Set the scene.
New York is world-renowned for its ability to generate global icons. We’ve seen it time and time again in the city’s trademarks: Yankees baseball legends (Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Ray Keating); its iconic skyline (Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center); and its famed Italian-American restaurant scene (Via Carota, Lilia, Carbone). Each establishment holds a reputation among these restaurants and a set of loyal fans who back their favorite as the GOAT. Don Angie is one of these distinguished contenders, known far and wide across Manhattan—and for good reason.
Scott Tacinelli and Angie Rito, the dynamic husband-and-wife culinary team, joined forces with Michael Stillman of Quality Branded in 2017 to create what is now one of NYC’s most coveted reservations to snag—thanks to its Instagram-famous lasagna (more on the viral dish later).
The experience begins when you arrive at its corner location on Greenwich Avenue in the West Village. True to New York fashion, Don Angie is tight, but its nearness adds energy and ambiance, almost like you’re at a large Italian family dinner table. A polished marble cocktail bar adds modest refinement, while contemporary touches define the space: dark wooden tables, leather banquettes, and Art Deco-style low lighting facilitate a cozy atmosphere.
How’s the lasagna, honestly?
Dining in these intimate quarters, you can’t help but notice what everyone around you is ordering. The last thing you’d want is to miss out on something worth trying, but that’s the challenge: everything on the menu is enticing, and there’s only so much you can eat. To complicate matters, you’ve already reserved one entrée spot for the must-try lasagna.
Daniela, our waitress, described the lasagna as ‘life-changing,’ and she was right. As an Italian-American who grew up with Sunday sauce and my Noni’s family recipes, I was skeptical about whether the lasagna would live up to the hype, but it did. And Noni, you should take some notes from Don Angie. The lasagna is light and airy, defying previous notions about the dish. The noodles are paper-thin, and the secret lies within the whipped robiola cheese (a soft-ripened cheese from the Langhe region, which is a cousin of stracciatella) and San Marzano tomatoes. “No other way to do it,” Daniela said. Plus, they anticipate some leftover lasagna sauce will be left to savor with slices of buttery garlic focaccia—perfect for scooping and scraping every delicious bite.
What else is on the menu?
Aside from the lasagna, there’s a list of notable dishes worth adding to the bill. Start with the Stuffed Garlic Flatbread, decorated with melted cheese and butter on a toasted sesame crust, and the desired Chrysanthemum Salad, topped with a generous mound of finely grated parmesan—a playful take on a Caesar that lightens the traditional recipe. We assure you there are greens underneath the pile of cheese. As for the mains, the Grilled Pork Shoulder, served with gigante beans all’ Amatriciana and a bed of dressed red dandelion leaves, accompanies the carb-filled meal well. Naturally, we can’t conclude the food without mentioning one of their homemade pastas: the Stracchino Gnocchi, comprising broccoli rabe, crispy garlic, and sharp provolone, caught our attention.
Concluding on a sweet note: the Black Cocoa Tiramisu may be the recommended treat, but the Fior di Latte Mochi, drizzled with olive oil and garnished with flaky sea salt, is the underrated gem worth trying.
And what about the drinks?
While the food is a major draw, the cocktail scene is equally impressive. Their signature libations do the trick: Nonna’s Little Nip (grapefruit, Campari, and prosecco); Lollo Spritz (Bitter Bianco, Galliano liqueur, apricot, basil, and Limonata); and The Italian Coffee Situation (Biscotti-infused vodka, cold brew, amaro, and star Anise)—essentially, Don Angie’s version of an espresso martini.
Final thoughts?
Simply put, Don Angie does Italian-American cuisine, right. The hype lives up. Don’t walk—run.
Top Takeaways
Location: West Village, New York City
Address: 103 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014
Cuisine: Italian-American
Price Point: $$$
Takes Reservations: Yes – Resy
The vibe: An Italian trattoria infused with quintessential New York flair: intimate, sophisticated, and buzzing all at once.
Our favorite thing on the menu: We think our ode to the lasagna captures everything you need to know about our favorite dish.
The attire: Smart Casual
Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner: Open Monday through Thursday at 5 p.m. (bar opens at 4:30 p.m.); Friday and Saturday at 4 p.m. (bar opens at 3:30 p.m.); and Saturday and Sunday for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with limited walk-in availability and last seating at 10 p.m. nightly.
