Macosa Trattoria — Restaurant in New York

I got to-go from here about a month ago and it was good enough to come back and dine-in. I live in Manhattan but have friends on Tompkins Ave but even if I didnt Macosa alone is worth the trip! It was good to-go but way better in person! The old wood and great art made for wonderful ambiance. The apps of which we ordered several were crispy, creamy and delicious. The fritto misto had a deep, flavorful crunch and was wonderfully tender inside. The zippy calabrian chili dipping sauce set it off perfectly. Fresh burrata served over thick artisan toast with blistered baby bells and italian style salsa verde, not only looked divine but tasted even better. I eat a lot so I ordered two entrees. Homemade duck and ricotta raviolis finished with fresh herbs in a perfectly acidic and buttery sauce, were great. With lots of stuffing and tender homeade pasta I would order them again. But for me during a night of wins the big time score was the Guanciale a Manzo. Braised pork served with thick style bread in a salty and unctuous gravy was like the best braised short rib I've ever had but with even more flavor!! Truly gorgeous. I had a couple italian craft beers you wont find anywhere else, except maybe Rome and they were very tasty. Needless to say I was too full and satisfied to have desert so i ordered a tiramisu to-go and just had it. Surprise surprise, it was delicious. Creamier than others I've had and perfectly soaked I will be having it again. Sal our waiter was knowledgeable and friendly and a great compliment to the even better food. This place is a gem and when you're ready to bust out of your covid-induced shell this should be your go-to. Next time we will be dining on their outdoor...

Small neighborhood gem with Michelien star worthy Italian food! Having eaten my way through Italy in places like Tuscany, Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast & Sardinia, I am always up for a good authentic Italian meal. Some places get pretty close to my spoiled standard of Italian but Macosa Trattoria really hit the mark for me.

For starters, we had the marinated castelveltrano olives and fried artichokes.The olives were perfectly marinated with a hint of citrus flavor, not salty and not bitter but fresh and flavorful. The fried artichokes came with 4 florets fried with an extra crispy tip mixed in a lemon, parsley and mint salad. The plate seemed small but the portions were surprisingly just enough.

For dinner, we shared the oxtail pappardelle and fritto misto. The pasta was fresh and the flavors in the oxtail sauce was incredible. We considered ordering a other plate but glad we didn’t cause as I mentioned earlier the plates seemed small but were surprisingly just enough. The fritto misto arrived last and included pulpo, calamari, a small fish filleted with the head and some shrimp also with the head fried. The seafood incredibly fresh and the heads fried to perfection. We ate every bit of it.

For dessert, we had the tiramisu and olive cake. Best tiramisu I’ve had in a while. It was perfect in every way. The olive cake was also amazing. It was topped with candied lemons and a bit of flaky salt giving it a lovely balance of sweat and salty which I am typically not a huge fan of but this one was incredible.

Highly recommended and worth the travel. Reservations available in Resy through Amex Global...

We visited Macosa Trattoria based on my sister's recommendation--she's a regular and loves the place. So while we were in Brooklyn, we decided to check it out for dinner.

The restaurant is cozy and intimate, with limited space. We were seated right up front at a four-top, and the staff kindly added a chair for our party of five. Our drink orders were taken right away, and we started with a few appetizers: burrata, some bread with olive oil and balsamic, and a few extra pieces of bread for the table. Everything came out fairly quickly, including the drinks.

For entrees, two people ordered the oxtail ragu, one had the oxtail entrée, and my son went with a penne dish that was the closest thing to buttered pasta--a solid choice for a kid. I skipped a main and grazed off the apps and sampled bites from everyone else's plates. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals. I especially liked my espresso martini, and the burrata was a standout.

Just a heads-up: portions are definitely on the smaller side--not your typical hefty American-style servings you'd find at a chain restaurant. Service was friendly and efficient, and the atmosphere was nice.

Overall, I thought the food was good, but the menu felt a bit limited. If I lived in the neighborhood, I could see this being a regular go-to spot. But as a visitor, I think I'd want to explore more options before...