Josephine Estelle

Located in the uber-hip Ace Hotel, the restaurant is not at all too cool for regular people. In fact it’s surprisingly sprawling, high-ceilinged, and bright in a somewhat uncool way (although those dark-green velvet booths are v. cool). But the Ace bar is really where the hipness happens (with some spillover), but at Josphine Estelle it’s about the food. Highlights include any of the crudo starters—the snapper melts in the mouth. Also get the generous order of meatballs, and then do your best to work your way through the pasta selection – the entrees pale in comparison. Standouts include the delicate agnolotti with creamy sweetbreads and rustic wild mushrooms, and the very tasty, very traditional mafalde “with maw maw’s gravy,” which means red gravy, aka marinara sauce. You could also make a meal of the very good veggie sides. Cocktails are just fine. Do save room for the delectable peanut butter budino.