Don Angie. Tried twice to walk in (unsuccessfully) before a friend offered us their reservation so we could make it happen. After so much build up, you'd think we were set up to be let down. We were set up, but we weren't let down.
The Michelin guide called the dining room a "dream-worthy refuge for a romantic tête-à-tête"... whatever that means. (Upon googling it seems to be a good description). But, if like me you speak as much French as Aldo Raine speaks Italian, allow me to elucidate. The dining room here is what I'd call the perfect balance between classic and modern, casual and fancy. Not too loud, intimate but not crammed, so it ranks pretty high on my dining room checklist.
But you didn't come here for the dining room decor - so, what do you come here for? We asked friends and our waiter pretty much the same thing, and here are the common dishes: the stuffed garlic flatbread, the chrysanthemum salad, and the lasagna for two. I am here to tell you that not only can you not go wrong with this order, but each dish is just as good as the last. In fact, everything was so good that I want to go back with a bigger group, have everyone order something different and share just so I can taste more of what this kitchen has to offer.
So far in my quest to eat enough Italian food in NYC that part of my blood is determined to be tomato sauce, this place is probably in the top spot. The garlic flatbread was so flavorful but light enough to keep you reaching for another piece, the salad... well, I hate salad.. but I couldn't get enough of this one. And the lasagna, that goes without saying - just look at it. Everyone will tell you to get it and there's a reason why. Would I get two for a table of four? No, but only because I believe that whatever else you order on the menu will be that good too... just get at least one. We also got the tiramisu which, like salads, I don't tend to order. But frankly, unless you're allergic to tiramisu you should get it, because it's the stuff dreams are made of.
When asked how I liked Don Angie, I gave my friend a condensed version of the above. But he asked further "how does it compare?". Well, first of all I'm not sure if every place needs comparison. Yes it helps benchmark and everything... But finding the best Italian food in New York is like being a perfectionist: will you ever reach perfection? No, but it's the pursuit that counts. Will we ever find the 'best' Italian food in New York City? I'm not sure. Will I keep eating despite an indefinite ending? Without a doubt. As far as Don Angie's place goes in that ever-changing list of restaurants, I'd say it deserves a seat right at the top, and I don't expect that to change anytime soon.
