$$$$ • Mediterranean • Harlem
At this beloved Harlem neighborhood restaurant from proprietor and lifelong uptowner Yvette Leeper-Bueno, vibrant, market-driven dishes celebrate the rich culinary traditions of Italy and Spain. Cult favorites and house-made pastas attract a loyal clientele of Harlem locals and visitors alike, with dishes from Spicy Veal Meatballs with Creamy Parmigiano Polenta; to house-made pastas like Fresh Rosemary Pappardelle with Lamb Ragu and the perennial favorite Black Spaghetti with Octopus, Mussels & Spicy Breadcrumbs. The acclaimed wine list is chosen from small producers across the Mediterranean, and is full of surprising yet accessible finds, while the artisan cocktail program uses house-made tinctures, seasonal produce, and fresh-grown herbs. Vinateria offers indoor & outdoor dining in a chic, warm space on the idyllic corner of 119th Street & Frederick Douglass Boulevard.