Since 1973, New York City’s Greenwich Village has hosted what’s become the world’s largest Halloween parade, a legendary event known for its lively, all-are-welcome atmosphere and its truly creative costume displays—on both those marching and those lining the streets. This is also the only nighttime parade taking place in the city, which makes it the perfect event to pair with a delicious, fall-themed dinner. Here are five notable Italian spots near the route (which runs up Sixth Avenue, from Spring Street to 16th Street), and some seasonal specialties to try at each.
Avena Downtown Located in the space that once housed the legendary, celeb-favorite Da Silvano, Avena Downtown features a menu by Northern Italian chef Roberto Deiaco, who previously served as Executive Chef at Cipriani and the Armani Ristorante 5th Avenue. In this recently-opened spot, Deiaco sources ingredients from organic and biodynamic farms for dishes like the Avena Lasagna with seasonal veggies and basil pesto, the zucchini and zucchini flower flan (topped by Italian truffles), and Red Angus steak tagliata with broccolini and bone marrow.
Avena: Potato Gnocchi, Crabmeat, Tomato-Brandy Sauce, Baby Arugula (ph. Website)
Da Andrea The daily specials at this bustling neighborhood favorite are posted every day at 4pm, so you can be sure they’re truly of the moment; some dishes that have popped up this fall include a truffle mushroom soup, orecchiette with sausage and broccoli rabe, and risotto with prosciutto and green peas. Staples on the regular menu feature fall-themed ingredients, too, like the saffron fettuccini and the grilled pork chop with corn, golden apples, and mushroom sauce—though the last one is maybe a bit more “Thanksgiving” than “Halloween.”
Da Andrea (ph. Facebook)
Babbo Overseen by Joe Bastianich, this perennial favorite is all about ingredients—both those imported from Italy and the fresh, seasonal ones sourced closer to home. Go a la carte with dishes like pumpkin lune with sage or garganelli with mushrooms, or try the Autunno Tasting Menu, featuring things like walnut pansotti and crispy goat with polenta and white beans. Splash out with the White Truffle Tasting Menu ($350), a while-the-season-lasts celebration of the delicacy.
Babbo's dish: Chestnut and Robiola Ravioli with Brown Butter and Apples (ph. Facebook)
Il Cantinori Celebrating Tuscan flavors in NYC since 1983, this beloved spot’s fall menu brings the best of the season to your plate. Start with beet salad or eggplant parmigiana, savor pastas like spinach strozzapreti with four cheese sauce, then move on to entrees like calf liver sautéed with brown butter and sage, or veal medallions tossed in balsamic vinegar.
Il Cantinori, set up (ph. Facebook)
Cotenna Though it’s helmed by a James Beard award-winning chef, Roberto Passon, this West Village restaurant and wine bar is anything but stuffy; instead, you’ll find a cozy, convivial hideaway that honors the classics. The extensive list of cicchetti, pastas, salads, and sides includes bruschetta with mushrooms and Montasio cheese, maccheroni slow-baked with cheese and black truffle carpaccio, pappardelle with wild boar, and soups featuring lentils or beans. Pair them all with something from the well-selected drinks list.
Cotenna autumn dishes (ph. Facebook)