Ballaro Caffe Prosciutteria

Co-owners Isabella Grigora and Giusto Priola named their new East Village cafe and prosciutteria after the thousand year old Sicilian street market, and it's a charming, no nonsense Italian neighborhood spot, serving the same easygoing menu of bruschette and panini from breakfast onward. Grigora's waiting for the liquor license to come through (for wine and beer only), but she's quick to pimp out their Rosetta bread—"a typical Italian bread, round and rustic, that we have made specially for us, and it's best in a simple sandwich with Mortadella or Soppresatta." As the name suggests, cured meats and cheese are abundant along with Italian bomb shelter staples: quality tinned sardines, Nutella, and old-school cookies.

See more: East Village restaurants, Italian restaurants, Sandwich restaurants