It is refreshing to walk into the high-ceilinged, airy Acqua, a Northern Italian restaurant tucked away below the Brooklyn Bridge exit ramp. I never expected to find such an oasis of charm just one block away from touristy Seaport!
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Acqua makes daily its own pasta, mozzarella, pesto, bakes its own bread, and buys the freshest ingredients from local organic markets. Chef Ciro Santoro is passionate about his peppery Ligurian olive oil and his organic crusty bread. I ate so much of this bread today that I worried about finishing my entree. No matter, I inhaled the al dente fettucini with sweet cherry tomatoes, strips of fresh basil and melted chunks of mozzarella in a split second. (Other pastas on the menu include vegetable ravioli in walnut sauce, pappardelle al pesto and linguine with clams.) If you want something lighter, there are fantastic salads (my favorite is pear salad with gorgonzola), exquisite pizzas and a salad of Sicilian tuna and cannellini beans among others. (Of course, if you want something heavier, by all means order the moist chocolate mousse!) There have been so many times when I've unsuccessfully roamed the Seaport in search of something yummy. From now on, I'll head straight over to the corner of Peck Slip and Water Street!
Pros: Exceptionally high quality. Very reasonable prices.
Cons: Hard to find tables outside.
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