San Pietro - Midtown Manhattan

I am asked over and over again what my favorite restaurant is in New York City and it is difficult to think of a more impossible question to answer. Midtown is God's gift to foodies, and there are literally dozens of restaurants that I would consider "my favorite", and there are hundreds that are simply outstanding. But to the extent that some people have gotten me to answer, "what is your favorite all-around dining experience?", I often do say San Pietro, depending on the mood I am in. San Pietro is located on 54th Street off of Madison Avenue, and it is very much a "power lunch" and yet also a "power dinner" type of place. Wall Street CEO's and New York power players fill the seats each and every weekday, and I do not mean the "B" team - I mean the major powers that be in the greatest city on earth. San Pietro would not be the #1 choice for those looking for elegant ambiance surrounded by elite members of society (The Four Seasons takes that award, and that review is forthcoming). It is not the most scenic place (though I could sit on that patio on a sunny afternoon and soak in the energy of Manhattan any day). What it is, though, is an elegant, delicious, authentic, and positively wonderful dining experience. I would rather not make a trip to the city than make one without a visit to San Pietro (whether it be lunch or dinner). I kid you not - it is that delightful.One of my favorite lunch entrees is the Neapolitan Rigatoni with lamb, veal, and beef. The perfect amount of basil, an impeccable pasta texture, and a blend of meat flavors that makes your mouth water.I recently enjoyed the pheasant stuffed with sausage over broccoli rob (a daily special on that day's visit). I heartily recommend ordering one of the daily specials, though it will take 10 minutes for the waiter to share all the specials with you, and it will take 20 minutes for you to ask them to repeat everything you did not understand (unless you also have the strongest Italian accent I have ever heard amongst extremely broken English).It would not make sense to skip a starter portion, and I can think of nothing more than a perfectly seasoned Octopus plate. The menu is filled with pasta dishes, meat dishes, fish dishes, and all-around flavors that rival any restaurant I have been to in the city. The energy is electric. The service is memorable. And the experience is simply to be treasured. San Pietro gets the highest ranking I can give.