This Bar Pitti restaurant review may make you laugh, cringe, smile or just plain hungry. Continue on to read all about this West Village hotspot.
Welcome to New York
New York has a high concentration of people who don’t like to hear “no” for an answer. Some of them can be and act fairly entitled. If you’re entitled and a nice person, that’s one thing. But entitled and rude? Let’s just say a small part of you gloats when things don’t go their way.Case in point: I’m in a sea of impeccably dressed foreigners and locals, patiently awaiting an outdoor table at one of my favorite restaurants, Bar Pitti.
A smartly dressed woman approaches the Italian host and says, “How long is the wait?”
“Forty-five minutes,” Italian Host curtly replies, not bothering to make eye contact.
“Well, we come here all the time."
Italian Host looks directly at Smartly Dressed Woman and says, “Lady, everyone here comes here all the time.” With that, Italian Host walks away. Smartly Dressed Woman looks incredulous, and Italian Host is my momentary hero.
I'll have the brusque, please
If you don’t mind Italian food with a side of gruff, Bar Pitti is the place for you. Why would you put up with this? Of course, the food is really good. It’s unfussy, fresh, and satisfying. Pastas, salads, and paninis appear at your table in record time and there is often enough for leftovers. The wine is cheap and imbibeable. But Bar Pitti also has a flair for the dramatic that is wholly Italian. The staff doesn’t care who you are. Rich, poor, famous or pedestrian, all are welcome here and treated equally. Waiters bark at each other in Italian. Sometimes the wait is longer than your dinner. You are guaranteed five different waiters over the course of an hour, and get rushed out even if half your bottle of wine remains. All of this just adds to its charm, and if you can put up with brusqueness, this West Village hotspot is a must for outdoor dining in the warmer months. (Winter has its appeal, too, but the inside seating is admittedly tight.)
So, order your food, drink up, eat as slowly as you can to prolong your stay, but get out once you’re done. A party of four is waiting for your table, and make sure not to bump J. Lo with the back of your chair as you leave.
Bar Pitti Restaurant Review
Location: 268 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10014
Menu: Summer 2018
Service: Lunch and dinner
Price: $$
Vibe: Sceney, lively, très chic
Good For: Outdoor lunch or dinner with your partner or a small group (dog and kid friendly), to go
Standout Dishes: Rigatoni Pitti, pesto spaghetti, penne with meat sauce, veal scallopini, arugula salad with parmesan, tiramisu, panna cotta
Heads Up: Bar Pitti is cash only. There is an ATM near the downstairs bathrooms.
You can always get a seat at lunch, but expect a wait at dinner if it’s primetime (6-9pm). The host on duty is whoever is barking the most (there’s no bite, I promise). Tell him the size of your party and if you want indoor or outdoor seating. He won’t write your name down, but he won’t forget you. Just make sure to hover outside on the sidewalk.
Their gluten-free pasta is quite good, though there have been two occasions where it was undercooked. They were quick to remedy this.
For IBS clients, the food is quite simple and you can ask for things garlic-free (as long as it’s not a pre-prepped item). The salads are tasty with clearly stated ingredients, but I would make sure to ask for balsamic and olive for dressing. Onion might sneak in here or there in the pasta sauces, but if you can tolerate it, the meat sauce with gluten-free pasta is really good.
Overall Rating: 3 (Great). No nonsense Italian food that offers an array of options, from hearty to light.
Need help getting in touch with the intuitive eater inside? I offer one-on-one sessions which can be conducted in my office, on the phone or computer. I can also accompany you in-person to a restaurant of your choice, or virtually as you sit down with a favorite food. Contact me for more details.
Eathority Approved Eats
| Menu Item | Intuitive Eating Rating |
Gentle Nutrition Tips |
| Antipasti (Year-Round Menu) | ||
|
Insalata di Fagioli Tonne e Cipolla (Beans, tuna & onions) |
Light, airy | --- |
|
Antipasta Toscano+ (Cured meats, cheese, grilled bread) |
Heavy, filling | Good for sharing |
|
Fettunta (Grilled bread, garlic, olive oil) |
Light, airy | --- |
|
Fettunta e Prosciutto (Grilled bread, garlic, olive oil, prosciutto) |
In-between | --- |
| Pasta (Year-Round Menu) | ||
|
Taglierini all’Empolese (Thin pasta with artichokes, leeks, garlic, tomato) |
In-between | --- |
|
Penne Strascicate+ (Meat sauce) |
In-between | This pairs well with an arugula salad or sautéed spinach |
|
Rigatoni Pitti (Turkey sausage, peas, cream, tomatoes, Parmesan) |
Heavy, filling | I’d recommend splitting this or eating about half unless you’re starving. It’s quite heavy (but delicious) and can leave you with a pasta coma. |
|
Penne all’Arrabbiata (Tomato sauce with garlic, olive oil, crushed red pepper) |
Light, airy | --- |
|
Pappardelle alla Fiesolana (Smoked bacon, cream, tomato, parmesan) |
Heavy, filling | I’d recommend splitting this or eating half unless you’re starving. It’s quite heavy and can leave you with a pasta coma. |
| Sfizi (Year-Round Menu) | ||
|
Cozze alla Marinara (Mussels in white wine sauce, tomatoes) |
Light, airy | --- |
|
Uova al Pomodoro (Eggs in tomato sauce) |
In-between | --- |
| Insalata Mista | Light, airy | Consider getting a protein on the side to round this salad out. |
| Carne (Year-Round Menu) | ||
|
Carpaccio (Raw beef, arugula, parmesan) |
Heavy, filling | --- |
| Panini (Lunch Only, Year-Round Menu) | ||
|
Campagnolo (Spinach, tomato, mushrooms, olive oil, parmesan) |
In-between | Panini are on the larger side; great to split or save half for leftovers, unless you're hungry! |
| Dolci (Year-Round Menu) | ||
| Chocolate Mousse | Heavy, filling | --- |
| Tiramisu | In-between | --- |
| Panna Cotta | In-between | --- |
| Eathority Approved Summer Specials (change often) | ||
|
Spinaci Saltati+ (Sautéed spinach, garlic) |
Light, airy | --- |
| Arugula Salad with Parmesan | Light, airy | --- |
|
Polpettine di Vitello (Veal meatballs) |
Light, airy | Not your traditional meatball. The meat is tender, and the sauce is light. |
|
Melanzane alla Parmigiana (Eggplant parmesan) |
Heavy, filing | --- |
|
Funghi Saltati (Sautéed mushrooms) |
Light, airy | --- |
| Burrata con Pomodorini | In-between | --- |
| Spaghetti al Pesto | Heavy, filling | This is one of my favorites. I’d recommend splitting this or eating half unless you’re starving. It’s quite heavy and can leave you with a pasta coma. |
|
Taglierini al Tartufo Estivo (Thin pasta with truffles) |
In-between | --- |
|
Pollo con Endivia* (Chicken with endive leaves) |
In-between | --- |
| Scalloppine al Vino Blanco+ (Veal in white wine sauce) |
In-between | --- |
Ratings Key
Price
(sans tips, alcohol)
$ = $15 and under
$$ = $15-$30
$$$ = $30-$55
$$$$ = $55 and over
Intuitive Eating Rating
Foods recommended for your mood or how you want to feel
Light, airy = makes you feel buoyant
Heavy, filling = makes you feel comforted, warm
In-between = makes you feel neither light nor heavy
IBS Rating
* IBS-friendly
+ Mostly IBS-friendly, one item may be moderate or high FODMAP
Overall Rating
(value, taste)
1 = Meh
2 = Good
3 = Awesome
4 = Amazing
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