Cafe Fiorello

"Around since 1974, Cafe Fiorello has long attracted theater-goers with simple Italian fare and its prime location right across the street from Lincoln Center. But here’s the thing: This chophouse by the folks behind Bond 45 in Times Square and Redeye Grill in the Theater District actually serves some darn good food. Fried calamari are among the top versions one might encounter, with delicately tender and bouncy squid mingling with spicy fried peppers. And the rigatoni alla vodka shines as well, balancing firm bites of pasta with lightly creamy tomato sauce and big hunks of smoky bacon. Other notable items include a whole lobster pizza ($44), classics cuts of beef and veal, and tiramisu." - Ryan Sutton

"Cafe Fiorello might be Lincoln Center’s best-kept secret. It’s not a chain like The Smith, and it’s not as hot as Tatiana, but it’s one of the best spots to grab a drink and a quick meal before the opera, especially once you’ve been made aware of the price of champagne inside the theater. (It’s $26, which we learned the hard way.) The Italian spot takes reservations, but we’ve also had luck walking in and grabbing a bar seat. Order a Negroni and the chicken parm, which is great for sharing: as big and round as a personal pizza, topped with dollops of burrata. It’s a speedy operation if you’ve only got 30 minutes before the opera starts, but you could also linger at this just-loud-enough spot, or come by after a show for a nightcap, since they stay open until 11:30pm on the weekends." - Willa Moore

"Even after living here for so many years, there are still a great number of New York City institutions I haven’t visited, like the nearly 50-year-old Cafe Fiorello across the street from Lincoln Center. It’s a classic red-sauce spot that’s a great pre- or post-show option, but the star of the menu is the chocolate mousse ($15). It’s thick enough to provide some resistance against a spoon, has a balanced chocolate flavor, and is served with a glob of whipped cream that’s the same size as the mousse itself. The final flourish: a scattering of chocolate shavings for texture." - Eater Staff

"Thanksgiving is $85 per person at Cafe Fiorello, and includes a holiday toast as well as a choice among appetizers like squash soup, little gem salad, or seafood risotto; a main course of turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, and gravy; and dessert of pumpkin or cranberry pecan pie. A full a la carte menu is also available." - Beth Landman, Eater Staff

"Cafe Fiorello, an Italian-American chophouse in Lincoln Square, has been serving since 1974. Known for its fried calamari with spicy peppers and rigatoni vodka, the restaurant provides a rich pink tomato-cream sauce with pasta, complemented with smoked bacon. Though not as balanced as Carbone, Fiorello offers a tasty and accessible dining experience." - Eater Staff