Today, Grub Street runs an L.A. diet with Italian food queen Lidia Bastianich, revealing she spends most of her time gardening and fishing these days. If you’ve been to Felidia, her flagship restaurant in New York, you know that she’s spent a fair amount of time crafting the excellent Italian menu there. Regulars (andFrank Bruni) know that the risotto is a must order dish. Cooked rice a must order? Yes, and there are plenty of restaurants were that’s the case. Here are eight of them. [The Feast]
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Marea
240 Central Park South | (212) 582-5100Though Michael White is known for his pasta at his Central Park South flagship restaurant, order a plate of his seasonal risotto for the table to share.
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Felidia
243 E 58th St | (212) 758-1479The kitchen does wonders with rice at Lidia Bastianich’s flagship spot.
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Gotham Bar & Grill
12 E. 12th St | (212) 620-4020There’s always a risotto on the menu at this landmark fine dining spot. Currently, you can head here for maine ruby red shrimp risotto.
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Craft New York
43 E 19th St | (212) 780-0880Like the rest of the menu at Tom Colicchio’s seasonal flagship restaurant, the risotto changes regularly. Currently, the restaurant offers one with fava bean and bacon.
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Sorella
95 Allen St. | (212) 274-9595Emma Hearst’s risotto at her LES Italian restaurant is always spot on. Right now she’s serving it with ruby red shrimp, pickled ramps, and a ramp pesto.
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Risotteria
270 Bleecker St | (212) 924-6664This Greenwich Village spot is a NYU student destination, but don’t let that deter you. For those allergic to gluten, the entire menu is gluten free.
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15 East Restaurant
15 East 15th Street | (212) 647-0015Come for the fresh fish, but don’t forget to order the squid ink risotto, which has sea urchin and grilled squid that come mixed in.
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Peasant
194 Elizabeth St Frnt A | (212) 965-9511Most of the menu is reliable at this Nolita standby, but their Italian rendition of squid ink risotto (for a different take, see 15 East’s version) is excellent.