Whats the best Italian restaurant in New York? According to Zagat its this: http://blog.zagat.com/2013/01/new-yorks-12-best-italian-restaurants.html Time out says this: http://www.timeout.com/newyork/restaurants/100-best-new-york-restaurants-italian Yelp says this: http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Top+Italian+Restaurants&find_loc=New+York%2C+NY
 And New York magazine: http://nymag.com/restaurants/wheretoeat/2006/15441/ Now that weve established what a controversial subject this is, Ive decided to interject my own opinion from experience. Lets examine the candidates...

Babbo: A delightfully crowded place that takes quite a long to to get in with a reservation...though we slipped in at the bar one night unplanned! Ill never forget it...it was the first time I ever had osso buco, and man was it heavenly! Melt in your mouth veal and marrow thats done perfectly. Fantastic wine list, although I usually leave that up to my companion...

Del Posto: A Mario Batali creation, whom we actually met once sitting in the restaurant having dinner! My companion went right up to him and he stood up and shook his hand. Amazing moment...but the visit that really stands out in my mind was the time we went there for Christmas Dinner. It was a meal beyond decadence with homemade pasta, and everything is outsourced locally. In fact, I think Mr. Batali is actually married to the heir to a creamery giant. The whole place has a warm glow and a quiet buzz enveloped my senses in elegance...

Marea was magnificent...a bit more of a place to see and be seen but absolutely incredible food! Exotic pasta with sea urchin is what I remember most...so divine! Its right near Columbus circle, so dont miss it next time youre in New York!

Peasant: This place is a little more rustic than the others, but no doubt just as fabulous in its own way. I remember a delicate homemade pasta with rabbit and a savory sauce that was to die for! The whole place was lit with the glow of a wood burning fireplace, of which they used for cooking! May I have some more please?

So these would be my picks for best Italian restaurant in New York. I see they made various spots on other lists, but I may have a biased opinion, as I was there with the most incredible people! I hope you guys are reading:-)

Sometimes you just know youre doing something right when everything seems to fall back into place! Im back in New York after I dont know how long, and this sense of elation is starting to wash over me now. Its my first morning here and I have a list of places to visit and things to do! Join me on this wonderful ride...