I had to try Jupiter as my friend couldn’t stop raving about it. She’d been multiple times.  I reserved a table on the rinkside terrace at Rockefeller Center, as recommended. This unusual dining underground is much quieter than inside.

Cocktails ($19) first. My dining partner with a House Sprintz (Red aperitivo, sea buckthorn, natty rosé), which I’ll order my next time over their version of their Manhattan 1801.

We began with their fried artichokes ($17) that melted in our mouths. Not to be missed.

Next, we split their house salad ($24) with asparagus spears, wild arugula, fennel, warm lentils and Castelrosso cheese. Also, delicious.


Once the “Pane” ($15) basket with breadsticks, olive focaccia, pizzette and carta di musical (cracker thin, lightly oiled crisps) was delivered to the table next to us, we had to order it.

The staff accommodated our request for our entrees to be coursed out so we had time to enjoy each one. We shared their housemade tortellini filled with ricotta and spinach in butter and parmesan ($29), followed by short twists of pasta (casarecce) with braised beef and onions made aromatic with juniper berries ($30).

My dining partner’s sweet tooth had us order the Italian Mess ($17) with broken meringue shards, fresh fruit and whipped cream—based on the British Eton Mess—before heading to theatre.

I try to catch Laurie Metcalf when on stage. I had high hopes of also catching Luca, a young boy from my building who’s an understudy. We missed seeing Luca — we wished we had missed Grey House.

I highly recommend Jupiter.

Jupiter
Rockefeller Center Rink Level
20 W 50th St
New York, NY 10020
jupiterrestaurant.nyc/