One of the joys of zipping along the Autostrada in Italy is stopping for a double espresso, a panino or maybe a slice at the Autogrill chain, the ubiquitous “rest stops” that seem more like Del Posto when compared with the Jersey Turnpike variety. Farinella, a fun little “Italian Bakery Pizza & Panini” joint near City Hall, is Autogrill in spirit if not in size (four tables, four stools) or in decor (clean and modern). But the thrill is the same, whether you order a 10-piece section from one of the four-foot-long pizzas (like Margherita, Siciliana, prosciutto, or capricciosa); a Napoletano calzone, or maybe the Ercole panino, with prosciutto and mozzarella, or the Dioniso, with speck and Asiago. If it’s breakfast time, you might consider a cappuccino backed up by warm croquettes—panzerotti—with Parmesan, Pecorino and homemade bread crumbs, surprisingly light and much tastier than an English muffin. Farinella is open until 9:30 PM, so you can pull over for a bite at any time.

Pizza capricciosa (artichokes, mushrooms, mozzarella)
Calzone Napoletano (ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, tomato sauce, smoked ham, salame)
Panino Dioniso (speck, Asiago, greens)
Panzerotti, mini calzones, arancini and mini focaccia
view full menu here

No difference at all. Just choose a table or the counter.

The Upper East Side location (1132 Lexington Ave. between 78th Street and 79th Street) just opened, on October 25.

Mon.–Sat. 11 AM–9:30 PM
closed Sunday

$1.50 (panzerotto) to $15–$28 (two-foot half “palam” of pizza)