Bon Appetito

From Little Italy to Sutton Place, there are more Italian restaurants per square feet in this city to make you swear off carbs forever. But a new guard in Italian cuisine has recently made us all rethink our Zone deliveries; after all what’s more uncool than passing on dinner out for Cordon Bleu in Tupperware? Plastic is so passé. These new eateries reject the ideas that rustic food has to look rustic or come with a basket of greasy garlic bread. Whether you call them the anti-Del Postos or just plain cute, Mario Batali isn’t the only one who’s making pasta chic.

1. Falai
What: Closet-sized eatery with Phillipe Starck-esque décor.
Who: LES hipsters and the women who love them.
Where: Clinton between Stanton and Rivington
When: Summer, so you can eat in the private, white brick garden
Why: Their signature green apple foam atop grilled Branzino…to die for.
Tip: Ask the manager Alberto to suggest a bottle of wine.

2. Gusto
What: Art-Deco meets old Hollywood Glamour.
Who: Trendy families, chic gay couples and girls on a night out.
Where: 60 Greenwich Avenue
When: Anytime. They have sidewalk and indoor seating.
Why: The fritto squash blossoms, artichokes, calamari, should I go on?
Tip: Ask to be seated in the wine cellar; it’s Rome in the West Village.

3. Bivio
What: West Village wine cellar meets Upper East art gallery.
Who: Art groupies, fashionistas and the in-the-know couples.
Where: 637 Hudson Street
When: Fall/Winter, to soak up the cozy atmosphere.
Why: The wine.
Tip: Sit at the bar for a stylish dinner in solitude.

Final Word: Sure Stromboli will hit the spot at 4am, but if you’re looking for a bit more, these restos will make you say, “Basta!” to anything less.