Raf's, The Smart New Restaurant Downtown So Desperately Needed

A penchant for pomp and circumstance certainly isn't hard to find at New York's newest slew of "It" restaurants - Bad Roman, Torrisi, the P.F. Changs on University Place (kidding, kind of). The trend of the day seemingly try-hard-flash.

And thus Raf's, a new venture from the team behind Michelin-starred favorite The Musket Room, could not be a more welcome palette cleanser.

You'd swear that the restaurant-bakery hybrid has been there for ages, fully settled and worn in. Perched above Houston on Elizabeth Street, the ‘Italian & French’ concept brings new life into its century-old space, once home to the storied Parisi Bakery. 

A window brimming with freshly baked breads welcomes you in off the street. A grand bar begs you to stop, enjoy an espresso, a pastry, or a night of cocktail conversation. A warm-hued dining room hung with antique mirrors that play upon the sky-muraled ceiling, and a walk-in kitchen that breathes a delicious heat into the whole of the space completes the spot's seduction.

Eventually Raf's will serve both breakfast and lunch, though for the next little bit diners will just have to settle for one of the more impressive dinner menus currently on view downtown.

The Escargot with whipped lardo and herbs, the Spaghetti withtuna bottarga and Calabrin chilies, the Half Chicken with pan bread, fennel and salsa verde, and the Leeks Vinaigrette with stracciatella and hazelnuts all sing off the plate as standouts.

[Photos by Gentl & Hyers]