Trattoria Dante

The home-style Italian dishes served here have been pleasing West Villagers for more than ten years. Inside, white tablecloths cover the tables, Frank Sinatra croons on the speakers, and photos hang by the entrance depicting famous customers (Brooke Shields, Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfeld, Ja Rule) posing with the owner. They come for the reliably rich food: An appetizer of mushrooms stuffed with lump crabmeat yielded four delicious bites of porcini filled with savory crab, garlic and finely diced tomato. The thinly pounded veal scaloppine is sautéed and served in a lemony sauce. And the desserts, carried in from the Caffé Dante next door (run by the same owners), are a must-order; the tiramisu is creamy and dense, and pairs well with a strong espresso.