In a city blanketed with restaurants, especially specializing in Italian cuisine, people might feel they tried it all, but there are always hidden gems in Manhattan. Nestled on the corner of Bleecker Street and 7th Avenue in the West Village is Pagani, a refreshing take on Italian cuisine while paying homage to the building’s past.
Walking through the doors of Pagani, people will feel like they are about to have dinner at a long last Italian relative’s house. From the drop down beam ceilings to the fireplace to vintage family photos and antiques, it all comes together to make a wonderful dining experience.
Before heading to the table, patrons can grab one of Pagani’s refreshing drinks from the bar. On a hot summer day the Push Cart Alley drink, which is cachaça, lemon juice, cucumber, and pineapple, is the perfect drink that will cool people down. Honoring the musical history of the location, known as the Pagani Building, one of the drinks is named after the famous RCA dog Nipper.
When people are ready to sit down they will face their first issue… what to order. Everything on the menu sounds delicious, but it may seem strange to order one of everything to eat just for yourself. Throughout the seasons there are different specials that Pagani offers, including their summer salad, which is comprised of grilled watermelon with apricots, feta cheese, avocado and arugula. It is the perfect way to start your dining experience with a refreshing and tasteful salad.
Pagani is a pasta lover’s dream with its offerings of homemade pasta, from pappardelle to gnocchi, the dishes are enticing. Some of the must try entrees include the mouth-watering Rigatoni, which is made with braised rabbit, carrots, peas, black olives and sweet onions. The chefs at Pagani cook the meat in a way that makes it extremely tender so that it melts in your mouth. Another wonderful dish that will make you feel you are eating in Italy is the Gnocchi Gallinari, which is mixed with walnuts, gorgonzola and black truffle. Pagani also offers their pasta dishes in a gluten free style for patrons.
If there is room for dessert, there is one item that is unique to Pagani, the dark chocolate and banana bread pudding, which comes with crème anglaise and hazelnut gelato. Pair it with some Frangelico and your evening at Pagani is something that you will remember for a while.
Pagani is located at 289 Bleecker Street.
Twisted Talk: Have you been to Pagani yet? What did you think of it? Discuss Below!
