Founded in 1906 by Sebastiano Maioglio, Barbetta is now owned by his daughter, Laura Maioglio. Barbetta, nearing 100 years old, is the oldest restaurant in New York that is still owned by the family that founded it. Barbetta is also the oldest Italian restaurant in New York, and the oldest restaurant in New York's Theatre District.

This three-fold distinction makes this historic restaurant a landmark among New York restaurants. Its landmark status has been recognized by the prestigious and highly selective Locali Storici d'Italia, which has designated Barbetta a Locale Storico (Historic Establishment), the first restaurant in America to have been so named.

Creativity at Barbetta is the first priority. But Ms. Maioglio insists that creativity and innovation be within the Italian idiom. That, she believes, is the true challenge facing Italian cuisine today.

Specializing in the cuisine of Piemont, Laura Maioglio demands that every dish (new or old) must meet certain requirements: the flavor of the dish must be Italian, the dish must be true to the way food is prepared in Italy, if the dish is a known classic or traditional Italian dish, it must be the very best example of its kind, and if the dish is a totally new creation, its roots (to the cuisine or dish of a given Italian region) must be identifiable in its taste. And without a doubt, the restaurant lives up to these exacting demands.

Insider tip: Not to be missed is The Barbetta garden, one of New York's most romantic restaurant gardens, and a sought-after sites for summer dining.  Exuberantly verdant with century-old trees and flowering with the scented blooms of magnolia, wisteria, oleander, jasmine and gardenia, it is more the setting of a grand country estate than a city garden.