Mario Batali protégé John Di Lemme—who's flexed his culinary muscles at
Lupa,
Del Posto and Vegas's Enoteca San Marco—retools the old-school New York chophouse with
Italian flair. The wood-paneled, bi-level eatery—classically decked out with white tablecloths and round booths—features hearty
steakhouse staples like bone-in rib eye, porterhouse and a pork chop paired with charred apple, radicchio and fried pork rind. Along with Italian-tinged fare like
crudos and house-made
pastas, there's a smattering of lighter eats available at the mahogany bar downstairs. Nosh on cured meats (wild-boar
salumi,
coppa), oxtail terrine and
guanciale-flavored mussels in between sips of Italian craft
beer (such as Baladin Nora) and cocktails, like a whiskey-based Paloma (Midleton, Cointreau, pear brandy, grapefruit and lime juice).
42 W 48th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-262-6200)