The buzz: This six-week-old Italian spot with a communal dining concept is a joint venture between chef Carlo Marengoni and The Bonta Group.

The vibe: The clay tile floors, warm lighting and simple wood furnishings transport you to the home of an Italian Mama, while upbeat and folksy music tracks add to the effect.

The food: Comforting family favorites from chef Marengoni’s hometown Bergamo in Lombardy, including pillowy veal ravioli stuffed with bacon and sage ($20), sausage and spinach pappardelle ($20) and oven-baked sea bass with caramelized leeks ($29). Desserts are equally rustic, with options like grandmother’s cake ($10) and homemade tiramisu ($10). At lunch, they also do value-for-money two-course sets ($18).

The drinks: Trattoria Gallo D'Oro's list of more than 50 Italian wines (from $55/bottle) includes five by-the-glass options (from $10) and a selection of pricier wines such as the 2007 Merenda Del Corvi Barbera (from $145/bottle).

Why you’ll be back: When you have a group of ravenous souls, this is a great go-to for affordable, belly-warming Italian food.