Arté

Practically hidden in the middle of NYU’s campus sprawl, this long-lived bistro lures locals whose student days (and budgets) are far behind them. While Louis Prima croons on the sound system, bow-tied waiters deliver generous bowls of crisp fried calamari with spicy tomato sauce, plates of saffron-gilded fettuccine with asparagus and tomato, or impressive rosemary-scented racks of lamb for two. The vino flows, and three nights a week, live piano music tinkles pleasantly. Hungry students will just have to wait until Mom and Dad are in town.