In the bustling culinary landscape of New York City, a gastronomic revolution unfolds with the arrival of these five must-try restaurants: From Roscioli’s artisanal Roman delights to Noksu’s fusion creations (and off-the-beaten path location), Torrisi’s timeless yet bold Italian specialties, Sartiano’s subterranean glamour and Cafe Carmellini’s cozy charm, these are the spots to try now in NYC.
TORRISI BAR & RESTAURANT
When the original Torrisi debuted as a Nolita sandwich shop in 2009, it was the beginning of what would become hospitality behemoth Major Food Group (Carbone, ZZ’s). Now, Torrisi Bar & Restaurant is back, at the iconic Puck Building and just steps from the OG location, but as a refreshed concept with a revamped eclectic Italian menu. While reservations are tough to come by (as is the case with all of the Major Food Group restaurants), guests who make it inside the buzzy dining room are treated to dishes like the Linguine in a Pink Manhattan Clam Sauce, Duck a la Mulberry and — a nod to the original — Sliced Boars Head on Rye. 275 Mulberry Street; torrisinyc.com
SARTIANO’S
Come for the food, stay for the celeb sightings. Located on the lower level of The Mercer hotel — the former Mercer Kitchen space — Sartiano’s has become a hotspot since opening last May, thanks to Tuscan dishes like the incredible 12-layer white Lasagna with black tru#e and a perfectly tender and juicy Chicken Marsala created by James Beard Award-winning chef Alfred Portale and a crowd curated by Scott Sartiano, the mastermind behind member club Zero Bond. 99 Prince Street; sartianos.com
CAFÉ CARMELLINI
Located in a former Renaissance-style mansion, Café Carmellini harkens back to a time of decadent glamour. After opening downtown favorites including Locanda Verde, Lafayette, The Dutch and Carne Mare, among others, Chef Andrew Carmellini goes back to his fine-dining roots with a menu featuring Italian and French-influenced dishes along with an 1,800-bottle wine list served in a Gilded Age style dining room that channels Old New York. 250 Fifth Avenue; cafecarmellini.com
NOKSU
A Korean fine dining gem in the Herald Square subway station Nōksu is the epitome of New York City ingenuity The brainchild of chef Dae Kim, guests descend the stairway to the restaurant — a former barbershop and newsstand— and are treated to a sublime tasting menu featuring BBQ Squab, Venison with chanterelles and foie gras and Chef Kim’s legendary Mackerel, aged for two days in vinegar and poached in vinegar oil. 49 West 32nd Street; noksunyc.com
ROSCIOLI NYC
It doesn’t get more authentic than this new addition to the Soho dining scene. The original Roscioli location in Rome has been drawing dedicated customers for over 50 years but this downtown outpost is already receiving accolades for dishes including must-try meatballs, pasta with cacao e Pepe, Carbonara and al Amatriciana and a selection of Burrata dishes. 43 MacDougal Street, New York, NY; rosciolinyc.com
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