New Eats: Frites 'n' Meats, Le Caprice, Piccola Cucina Focacceria

The Focaccia di Recco may be the next big sandwich. Equal parts quesadilla, panino and calzone, this Italian sandwich melts cheese in between thing layers of buttery focaccia bread. The new Piccola Cucina Focacceria in SoHo, the second restaurant from chef Sicilian chef Philip Guardione, attempts to make this sandwich an art form, with six different varieties. The traditional is filled with crescenza cheese, and other variations add prosciutto, pesto, and anchovies into the mix. All Focaccia di Recco are under $7.50, and are the most expensive item on the menu. Other classic Italian treats include bruschetta, pizza and arancini (balls of rice stuffed with mozzarella cheese, breaded and fried). It's nothing too complicated, but the beauty of Italian food is that it doesn't need to be. 120 Macdougal St, 212-677-7707

On a side note, the cozy original Piccola Cucina (184 Prince St.) has just reopened with a new look and new fall menu. To celebrate the reopening, they're pouring a free glass of prosecco at both lunch and dinner starting tonight until Sunday (November 8th).