Alloro

The Upper East Side is chock full of Italian eateries, some good, some bad and few are destinations. Upper East Siders tend to favor the "local" joints that cater to the "local" tastes. Most of these eateries are forgettable. But there are notable exceptions, such as Alloro.

Alloro sits on a quiet, tree-lined street of the Upper East Side, just one block from where the chef-owners live with their children. When you come to Alloro, you'll be greeted by an adventurous décor and innovative culinary fare created by Salvatore, who puts a creative spin on Italian classics. With each season comes a new menu and specials from one of Italy's 20 regions. Sit back and let them take you on an exciting culinary journey you'll always remember. Alloro offers traditional family-style cuisine with a modern flare. The menu does feature very traditional ingredients (white means, broccoli rabe, gorgonzola), but takes them in new and interesting directions, like the flatbread and artichoke, goat cheese and toasted almond salad with bacon ice cream. Try any dish that features white beans, sardines or chestnuts. The gorgonzola ice cream is a surprise, and not for the faint of heart.

There is a small bar area and a few tables in the front of the restaurant, a good place to pop in for a glass of Italian wine and a plate of cheese, as well as larger but still cozy dining room in the back. Call ahead for group of four or more, as the back room is sometimes booked for private events, such as the Italian Language and Supper Club (Collina Italiana).

A Noteworthy Meal pairs Italian opera arias and ensembles with the food. Every other Wednesday night, opera singers from the Noteworthies group will sing around the theme "pleasure" depicting the similarity among food, wine and opera.