Realmuto

"Is it a pasticceria? A ristorante? A gelateria? It’s all of those things and it’s an all-day shrine to eleganza, from its marble surfaces to its stylish packaging — there’s even a grand piano on display. Named for its owner, Sicilian-born Francesco Realmuto, it’s the latest addition to the Realmuto Hospitality Group, whose holdings include Filaga Pizzeria and L’Arte Del Gelato, both located in Chelsea Market. The gelato at Realmuto is some of the best in the city. It’s also the standout among the large selection of sweet things at this atrium of fancy Italian comestibles. Skip the cookies; they range from disappointing to middling. Pass on the cannoli, too; they’re pre-stuffed, so their shells sog out in the refrigerated case. But pastry chef Giuseppe Zito’s entremets are technically well-executed and are just the sort of thing to bring to a dinner party. The Fragolina is a stunner, shaped and colored like the wild strawberry. The featured berry sits in compote form at the center of the confection, enveloped by a soft Haitian vanilla cream with a zing from lime zest. And if you like Swiss Miss pudding or Ferrero Rocher bonbons, chances are you’ll enjoy the mini (or large-format) Realmuto; it brings two mousses together — one hazelnut, one chocolate — under a coating of shiny, dark-chocolate glaze. I’m looking forward to the holiday season, because Zito was crowned the world champion for his panettone and he’s brought them here." - Charlotte Druckman

"If you’ve got a hankering for panettone, good news: the head pastry chef at Realmuto Alta Pasticceria in the West Village apparently won a world championship for the Italian specialty. His mammoth pasticceria and restaurant is in the old West Village Gourmet Garage space. In addition to Italian pastries, they’ve got a lunch and dinner menu full of pastas and other trattoria classics." - will hartman

"Realmuto Alta Pasticceria is a 5,000-square-foot all-day Italian cafe and pastry shop. The venue is led by decorated pastry chef Giuseppe Zito and offers a variety of sweet and savory pastries, as well as handmade pastas and other entries. The space is designed to look like a vibrant indoor Italian piazza and seats around 50." - Emma Orlow