1. Maremma
228 W. 10th St., nr. Bleecker St.; 212-645-0200
Inexplicably delicate lamb meatballs served as antipasti.
2. Frankies Spuntino 17 Clinton
17 Clinton St., nr. Stanton St.; 212-253-2303
The two Franks serve them two ways: in a righteous pool of red sauce or as a toothsome sandwich on Sullivan Street Bakery pizza bianca.
3. A Voce
41 Madison Ave., entrance on 26th St.; 212-545-8555
Some know Andrew Carmellini as a James Beard–awarded best chef; others know him for his duck meatballs.
4. Bocca Lupo
391 Henry St., at Warren St., Cobble Hill, Brooklyn; 718-243-2522
Veal-and-porcini meatballs in tomato sauce ladled over a soft slice of bread, like a neo-Italian-American take on that diner classic the hot open-faced sandwich.
5. ápizz
217 Eldridge St., nr. Stanton St.; 212-253-9199
Chef-owner John LaFemina wrote the book on the subject, literally—it’s titled A Man & His Meatballs.