L'Artusi

L'artusi remains one of my favorite restaurants in the city — and after more than 15 years of dining there, it continues to earn that distinction. I was fortunate to find a seat at the bar where the bartender graciously made me a shakerato espresso — a perfect start. Service throughout was excellent from every member of staff. The Garganelli with mushroom ragù was, as always, exceptional. The fact that it tastes exactly as it did the first time I had it over 15 years ago is the highest compliment I can pay — consistency at that level is a real art. The Perciatelli Nero was good — the squid ink pasta was beautifully done and there was a generous amount of crab which I appreciated. My only observation is that the ratio felt slightly off — more tomato than pasta, which shifted the balance of the dish. L'artusi continues to be a restaurant I return to again and again with full confidence. That says everything.

L'Artusi has been on West 10th Street in the West Village for over fifteen years and runs with the kind of low-key confidence that comes from a room that's been full most nights for that entire stretch. The format is Italian with a serious wine program, a long bar with good light, and a kitchen that stays disciplined about what it does well. The cacio e pepe is the pasta that most regulars treat as non-negotiable, a properly balanced bowl with the sauce emulsified cleanly and a pepper-to-cheese ratio that holds throughout. The burrata with seasonal accompaniments is the opener most tables share, fresh and simple and the right note to begin on. The lamb bolognese is the heartier pasta option that earns consistent praise, the meat slow-cooked and the sauce deep and good in the way that long-braised things tend to be. The branzino crudo is the lighter option most worth ordering if you want something that showcases the kitchen's restraint, clean and properly dressed with citrus and olive oil and nothing else competing for attention. The wine list is genuinely excellent and the staff know it well enough to make recommendations that feel personal rather than rehearsed.

We had an early dinner. Started of with two cocktails that were excellent. The beet salad was our appetizer the dressing was phenomenal. I had the mushroom main that this restaurant is known for and it was delicious as was my wife tortellini dish. When the waiter had shared the specials me earlier their was a lamb dish that intrigued me so I ordered and it was divine. To end, we asked the waiter for a light dessert, he suggested the panna cotte which was very good . The waiter also suggested two great wines for our dishes. The place was packed but I observed the staff very closely. They were in sync . Everything ran smoothly. The atmosphere one word bohemian Lots of young people and great food. If you want to impress a date go to this restaurant. They have a nice room upstairs. The private dining area has a table which is surrounded by wine bottles, looks like a nice place to celebrate a special occasion. Service was outstanding the waiter was professional and efficient. I dropped my napkin twice and one of the staff picked it without me saying anything. My final two words Eat here.

PHENOMENAL! This place is at the top of its game. Stellar service, an incredible vibe, and top-tier ingredients. There are already a handful of standout dishes I’d go back for in a heartbeat. The Absolute Highlights: Spinach Tortelli: Don’t sleep on this. It is officially one of my favorite pasta dishes anywhere. An absolute flavor bomb of morel mushrooms, spring peas, aged parmigiano, and a touch of lemon zest that sets the whole dish off. It pure happiness on a plate. Superb. Bucatini: If you want the ultimate version of an all-time classic, this red sauce masterpiece is the stuff of dreams. Mushroom & Egg Appetizer: I always order this classic when I see it, but other places often make it too oily. Here, it’s executed to absolute perfection. Bravo. The Focaccia: Stellar. Do not skip it. Great for Sharing: Scallops: Perfectly cooked with an out-of-this-world presentation. It’s very rich, so if you're with a group, definitely share. The Burger: Solid and incredibly rich. We cut it into quarters for a table of four, which was the perfect move. Rabbit Casarecce & Crab Pasta: Both were very good, well-executed dishes. Good dishes: The Tuna & Wagyu Tartares: Both were incredibly fresh, but they just needed a bit more life. They were a touch under-seasoned for me, though I’d happily order them again and just ask for some flaky sea salt on the side. To Finish: The olive oil cake paired with a fresh coffee was the perfect ending. The chocolate torta and cheesecake were also delicious notes to end on. The Service: Top of the line. Kudos to the entire team. I showed up once without a reservation and was turned away so kindly and respectfully—that’s a hallmark of a lovely front-of-house crew. Our servers during dinner were stellar. Keep up the amazing work, I will absolutely be back!

First off, just want to say that the majority of the food here was great. I really liked the bucatini, tuna tartare, and the focaccia bread. The cacio e pepe was a little bit bland, and this is why I'm docking the food one star. On top of this, the service was lackluster. We were seated right away, which was great, but our waiter/waitress only came by once. Our food, in between the appetizers and the main course, took about 30 minutes to get our pastas. By the time our pastas came, we weren't really that hungry anymore. This is why I am docking service to three stars. The atmosphere is great. The vibe in the restaurant is good. People are having a good time, etc. It's just a little loud, which is normal for a smaller restaurant like this. I cannot ignore the service and the blandness of what some say is such a specialty here. I don't think I'll be coming back.