The Best of Your Nonna’s Pasta Can Be Found in A Heated (!) Garden in Kips Bay

This Sicilian restaurant, from the famed Chef Salvadore, plays into the genre with a rustic and cozy atmosphere courtesy of its tiled floor, simple wooden benches and tables, and an assortment of wine and cookware lining the walls—just like nonna’s house. Their menu revolves around the two classics: pasta and pizza, both fresh and expertly made. The perfectly-blistered pizzas are worth sharing, though, so you can also indulge in arancini, which comes in four variations (the best is the ragù). Best of all, there's a garden—and it's heated.

Then, grab a nightcap over at Middle Branch. Don’t expect a sign or any markings outside of the bi-level townhouse, but once you head inside you’ll be welcomed by dark wood and moody candlelight. The area is spacious, with a standing-room-only bar on the first floor and tables upstairs, but it still manages to achieve an intimate atmosphere. The cocktail menu includes classics as well as original creations, each with an ingredient list at least 3 lines long.