New York City is not short of stellar Italian American restaurants. In fact, many of the city’s staples are “New York Italian” (think of all the Batalis, Bastianich, Carbone/Torrisis, and my beloved l’Artusi, just to name a few). So it takes a lot for me to make the bold statement that Don Angie, yet another Downtown Italian eatery, is the hottest restaurant opening of 2017.

Don Angie is a modern Italian restaurant by Scott Tacinelli and Angie Rito, the husband-and-wife team from Quality Italian and Dinnertable. The chef couple opened their own West Village outlet in October 2017, drawing influence from both their Italian and New York heritage, and managed to create a truly unique Italian neighborhood joint.

Dinner only

Don Angie NY Appetizers

Top-clockwise: Stuffed Garlic Flatbread, Chrysanthemum Salad, Sea Bass Crudo & cocktails

The menu at Don Angie is inspired by the chefs’ grandmas recipes, but this is not the place for Nonna’s traditional cooking, although it feels just as hearty. Don Angie serves an unprecedented style of modern Italian American cuisine, with an inventive take on Mediterranean comfort food, ingenious plating and execution. Who needs plain ol’ garlic bread when you can start your meal with their Stuffed Garlic Flatbread to accompany their incredible BBQ Calamari. And a veal Milanese is a lot more exciting  “Da Pepi” style with Horseradish, Speck and Rye.

Sea Bass Crudo - Sicilian saffron, citurs, black lime, mint ($14)

Sea Bass Crudo – Sicilian saffron, citrus, black lime, mint ($14)

For the table - Stuffed Garlic Flatbread ($11)

For the table – Stuffed Garlic Flatbread ($11)

Delicious, sophisticated flavors invade every plate at Don Angie – but the star of the show is the pasta. Don’t leave without ordering their Garganelli Giganti with broken Meatball Ragu, probably the most classic-Italian on the menu, and everything you crave in a pasta dish. Their signature Buffalo Milk Caramelle looks like candy, and tastes like buttery bows of deliciousness. And the best for last: their special Lasagna for 2, unconventionally shaped like cinnamon buns (they don’t call me gourmande for nothing!) is probably the best I’ve had outside of Naples. The portion is huge and definitely can serve more than 2, but I guess this is the sort of dish you don’t want to share.

Attenzione – make sure you order the lasagna early, they run out!

Don Angie Lasagna

Epic Lasagna for two ($64)

don angie lasagna for 2

What lasagna dreams are made of

BBQ CALAMARI Pepperoni Fried Rice, Herbed Labne ($16)

BBQ CALAMARI -Pepperoni Fried Rice, Herbed Labne ($16)

Don Angie BUFFALO MILK CARAMELLE Persimmon & Black Sesame ($22)

Don Angie BUFFALO MILK CARAMELLE Persimmon & Black Sesame ($22)

SOPRESSINI & MUSSELS Peroni, Pimenton, Cilantro Macho ($23)

SOPRESSINI & MUSSELS – Peroni, Pimenton, Cilantro Macho ($23)

GARGANELLI GIGANTI Broken Meatball Ragu, Guanciale, Pecorino 25

GARGANELLI GIGANTI – Broken Meatball Ragu, Guanciale, Pecorino 25

Don Angie VEAL “DA PEPI” - Horseradish, Speck, Rye ($34)

VEAL “DA PEPI” – Horseradish, Speck, Rye ($34)

Don Angie BLACKENED CHICKEN SCARPARIELLO- Italian Sausage, Capocollo, Anaheim Chilies ($26)

BLACKENED CHICKEN SCARPARIELLO- Italian Sausage, Capocollo, Anaheim Chilies ($26)

You get the point, the food at Don Angie is incredible, and so damn satisfying. You really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been to a newly opened restaurant and literally loved everything I ate. Come with a (small) group to order as much as possible – everything is served family style and made for sharing.

In house-cocktails are innovative, and we got great wine recommendations from the sommelier-trained waiter (for a red wine steal, get the 2013 Salcheto Nobile Montepulciano – pairs perfectly with many of the dishes for just $50 a bottle!)

Marble Bar area at entrance - donangie.com

Marble Bar area at entrance – donangie.com

Don Angie NY Dining Room

Dimly lit dining room

To top it off, the welcoming 60-seat space is beautiful. The cool, sexy art-deco style interior has a marble bar at the entrance, black and white checkered floors, dark wood accents, blue leather seating and very dim lighting. It’s classy but not too formal, it’s modern but kind of retro, and a good mix between lively and intimate. The only tiny setback is my mixed feelings regarding the service. The wait staff is somewhat friendly and very knowledgeable, but you can feel the arrogance building up with the restaurant’s popularity (I may have taken a few unnecessary snarky remarks about previously canceled reservations personally!)

Desserts - Fior di Latte Mochi ($5)- very original, Root Beer Affogato ($8), Crostini ($8)

Desserts – Fior di Latte Mochi ($5)- very original, Root Beer Affogato ($8), Crostini ($8)

Don Angie dessert HONEY ZEPPOLE Sicilian Pistachio, Whipped Robiola $11

HONEY ZEPPOLE dessert , Sicilian Pistachio, Whipped Robiola ($11)

Don Angie’s hype is not going away any time soon and space is limited (15 seated tables only), so scoring a decent reservation slot is not an easy task.

Book in advance and/or set notification alerts on Resy

Best seat - corner of Greenwich Av & w12th - @donangienyc

Best seat – corner of Greenwich Av & W 12th Street – @donangienyc

Don Angie has earned a safe spot on my “best NYC Italian” list, and conveniently located in my favorite neighborhood. Come with a date, a small group of friends, or the ‘rents  – just about any occasion or company is good for such an indulgent Italian meal (as long as they don’t mind garlic!) .

Open daily for dinner:
Sunday-Wednesday: 5:30pm-11:00pm
Thursday-Saturday: 5:30pm-12:00am
Bar Opens at 5pm