So it goes, “the bigger the buzz ,the bigger the let down.” This is far too often the case, especially when it comes to highly anticipated New York City restaurant openings, but I am THRILLED to report that this is not the case at Bar Primi; NoHo’s newest hotspot. I went to Bar Primi for lunch this week, newly opened by Andrew Carmellini and his team at The NoHo Group, and couldn’t have had a better expereince. Everything from the decor to the food is exceptional, and I am happy to add Bar Primi to my list of neighborhood go-to restaurants…
Upon hearing that my beloved Peels was going to be turned into a pasta shop, I was a bit concerned. Gluten free diners typically have to avoid pasta and other heavy Italian specialties, and unless there is an extensive list of seafood and poultry options, Italian menus can be quite limiting. No need to worry at Bar Primi! Not only does Bar Primi serve gluten free pasta, but the larger menu of antipasti and meats is VERY nobread friendly, and the kitchen is happy to accommodate any order to your liking. To start, I highly recommend the arugula salad, prosciutto with figs, and seafood antipasto with potatoes and red hots. This antipasto dish, comprised of octopus and shrimp, is deliciously flavorful and tender. As I mentioned, Bar Primi has a gluten free noodle option, and my server explained that more varieties are in the works. All pastas can be recreated with this gluten free noodle except for pasta dishes using stuffed noodles. If you are in the mood for something lighter, the lunch menu offers a fish of the day. Bronzino was the fish special during my visit and it was incredible. Light, flavorful, and cooked perfectly; I could have had two. For dinner, a different special is offered each day of the week and adds even more variety to the menu.
There is noting I appreciate more then when a highly anticipated restaurant turns out to be THIS good! Dishes are small and meant to be shared so don’t worry about over-ordering. And if you do over-order, the food is so good it won’t go to waste. Gluten free pasta, delicious antipasti, a nobread knowledgable waitstaff, and prime real estate; well done NoHo Group and congrats on your new, A+ restaurant!