Bär-bõ-ne 186 Ave. B (@ 12th St.)
East Village
212.254.6047
Bär-bõ-ne:
Unlike so many other Italian eateries in the East Village, Bär-bõ-ne doesn’t choke on its own pretension. Owner Alberto Ibrahimi (of River Café, Cellini, Bellini) and chef John Baron (of Babbo) have been there and done that, so the focus here is on inventive cooking and obscure grapes. Think asparagus fries ($7) and ricotta gnocchi made with sweet peas and mint ($13), as well as a chef’s choice five course tasting menu for $40. And though the bottled wines can cost you up to $120, you might as well go for the generously poured house wines by the quartino. Have one too many on the European style backyard courtyard, and while you may not be speaking Italian, English will definitely be your second language.
