The big, bright blue awnings of this Italian veteran are a fixture on the SoHo scene, and its 100 interior collages by local artists (each one a unique interpretation of the restaurant's logo) a lovely reminder of when the neighborhood was more artists than agents.

The real star of the show, of course, is the beautiful wood-burning oven, which pushes out delicious, thin-crust pies. IF you're not in the mood for pizza, no problem—the pasta list goes on for days and there's an extensive list of Italian specialties like the carciofi saltati, a plate of tender artichoke hearts paired with crunchy pistachio, and laced with lemon and parsley—the perfect thing to pick on when spring hits and the raised terrace opens up for people watching.

- 2010 Michelin Guide