My spouse and I dined at Osteria della Pace for lunch on a
Saturday afternoon in mid-August 2017. The restaurant is open daily for lunch
and dinner, closing between the two meals; however, the bar remains open
continuously from 11:30 am until 10:00 pm. We booked our table using the online
Open Table reservation system.
Osteria della Pace (which means “Tavern of Peace”) is
located in the shopping/dining mecca of Eataly Downtown. Upon crossing the threshold from the frenetic
atmosphere of Eataly to the quiet oasis of Osteria, you encounter a clever bar
that divides the lounge area from the dining room. The bar room offers seats at
the bar, or at a bar rail with window views. The main dining space features light
tile floors, dark ceilings, dark wood paneling and accents, and modern
lighting. Ceramic wall plates provide color rather than traditional artwork
(and can be purchased for home use). Floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides of
the corner space provide excellent city views, including as far west as the
Hudson River, over to the new elevated Liberty Park (and the remnants of St.
Nicholas Church), and across to one of the Ground Zero reflecting pools. Some
tables share a caramel-colored leather banquette on one side fronted by
marble-topped tables. Two matching semi-circular leather booths in the far
corners hold larger groups of diners. A small side dining room can be reserved for
private functions; however, it was used for regular dining on the busy afternoon
that we visited. Two private unisex restrooms are located inside Osteria,
although the main Eataly restrooms are located outside the restaurant entrance.
Osteria della Pace serves Southern Italian cuisine. Our meal
began with the sampling of their Fenicottero cocktail; the pinkish-peach
colored and coconut-flavored drink (made with tequila, coconut puree, hazelnut
fratello, and aperol) arrived in a tall Collins glass decorated with an edible
flower. (We were celebrating a birthday after all, plus it was “five o’clock
somewhere”!) As starters, we shared the Fiori Di Zucca (zucchini blossoms
stuffed with goat cheese and then deep fried), and the Pate di Fegato (pate
spread on toasted baguette slices and served with fruit jam). For our entrees,
we ordered the Ziti Genovese (with a pork and onion sauce; outstanding!) and
the Cacio E Pepe (long thin noodles with a cheese and black pepper sauce). For
dessert, we shared the impressive spritz cake (olive oil cake cubes accented by
cantaloupe, rhubarb, and pistachio flavors).
We loved our lunch at Osteria della Pace in Eataly Downtown;
it is a beautiful space with polished service and delicious food.
