L’artusi: West Village
On Bleecker and West 10th lies a cozy yet well known Italian spot serving traditional dishes that “combine comfort and creativity.” L’artusi is home to a delicious pasta selection, a gorgeous wine list, and a private dining room in their intimate wine cellar. Whether you’re looking for an indulgent rigatoni with rabbit ragu or a quick brunch of asparagus & mint frittata, L’artusi never disappoints. I’m rating it a 4.5/5 flowers from The Flour Child. Let’s get into it:
Linguine and Clams (not on the menu currently) & Garganelli with Mushroom Ragu
I first ate at L’artusi a few years ago with my sister and we got the typical favorites that draw people to the restaurant. The cacio e pepe, garganelli with mushroom ragu, and the roasted mushrooms with fried egg were all immediate top dishes. The cheese is next level and all of the produce is fresh and vibrant. Of course, the pastas are well crafted and clearly made with a lot of love. My second dining experience was a light, outdoor lunch with my parents where we shared roasted carrots with herbs and pistachios, roasted beets with whipped goat cheese and citrus, and the tuscan kale salad (the menu is slightly different now because this was in the fall). Even for lunch eating mostly vegetables, the dishes left such an impression on us. The ingredients feel delicately prepared and every dish I’ve ever eaten at L’artusi has been not only a good one, but an excellent one.
Spaghetti with Ramps, Chilies, Garlic, and Parmesan
For the grand finale, my most recent time there was earlier last week for my best friend’s birthday. We started with the little gems which came dressed in green goddess vinaigrette, English peas, fennel, radish, and parmesan. This salad had an essence of pesto flavoring and a bold, zesty punch, and contributed to my strong opinion that salads never should be or have to be boring. We also shared the tuna crudo which was tasty but probably my least favorite of the night; I felt that the dish would’ve felt more balanced with thinly sliced tuna rather than minced. This was paired with crispy farro, creme fraiche, chives, and Meyer lemon. For my main, while I absolutely adore all of the mushroom dishes here, I had to opt for the spaghetti with ramps, chilies, garlic, and parmesan. Ramp season is in full force and if you’re not indulging in ramps whenever you see them at the greenmarket or on a menu, it’s a mistake. This pasta was perfectly al dente, with delicious flavors of salted butter and umami alongside the right kick of spice. We wrapped up the meal with the chocolate chip cinnamon cookies and the new dessert item at L’artusi, the strawberry shortcake sundae. The sundae consisted of buttermilk gelato (incredible!), fresh and jammy strawberries, basil, and sweet biscuits. Basil and strawberries are such a beautiful pairing and going forward, I’ll definitely be decorating my strawberry shortcakes with herbs!
Strawberry Shortcake Sundae
There are so many great Italian spots in New York City, and even a handful of wonderful ones in the West Village alone, but L’artusi is a top contender in my book of favorites. The dishes feel indulgent but not over the top, the menu is special but well priced, and the environment has a warm yet upscale energy to it. For a birthday, a cozy Sunday dinner, or a charming sunny weekend lunch, L’artusi hits all the marks. A Flour Child favorite!
