Area friends had suggested Rafele, a locale place featuring the cuisine of Naples from Raffaele Ronca (who won a competition on Food Network’s Chopped) and his friend Romeo Palmisano. I hadn’t been until recently, but I will go back.

While waiting for our food, we nibbled the delicious housemade caponata with eggplant, olives, capers, peppers, pickled onions and fresh cranberry with bread.

To started, we shared their tender grilled prawn ($15), with two giant prawns arranged on a refreshing lightly dressed in lemon and EVOO arugula and butter lettuce salad.

A special of the night – housemade and baked cacio e pepe papillote — cooked in parchment ($19)  and tossed into the oven at the last minute so the cheese really melts. It was so rich, so decadent that two of us had a hard time finishing it.

Rafele
West Village
29 Seventh Avenue South
New York, NY
(212) 242-1999
Ristorante Rafele Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato