Bar Primi is Andrew Carmellini’s less expensive new Italian place in the space where Peels used to be on Bowery at 2nd Street. It’s by no means cheap, but is considerably more affordable than his other places (Lafayette, Locanda Verde, The Dutch etc).
If space is available, ask to be seated on the top more spacious and quieter floor.
Continuing my rosé summer, we ordered the 2013 Maffini Aglianico ‘Denazzano,’ a very dark, full-bodied, crisp and unusual wine from Campania ($45), closer to a light bodied summer red than a rosè.
Do not miss the incredible crunchy farro salad ($9) with fresh sweet peas and pea pods in a mint and basil dressing all topped with shaved Parmigiano Reggiano.
Sadly what wasn’t as good was the pasta I had heard so much about. After sampling the “bucatini lamb amatriciana” ($18), I had to ask “Where’s the 
lamb?” as we couldn’t find any evidence of it other than flavor. The server informed us that the flavor was from cured lamb. Eighteen dollars for a bowl of tubular spaghetti in a lamb-flavored tomato sauce is a bit pricey. To be fair, after hearing our comment, the chef sent out two tender meatballs stuffed with Fontina. Tasty.
Our other pasta selection was the seasonal campanelle (little bell pasta) with a milky corn ragout with charred tomatoes, maitake mushrooms and scallions ($17).
If I returned, I’d skip the pastas.
– bonnie
Bar Primi
East Village
325 Bowery, New York, NY 10003
(212) 220-9100
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