Cacio e Pepe and Figs in a Gramercy Trattoria

Cacio e pepe sets the tone at Novitá, with a pale coil of pasta carrying a generous scatter of black pepper. Sliced figs bring a darker, softer note, the sort of sweet edge that makes a plate feel rooted in the season.

The room keeps things warm and composed, with white cloth tables, broad windows, low wall lamps, and a tall wine shelf behind the bar. A second plate pairs stuffed pasta with artichoke petals, keeping the meal in that precise, produce forward register. It reads as a place for a slow first course, a shared bottle, and a little time between plates. For a warmer evening, sidewalk tables are available on East 22nd Street, adding an easy street level option to the polished dining room.

Novitá sits at 102 East 22nd Street in Manhattan. The restaurant holds a 4.5 rating across 635 reviews. Expect a Gramercy dinner that keeps the food precise, the setting quietly polished, and the sidewalk close enough to make a second drink tempting.