Opus
1574 Second Ave., near 82nd Street; 212-772-2220
If you’re allergic to gluten (or have a favorite meal companion who is), mark Opus as your next dinner spot. Chef Giuseppe Lentini offers an extensive selection of gluten-free pizzas and pastas, as well as salads, roasts and fresh fish, all prepared with a rustic Italian hand to match the restaurant’s warm, under-the-Tuscan-sun feel, complete with terra cotta floors and earth-tone walls.
Must-have meal: Fennel, arugula and shrimp salad in a grapefruit citrus vinaigrette ($11); buccatini with fresh sardines, raisins, pignoli nuts, roasted bread crumbs and tomatoes ($18), or the margarita pizza (above, $12); and ricotta cheesecake with your choice of homemade gelato ($8).
Soundtrack: Contemporary Euro-pop.
Hours: Mon.-Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Home
20 Cornelia St., 212-243-9579
Home has always been the place to go for, well, hearty all-American cooking. But when owners Barbara Shinn and David Page sold their interest to concentrate on their North Fork Vineyard Shinn Estates, its future was iffy. Luckily, chef Ross Gill, the chef de cuisine under Page, is now in charge, along with original Home partner Dominick D’Alleva. While they’ve spruced the place up a bit with new banquettes and a small front bar, the philosophy has remained the same: a focus on local, seasonal ingredients in a warm, community-driven space, with a great garden to boot!
Must-have meal: Macaroni and cheese with overnight tomatoes and herbs ($10); “Steam Ship” braised short ribs with mustard BBQ glaze and sweet corn succotash ($24); and chocolate banana bread pudding ($7).
Soundtrack: The chef’s selection of local New York and Brooklyn bands such as Brooklyn Vipers and the Old 97s.
Hours: Dinner: Mon.-Thurs., 5-10:30 p.m.; Fri., 5-11p.m.; Sat., 5:30-11 p.m. and Sun., 5-10 p.m. Lunch: Mon-Fri., 11:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. Brunch: Sat. and Sun., 10:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.