325 Bowery, at Second Street
Buzzwords: Italian, Notable Chef, Notable Owner, Good for Groups, Buzzing
Chef: Sal Lamboglia
As a lover of all Andrew Carmellini institutions, I have been so excited about Bar Primi opening up on Bowery (R.I.P Peels). Working just steps away from this pasta shop, I had a feeling that this was going to be a lunch and dinner go-to. Finally, I had to chance to dine at Bar Primi this past week and was welcomed with open arms. Chef Sal Lamboglia, who is passionate about this project, as well as humble and friendly, ensured that we received the full Bar Primi dining experience.
Result: We absolutely loved it.
Decor
This hip Bowery pasta shop was decorated with the intention to create a casual ambiance, where diners can come in for delicious pasta and a glass of wine and be on their way. The white brick walls, wooden floors and bar, and yellow stools create a welcoming environment for all diners- small and large groups alike.
Crowd
I dined at Bar Primi for late lunch on a Friday in the summertime, so the restaurant wasn’t too crowded or loud. My party scored an intimate booth hidden away from the front of the restaurant, where Bowery neighborhood goers, young and trendy diners were having lunch. The no-reservation policy (except for parties of 6 or more) adds to the casual ambiance of this pasta shop.
Cuisine & Menu Highlights
Starters
- Ricotta bruschetta with fig and sardinian honey: Fresh ricotta, halved figs. Sweet and savory. This is a must-order starter!
- Watermelon with tomato, feta, sicilian oregano: Perfect summer salad with fresh ingredients.
- Charred romano beans with almonds and mint: First time having romano beans grilled and we loved this dish.
- House-made fresh mozzarella: Compliments of the chef. Is there anything not to love about melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella?
Entrees
- Spinach cavatelli with veal bianco and paive cheese: The veal paired perfectly with the cavatelli and paive- the sauce was not heavy at all.
- Ricotta ravioli with pomodorino and spinach: With heirloom cherry tomatoes on top. This was a favorite veggie dish!
- Spaghetti pomodoro with parmigianno reggiano: Simple and delicious. The perfect sauce-to-pasta consistency.
- Campanelle with jersey corn, miatake mushrooms, scalogno: Seasonal Primi. This dish was absolutely delicious and one of our favorites.
Dessert
- Tiramisu: Unbelievable. I’m not a dessert person, but this Tiramisu was a knockout. Fluffy, light and creamy, with hints of espresso.
- Organic Stawberry Coppa: Refreshing. Strawberries with cream, strawberry shaved ice on top.
- Gelato of the Day: Hazelnut with roasted hazelnuts on top. Outstanding!
Service
All of the staff at Bar Primi was friendly and welcoming, as well as knowledgeable about the menu- they were happy to share their recommendations and wanted to hear our feedback. The service was perfect- there were no lapses between courses and we were definitely not rushed.
Bar Primi is perfect for the light (or heavy) lunch, dinner, or snack at the bar. I would recommend this for a large group, a casual date, or really any other occasion where good food and wine is appropriate…I highly recommend checking it out.
