"Lupa is everything you want in a casual neighborhood Italian joint—flattering lighting, plenty of exposed brick, terra-cotta floors, and wood tables with just the right amount of space between one another. It’s no wonder it's remained popular since opening in 1999. The regulars, both from the surrounding Greenwich Village neighborhood and beyond, range in age and demographic, but are alike in that they’re all willing to undergo the sometimes hour-long wait for a table. The servers manage to be polite and efficient, even with a dining room that's as busy as Grand Central Station at rush hour. The experience is just as much about the wine as the food; if you go for the tasting menu, it's worth the extra splurge for the pairing." - Andrea Whittle
