The open kitchen at Peasant is straight out of a fairy tale?a magical little brick-on-brick workshop where chef-owner Frank DeCarlo pulls sizzling hen, shimmery sardines and T-bone steaks from a crackling fire. You can barely read the menu in the dim, candlelit dining room; even if you could, everything is listed in Italian?but that is never a problem. Most of DeCarlo?s rustic dishes are masterful: spicy charred octopus, luscious skate, tender golden-skinned hen, crisp-crusted pizzas. And as soon as you place your order (whether here or in Cantina 1940, the charming underground wine bar next door), the holy trinity arrives: fresh ricotta and a bottle of olive oil from DiPalo?s, with a basket of Sullivan Street Bakery bread.
Rated: 4/5 (1 votes) Address: 194 Elizabeth St between Prince and Spring Sts - HopStop Hours: Tue–Sat 6–11pm; Sun 6–10pm Phone: 212-965-9511 Neighborhood: Chinatown/Little Italy Cuisine: Italian
