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New Restaurant And Bar Openings: From Italian Seafood In Little Italy To A "Next Level" Sports Bar

Michelle Rick's FlickrCrudo Vineria Con Cucina: Real New Yorkers know that when it comes to Italian food, most (but not all!) of the places in Little Italy are overpriced tourist traps churning out subpar Italian-American simulacra. Crudo Vineria Con Cucina (or just Crudo for short) wants to change that impression, with a prime piece of real estate on the corner of Mulberry and Broome, in the space formerly occupied by Umbertoâs Clam House. Owner Marcello Assante, a Naples native, has his little open air restaurant focusing on modern interpretations of the seaside dishes of coastal Southern Italy, specifically the Salento province within the Puglia region. Seafood's the specialty here, and during a recent media preview, a special dish of lobster ravioli came out cooked to perfection, not too rich with a luscious tender filling. Also surprisingly memorable was the Caesar Salad, which wasn't overdressed like so many of its kind, and came with big and exceptionally tasty anchovies, as well as croutons encrusted with black sesame. Crudo's signature dishes, most in the $20 range, include a Tartara di Pesce Spada (Swordfish tartar with orange zest, black olives, served over red seedless Ruby grape carpaccio), and a Linguine Fave e frutti di mare (Handmade linguini pasta sautÃ©ed with fava beans and mixed seafood). There is a 100-bottle wine list emphasizing wines from Southern Italy, and with all the doors flung open wide, it's an ideal spot to unwind at dusk with a bottle or two and make fun of the tourists. 178 Mulberry Street (corner of Broome), (646) 559-0640 — Gothamist

Published Jul 7, 2011

Modified Jul 9, 2011

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Click through on the photos for the scoop on the latest restaurants and bars opening around town, which include Southern Italian seafood at Crudo Vineria Con Cucina in Little Italy, Pichet Ong's Qi Bangkok Eatery near Times Square, pizza meets art at PizzArte in Midtown, Shelsky's Smoked Fish in Carroll Gardens, and a "next-level" sports bar Pour George in the Village.