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Help me choose- inexpensive to moderate, Italian

  • c

Hello all, I'm trying to pick a restaurant for a friend's birthday dinner. There will be 4 of us, and we're all young and poor. The following restaurants have somewhat interesting menus, aren't too pricey, and are conveniently located- but I want somewhere that feels nice enough to appropriately celebrate, and you can't really tell that from a website. Where would you go?
So far, I have selected: Via Emilia, Le Zie, and Cacio e Pepe. Thoughts? Anywhere else I should consider? Thanks!

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  1. Cacio e Pepe is my favorite of the 3 you've mentioned. I also love Crispo.

      1. check out Piccolo Angelino to see if it's in your price range. Great spot...

        1. You must consider Trattoria Malatesta (Washington/Christopher). It's far west from the places you mentioned but it is wonderful - rustic and attractive yet reasonably priced. It's open air when the weather's nice so really has a nice vibe and the food rocks.

          I recently went there and was blown away by the first spaghetti dish on the pasta menu - it's simple (I think tomato, mozz, garlic, and basi) but is phenomenal, much like in Italia, and it's around 10 bucks! Also, the portabello appetizer is a winner. Go there!

          1. I like Le Zie and heartily recommend another poster's recommendation of Trattoria Malatesta.

            I also like Da Andrea at 557 Hudson Street for good reasonably priced Italian food.

            I don't know how 'poor' your group is but bear in mind that a complete meal and wine always ups the check no matter how reasonably priced the menu is unless you catch a prix-fixe menu or early bird special someplace.

            1 Reply
            1. re: Flynn1

              Da Andrea, have the house wine and the whole meal is a bargain..
              and good.