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Tags: New New York Restaurants / Restaurants / → All Tags

New NYC Restaurant: Convivio

Former Tudor City destination Italian spot L'Impero has just been re-invented as Convivio, a "neighborhood place" (if you happen to live in a super upscale 'hood) that's focused on Southern Italian fare.

The dining room's brighter and altogether hipper than before with red banquettes and cool retro-style chairs that go nicely with the eye-catching silver charger at each place. It's a little flashy for the locals we'd imagine, but something different than the standard.

The menu (served a la carte or as a $59 prix-fixe dinner) offers up treats like raw fava beans with caccicavalo cheese, buffalo mozzarella with sliced figs and rosemary oil and two main types of pasta. (Don't miss the spaghetti with pancetta, pecorino, egg and black pepper.)

There's a nice lunch prix fixe for just $49, as well as an impressive wine list and full bar. It's a nice spot to while away a summer afternoon over a long lunch, hidden from the craziness of Midtown right next door.

Related Stories:
· L'Impero Becomes Convivo [StrongBuzz]
· Convivio [NY Mag]
· New New York Restaurants coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: NY Mag]

Tags: Yolato / New New York Restaurants / Restaurants / Ice Cream / → All Tags

New NYC Restaurant: Yolato

Done with Tasti-D and over Pinkberry? Us too. Step up for the next NYC cold-yogurt-contender: Yolato, which opens its latest location just south of Grand Central today. Yolato is yogurt gelato, claiming to be healthier than regular gelato, with a smooth, creamy texture, despite having less fat and less cholesterol than the good stuff. Of course they have a zillion flavors--OK, over 100--and they make Yolato sorbet, crepes and cakes, too.

This new store promises to be bigger than all the others, with the same brightly colored displays and shelves laden with fresh fruit. Is it just us or does the store sign--above--remind you of an 80s throwback? The best part about tomorrow's opening: free stuff. There will be boatloads of free samples as well as a drawing for a free bright orange Vespa. We'll eat any newfangled fro-yo for a chance at that!

Related Stories:
· Yolato [Official Site]
· Gratis Alert [Eater]
· New New York Restaurants coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: roboppy]

Tags: Best-Raw-Bars-Map / Restaurants / Oysters / → All Tags

Best Raw Bars :: Grand Central Oyster Bar

Shucking season is here, and we're searching for the top raw bars. Our map has the exact locations of the best briny bivalves.

And you thought we weren't going to mention it. Come on. The historic Grand Central Oyster Bar is as much an homage to New York as it is an ode to oysters. Since 1913, harried commuters, big-money bankers and star-crossed lovers have bellied up to this long raw bar to share big platters of seafood while the trains rumble overhead.

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Tags: New York City / Restaurants / → All Tags

Destination: Amalia

Looking for NYC's newest Mediterranean menu? Check out Amalia, named after Sigmund Freud's mother, adjacent to the Dream Hotel.  Opened by Aspen (ya know....the place with the giant lucite deer head) restaurant owner Greg Brier, Amalia has a cozy vibe, complete with an exposed brick dining-room, dim lighting, and warming pillar candles.

Menu items include duck confit-stuffed dates with dried-fig mostarda and serrano ham, an extensive wine list, and addictive bar treats. We indulged in a delicious martini with blood orange essence prepared by a friendly, knowledgeable bartender, and watched the stylin' hordes make their way to the dining room on a busy weekday evening. Beware of the caramel coated fresh popcorn on the bar - it's both perfect for snacking on and instantaneously refilled!

[Photo: RJ Mickelson/Veras for New York Magazine]

Related Stories:
· Amalia [New York Magazine]
· Get Psyched for Dinner [UrbanDaddy]