Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria. Location: Bowery. Great Jones and Bowery. Scene: Rustic. Cozy. Food: Ceviche. Octopus. Ricotta. Grilled Sausage. Salumi Plates. Spaghetti. Grilled Poussin.

Chek Recs:

1. Crispy Artichokes
2. Roasted Lamb Ribs: Romesco Smoked Salt
3. Salt-Roasted Branzino: Thyme, Coarse Sea Salt, Caramelized Lemon
4. Pasta with Ramps
5. Salted Caramel and Passion Fruit Gelato
6. Viola Cocktail: Bluecoat Gin, Creme de Violette, Amarena Juice, Fresh Lemon

Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria is the extension of the original Il Buco and a more casual restaurant with a salumeria, market, and gelateria. The downstairs is bustling and more crowded than the calm and relaxed upstairs with a spacious room. Copper pots and pans and wine bottles are used as decoration and the seating is wooden benches creating a rustic and clean feel. The service is outstanding and equivalent to any four-star restaurant – minus the typical stiffness and white table cloths. The crispy artichokes are to die for and melt in your mouth. This is a great warm-up starter, and I recommend ordering several plates and sharing everything. The pastas are a key hit and definitely necessary. However, the Salt-Roasted Branzino is your new best pal and 100% the best whole fish I’ve ever had. It was flaky, juicy, tender and the sea salt adds a kick of flavor that is usually missing from most whole fish orders. You’ll stare down the three gelato jars on a wooden plank walking around all evening. Every single table seems to make it their goal to cap the night off with the beautiful and rich dessert. You’d think that each table would order one, but no, every single person ordered their own three and devoured it…gone, goose egg, poof. Just go ahead and try the Passion Fruit (flavors rotate). The intense fruity flavor will take you to that Caribbean vacation you’ve been meaning to book. As a huge fan of anything Salted Caramel, I liked it but it was so strong and almost tasted like coffee. Il Buco Alimentari e Vineria is a great place to take and impress parents while still enjoying a cool New York vibe. On your way out be sure to check out the butcher and take home a few meats, breads or pickled vegetables. FYI you can also just drop in for gelato, and the breakfast and lunch serve more affordable options and sandwiches.