The Couch Sessions

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Photo from bedfordandbowery.com[/caption]

I am infuriated with myself for not stopping by San Marzano on 2^nd Avenue sooner. Well, actually, that’s not entirely true because I did go once to share a pitcher of sangria for $15 but didn’t have any food and therefore didn’t realize how amazing it was. Let me explain…

San Marzano is a beautiful restaurant on the corner of 7^th and 2^nd Ave. There are huge windows that are mostly open in the summer and there’s always a sign outside that promotes their $15 pitchers of sangria. Maybe that was what made me a little skeptical—why would they need a sign outside to get people in? But I was most certainly wrong about this place and maybe it’s just not common knowledge or maybe I’m just late to the party, but either way I am so happy I dropped by for dinner last night.

Nothing on their menu is over $9—nothing! They make the pasta fresh in house and have a nice selection of panini and appetizers as well. There were two really good salad options and here is the best part: draft beers are $4, wines range from $6 to $7/glass and bottles are no more than $27. This is unheard of! And it’s not only until 6pm or only on Monday nights. This is all the time! Needless to say, I’m in heaven here.

The vibe at 7:30 on a Thursday night was a bit loud. But we also blame that on one loud table in the corner, not on the group as a whole. I will most definitely be coming back here many more times, but would try for their non-peak hours if you want to have a conversation with the person you’re eating with. I guess the cheap prices do entice large groups to come, which I can’t blame them for and can’t say for certain in the future I might not be one of them.

We started with the burrata ($7!) because everyone knows how I feel about burrata. It was incredible. It came with two pieces of prosciutto and a few drops of balsamic and this is exactly what I want on my burrata. Nothing too fancy, nothing too out there, just cheese and meat. Done and done. I had a giant burger from PJ Clarke’s for lunch so I made the beet, goat cheese and arugula salad my entrée and it was perfectly satisfying. Next time I’ll definitely be trying out the homemade pasta or a panini but all in all this was a huge success. In a city where nothing comes cheap, I am so happy to have found a local spot I can come to again and again.

San Marzano

117 2^nd Avenue

New York, NY 10003