Classic Italian meets passion, authenticity and innovation at these noteworthy restaurants. Vetri has been called one of the best Italian restaurants in America, presenting simple, fresh, authentic Italian dishes in utterly unique. Chef Nate Appleman, brings gourmet savory and dessert pizzas to Pulino's from brunch to late night, and Porchetta's Sara Jenkins brings this Italian street-food to a tiny Lower East side store front, where "drop-dead-delicious" pork draws a steady stream of the hip and hungry.