I recently discovered Osteria La Baia, an Italian restaurant that opened a couple of months ago in Midtown Manhattan. I was not sure what to expect, but the few times I went there, I was blown away: great service and delicious food are the two impressions that remain.

It is the kind of place where I see myself going for either a meal or a drink, their cocktail menu being quite large with specialty cocktails like the Il Padrino (The Godfather, made with rye and amaretto), classic cocktails, spritzes and house Negronis (I had the Scrittore that was not made with gin but whisky).

Their menu has classics, but they surely execute them well. The octopus for instance was perfectly cooked, and their burrata creamy, as expected.

They have several pasta dishes and their lobster garganelli « Calabrese », made with Calabrian chili and spicy lobster sauce (not so spicy) was such a treat, but I admit that my favorite was the spaghetti alle vongole, served with Manila clams in a white wine sauce. I simply loved it: the sauce was delicious, not too garlicky, the pasta Al dente and breadcrumbs added a nice crunch.

Jodi settled for their wood smoked mushrooms with wood roasted artichoke, eggplant ragu and salsa verde. Interesting vegetarian dish, quite comforting where fortunately the artichoke did not overpower the whole thing.

Smoked mushrooms at Osteria La Baia in NYC, NY

Dessert was also amazing. I am not sure if I prefer the olive oil cake that was a special over the zeppoles (that came with a lemon curd). Both were a great way to end fantastic meals. No, definitely, Osteria La Baia is a great addition to the Midtown restaurant scene. Even better than the closed Remi that was a block away.

Olive oil cake at Osteria La Baia in NYC, NY

Enjoy (I did)!

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Osteria La Baia -129 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019

I Just Want To Eat!