Novita

Novita is a small, hidden neighborhood restaurant in Gramercy.  It is located off of Park Avenue and largely underground but now that it is summer, a handful of tables sprinkle the sidewalk.  The dining room at Novita is probably not ideal for someone suffering from claustrophobia.  The restaurant has low ceilings and packs patrons in a bit more than is ideal.  Because the ceilings are low and the restaurant is usually crowded, you may have to shout to your dining buddy across the table (at least before 9:30 pm).

Novita is perfect for a night that you aren't in the mood for gamble food.  Gamble food, as the name implies, is a meal at a new restaurant or a new dish at an old restaurant that may or may not be tasty.  With Novita, there is no gamble food.  The menu changes slightly based on the season and there are usually a handful of specials.  Every dish I have ordered from Novita over the years has been delicious.  I always leave satiated and satisfied.

And while Novita is on the pricey side, you are pretty much guaranteed an outstanding meal and a warm dining experience. 

My husband, sensing it had been a rough week, took me to Novita recently to unwind for good wine, great food, and fantastic company.  Pretty much the perfect way to end a (stressful) week.
 
What to Eat:

Start with the Crab Cake.  The medium sized crab cake is placed on a bed of greens and surrounded by chunks of mango.  The fresh, sweet mango is a nice contrast to the savory crab cake.  The crab cake at Novita does is not over stuffed with breading or red pepper (common errors).  I was so famished from a long day that I forgot to snap a shot before I devoured it, sorry guys!

Summer means a lot of things to me, but food wise, it means outdoor seating and fresh seafood.  So for your entree, go with the Tagliolini All Aragosta.  The long, thin home made pasta noodles are drenched in a surprisingly light tomato and cream sauce.  The sauce is usually prepared with asparagus but I requested artichokes instead and the server made the change without having to check with the kitchen.  Novita doesn't skimp on its succulent lobster as you can see from the picture. 







Not in the mood for gamble food?  Check out Novita,

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Insider tip: If you go at 9pm or later, you will have no problem getting a table.  Most nights it starts to empty out at 9:30 so by the time you receive your entree, Novita is significantly quieter.