When I was in New York last summer, I stumbled upon Po, a tiny Italian restaurant in Cornelia Street. It was so refreshing to come across a place that served simple, well-cooked food without any pretension. The restaurant’s success is largely due to Frane Lucin, who is the chef and manager and has a tremendous sense of humour. Some of his best dishes include gnocchi with smoked mozzarella and tomato, and a wicked ricotta cheese cake with Vermont maple syrup. I returned to Po last week and I have decided that it will now always be a fixture on my trips to the city.
Po 31 Cornelia Street, between Bleeker and W 4th Sts, Greenwich Village, New York. Tel: (001) 212 645 2189.