Not quite ready for the trendy Chelsea nightclubs, plush velvet ropes and snarly bouncers on Ninth Avenue or you’re tired from hauling Loehman’s and Williams & Sonoma bags down Seventh? Relief is here in the form of tasty three-finger sandwiches, a resident sommelier, and a vast collection of award-winning and downright delicious wines.

From the owners: “Bar Veloce opened its doors in March, 2000 in Manhattan’s East Village. Fusing an Italian-style paninoteca (panini bar) with a modern wine bar, its goal was to deliver exciting, reasonably priced Italian wine and food to discerning New Yorkers.” Since the March opening, the owners have branched out to key downtown neighborhoods. Combining a sleek modern interiors (Dutch chairs) and soft track lighting with smooth sounds and the buzz of the after-work crowd, this Chelsea gem is not only stylish, but affordable.

The wine list is selected with great care (I found the rich, cherry & bark Nebbiolo superior) and the bartender is an expert at fine pairings. Flavorful bruscetta (the olive tapenade and parmesan cheese topped with a slice of red vine tomato is divine!), light, savory panini and a selection of rich desserts (the nutella panini will make you howl with pleasure) make Bar Veloce a haven for sampling great fare, sipping wine and enjoying conversation with your best friend or after-work mates.

Bar Veloce
176 7th Avenue
between 20th and 21st Sts. (Chelsea)
Subway: 1 to 18th Street

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So, being a culturally literate girl, you’ve just spilled out of a matinee at the New York City Ballet, or the Met, or the Symphony, or even an artsy movie at the Walter Reade theatre. And you’re hungry for something with a touch of class.

Stand at the Lincoln Center fountain and look across the street. See the sign for Cafe Fiorello? Good, head there.

Cafe Fiorello is a sophisticated Italian restaurant that glows with shiny dark wood paneling, lots of mirrors, and candlelight. The booths have small signs that say things like “Reserved for Renee Fleming” on the wall. The bread (divine) comes with olive oil for dipping, and if you order a Sprite, it comes in a glass carafe.

The antipasto bar greets you at the door with a colorful riot of seafood and vegetables. Also on the menu is thin-crust pizza, salads, pastas, and other Italian specialties. The food here is amazingly good, and the service matches; you’ll never go wanting, and they’ll bring you more bread if you ask.

Don’t fill up too fast, because dessert is not to be missed. The menu includes such delights as oversized cannolis, amaretto cheesecake, and homemade sorbet. My personal favorite is the chocolate mousse with whipped cream, which the server brings to the table in two big buckets and ladles out till you say “stop”. One bite and you’re in heaven.

During the afternoon you can generally walk in and get a table; however, if you plan to catch an evening performance at Lincoln Center and have dinner afterwards, you can make reservations via the phone or internet. It’s well worth the effort.

Cafe Fiorello
Weekdays, 11:30 am - 1:00 am
Saturdays, 10:00 am - 1:00 am
Sundays, 10:00 pm - 11:30 pm

1900 Broadway between 63rd and 64th Street
1 to 66th Street - Lincoln Center
212.595.5330

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