Foodie Institution: L'Artusi in NYC

This decade-old restaurant in the West Village has all the trademarks of a foodie-institution: seasonal ingredients, authentic cuisine influenced by local flavors, and hard-to-get reservations that reflect a full restaurant (not a hyped up one).

Roasted chicken, hen of the woods at L’Artusi

The menu at L’artusi

I can’t remember the last time I saw nettle or ramps on my grocery store shelves. But even in the winter, L’Artusi has Spaghetti with Ramps, Chilies, and Parmesan, and Nettle Trofie. The popular ramps spaghetti dish has toasted bread crumbs generously sprinkled all over it and it has been that way even before the recent social media craze over bread crumbs. The chefs at L’Artusi have a cookbook that you can buy and replicate many of their recipes at home.

The Ambiance

Dim lights, although at the bar there are skylights that flood the area below them with light. The din of conversation ebbs and flows but you can still have a conversation. L’Artusi is a neighborhood hang-out and foodie destination; if you don’t have a reservation, come early to find seats at the bar.