We arrived at San Carlo Osteria Piemonte during happy hour. Nico, our adorable server who was a friend of my friend, convinced me to try the Mezcal Negroni, an Italian cocktail, during happy hour ($10). I liked the smoky twist. My friend had his martini.

He poured a glass of the Tuscan Le Palaie Bulizio, 2013, while we nibbled the unusual eggplant meatballs served over flavored tomato chunks ($15 for four fried croquettes) and the grilled Spanish octopus ($23) with a flavorful chickpea and diced veggie salad.

Nico suggested two of his favorites pasta dishes for us to share and split them for us. We had half homemade meat ravioli ($21) topped with butter sage sauce and a veal reduction and half fresh tagliatelle ($26) with porcini mushrooms. The latter was my favorite.

I was happily satiated, yet my dining partner looked forward to their caramel-flavored panna cotta ($12). Of course, I had to sample a bite of the sweetened cream!

San Carlo Osteria Piemonte
90 Thompson St
New York, NY 10012
(212) 625-1212
sancarlonyc.com