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About a block from the Metropolitan Museum and occupying two floors of a townhouse, Caffe Grazie offers crowd-pleasing Italian food by chef/owner Jennifer Mandell. Orange walls are punctuated by steel-rimmed circular mirrors that suggest portholes, and seating is on red fabric-backed and leather banquettes, and bentwood chairs around beige wood tables. The menu embraces the cuisine’s Northern and Southern styles, though some American dishes—like Maryland crab cakes—make an appearance. The brunch menu has an extensive selection of omelets; lunch adds elaborate entrée salads. Homemade gnocchi are suitably delicate dumplings served in a zesty tomato sauce, enhanced with basil for fragrance and mozzarella for richness. Veal Roma, a signature dish, is a thin cutlet encrusted with aged Parmesan cheese and topped with a tangy lemon caper sauce. Before or after the rigors of visiting the Met, Caffe Grazie provides friendly fortification. — Michael Anstendig

Sat.–Sun., 11:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

Mushroom and sausage pizza, $16; homemade gnocchi pomodoro, $19; veal Roma, $28