Guest Post- "Noi due" – “The Two of Us”

This dim lit basement restaurant is a perfect choice for a casual brunch or a dinner with friends or family.

The decor-dim lit basement with wooden furniture, snapshots of Italian suburban scenes hanging on the walls, and a vast choice of wines covering the walls behind the main counter-make you feel like you walked into a real Italian Tavern.

As they take no reservations in advance, there may be a short wait before you are allowed in.  Due to the great food and friendly atmosphere the place is always packed -but don’t get scared off by the line outside the door!! You  will always be greeted by a friendly girl or the Italian manager who will take your name down and make sure you get a table prepared for you in no longer than 10 to 15 minutes. 

As you wait for your food you can relax by watching the “pizzaiolo” twirl the pizza dough on his finger before he acrobatically places it in the brick oven placed in an open area at one end of the restaurant.

The food is served to you fast and the friendly waiters are always around to replenish your bread/water or get you anything you may need. 

The menu is not long but everything on it is excellent, as their logo suggests on the menu: “poco ma buono”- “little but good”. Choices of appetizers, pizzas, pastas, fish and salads.  Pasta is always “al dente” and as close to authentic Italian pasta as you will possibly get in a kosher restaurant.

The “poco ma buono” concept goes for the portions as well.  They are not huge so that you can actually leave the restaurant fully satisfied but without that feeling of being stuffed and not being able to move.

The desserts are great but the “Dolce di Lecce” is a must! Be careful because it’s addicting!

The cleanliness of the place is apparent through and through. The food is fresh and clean, the waiters are put together, and the bathrooms are shining too!! As you make your way to the bathroom you even get a chance to check out the cooking crew in the kitchen; and if there is a person or two in line before you, you can observe them cook and will notice that the kitchen (the most important place of the restaurant) is very clean as well.

The overall atmosphere is fun and friendly.  Always full of people which makes it a very happening place.   The waiters add a “fast-pace” edge to the ambiance as they rush-almost run- from table to table serving all their customers.  And the vastly diverse crowd allows everyone to feel at ease no matter the attire or the religious views.

Whenever I’m in the city and in need of a meal I always make sure to stop by “noi due” EVEN if it means taking an extra train to get there! It’s worth it.

Noi Due
143 West 69th Street
New York, New York 10023
212.712.2222
http://noiduecafe.com/Home_Page.html