Salmon Tartare – $16

Little Italy is chock filled with poor reviewed, run down Italian eateries who have all seen better days. They all appear to be from the same era, never remodeled since then. Like Grandma’s dish towel, that she’ll never get rid of. Still gets the job done but not something you parade around company.

Gelso & Grand changes all that. It’s located in the heart of LI, so you can still dine in prime people watching country without having to pay $25 for mediocre spaghetti while seated in dirty plastic lawn chairs stolen from a hillbilly’s wedding.

We had a large group, so we were able to try a bunch of stuff. The gnocchi with braised lamb sauce was definitely the stand out but my Kale Caesar really hit the spot as well.

The pizza and meatballs were both above average but I wouldn’t chose either as my only meal option.

Little Italy is my favorite neighborhood in the city. I love wondering the streets in the summer, admiring all the chaos. Or sitting outside at one of the mediocre restaurants and watching the plethora of people walk by.

With the arrival of Gelso & Grand, I can come enjoy one of my favorite pastimes without having to choke down bad wine and Costco frozen ravioli.

186 Grand St
New York, NY 10013
b/t Baxter St & Centre Market Pl
Little Italy
(212) 226-1600
gelsoandgrand.com

Kale Caesar – $15

Burrata Bruschetta – $11

Meatballs – $13

Margarita Pizza – $16

Brown Butter Gnocchi with braised lamb, hazelnuts, piave cheese – $25