Carbone

After revitalizing Mulberry Street with Torrisi Italian Specialties and Parm, the chef duo Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi, along with partner Jeff Zalaznick, have given new life to hearty Italian-American food in Greenwich Village. Carbone took over the long-running Rocco Restaurant (1922–2011) following a gut renovation. Prepare for a lively, well-orchestrated show, with servers in Zac Posen–designed tuxedos reciting specials and ferrying plates of squid ink farfalle with lobster, linguine with clams, chicken scarpariello and Delmonico steak. Despite being billed as a red sauce restaurant, the tablecloths are elegantly white, not red-checkered. The three dining rooms hold 72 seats and reservations are always recommended. The bar has no seating but there is a little room to stand and sip a Negroni if your table isn't ready.