One of the best meal experiences I had this past year. We have lived in this UES neighborhood for many years now, and this was the first time we had ever eaten at UVA, and now I want to kick myself for not trying it sooner!

As you walk in you are tranported to a rustic style Italian villa. You feel as if you are eating in an Italian family’s dining room. Totally warm, cozy and candle lit. The diners eating here on this evening ranged from couples on a date, to groups of friends, to families, and it was quite crowded. Thank goodness we had a reservation as we had heard it was hard to get a table without one, and that was the truth! The front has a small bar and seating area, and is a nice spot to enjoy a glass of wine and relax with a plate of cheese and fruit. The main dining room is followed by a second dining area on an enclosed back patio that is nicely decorated. Terrific ambiance in both rooms with a lot of seating. The place was packed, and I was to shortly find out for good measure as to why.

They have a wonderful wine list to choose from with prices ranging from fair to eye popping, by the glass and bottle, but with enough choices for everyone’s wallet. There is even a diverse little beer list. We started with a bottle of full bodied and robust Montepulciano. Basket of bread with olive oil was also placed on the table. This was just the start to a fabulous meal to come.

As an appetizer we chose the Bruschetta – sundried tomato puree, pesto and pine nuts. Just a nice light crispy start to the meal with a tasty spread on each piece of bread served on a wooden cutting board.

 

 

The entrees we enjoyed immensely as both were outstanding.

 

Gnocchi Di Ricotta – home made ricotta gnocchi in a creamy black truffle and chive sauce. Just terrific! Delicious pillows of truffled gnocchi goodness. I really wanted to lick the bowl dry, but since we were in a crowded restaurant with people all around us I had to show a little bit of class!

 

 

 

Cavatelli Al Pesto – home made pasta shells in a creamy pesto sauce with shaved ricotta. Another delicious treat. Their pesto sauce is just right and did not overpower the delicate pasta. You could tell with both plates the quality of the pastas being home made. I could have eaten double portions of both!

 

Of course we had to try out a dessert, and it did not disappoint. Chocolate salami!

 

 

Salame Del Papa – chocolate salame Venetian style. Not real meat salami but a hard chocolate covered cookie type cake shaped and sliced like a salami. A perfect sweet ending to this fabulous meal.

I have to mention that the service here is terrific. Very attentive staff and manager that were friendly and kept making sure we were well taken care of. The menu choices here are very diverse – wines, cocktails, pastas, cured meats, cheeses, breads, chicken, veal, seafood, desserts and more. Brunch menu on weekends. There is a very cool downstairs wine celler dining area too, and clean bathrooms.

One of our best meals in the neighborhood. Again, just outstanding. A wonderful place if trying to impress a date, bring friends and family when visiting, or just for a nice night out. I am still kicking myself for not trying out this place sooner!

 

UVA – http://www.uvanyc.com/

http://www.yelp.com/biz/uva-new-york