Team Behind Don Angie Opens New NYC Italian Restaurant, Bad Roman

If you love NYC's popular Don Angie or other restaurants in the Quality Branded family like Zou Zou's and Quality Bistro, you'll want to check out the newest Italian eatery joining the fold: Bad Roman.

Self-described as modern, maximalist Italian, the new restaurant features playful takes on classic Italian cooking from around the world, according to a press release from the company. The contemporary restaurant is located in Columbus Circle, offering floor-to-ceiling views of Central Park and ceilings draped with greenery. A luxurious retro vibe sweeps the space, juxtaposing coffered wood against curving marble countertops, trompe l'oeil mosaics, locally blown glass lighting, and orange art-deco-style banquettes.

Though it may be tempting to go for the ambiance alone, it's the food that ultimately matters at Bad Roman. Here's a look at the new venue's food, desserts, and spirited cocktail list.

Despite its contemporary and playful take on Italian cuisine, Bad Roman's menu still retains hints of traditional Italian communal dining, including in its "For the Table" shared bites. As of opening day, three bites await table delivery: black truffle honey whipped ricotta, roasted garlic babka, and 'roni cups with ranch. A raw bar continues the introduction with starters, including a Hamachi (yellowtail) crudo with Sicilian pistachio and East Coast oysters dressed with cherry pepper mignonette.

Five salads remind diners that Italians take their greens seriously. Bad Roman's salads are adorned with toppers like shaved pecorino, hazelnuts, ciabatta crumbs, pesto, and apples. It's certainly not a filler or afterthought to the menu. 

The menu continues with piattini or "small dishes" such as capellini clams casino followed by a parade of pasta, including Osetra caviar gnocchi served with crème fraîche and chives and a platter of roasted lobster and Calabrian campanelle. Next, the seafood or mare section swims to the top of the list with a scallops picatta dish and Faroe Island salmon with pesto rosso. Finally, the savory portion of the menu is finished off with filetto or filet offerings with not-so-traditional toppers like raviolo or spicy crab cannellono and the tutti quanti (Italian for "all the rest") section, featuring veal Milanese and porchetta ribs with orange marmalata. 

When guests get their fill of savory, sweet slides right in with slight twists on classic Italian desserts, including a tiramisu ice cream cake and a sticky toffee panettone served with ricotta ice cream.

Bad Roman welcomes imbibers as easily as it does diners, with plenty of Italiano spirit and spunk. 

Curated by Bryan Schneider, creative director for Quality Branded, the creative cocktail menu employs elements of the homeland, including Calabrian honey, pepperoncini brine, prosecco, the Italian apéritif Campari, and a float made with Barolo wine. There's also a Chinato sinker on the menu made with the famous aromatized wine from Piedmont, Italy. Finally, the after-dinner drink options do offer a grand finale complete with tableside flames — that is if you order the Vesuvius Bowl a mix of rum, Pinoli Orgeat almond syrup, and lime. 

If you want to get a bite or sip of all that Bad Roman has to offer, you'll have to make the trip in the evening. For now, the restaurant is open seven days a week from 5 to 11 p.m. Lunch and weekend brunch should be coming soon.