Piccola Cucina

Prince Street still does Italian right.

Down at 184 Prince St New York, NY 10012, Piccola Cucina keeps the neighborhood fed with table service lunch and dinner—no counter lines, just plates that land when they’re ready. Vegetarian options appear without fanfare, and the wine list is there if you want it, same as the free Wi-Fi that keeps the laptop crowd from bolting too early. Reservations are accepted, so the phone at (646) 781-9183 can save you a wait when the room fills up.

Takeout is an option, but the real draw is sitting down with a glass of something red and letting the kitchen pace itself. Alcohol flows, restrooms are available, and the place doesn’t pretend it’s anything other than what it is: a solid, no-surprises Italian spot in a stretch of the city that’s seen every cuisine come and go.

For directions, the map is here: 184 Prince St. You’ll walk past three other restaurants to get there; only one of them will feel like the right choice once you’re inside.