Don Angie’s sister restaurants: also worth the hype?

Don Angie, known for their famous twirled lasagna and impossible-to-get reservations, recently opened two new Italian spots in NYC and we tried them so you don’t have to (or influence you to run and go.)

Bad Roman is a playful, modern Italian restaurant with an incredibly beautiful interior located inside Colombus Circle. We went in with big expectations but honestly was a bit let down. For the price, we considered the portions pretty small and the dishes simple. The pepperoni cups were just crispy pepperoni and the famous garlic babka had a beautiful crisp but lacked flavor. The savory highlights of the night were definitely the filet + cacio e pepe and the short rib pappardelle. They emphasized their 20-year-old balsamic that’s drizzled over their cappelletti dish but I don’t believe the price point is worth such subtle flavor. Their desserts, especially the lemon cheesecake, were mindblowing. Looks just like little lemons with a hard chocolate shell but filled with sweet cheesecake filling. This spot is worth a try if in the area, since the vibes are great and their cocktails are delicious, but I’d skip the “hyped” dishes and order what actually interests you.

San Sabino opened up earlier this year and they’re taking a refreshing approach to Italian flavors. Leaning a bit more seafood-focused compared to Don Angie, a must-get was their creamy lobster triangoli and thinly- sliced octopus carpaccio — literally mind-blowing, seafood so tender and packed with flavor. A meat dish that impressed me was their steak: fried and lightly crispy on the outside while tender and juicy on the inside. The pinenuts and anchovies were a great addition of flavor and texture so I highly recommend overordering and getting this to eat along with your pasta. You have to order the cheesy frittelle — imagine an empanada and ravioli had a baby, stuffed with lemony, ricotta cheesy goodness & drizzled in honey. I could eat 100 of these. Their cocktails are innovative, showcasing their takes on a garlic bread-flavored martini, a piña colada (with chia seeds inside??), and a variety of delicious mocktails. I wasn’t a huge fan of their desserts but I did enjoy the gelato Viennese for its texture, beautiful caramel sauce, and coffee flavor. Prices here are also pretty steep for smaller portions but I left overly satisfied with my experience filled with new flavors.