortable place with wonderful food at decent prices in NYC, go to Mercato on 39th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. Hopefully when you visit, it will sport signage and liquor license and be so busy you will have to wait just a bit at the bar.
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