Santa Fe may not be a city known for its Italian fare, but Il Piatto is a restaurant definitely known for its Italian-ness, and owner/chef Matt Yohalem's dedication ***image1***to authenticity has been in full effect this past year (perhaps bolstered by his trip to the homeland?) with an impressive menu and nightly specials emphasizing traditional cucina. A simple arugula salad with raisins and pine nuts segues into less calorically virtuous terrain. While there are choices on Il Piatto's menu that do not involve pasta (the salmon filet with saffron potatoes, olives and anchovies is a particularly savory choice), it's hard to stay away from the carb-happy side of the menu (ravioli and spaghetti and gnocchi, oh my). Indeed, the fresh-herb gnocchi with wild mushrooms is near addictive. OK, it's probably the Marsala cream that makes these bad-boys so delicious and has put them into a head-to-head battle with the pumpkin ravioli as a fave. Consider a half-order on the gnocchi to save room for desert: Tiramisu, of course. Il Piatto's blends wonderfully with an after-drink espresso. Hey-you gotta have something to snap you out of that red-wine stupor.

95 W. Marcy St., 984-1091.
Dinner nightly.
Lunch Monday through Friday. $$
www.ilpiattorestaurant.com