With a myriad of options and activities, there are more than a few things that are easy to forget about as a New Yorker. If you don't live or work by it and it isn't the easiest place to get to, we tend to not visit it. For instance, Battery Park City at the tip of Manhattan. Unless you live there or work close to the Financial District and you are tired of traveling to Stone Street- where the rowdy financial workers gather for a vodka tonic- this neighborhood seems to be left unexplored. 

This time, we decided to step away from the populated places in the city and go for a casual dinner. There are many different kinds of diners out there. Many can't stand to leave their regular spot and try something new, while others can't wait to try the newest spot in town. Dinner at Inatteso Pizzabar Casano seemed like the right place that didn't drain our bank accounts or make us wait 30 minutes for a table because it is not the new hot spot.

Inatteso, which means "unexpected" in Italian, opened its doors in the winter of 2008. Owned by Frank Casano, part owner of Harry's Steakhouse, Ulysses and Adrienne's Pizzabar on Stone Street.

 The crowd that trickles in from the quiet streets surrounding this restaurant, tend to come from the financial mecca or tourists that are staying at the Ritz-Carlton, located right next door. According to our server, there are a lot of families with children that come in for an early dinner. Must be hard to work around the strollers, but this neighborhood is fit for families. We suggest if you want a quiet experience to dine a little later. The decor is modern and lustrous. It almost gives the impression that it is a casual fine dining restaurant and it looks as though it opened yesterday because everything seems as though it has not been touched. 

The bread hits the table quick. A little warning to those who are carb-counting, it is a dangerous basket served with olive paste as opposed to butter or oil. Good thinking Inatteso!

The wine list is extensive and for the average diner, there are not many affordable choices. You can still get a good quality wine for a decent price but your options are limited. Their brick oven pizza seals in the authentic taste of Italy, we suggest you try the Affumicata with ricotta cheese, smoked mozzarella, speck and artichokes.

For being a pizzabar, we thought the pasta really took the spotlight. The maltagliati, which is a misshaped tagliatelle, was divine. Wild mushrooms, fresh sausage, tomato with a drizzle of black truffle oil introduces subtle flavors to the palate that settle nicely. More into red sauces? The Rigatoni alla Norma, with pomodoro sauce, eggplant, fresh mozzarella and basil, is not only a great vegetarian option but it is something we suggest everyone to try. 

This restaurant is not glowing with innovation. Despite the meaning of their name, this place is everything you would expect a pizza bar to be.  The menu is pretty simple and the service is very relaxed yet attentive. Overall, you can have a decent meal with wine for $40, which is not bad considering all the ingredients are fresh and everything seems to have a "made in house" quality.