Accademia di Vino

So far, this has been a great addition to the neighborhood! Ever since Dock's closed, it's been a starker restaurant landscape in this neck of the UWS. We went opening night, and have been back twice since. The menu is similar to the Accademia di Vino on the east side-they still have the yummy grilled pizzas, the wide selection of antipasti and meat and cheese boards, but the entrees are...+READ So far, this has been a great addition to the neighborhood! Ever since Dock's closed, it's been a starker restaurant landscape in this neck of the UWS. We went opening night, and have been back twice since. The menu is similar to the Accademia di Vino on the east side-they still have the yummy grilled pizzas, the wide selection of antipasti and meat and cheese boards, but the entrees are different, and the rotating daily specials are all seafood-based, in a kind of tribute to Dock's. Definitely try the Robiola pizza with black truffle pate; I've also had the veal cheeks and the green noodles with bolognese. All delicious, though some might find the pasta portions small--Carmine's this ain't!

It's small, it's a little cramped, the bathrooms are still down a narrow flight of stairs, and they aren't open for lunch, yet. Older folks who miss Dock's will probably find things to carp about, but I say let's give the new restaurant a chance. They say they are getting a TV in the bar area, but not for a while. But hey, they have several dozen glasses of wine, a huge, nearly overwhelming wine list, and very friendly service. Plus, they are very accessible to walk in traffic, as the bar area has several "community-style" tables that are all on a first-come-first-served basis. I'll definitely be back!

4 stars is a little over the top; it should be more like 3.8 stars; I definitely see myself upping my rating as they get situated!-COLLAPSE (by foodieuws, updated November 3, 2009)