New West Village I Sodi Location Gets 'Pick' By NYT Food Critic

WEST VILLAGE, NY — New doesn't always equal change.

And for West Village hit I Sodi, that is a good thing, according to the New York Time's longtime food editor.

The storied foodie Pete Wells took his appetite and reporter's pad to I Sodi's new, larger location on Bleecker Street — taking over the dearly departed French bistro, A.O.C. at 314 Bleecker St., near Grove Street — and found that, thankfully, I Sodi is still I Sodi.

"The new I Sodi takes pains to reassure customers that very little has changed except the address," Wells wrote, stating that even the table cloths and candles from the old, cramped eatery remains the same.

As far as the food goes, Wells gave high marks to some of Rita Sodi's classics but noted that while there could have been changes to the dishes, they were subtle and, "if they are real, are shifts in emphasis."

He praised the fried and raw artichoke, roasted rabbit wrapped in pancetta, grilled Cornish hen, pesto and a deeply layered artichoke lasagna.

But the cacio e pepe, he said, was "definitely soupier than I remembered"

Wells concluded the meal with what he called "paradigmatic, principled, uncluttered desserts."

Ultimately the new I Sodi was awarded two stars from the tough critic, as well as the honor of being a NYT Critic's Pick.

Add in EaterNY's return to I Sodi from July, where their top critic and writer, Robert Sietsema, wrote that "the food is still great — but more importantly, it is nearly the same," and you might find a compelling argument that new doesn't need to mean change.

To taste the difference for yourself, visit I Sodi's webste here.