[Photo: Kathy YL Chan]

Every spring, the Sweet Pea Pappardelle ($16) resurfaces on the menu at Po. It's simple, and absolutely beautiful, house-made pasta tossed in a fresh pea puree, mint leaves, and Parmigiano, just enough to leave you wanting more. Tiny bits of red onions flecked into the puree, whole sweet peas, and black pepper to top. The pappardelle is tender to the touch, the wide, flat ribbons a ideal companion for the pea puree: thick, creamy, so honestly pea, and little else.

As as always, meals here, even lunch, starts with Po's signature White Bean Bruschetta: first one on the house, $2 for each additional. This is one of my favorite West Village restaurants for dinner, but I might love it even more during lunch. On a recent Friday, I was the sole diner in the otherwise empty restaurant. I got my first pick of tables: that two top in the nook to the right when you enter Po. Service? Never fails to be anything less than considerate and efficient, top notch.

Note: Po is only open for lunch Wednesday to Sunday, so plan accordingly.

Po Restaurant

31 Cornelia Street, New York NY 10014 (map)
212-645-2189
porestaurant.com