DEL POSTO          Italian

As you step into Del Posto, there is this sense that you have entered the domain of a gargantuan personality, which is true, since it is the grandest addition to chef/entrepreneur Mario Batali’s empire (created with partners Joe Bastianich and Lidia Bastianich). With that in mind, this restaurant has both the opulent environs and menu that signifies the ornate style of a top-ranked, world-class restaurant.

The plush, softly glowing room with large columns and tall curtained windows suggest another era— like those you'd find in 19th century New York or Europe. As dinner unfolds, the servers address your every need. Beginning with the antipasti, the menu is stuffed with great dishes such as the Lobster Risotto for two, or an extravagant classic like Bollito Misto (a medley of rustic Italian offal products that are carved tableside); and the homemade Pastas are remarkably fresh. A sampling of the tasting menu provides a sublime experience in Tuscan-influenced Italian cuisine. And don't miss the tableside zabaglione for dessert. A great wine list features superior Italian selections. With Del Posto, Batali is determined to place Italian cooking on the same level as French haute cuisine, and succeeds.

85 Tenth Avenue (near 16th Street)      212-497-8090