Bellavitae   

24 Minetta Ln
New York, NY 10012
212-473-5121
www.bellavitae.com

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Bellavitae has a simple mantra: "The secrets to great Italian food are a well-stocked pantry, seasonal produce and simple execution." While many chefs believe this is the open secret to most great food, the folks at Bellavitae have a reason to call attention to their ingredients: the pastas, olive oils, and artisanal cheeses (to name a few) all come from the owner's importing business, which counts top chefs as clients. Earthy in its feel (wooden floors, wine bottles lining the exposed brick wall), Bellavitae is also casual in its manner. The menu is nothing but small plates -- Italian food riffing off of the Spanish tapas tradition. Some of the heartier dishes to share are the roasted chicken in a red-pesto sauce, olive pate with egg and anchovy crostini, fritto misto and flavorful baked figs wrapped in pancetta. A word of warning: Small plates translate to small portions, and even the Italian standby of fresh bread and olive oil at the start of the meal has to be ordered off the menu.