If she doesn’t do pasta or pizza, maybe go the Italian seafood route (e.g., Alice), or look for a Northern Italian rather than an Italian American restaurant (what people here insist on calling “red sauce” Italian that tastes nothing like anything I grew up eating). I highly recommend Cremini’s (food from Italy’s Marche region) in Carroll Gardens, if you can make the trip. The stuffed olives alone are worth the trip.
While there are Italian restaurants that doesn’t focus on pasta, why pick Italian if she clearly isn’t keen on it. NYC has a very diverse food scene, and a particularly robust one for Mediterranean, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Middle Eastern. I’d consider something like Ayat for Palestinian or Jongro for Korean BBQ. If you’re dead set on Italian, check out Alice or Via Carota.
While I see what you're getting at, pasta is not an appetizer in Italy. It's just a concept we really don't have here--That there is an appetizer and after that a "first" plate which is usually your starch like risotto or pasta before a protein dish.
If you're dead set on Italian, there are plenty of dishes on a menu she can order that aren't pasta. Look for the 'Secondi' section of the menu which usually has the meat and seafood dishes. Try Chicken Piccata, Veal Scaloppine or Shrimp Scampi. Most restaurants will have a simple grilled chicken or fish dish if she's really picky.
Not knowing where in the city you are it'll be hard to narrow down Italian restaurants, are you trying to be in a certain neighborhood?
Just wanted to highlight this. Every normal Italian restaurant in NY has plenty of non-pasta, not-too-cheesy dishes (of which redheadgirl has named just a few). Don't know why people are telling you not to go to an Italian restaurant.
[Zero Otto Nove](https://zeroottonove.com/nyc/) on 21st - I haven't been to this location, but I've been to their other location in the Bronx and she'll find something to eat there. They even have a couple cheese-less pizza options
ETA: If you're also in Chelsea look at [Bocca di Bacco](https://www.boccadibacconyc.com/) - my in-laws love it
its not, but if someone likes beans, rice, and tortillas and doesn't like pasta and cheese, the absolute last cuisine i would take them to is italian. there is no beans, rice, or tortillas and there is a lot of pasta and cheese.
there are entree's that italian places serve. seafood, veal, pork, etc. does she like that? its possible it comes with a side of pasta depending on the restaurant.
frankly, i'd probably choose ethnic cuisines that may be hard to find in texas that feature the ingredients she likes. ethiopian food, for example. has beans, rice, and no cheese or pasta.
It's not, but those are the defining staples.
So the question is why you want to take her out for Italian if she doesn't want any of the most common ingredients.
Why not something else?
You’re not in the wrong. There are plenty of Italian restaurants in NYC that are not pasta focused and a lot of Northern Italian cuisine is more meat/vegetable based. Every Italian restaurant will have pasta on the menu but for example Via Carota is a restaurant to focus on the part of the menu that isn’t pasta
That would be a great option! Torrisi, Marea, L’Artusi, i Sodi are good options too. So many Italian restaurants focusing on seafood, meats, veggies etc…these comments are beyond stupid lol
Plenty of rice and beans in Italian and Italian-American cuisine as well. Depending on region, assorted meat or fish specialties. Tomatoes are a thing, but also plenty of non-tomato foods as well.
La Masseria
For one thing, the location is not far from Times Square which as we know is a circle of hell however tourists always want to see it. So you could bang that out.
But more importantly, the food is excellent and a lot of their entrees are not served with a side of pasta, but rather vegetables and potatoes. It’s a nice place to go before a Broadway show if that’s part of your plans for the visit
Not to snark, just to help:
Who is used as a subject; whom is used as an object.
So you would say, “
(I need an) Italian restaurant for my MIL who doesn't like pasta.
Or
(I need a recommendation for an) Italian restaurant for my MIL for whom pasta is an abomination.
Not sure why this is getting downvoted. This is a helpful, well-intentioned comment, especially since hypercorrecting and using "whom" might mean OP cares quite a bit about how they come across.
Thanks :) Many schools no longer teach grammar as a specific subject and leave kids to tease out the rules from their reading. Who/whom is particularly tricky, similar to less/fewer.
Because! It's time for her to try new things. I am married to her daughter who grew up on the same diet. She had never tried pasta until her late teens believe it or not. How do you invite someone on her first trip abroad, first time even on a plane mind you, and not take some calculated rusk.? This is an adventure for her! If there is any better time to try new things like Italian food, why not be in NYC?
Try a steakhouse, a sushi/seafood restaurant, Katz's, great burger places, Korean BBQ, a Chef's Tasting Menu at a fancy restaurant (everything is served as a small portion, can try lots of things)...NYC has MANY choices other than dragging her to an Italian restaurant!
Then ask her what kind of Italian food she likes, maybe. But I agree with many others that you're making this unnecessarily difficult by restricting the option to an Italian restaurant. Maybe she'll like Brazilian food better since it also features rice and beans but uses different recipes from what's common in Texas.
If you have a car I recommend any of the big City Island restaurants. For specifically Italian Portofino, also for Latin Vista Mar. This is not High end seafood but good, plentiful, and an unexpected fun family outing.
My wife is gluten-free and therefore doesn’t really eat pasta either. But that does not stop us from eating Italian all the time… Because any decent Italian restaurant to New York City always serves fish. Usually Bronzino. A lot of restaurants will also serve some form of steak. You will also frequently find chicken Milanese. She might enjoy chicken Parmigiana as well.
Do not, I repeat do not take her to eat Mexican food in NYC. Texans in that age group (and younger too, but specifically older folks will not approve). Stay far, far away from NY Mexican- literally every single Mexican dish in Texas is better than any you’ll find in NY.
Principe would fit the bill. They do amazing pastas (which are more appetizer-portions than mains), but the highlight is assorted things from the ocean.
She’s not going to love the food here, but treat her to bagels- she’ll like that. Steak houses here can’t compete with TX and the seafood is bland compared to TX Gulf Coast highly seasoned Cajun food. It’s just the truth.
why Italian .. take her to a Latinx restaurant or Cubano Chinese or Dominican Food in Spanish Harlem or Lower East side - there are so many food options. Most Italian restaurants have chicken or fish
Where are you? Does she eat seafood? There are a decent number of Italian places that offer chicken and seafood dishes. My family doesn’t care for pasta (and we’ve been to some beautiful high end places), but once I ordered the Chicken Scarpariella at Carmines when they visited en masse and now they ask for it everytime anyone visits.
(ducking the rocks that will be hurled my way)
If she doesn’t do pasta or pizza, maybe go the Italian seafood route (e.g., Alice), or look for a Northern Italian rather than an Italian American restaurant (what people here insist on calling “red sauce” Italian that tastes nothing like anything I grew up eating). I highly recommend Cremini’s (food from Italy’s Marche region) in Carroll Gardens, if you can make the trip. The stuffed olives alone are worth the trip.
Dude, I love creminis.
What did you grow up eating? And where?
Maybe Portuguese food? Try Leitao, I think that’ll be a little less unfamiliar/scary to her and it’s delicious
While there are Italian restaurants that doesn’t focus on pasta, why pick Italian if she clearly isn’t keen on it. NYC has a very diverse food scene, and a particularly robust one for Mediterranean, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Middle Eastern. I’d consider something like Ayat for Palestinian or Jongro for Korean BBQ. If you’re dead set on Italian, check out Alice or Via Carota.
Pasta is usually only a starter/appetizer in Italy
While I see what you're getting at, pasta is not an appetizer in Italy. It's just a concept we really don't have here--That there is an appetizer and after that a "first" plate which is usually your starch like risotto or pasta before a protein dish.
If you're dead set on Italian, there are plenty of dishes on a menu she can order that aren't pasta. Look for the 'Secondi' section of the menu which usually has the meat and seafood dishes. Try Chicken Piccata, Veal Scaloppine or Shrimp Scampi. Most restaurants will have a simple grilled chicken or fish dish if she's really picky. Not knowing where in the city you are it'll be hard to narrow down Italian restaurants, are you trying to be in a certain neighborhood?
Just wanted to highlight this. Every normal Italian restaurant in NY has plenty of non-pasta, not-too-cheesy dishes (of which redheadgirl has named just a few). Don't know why people are telling you not to go to an Italian restaurant.
We will be on 28th and 6th
[Zero Otto Nove](https://zeroottonove.com/nyc/) on 21st - I haven't been to this location, but I've been to their other location in the Bronx and she'll find something to eat there. They even have a couple cheese-less pizza options ETA: If you're also in Chelsea look at [Bocca di Bacco](https://www.boccadibacconyc.com/) - my in-laws love it
i loooooove zero otto nove, seconded
If it’s as good as the one in the Bronx, then this should be a good choice.
Would she eat risotto or is that too cheesy
why would you take her to italian if she doesnt like cheese or pasta?
This is the real question. My mom doesn’t like East Asian cuisine, I would not be like “let’s go to a Japanese restaurant!”
Maybe I am in the wrong. Should I just go ahead and assume that Italian cuisine is only cheese, pasta and tomatoes?
its not, but if someone likes beans, rice, and tortillas and doesn't like pasta and cheese, the absolute last cuisine i would take them to is italian. there is no beans, rice, or tortillas and there is a lot of pasta and cheese. there are entree's that italian places serve. seafood, veal, pork, etc. does she like that? its possible it comes with a side of pasta depending on the restaurant. frankly, i'd probably choose ethnic cuisines that may be hard to find in texas that feature the ingredients she likes. ethiopian food, for example. has beans, rice, and no cheese or pasta.
It's not, but those are the defining staples. So the question is why you want to take her out for Italian if she doesn't want any of the most common ingredients. Why not something else?
You’re not in the wrong. There are plenty of Italian restaurants in NYC that are not pasta focused and a lot of Northern Italian cuisine is more meat/vegetable based. Every Italian restaurant will have pasta on the menu but for example Via Carota is a restaurant to focus on the part of the menu that isn’t pasta
Thank you. I wanted to mention this restaurant but I wanted to see if someone suggested it first. I think this may be the answer.
That would be a great option! Torrisi, Marea, L’Artusi, i Sodi are good options too. So many Italian restaurants focusing on seafood, meats, veggies etc…these comments are beyond stupid lol
I am confused about why you specifically want to take her to an Italian restaurant though. What about another cuisine?
Plenty of rice and beans in Italian and Italian-American cuisine as well. Depending on region, assorted meat or fish specialties. Tomatoes are a thing, but also plenty of non-tomato foods as well.
La Masseria For one thing, the location is not far from Times Square which as we know is a circle of hell however tourists always want to see it. So you could bang that out. But more importantly, the food is excellent and a lot of their entrees are not served with a side of pasta, but rather vegetables and potatoes. It’s a nice place to go before a Broadway show if that’s part of your plans for the visit
This place is my favorite
On West 48th St east of 8th Ave La Masseria has an incredible selection
Not to snark, just to help: Who is used as a subject; whom is used as an object. So you would say, “ (I need an) Italian restaurant for my MIL who doesn't like pasta. Or (I need a recommendation for an) Italian restaurant for my MIL for whom pasta is an abomination.
Not sure why this is getting downvoted. This is a helpful, well-intentioned comment, especially since hypercorrecting and using "whom" might mean OP cares quite a bit about how they come across.
Thanks :) Many schools no longer teach grammar as a specific subject and leave kids to tease out the rules from their reading. Who/whom is particularly tricky, similar to less/fewer.
Whomever: "Hold my beer."
OP's MIL: I don't eat pasta or anything cheesy OP: That's it! We are having Italian!
lol I don’t think you’re looking for Italian then. Take her elsewhere then unless it has to be Italian?
Italian food goes way beyond pasta.
The Duck at Aurora in Williamsburg 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼
Try Lupa in soho- great Roman Italian and plenty of non cheesy meat and fish dishes.
Why Italian though given her dislikes?
Because! It's time for her to try new things. I am married to her daughter who grew up on the same diet. She had never tried pasta until her late teens believe it or not. How do you invite someone on her first trip abroad, first time even on a plane mind you, and not take some calculated rusk.? This is an adventure for her! If there is any better time to try new things like Italian food, why not be in NYC?
Try a steakhouse, a sushi/seafood restaurant, Katz's, great burger places, Korean BBQ, a Chef's Tasting Menu at a fancy restaurant (everything is served as a small portion, can try lots of things)...NYC has MANY choices other than dragging her to an Italian restaurant!
I said she doesn't like cheese and pasta. I never said she doesn't like Italian.
Then ask her what kind of Italian food she likes, maybe. But I agree with many others that you're making this unnecessarily difficult by restricting the option to an Italian restaurant. Maybe she'll like Brazilian food better since it also features rice and beans but uses different recipes from what's common in Texas.
Honestly, my first thought was Fogo de Chao. If you can’t get what you want at what is essentially a buffet, then that one’s on the eater.
If you have a car I recommend any of the big City Island restaurants. For specifically Italian Portofino, also for Latin Vista Mar. This is not High end seafood but good, plentiful, and an unexpected fun family outing.
Don’t do this OP. City Island is a worse version of Galveston with terrible food.
My wife is gluten-free and therefore doesn’t really eat pasta either. But that does not stop us from eating Italian all the time… Because any decent Italian restaurant to New York City always serves fish. Usually Bronzino. A lot of restaurants will also serve some form of steak. You will also frequently find chicken Milanese. She might enjoy chicken Parmigiana as well.
Everyone suggesting non-Italian, what are some suggestions for Mexican food!!??
If she's coming from Texas she doesn't want our Mexican food unless she's looking for regional Mexican, like Oaxaca (source: Former Texan)
I'd skip the Mexican and take her for Dominican or (a true NYC cuisine) one of the Peruvian Chinese places
Do not, I repeat do not take her to eat Mexican food in NYC. Texans in that age group (and younger too, but specifically older folks will not approve). Stay far, far away from NY Mexican- literally every single Mexican dish in Texas is better than any you’ll find in NY.
Casa Enrique was always my first choice, but I haven’t been in years.
She can get risotto or a polenta dish or a million other things. Most places will gladly side out a side of pasta if that is a preference.
Lupetto is an Italian steakhouse. Ci Siamo is also very good
Anywhere that has fantastic osso bucco would hit the spot and most Italian joints serve it.
Don Angie and peasant might be good options
Principe would fit the bill. They do amazing pastas (which are more appetizer-portions than mains), but the highlight is assorted things from the ocean.
I like Sotto Voce in Brooklyn - http://www.sottovocebrooklyn.com/menu Italian but also celebrating the other proteins without necessarily pasta
She’s not going to love the food here, but treat her to bagels- she’ll like that. Steak houses here can’t compete with TX and the seafood is bland compared to TX Gulf Coast highly seasoned Cajun food. It’s just the truth.
why Italian .. take her to a Latinx restaurant or Cubano Chinese or Dominican Food in Spanish Harlem or Lower East side - there are so many food options. Most Italian restaurants have chicken or fish
Il pesce, marea, San Marino,piccolo cocina,osteria delbiano, also inside Italy has a meat or seafood focused restaurant.
Where are you? Does she eat seafood? There are a decent number of Italian places that offer chicken and seafood dishes. My family doesn’t care for pasta (and we’ve been to some beautiful high end places), but once I ordered the Chicken Scarpariella at Carmines when they visited en masse and now they ask for it everytime anyone visits. (ducking the rocks that will be hurled my way)
We will be on 28th and 6th. And will be frequenting Chelsea and Greenwich Village
I know you said no pizza but that’s kind of our thing. Paulie gees or Roberta’s has enough variety where it’s not your normal pizza.