La Bottega

(photo courtesy of Winette's camera phone)

It was a sunny spring day and Winette and I wanted to take the opportunity to eat al fresco and sans car fumes. She suggested the Maritime Hotel's La Bottega and I was all for it.

We showed up after a stressful day on the job, and were startled when the hostess at the top of the staircase leading up from the street told us we would be seated momentarily. It was a busy Friday night and I was stunned. Her "momentarily" was only seconds as she turned away and turned right back with menus and lead us to a tiny two-top in the center of the outdoor terrace. The word terrace doesn't really do the space at La Bottega justice. When I think of terrace in most New York City restaurants, I think of a fenced in 10x10ft section behind a restaurant, off a back alley. This is far from the case at La Bottega. The hotel sits behind the massive space and the front looks directly onto Ninth Avenue. The terrace is divided into two sections, one where you can order drinks and pizza; and the other where you can order the full menu. Whenever I pass the Maritime Hotel I can't help but look up with dreamy eyes, to see the large white globular lanterns dangling above the blue and white umbrellas. It makes me nostalgic for a trip my family once took to Santa Margherita Ligure along the Italian Riviera.

Winette and I couldn't believe how easy it was to sneak in to this hot spot and get a table. Our excited giddiness was short-lived, however. It was marred by the Britney Spears-esque girl that waited on us. I didn't mind she resembled the pop starlet, but I did mind that it took her forever to come over to our table, and not just the first time, but every time thereafter. Winette and I got our first glasses of wine, and we debated ordering the next round right then and there.

Winette is my favorite vegetarian and when I eat with her I try to mimic her, so we ordered a simple pizza margherita. It took so long to come out you'd think Britney flew to Italy to get it. We waited, and we waited patiently, and she kept saying it was on its way. What I didn't understand was how the table sitting next to us got their pizza when they were seated after us. Oh well, that's the story of my life. At least the pizza was hot when it came out. The pizza was just the right balance of sauce and cheese. And the thin crust was well-cooked and not soggy from too much cheese (one of my peeves).

I think every New Yorker should go to La Bottega. And when it's sunny I will be going back. It is hands down one of the most beautiful places to sit and relax with friends. I suggest not going starving like we were, however. Or, like us, you'll be be casting death wishes on every waiter who walks out with food that's not yours.

La Bottega at The Maritime Hotel
88 9th Ave, between 15th and 16th St.
212-243-8400