Address: 152 W 51st Street

Tel: 212-582-1310

A rare find in the madness of Times Square, chef Marco Canora's Insieme attracts crowds of expense account bankers at lunchtime and well-heeled culture lovers at night. For everyone else the location is a bit off-putting, but Canora's lusty lasagna verde alla Bolognese is worth braving the crowds. Both the menu and the excellent wine list are divided into classic and traditional options; the fun is in sampling from each side. Start with the elk carpaccio with celeriac and pomegranate and the heartstopping fritto misto alla lucchese with lightly fried calves liver, sweetbreads, and veal tongue; for entrées, there's a wonderful riff on saltimbocca made with Mediterranean bass, savoy cabbage, and prosciutto. The tranquil if slightly bland oasis, done up in white and gray with silvery curtains of silk thread, is a stark contrast to the Theater District outside (entrées, $30–$36).