L'Artusi - NYC

Himachi Tartare

Okay, so...I really really really (get the picture?) like L'Artusi. I had heard about this place from several of my friends and was advised that it is one of the new "hot spots". I have dined here on several occasions and was never let down in any way.

DECOR
Swanky. This multi-floor, modern set-up they have going on is so esthetically pleasing to the eye. The place is just beautiful. 

SERVICE
Pretty good each time that I've dined with L'Artusi. Definitely acceptable for a trendy restaurant but don't expect the best service you've ever had.

FOOD
De-freaking-lish! Sit down and buckle up because the ride is about to get good!
++ Escolar - with avocado, basil, and chiles. This was seriously yummy in my tummy. Probably the best dish that I've ever had dining at L'Artusi thus far. It's so light and refreshing and while I had never even heard of escolar, it did not disappoint. A MUST ORDER ++
+ Fluke ceviche - with pear, pomegranate, mint, and pumpkin seeds. Definitely an interesting take on the traditional ceviche. I am a huge fan of ceviche (and even make my own) and well, I had to be. I lived in Miami for the past 5 years and there are so many Peruvian influences throughout Miami that you can get ceviche pretty much anywhere. While I would say that this dish was also refreshing and light (and tasty) it was quite interesting. Don't expect your traditional ceviche. 
+ Hamachi tartare - with blood orange, cara cara, and pistachio. Again, another interesting dish. I love hamachi and could literally eat this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The flavors of this dish were also unique where at first I was like huh?! but after awhile I "got" the dish. 
+ Charred octopus - with potatoes, chiles, olives, and pancetta. I cannot eat at a restaurant with octopus on the menu and NOT order it. It's like against my religion (which I guess worships the octopus). Of course, I had to order this dish. It was also really delish. Octopus is really hard to cook and this tenderness was spot on.

I've also had one of their main course fish dishes but this is blurring together with another restaurant so I can't remember if it was the arctic char or the roasted cod. Hmmmm! 

Did I eat pasta at L'Artusi? No. Never have. I know you must be questioning whether I'm crazy or just simply pondering why I would eat at an Italian restaurant and NOT order pasta (even despite being heavily persuaded by the waitstaff each time). Well, I guess I will have to leave this up for my next L'Artusi adventure! 

Definitely worth the wait, definitely worth the money!