NYCReview
Lupa
In our first Lupa review back in 2010, we pointed out a dude wearing an Affliction blazer in the restaurant as proof that all Mario Batali establishments have some level of tourist appeal to them. The current-day anecdote would probably be something more along the lines of a group of people wearing the same Crossfit Convention t-shirts, but the analogy remains the same - people who look up to Vin Diesel really seem to love this place.
However, in the five years that have passed since that initial Lupa review, we’ve mastered the art of eating here and avoiding the crowds, and it’s really pretty much the way you avoid any bridge and tunnel or tourist situation in New York City - hit it on a Tuesday night.
Lupa’s near-Soho location and no-nonsense Roman-Italian menu make it a favorite among the neighborhood for a laid back meal, and we love this restaurant as a destination for that way-too-early-in-the-week dinner that you sort of want to cancel but can’t. Hit it for a bowl of pasta and a glass of wine instead of blowing up your week by accidentally going too hard at Dirty French. The staff is cool, the vibe in the room is excellent albeit a little cramped, and we always find ourselves satisfied with its consistency and efficiency. Play your cards right, and you might even make it home in time to live tweet The Bachelor, or maybe catch The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift on TBS. Whatever you’re into.