Otto

Otto is a classic New York restaurant owned by the quintessential NY restaurateur, Mario Batali. While waiting for the reservations to be called diners are welcome to stand alongside one of the many tall tables that cleverly include little cubbies for your bag! All reservation names are programmed into an old fashion train schedule switch board which is definitely an entertaining feature while you wait.
As is the norm with Mario Batali, Otto is Italian but the dishes are served in a tapas style for everyone to share. The restaurant boasts creative pizzas and delicious sides that can certainly be combined to be eaten as a meal. Ones I suggest are the cheese plate, served with honey and jams; the beets; sweet corn and brussel sprouts. I strongly recommend making reservations because the restaurant gets full fast.

Spotted at the table next to mine: David Shwimmer- dining with two beautiful ladies and other actor whom I did not recognize but was told he was an actor too.

Osteria Mozza

It was complete fate that I ended up having dinner at Osteria Mozza last night.Monday afternoon I read on Just Jared that Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rosedale celebrated their 6th wedding anniversary at Osteria Mozza in LA, obviously since in LA this week it especially peaked my interest. That night, on my way home from a friend's house, I actually drove pass it and the enormous crowd waiting outside to be seated. Then Tuesday after work I took home the September issue of Bon Appetit magazine. As I'm sitting on the couch flipping through the mag I notice that Osteria Mozza is listed as one of the best Italian restaurants in America! I immediately ask my friend's mom, whom I'm staying with, if she's been to the apparent hot-spot. And she replies "funny you should ask, we have reservations there tomorrow night!"

The next morning I do a little more research on the restaurant and discover that it's owned by Mario Batali (famous chef who also owns 6 restaurants in NYC), Nancy Silverton (owner of Campanile in LA) and Joseph Bastianich; all of whom also own the restaurant next door, Pizzeria Mozza. Reservations are hard to come by, rumor is that reservations are needed 30 days in advance for a table at Osteria Mozza (seats at the bar are for walk-ins).

The menu at Osteria Mozza is very impressive with an entire section dedicated to the free standing Mozzarella Bar where Nancy, who was there last night, prepares a wide array of fresh items from Mozzarella, Bocconcini, Stracciatella and more. Our party of 7 enjoyed the Burricotti with braised artichokes, pine nuts, currants & mint pesto (pictured here), Goat Cheese Ravioli, Tagliatelle with oxtail ragu, Crisp Duck al Mattone with pear mostarda & Brussels sprouts, and a side of corn and onions.
For drinks we ordered lemon drop martinis and the 2004 Tocai Friulano.
The space is lovely with dark wood work throughout, white marble table tops, dark chocolate-colored walls and tall ceilings bordered with Robin Egg blue paint.

Bar Jamon

The always crowded Bar Jamon is located at 17th Street and Irving Place. The scene is very welcoming with it's dim lighting, a chalk board highlighting the evening's tapas and a knowledgeable staff. Casa Mono, owned by Joe Bastianich and Mario Batali only serves those who are ordering dinner so if you just want to grab a drink the host will direct you next door to Bar Jamon. All of Bar Jamon's food is cooked by the Casa Mono kitchen, which I've heard is good but have not yet had.