Il Brigante

This friendly trattoria on a sweet little Belgian block–paved lane at the South Street Seaport is a well-olive-oiled machine. Diners pack Il Brigante’s plain wood tables—especially on weekends—but the staff is ace at keeping things moving, so the wait is rarely long. They deliver fresh sliced peasant bread with a pool of olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping, staving off hunger until the eggplant parm, arugula salad with pears and gorgonzola, fettuccine Bolognese and brick-oven pizza arrive. The mostly Italian wine list offers a few bottles for under $50.