My friend select Da Andrea as the neighborhood place she’d like to celebrate her big birthday. Last I dined was lunch mid summer,  outside. This time inside the small family-style place where staff greets you as you walk through the door.  It’s a very friendly bistro with fine food and welcoming, attentive service. You’re made to feel welcome as you walk in the door,

I arrived a bit early, adorning the table with birthday beads, necklaces, a crown and a sash for the birthday girl boasting, “Its my birthday!”

We like to share each course, asking Palina our friendly server, to bring them one at a time. She obliged, not rushing us at all. We also shared a bottle of their Nero d Avola  ($64), Purato, Terre Siciliane, Sicilia,2023.

Their Barbabietole ($ 19), our starter, included a mixed frisee, endive and onion salad in a champagne vinaigrette with beets, goat cheese and walnuts.

Next we shared a pasta coarse, deciding on the Cappellacci Tartufo e Porcini ($29),five large green spinach ravioli, filled with truffe mushroom ricotta. Although flavorful, it was much richer than we expected. Too rich, to finish, even split.

Also flavorful — and huge— was the tender lamb shank ($44) with meat that fell off the bone with a serving of saffron risotto.

Of course, we ended with a chocolate cake ($12) on a birthday decorated plate.

I recommend a visit to Da Andrea.

Da Andrea
Greenwich Village
35 West 13th Street
New York, NY 10011
(212) 367-1979
daandreanyc.com/