What actually counts as an Italian restaurant in NYC?

We cover the whole spectrum — red-sauce joints from the 1950s, Michelin-starred tasting rooms, Roman trattorias, Neapolitan pizzerias, and the new-wave places that put 'nduja on everything. If the kitchen thinks in Italian, it's in scope.

Do you take money from restaurants?

No. No comped meals, no sponsored posts, no affiliate reservation links. We pay for every plate of rigatoni we write about, which is why the archive is small and opinionated.

How do I get a reservation at the places you cover?

Most spots we feature are on Resy or OpenTable, and we note walk-in strategy in every piece — bar seats, early Tuesday tables, and which hosts actually keep a waitlist.

Can I pitch you a restaurant?

Yes — reply to any newsletter with the name and what you ordered. If it survives our second visit, it gets a story.

The whole pile

1 story · Newest first

Jul 26

Aperitivo vs Happy Hour: What's the Difference?

Aperitivo is a course, not a discount. Where the ritual came from, why the drinks are bitter, and how to order one properly in Manhattan today.

Nico Ferraro · 6 minRead →

The whole pile

Aperitivo vs Happy Hour: What's the Difference?

Take a copy. They're free.