You won't find a spot with a more authentic menu of Manhattan Italian favorites than Rubirosa, located at the far end of Little Italy. For that reason, it's packed night after night with locals who have sampled up and down Mulberry and indeed, across the five boroughs.
Is it "traditional Italian?" Who knows? Having been to Italy, where the sauces are more often orange than red and the flavors more subtle than bold, it's hard to say. What does seem true is that Rubirosa serves up the same dishes that graced restaurants and New York Italian homes for the last century. So if you think your palate is too refined for spaghetti and meatballs, try theirs. It's far superior to what commonly passes for that dish around town. The lasagna is so terrific and work-intensive that they now offer it only on Mondays. It's the best item on their menu.
The calamari is a delicate duel of squid and lightly seasoned breading, and here's the kicker: They're best known for their pizza. Because the pies here are so thin, light and delicious, they're perfection on date night when you want a cozy atmosphere, unbeatable flavors and no gut bomb of a crust weighing you down. To top it all off, they make a terrific tipple, including a little fella known as The Daisy—bright and floral, but not the least bit sweet. Share the tiramisu or the flourless chocolate cake, declare victory and make sure your next visit is on a Monday. That lasagna is legendary.
Address
235 Mulberry St., New York, NY 10012 (between Prince and Spring Streets, NoLita)
Phone
212-965-0500
Hours
Daily: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
