NYC Italian Eats: The New Guard

Marea

After earning raves, fans and a glowing three-star review from the Times, Convivio honcho and pasta prodigy Michael White focuses on haute seafood at Marea, which settles into the old San Domenico space on Central Park South. The restaurant is a throwback to White's memories of the eight years he spent in Italy, tasting sea urchins in Sicily and taking in the region's rich bounty. Yep, sea urchin is on the Marea menu—on a crostini with lardo and sea salt—and White will import about a third of his fish from Italy, a third from Hawaii and the rest from around the world. Crudo like sea bass carpaccio with fennel and tomato rev up the appetite, but you'll probably wanna go all out with the whole turbot, Dover sole or sea bass, available grilled, roasted or salt-crusted.

Marea
240 Central Park S. near Columbus Circle
212-582-5100