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Crowds still cherish Lidia Bastianich's renowned northern Italian cooking.

The Scene
Since 1981, the brightest star in Lydia Matticchio Bastianich's expanding culinary universe has endeared special occasioners, expense accounters, and food-driven tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of the cookbook author and TV chef in action. As a result, the formal bar is standing-room-only, and two cozy downstairs dining rooms, handsomely appointed with mahogany details, luxurious linens, and sparkling crystal, can feel cramped.

The Food
The lengthy menu, inspired by Bastianich's native Istria and surrounding northern Italian provinces, is as imaginative as ever. Reliable signatures include three-cheese ''Istrian wedding pillows'' laced with citrus zest in rich rum-veal reduction; tangy preserved lemon-roasted branzino; and al dente (though often under-seasoned) seafood risotto. But careless missteps in executive chef Fortunato Nicotra's kitchen -- whether overcooked baby cuttlefish, rock-hard focaccia, or gluey gnocchi in undistinguished wild boar stew -- are hard to forgive at these prices. Desserts, like warm chocolate crepes, are simple and satisfying.

Opentable Reservations

Felidia is located in a converted Brownstone on 58th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. Opened in 1981 by Lidia Bastianich, Felidia offers a warm atmosphere where you can still find Lidia greeting guests and fans.
Executive Chef Fortunato Nicotra has been with Felidia since 1996 and has brought an innovative touch to traditional ingredients and dishes from all the regions of Italy.
Some of the restaurant's signature dishes include pear and fresh pecorino ravioli, veal shank ossobucco and limoncello tiramisu. Felidia also offers a delicious three course price-fixed lunch, Monday - Friday for $29.50 per person, making the restaurant great for business lunches or just a nice afternoon treat.
For parties of 8 or more, Felidia offers our group dining menu rather than the a la carte menu. The group dining menu is a four course menu and includes our most popular dishes and seasonal favorites for $85.00 per person.

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