For Ginger Ristorante, just a short distance from Rockefeller Center, the first year is only the beginning. And I certainly hope there are many more anniversaries to come.
I met one of my closest friends on a sunny Wednesday afternoon after our third day of business school. We happened to meet at the same after-school party, one neither of us knew much about, and within a few short hours, we became friends. After a few more weeks, good friends. And after another few months, best friends. He’s not from around here. For him, New York was a dream he waited 27 years to move to, and since he arrived, he’s become nearly identical to a true New Yorker. Unsurprising, considering the amount of time he spends with me. We’ve explored street after street in NYC, uncovering hidden gems we can no longer remember the names of, as well as famous hype spots we laugh about having waited in line for. While some mainstays have stood the test of time, he got to see firsthand the cruel nature of NYC’s ever-changing landscape. The closing of our favorite after-school spot being a notable one.
There’s a reason Sinatra crooned that if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere, because New York is not for the faint of heart, especially when it comes to the restaurant industry. Ginger Ristorante, which opened near Rockefeller Center in October 2025, is no stranger to the restaurant business. Founded by Roman restaurateurs Dario Asara and Corinna Bassetti Josi, Ginger’s New York location represents the couple’s first American venture, following three established restaurants in Rome. With a philosophy centered on seasonal, sustainable, and predominantly organic ingredients, Ginger brings a contemporary approach to Roman cuisine to the heart of Midtown.
It was my pleasure to celebrate their one-year anniversary with them and get a peek at their fall menu.
The occasion brought together more than twenty writers for a communal dinner, a fitting way to celebrate a restaurant whose roots lie in the Italian tradition of gathering around the table. And what better way to begin an Italian celebration than with pizza?
The first selections were anything but conventional. One arrived in a striking shade of green, bringing together the earthy flavors of mushroom with pesto and avocado. The Nerano leaned into zucchini, accompanied by a rich Parmigiano fondue and crispy Parmesan chips. It was a lovely combination of familiar ingredients brought together in a rather playful fashion. A pumpkin-based pizza followed, incorporating guanciale for a salty contrast to the sweetness of the seasonal vegetable. It was an appropriately autumnal offering and one that demonstrated Ginger’s willingness to play with traditional Italian flavors.
Photo by the Knockturnal
The appetizers followed, beginning with supplì: crispy rice and tomato balls filled with mozzarella. Honestly, read that previous line again slowly and think: what’s not to like? It’s the sort of Italian comfort food that hardly needs reinventing, and Ginger’s rendition was a welcome addition to the table. The fritto misto was another familiar pleasure, combining crispy calamari and shrimp with a creamy dipping sauce. The sauce had a brightness to it that I found particularly enjoyable, complementing the seafood without overwhelming it. Fried calamari is hardly a novel offering, but always a welcome one in my book, especially if I’m ordering. A bit sized eggplant Parmigiana rounded out the appetizers, bringing together fried eggplant, tomato, mozzarella, and burrata fondue. It was a solid rendition of another Italian classic; however, given my strong aversion to all things of the aubergine persuasion, this is a glowing remark on my part.
Among the evening’s heartier offerings, the salmon was a particularly pleasant surprise. Perfectly cooked, the fish was accompanied by beetroot, arugula, walnuts, and crème fraîche. The combination worked beautifully, with the earthiness of the beets and the creaminess of the accompaniment providing a lovely contrast to the almost buttery salmon. It was a reminder that sometimes the most satisfying dishes are those that allow their individual ingredients to speak for themselves in a symphony of sensationally subtle flavors.
Photo by the Knockturnal
And finally, dessert. Ginger’s tiramisù was a delightful conclusion to the evening, wonderfully light and creamy without feeling overly indulgent. It’s a dessert I’ve enjoyed countless times, but there’s something particularly satisfying about a rendition that leaves you wanting another spoonful. Ginger’s certainly did.
Photo by the Knockturnal
A year may not seem like much in the grand scheme of things, but New York is not just any city. That friend from business school and I have been friends for just about five years now, but it feels like I’ve known him my entire life. And now that he’s leaving the city, I’m reminded of what it’s like to lose one of your favorite spots in New York. However, that’s just the nature of New York. Like time itself, it has nowhere to go but forward. The places change. The people come and go. It’s a veritable Ship of Theseus in real time, where, if you blink, you’ll miss the metamorphosis of this city that always has someplace to be.
Despite that, Ginger has carved its way into the New York landscape and found its place. After spending an evening with them, I can see why. For Ginger Ristorante, the first year is only the beginning, and I certainly hope there are many more anniversaries to come.
