• 329 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Missy Robbins is famous for her unbeatable Italian spots all over the city, and Misi might just be her best one yet. While Lilia remains almost impossible to get into and a celebrity favorite, Misi is still more accessible, especially if you arrive for an early bird dinner or try your luck at sitting at the bar during brunch. If there’s a wait, take a stroll through nearby Domino Park and take in the East River and Williamsburg Bridge views. It might be difficult to procure a seat in the dining room, but watching the chefs cook up the fresh pasta is an event in its own right.

While Misi is all about the pasta (and rightfully so), the whipped ricotta crostini is famous for a reason, and the seasonal vegetables are all worth ordering. The grilled baby artichokes help make the meal, as well as the white beans when they’re on the menu—when they’re not, they’re available nearby at Misipasta, the specialty grocery store with a small lunch counter and fresh pasta. 

Split a few pastas, like the perfectly crafted fettuccine layered in melted butter and parmesan cheese, which is what you make yourself at home but a thousand times better, as well as the spinach and mascarpone tortelli (you’ll be mopping up the sauce, and you might not want to share). Save room for dessert; you’ll want to have one of the gelato flavors on offer to complete the experience.