A return to Amali for a birthday celebration one Sunday midday. That day, we were the first guests to be seated in their outdoor space. Once we settled in, we removed many of our layers as the place was quite warm and toasty from their many heat sources.

After taking our drink order, our waiter brought us koulouria, those tasty sesame bread rings, along with a feta/butter spread.

I sipped their Old Fashioned ($16), one friend had the La Dolce Vita ($15) made with Bacardi, fig jam, sage, orange bitters and the birthday girl tried the Lovers & Liars ($16), their hot buttered toddy with peach brandy and saffron tea.

For our starter, we shared the Stracciatella ($18), a blend of the soft, fresh cheese best known as the delicious center of burrata with concord grapes and walnuts, seasoned with rosemary and served with sourdough crisp flatbread. We all thought the koulouria was a better accompaniment.

We each enjoyed our pasta course. One sampling the spaghetti alla chitarra ($26) with tomato confit, basil, stracciatella (the soft cheese) and pine nuts; the others the cavatelli ($29 ) served al dente with saffron flavored braised lamb and sprinkled with Pecorino.

Since we were celebrating, the birthday girl indulged in their chocolate ($14) Luxardo cherry dessert topped with Chantilly. Yum.

I highly recommend a visit to Amali. Just be forewarned, they currently add a 10 percent COVID surcharge.

Amali
Midtown
115 East 60th Street
New York, NY 10022
(212) 339-8363