Granted this Mediterranean/Italian joint isn’t the easiest place to get to, but it’s well worth a stroll down to Avenue B to chow on some reasonably inexpensive, tasty grub. Despite the fact you may end up sitting in your neighbor’s lap, the restaurant’s space is pleasant (if not cramped), and the decibel level makes it always seem like a party. As with a lot of these little, out-of-the-way restaurants, the annoying tourist/B&T crowd is nowhere to be seen, and you and your date can enjoy yelling over the din in peace. Oh, the desserts are not to be missed. Funny story: when first going there, we thought the name of the place was La Vagna. All night we kept looking at the name and laughing, thinking how much fun we could have by penciling in an innocent “i” between the “g” and “n” on the front of one of the menus. Okay, it’s not funny, just amusing. [MF]
545 E 5th St.
212/979-1005
lavagnanyc.com