There’s no better place to wind down from a hot summer’s day or warm up the winter chill & get toasty or toasted with friends, lovers & family in celebration of life & savory wine, than IL Bagatto’s Wine Bar.

The food at the main restaurant will never cease to satisfy the foodie in you who loves home-style Italian cooking with flavors that indulge your palette while soothing your soul! Nightly Dj’s playing everything from classic soul, hip-hop & reggae add the soundtrack to the Tuscan style décor creating a unique Italian New York cosmopolitan experience. You can choose to dine at the more traditional restaurant style seating upstairs or head down stairs to the beautifully gritty, yet all so urban sexy basement bar & cozy dining lounge where depending on what week they choose to redecorate, you can dine sitting on a couch or dining table as if you are in your living room with your favorite people, fully equipped with your own personal DJ setting the mood.

The Wine Bar encompasses chic modern Tuscan style ambiance serving over 200 of the best in Italian wine with at least 50 served by the glass. My favorite is the Sicilian Nero d’Avalo (The black grape of Avalo -a small town in south east Sicily). I discovered this wine on a trip to Italy, it’s a local Italian favorite no matter what part of Italy you happen to be in. There are many variations of Nero d’Avalo , but I have not tasted one that I didn’t love. This savory deep red wine excites the tongue with soft peppery & fruity flavors of blackberry & currant creating a hearty yet soft red, similar to the Shiraz. The Cusumano with the red label even comes with a glass cork that you just twist out- no corkscrew needed & it doubles as a wine stopper for any other bottle of wine you may have-so don’t throw it out after you open the bottle. Whether you are on a budget or have a little more to spare , there’s a Nero d’Avalo for you that will ultimately become your favorite wine!

My other favorite, when I just want the sweet bubbly tingle of a sparkling red is the Brachetto d’Acqui - simply delicioso!! I discovered this one At IL Bagatto!

Rules of the IL Bagatto Experience

1. Putting cheese on any seafood is a sacrilege so don’t even ask!

2. Bring cash because unless you carry American Express, your plastic is useless!

3. Cell phone use is not permitted –after all the experience & enjoyment of food should be shared over long intimate conversations where you can hear every word with mmms & yums between bites of pure deliciousness, not “Can you hear me now” cellular banter!

4. Unless you’re part of the Famiglia, you better make a reservation & be on time for it, otherwise you better be prepared for the long wait of an in demand restaurant that preserves its intimacy!

Must haves

1. If you miss out on ordering the grilled calamari you are insane- you will never go back to the ubiquitous fried version after you taste the IL Baggato grilled version!

2. As someone who doesn’t like raw tomatoes, I can’t get enough of the bruschetta –who knew raw fresh tomatoes with a perfect blend of herbs & bread could be so good!

3. As a lover of seafood that is truly fresh, don’t miss out on the most magnificent polenta encrusted Halibut in the world & the red snapper & Branzino are just as delightful! You also can’t go wrong with the seafood pasta.

4. There are many delights for the carnivore in you as well. Whether your meat of choice is chicken, beef or pork, you will find something beyond satisfactory!

5. Do not try to say no to the ultimate in “la dolce vita” with the homemade Tiramisu, Tartufo or my ultimate favorite the Pannacotta with fresh raspberry! OOHHH goodness!

6. If you have not had the IL Bagatto experience in New York’s L.E.S (Lower East side neighborhood) then you are missing out on a truly unique New York/Global Fusion Experience! Lots of imitators have arrived in the neighborhood but there’s no comparison to the originator!-IL Bagatto- Truly the Real Deal Italian!