NYCReview
photo credit: Noah Devereaux
L'Artusi
Included In
L’Artusi is essentially the same as it was when it opened over a decade ago, but nowadays the city has an overabundance of bustling places with impressive wine lists and bowls of orecchiette. Still, we love this special-occasion West Village spot and will probably continue to do so until the banquettes crumble, the bar deteriorates, and the city runs out of hosts to stand behind host stands.
The pasta here remains perfectly executed, and the bucatini with pecorino and pancetta is still a case study in successful minimalism. But don't forget to order the wagyu carpaccio. Heavily marbled with little pockets of horseradish crema, its one of the best dishes in NYC (top 50, let’s say). The mains also keep pace with the pastas—and sometimes lap them entirely. Try the roasted chicken. It comes crisp, juicy, and absolutely drenched in butter.
Prime reservations at L’Artusi are near-impossible to get, and the waits for walk-ins can be multiple hours. But just take that as another piece of evidence that you should eat here (preferably at the bar that’s first-come-first-served). Sure, this isn’t the absolute best Italian restaurant in the city anymore—but you have to admire L’Artusi’s commitment to remaining L’Artusi. The next time you reach inside yourself and decide, very reasonably, that all you want is some expertly-executed pasta and roast chicken, you know exactly where to go.
Food Rundown
Beef Carpaccio
photo credit: Noah Devereaux
Roasted Mushrooms
Tuscan Kale
photo credit: Noah Devereaux
Garganelli
photo credit: Emily Schindler