New York - November 04, 2005

American Espresso

Tarallucci i Vino

In a city teeming with bodegas, delis, bakeries, coffee shops, delivery services, and world-dominating chains, you’d think a good cup of Italian coffee in the morning would be easy to find.

Purtroppo, niente.

Your caffeinated crusade continues. Until, that is, you’ve tasted Italian giuseppe from Tarallucci i Vino, a new trattoria opening today in Union Square. The loft-like cafe and wine bar is run by the owners of the East Village spot of the same name (lauded for the best espresso this side of the Atlantic).

And while your mouth’s already open, you might as well test-drive the European pastries. Heck, make a night of it and switch to an aperitivo (with complimentary snacks) at sundown.

On the menu are appetizer-size dishes like polenta alla griglia baccalà mantecato (grilled polenta with salted cod mousse), fritto abruzzese (fried lamb chops with cream and stuffed olives), and sixteen wines by the glass.

Feel free to hang out from mattina to notte. 

Eventually they’ll have to kick you out.

But we think you’ll find your way back domani.

Tarallucci i Vino, 15 East 18th Street, between Broadway and Fifth Avenue (212-228-5400).