
Gussie's Handmade Italian
Italian · Chicago · $
Italian · East Village, Lower East Side, New York, NY · $
Via Della Pace lays in the very center of Rome, just minutes walk from Piazza Navona. Its wonderful little church called “Chiesa della Pace” features paintings by Raffaello that are known all over the world. The name was chosen by one of the owners; he went to school in the area and stopped every morning for a cappuccino in the city’s oldest and most renowned cafe’, ”Bar della Pace”. Walking into our New York restaurant you can still get a feel of those friendly conversations full of gestures; maybe over an Espresso or a Negroni cocktail. Serving traditional Italian food, cocktails and wines in East Village since 2002; The pastas are all homemade and additional seating can be found in our beautiful skylight room which provides guests with a more personal dining experience. Catch your favorite game or cheer along with the soccer fans in the front bar area. Via Della Pace’s accommodating nature makes it the perfect venue for all occasions. For a family dinner, date, or simply drinks with friends, Via della Pace suits all needs.
“Excellent Italian food and a fantastic atmosphere. The restaurant was buzzing with Knicks fans, making it the perfect place to watch the game. Great service, delicious food, and an unforgettable game-day experience. Will definitely be back!”
“If you’re looking for that “we accidentally found the best meal of the trip” kind of place, this is it. We went to Via Della Pace on a whim and ended up having one of our favorite meals in NYC. The whole experience just felt easy and authentic in the best way. Nothing overcomplicated, just really solid Italian food done properly. Daniele was our server and he honestly made the night. Super warm, attentive without hovering, and gave great recommendations. You can tell he really cares about the experience, not just turning tables. For food, we kept it classic and it paid off. The carbonara was exactly what you want—rich, silky, perfectly seasoned, no shortcuts. The spaghetti alla gricia was simple but so well executed, and the gnocchi were soft, pillowy, and comforting. It genuinely felt like something you’d be served in a small spot in Italy. We had to finish with dessert and the lava cake was so worth it—warm, gooey, and just indulgent enough without being too heavy. Overall, this place nails the basics in a way that’s actually hard to find. Great service, cozy atmosphere, and food that speaks for itself. Would go back in a heartbeat.”
“Had the loveliest Sunday night dinner where the cozy atmosphere was perfect to catch up after a long week and made even better by the incredible food! The cacio e Pepe rice balls were deliciously cheesy and everything was so fresh and made with love! The carbonara tasted straight from Rome and I will be back to try more desserts because the special apple tart was fantastic!”
“Another lovely meal! This place is a gem, got to be one of the best restaurants in New York. Real Italian food and wonderful people. Been here several times and it’s always a great time. We tried the special pasta of the week with porcini mushrooms and truffles, which was so delicious! My mother got the spaghetti alla gricia which is another favorite, and we both had the pera peperita cocktail which was lovely. The chocolate lava cake which we had for dessert was perfectly portioned and so so good. Love this place!”
“I really wanted to enjoy my experience at Via della Pace because the atmosphere is beautiful. The restaurant has a cozy, underground feel with dim lighting that makes it feel intimate and quaint. It was a nice place to catch up with my mentee, and the ambiance was definitely the highlight of the evening. Unfortunately, the food didn’t live up to the price. Both of our pasta dishes tasted like they had been reheated rather than made fresh, which was incredibly disappointing considering what we paid. The cocktails were decent, but I was frustrated by all of the unexpected upcharges. There seemed to be extra charges for things like burrata and even the Margherita drinks, and none of that was clearly communicated on the menu. The menu itself also felt outdated. One unexpected issue was that, because the restaurant is underground, I had no cell service or data access. I had to stop and ask for the Wi-Fi password just to use my phone. At a restaurant charging these prices, I would expect the Wi-Fi information to be readily available—whether on the menu, at the table, or offered proactively by the staff. It’s a small detail, but it makes a difference in the overall guest experience. Our server was okay, but she wasn’t particularly welcoming at the start. I found myself bringing more warmth to the interaction than I received. In the end, spending over $100 for two pasta dishes and a couple of drinks felt excessive given the quality of the meal. While the ambiance is charming, the mediocre food, surprise upcharges, lack of attention to the guest experience, and overall poor value mean I won’t be returning.”
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