Piccola Cucina Osteria Siciliana

This little Italian restaurant is a hidden gem. The food is so delicious. The cooks cook food as if they have to serve it to their own family for Christmas.
My wife and I visited for a Monday lunch and felt terrible we could not taste more of their delicious menu.
The food is served in the pots it is prepared in.
Pricing is reasonable and staff is very accommodating.
Restaurant is not really catering for couples with kids as the place is tiny. Having said that when we were in staff went to the neighbours to use a hug chair for a lady who brought in her toddler.
This place is going to be a stalwarts on our restaurant list.

My Italian friend, who is extremely picky about good Italian food, swears this is the best Italian food outside of Italy - for sure the best in NYC, which is saying a lot! As you can tell from the name, this is Sicilian, less common than classic Italian. The flavors and the combinations are amazing. We are super lucky to live nearby, so we go back regularly and never tire of the standout standards. Among the appetizers, the calamari with guacamole is without compare! Same goes for the grilled octopus starter. The pastas are all served in the pan in which they were cooked. All superb, but the pasta in blank squid ink is the best ever. Still the specials are worth considering. The rib eye steak special was beyond memorable, for example. The wine list is just right - moderately priced and delicious with a range from robust to light and refreshing. The service staff seem to truly enjoy themselves and their relationships with us - as they should given how much joy they spread - not including the periodic choruses of New York, New York or O Sole Mio that break out. The only fly in the ointment is that it is tiny, and later reservation times are on Italian time - so be aware that you are traveling to Sicily - and chill. It's worth it.

Best Italian restaurant in NYC! The atmosphere is a lot of fun. The staff sometimes breakout in song and the crowd goes wild. The food is really delicious too. It's not presented in the best way but it's definitely interesting and different.

An amazing lunch! Delicious Italian food presented beautifully and creatively. Could not have asked for a better or more authentic Italian dining experience.

THE BEST PASTA OF MY LIFE

Amazing food, amazing staff, and fair prices. The space is a little cramped, but the food makes up for it. I've been there about 20 times, and it never disappoints. You may need a reservation.