New York City's West Village is a predominately family-oriented area, but over the years the area has attracted a more aggressively ambitious mob; the young professional whose quest for high stature, success and wealth is the only agenda, (with a glass in hand of course). Whether or not this quest is actually going to happen is increasingly concerning, but year after year those bright eyes shutter at the sight of something different, something expensive and of course, something that is fresh and new.

Chef Gabriel Thompson knows this, and although the loved-Maremma is no longer, the new L'Artusi is expected to strip the paint and refresh the dive. Gabe Thompson and Joe Campanale are playing a new hand, one that does not keep with the overcrowded, obnoxiously loud crowds at their Dell'anima restaurant nor the annoyingly small space that Maremma patrons whined about.

The inside looks much like a large vault of a condo that costs a billion dollars, luckily you don’t have to pay for this—they do. With 110 seats, the quaint is no longer and instead a open meeting spot is born. Tall bar stands, booths, comfortable side seating an open concept kitchen. This may not seem that crazy, but then add in three food bars, one overlooking the kitchen, one surrounding the cheese and wine bar with shots to the upstairs private party room, and a bar that rests above the crudo station. I mean being able to see everyone who is anyone is the charm, and keep in mind another raw bar gone wrong joint, or sweaty, foul nook of a lounge just might end eating altogether, it has been a tough year.

West Village veterans will appreciate the expanded menu of homespun Italian classics like the dressed up Crudo with fennel, oil and campari or try the "little swimmer" alongside scallops dusted in sea salt and chives with sprits of the olive oil. Both dishes won't cost you more than $13, which again will entice the Village regulars.

Italian cuisine would become that of a distasteful memory if it wasn't for pasta. At L'Artusi Spaghetti and meatballs will probably be the real crowd clincher, with the Pizzocheri (sage, Fontana, Brussels sprouts) or the bread and butter of Italia—the Triple Bruschetta (the tuscan chickpeas will win you over if the cheese doesn't smother you hole).