If you know me well, you’ve been to Il Bagatto with me. Located at 192 East 2nd Street in Alphabet City, this wonderful little trattoria is going on 17 years - making it a pioneer in what was once a fairly gritty neighborhood. The owners, husband Julio Pena and wife Beatrice Tosti di Valminuta (Bea to her friends) have created a haven - the perfect communal Italian kitchen for their ever-expanding extended family of clientele. Bea is from Rome, and the food is therefore not surprisingly Roman and Roman inspired. Indeed, all of the food is inspired. The basic menu consists of antipasti, pasta, and secondi which are excellent. However, the real treats at Bagatto are in the specials, 4 antipasti, 3 pasta, and 3 secondi that are created fresh by Bea every day. Salads are always incredibly fresh and flavorful. Cheeses and salumi are imported from Italy, or homemade. The grilled calamari is amazingly delicate. Pastas sauced with homemade ragus, handmade pastas with seafood, and the Sunday lasagna that is invariably sold out by 7:30 pm are mouth-watering. Simple grilled fish, spicy pork chops, saltimboca a la Romana for secondi couldn’t be better. And the dessert list provides too many options, all of which are wonderful. Add to this an all-Italian wine list that is fairly-priced and includes some remarkable, rare selections (and the bonus of an even more extensive wine list available from the enoteca next-door, Il Posto Accanto, also owned by Julio and Bea), and you have the perfect site for a weekly meal, particularly because the prices are incredibly reasonable.

The atmosphere is lively on any night, rising to sometimes chaotic on Fridays and Saturdays. The decor is warm and inviting, romantic enough for a serious date while fun enough for a first date or a casual dinner. There is an unbelievably dedicated following of regulars who all seem to know one another because they actually do know each other due to Julio and Bea’s incredible ability to introduce everyone to everyone. Reservations are advisable, particularly Fridays and Saturdays. This place is the best. Go, and tell them Adam sent you.
il Bagatto
192 East Second Street (between Avenues A & B)
(212) 228-0977