Da Toscano: Your Destination for the Best Italian Meal in New York City.
By Michelle Infante McNiff
JUN 06, 2026
Tucked inside the Iroquois Hotel, da Toscano offers a tranquil culinary escape from the Midtown hustle and bustle.
The restaurant is imbued with refined Italian charm, which weaves into the atmosphere of the historic boutique hotel, striking a rare and perfect balance -- the soul of a cozy Italian trattoria with a polished New York style dining experience.
Owners Chef Michael and Caitlin Toscano are veterans of the NYC dining scene -- Caitlin's resume includes Per Se, Del Posto, Craft, and Manzo -- and their restaurant reflects that culinary pedigree in every bite. Da Toscano relocated from its beloved Greenwich Village location on Minetta Lane to the Iroquois Hotel in Midtown in early 2026, bringing its classic Italian dishes, homemade pastas, and seasonal ingredients to Midtown. Nothing was lost in the move.
Da Toscano is dimly lit and intimate, exactly as an Italian restaurant should be -- warm ambiance, inviting decor, the kind of place that puts you at ease the minute you sit down.
The craft bar anchors the room, a libation oasis serving craft cocktails with finesse and flair.
Before you even look at the food menu, order a Negroni.
Da Toscano's version: Bimini gin, St. Agrestis Inferno Bitter, and Carpano Antica Vermouth. It is balanced, complex, and satisfying -- it set the tone perfectly for everything that followed.
Meghan, our hostess, from the very first moment was warm, attentive, genuinely gracious, the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like a welcomed guest rather than a reservation number at a table. Will at the bar and Zeke, our server, were friendly, knowledgeable, efficient, and genuinely committed to making the entire dinner memorable. In a city where service can so often feel rushed and transactional, this felt refreshingly genuine.
Menu Standouts
PBJ Bombolone reimagines a nostalgic lunchbox staple with the luxury of foie gras, the kitchen crafts a bite that is simultaneously whimsical and profoundly sophisticated. It is an essential, must-order opening act.
Octopus Carpaccio melts in the mouth -- silky, delicate, perfectly plated.
Braised Artichokes, highly recommended by our server, were tender, cheesy, and soul-warming -- the kind of appetizer you will find yourself thinking about days later.
Tortellini -- served with honey, olive oil, and cheese -- was a fun sharable plate. Dipping pasta felt playful and indulgent all at once.
Orecchiette is a favorite pasta, a signature of the kitchen -- bold, layered in flavor, the kind of dish that reminds you why regional Italian cooking delivers.
Pappardelle with Duck Ragù is magnificent -- large, tender sheets of pasta draped in a rich, slow-braised duck sauce that is pure comfort in a bowl.
Rosemary Focaccia arrived warm, fragrant, and utterly delicious. We ate every last piece of bread, scooping the bread into the sauce left on our plate.
Da Toscana has the juicy STEAKS cooked to absolute perfection -- not a degree over or under, beautifully seared and rested.
We enjoyed every single bite. There wasn't a single misstep throughout the entire evening.
The curated wine list is impressive -- with depth and range that rewards exploration. (We ordered a second bottle!) That, perhaps more than anything, is the highest compliment a wine list can receive.
And the experience does not end at dinner. Da Toscano also serves a full breakfast and lunch in the Iroquois Hotel's stunning skylight dining room -- a beautiful way to start a New York morning or day, bathed in natural light with the same care and quality that shines with every meal there.
Worth the Detour: The Verdict (facebook page)
Da Toscano is, without question, one of the best Italian restaurants in New York City. Italian cuisine crafted with skill and soul, conceived by a husband-and-wife duo who have earned their place at the top of the city's dining scene, and served by employees who genuinely love what they do, inside one of Midtown's most beautiful and storied hotel dining rooms. Given the caliber of the dining experience, I wouldn't be surprised to see a Michelin recommendation--or perhaps even a star--in their near future.
Reservations are recommended -- the dining room is intimate, and once you see it, you will understand why every table is coveted.
Don't forget to make a reservation, and say hello to Meghan, Will, and Zeke.
Da Toscano at The Iroquois Hotel 49 West 44th Street, Midtown Manhattan
datoscano.com read more