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.

Violet is an Italian restaurant in the East Village that specializes in really thin flatbread pizza.

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.