Via Carota is still, after 10 years, notoriously hard to get into. The lines are long, and reservations are scarce. But the hype is still warranted: The powerhouse West Village restaurant, opened by James Beard Award winners Rita Sodi and Jody Williams, is one of the best Italian restaurants in NYC. The food is simple and seasonal, and while yes, the pastas are fantastic, the real star of the menu is the selection of about fifteen rotating vegetables. One bite of the insalata verde and you’ll see why people wait three hours (yes, I’ve really been quoted three hours and have waited) to eat here.
The bar team makes legendary Negronis. There are seven on the menu, and they’re good enough to even convert Negroni haters (hi, me) into fans. Their wine list is fantastic, too — it’s entirely Italian bottles, save for a few Champagnes.
Head to Bar Pisellino (also owned by Sodi and Williams) across the street if there’s a lengthy wait for drinks and snacks. If the line is still too long, Via Carota is available for pickup and delivery. It’s not the best way of experiencing the food, but it’s better than not having it at all.