River Deli is a neighborhood Italian spot in Brooklyn Heights with large bowls of pasta and even larger windows.

Kindred serves natural wines and Mediterranean food in a small East Village space that’s great for casual dates.

Corto is a BYO Italian spot in Jersey City that serves some very good housemade pastas.

This West Village Italian spot is starting to feel just a tad dated - but the food is as good as ever. Try it for a special dinner, and order pasta.

Upland used to be one of our favorite spots in the city, but now it’s mostly just a useful place to have a nice, somewhat boring meal in Flatiron.

Saggio is a casual Italian spot in Washington Heights where you’ll want to become a regular.

Pasta Dal Cuore is a BYOB Italian spot in Jersey City that serves some very good housemade pastas.

Via Carota is a walk-in only Italian spot in the West Village, and there’s a good chance you’ll have to wait a few hours for a table. It’s worth it.

You should go to Rezdora, a small Italian spot in Flatiron, for great pasta.

John’s Of 12th Street is a classic Italian American restaurant in the East Village, and they have a full menu of vegan options as well.

Clay is an American restaurant in Harlem that’s perfect for a special-but-not-too-formal dinner with a date or your family.

Fiaschetteria Pistoia is a tiny Italian spot in the West Village that’s great for last-second dates.

Misi is the pasta-focused restaurant from the people behind one of our all-time favorite Brooklyn restaurants, Lilia.

Terre is a casual Italian restaurant in Park Slope with a long wine list.

Carmenta’s is an Italian-American counter spot in Bushwick.

Pastai is a charming neighborhood Italian restaurant in Chelsea.