The restaurant bills itself as the “romantic Italian restaurant in the East Village since 1986,” but that leaves out a couple of things—the freshest seafood, huge portions, really low prices. The place feels like a throwback to another time, when every New York neighborhood had a joint around the corner to call its own—nothing pretentious, nothing fancy, but with beautifully plated food (a single preboned fish on a plate with lemon becomes a minor work of art here) and just enough “decor” (a statue here, some candles there) to make you feel you’re really going out for dinner. Scampi, sea bass, tuna and the lovely-to-behold whole fish of the day cover all the seafood bases, as do many of the pastas—seafood lasagna or fettuccine, linguine with clams, and more. Those who don’t like pesce (and we can only pity you), can try plenty of other pastas (including a vegetarian one), plus chicken marsala and a big-old (16 oz.) top loin shell steak. Just for the record, we love the neon sign outside, with the fish hanging by its tail—a hint that the restaurant not only dotes on frutti di mare but is a tad more East Village–design savvy than it lets on.

Pumpkin ravioli with house-made pesto
Seafood lasagna (shrimps, scallop and crabmeat)
Linguine with clams, white wine sauce
Whole fish of the day
view full menu here

Corner seats along the leather banquette are nice indeed, especially if you’re on a date. And you’ll want spring to arrive even earlier this year so you can sit on the delightful pergola-covered patio in back (or at outside tables in front).

Don’t feel like cooking this Thanksgiving? For $30 a head, you can have a three-course dinner at Cucina di Pesce, with an entrée choice of braised short ribs, seafood ravioli (in vodka cream and marinara sauce) or roasted turkey breast (of course). Add $15 for unlimited beer and wine for up to two hours.

dinner: Mon.–Thurs. 3 PM–11 PM;
Fri.–Sat. 3 PM–12 midnight; Sun. 4 PM–11 PM
brunch: Sun. 11 AM–4 PM
happy hour: Mon.–Sun. 4:30 PM–7:30 PM

$10 (penne pomodoro) to $19 (whole fish of the day);
$19.95 three-course prix fixe, Sun.–Wed. only