L’Ardente

This chic Italian hot spot’s menu doesn’t play by many rules—it’s got strapping Italian American classics like veal parm, a rainbow of creative veggie dishes, and showboats including flaming tiramisu and 40-layer truffle lasagna. Focus on the long list of pastas, which include a fabulous pappardelle with white veal ragu and a lemony goat-cheese-and-ricotta ravioli. Desserts such as pumpkin-spice cake, butterscotch budino, and housemade soft-serve are dazzlers, too.