dell'anima              Italian

Executive Chef Gabe Thompson (formerly at Le Bernardin and Del Posto) and general manager Joe Campanale (a former sommelier from Babbo) have gotten things right with dell’anima. By sticking with what they know best --classic Italian cooking, using fresh products and seasonal fare--and then updated with some special touches of their own, they've built quite a following.

Their restaurant is the perfect place for intimate fine dining. A relatively new entry to top-flight NYC restaurants, this cozy and friendly trattoria mixes haute cuisine inspirations with the homey ambiance of the West Village. The praised dishes include crunchy Bruschetta (with five topping options), and the no-stir Risotto which maintains the rich flavors of the various ingredients. With a former sommelier as an owner, the wine list includes excellent Italian favorites.

If anything, dell’anima is sometimes a victim of its own success, accruing far greater demand for seats than can be accommodated in this small space, with reservations taken a month in advance.

38 Eighth Avenue at Jane Street      212-366-6633