Alto 11 E. 53rd St. (Madison & 5th Aves.)
Midtown
212.308.1099
Alto:
For a place that's named after Italy's rustic countryside in the Alps, Alto has about as much to do with the landscape where they filmed Heidi as the “A” train resembles a horse and buggy. The interior looks more like the inside of a space ship than a restaurant. Everything from the wine to the plush chairs and the glass-walled staircase looks like it came from the set of a Star Trek episode. The display of empty wine bottles in the main dining room gives off the feel of a sommelier frat house. Still, it's hard to resist super-impressive appetizers like lobster and avocado panzanella. The bar lacks any specialty drinks, but the wine list is a staggering selection of Italy's best. After a few glasses of Moscato d'Asti, you’ll be ready for Scottie to beam you up.
