I Sodi

Getting a table at I Sodi isn't just about timing—it's about understanding why this 20-seat Bleecker Street jewel has been booked solid since Rita Sodi opened the doors in 2008. With reservations vanishing faster than fresh pappardelle at midnight drops, scoring a seat requires strategy, persistence, and maybe a little bit of luck.

The Restaurant

I Sodi is chef Rita Sodi's love letter to her native Tuscany, and it shows in every carefully crafted detail. This isn't just another Italian restaurant—it's what Pete Wells of the New York Times called a place that "seems not to have fully assimilated into the United States," existing in its own "extraterritorial jurisdiction."

Rita Sodi, who also helms the beloved Via Carota and Commerce Inn, opened I Sodi as an intimate expression of her grandmother's recipes and the rustic elegance of Tuscan dining. The restaurant's name translates to "I know" in Italian—a nod to Sodi's confidence in her ancestral cuisine. With just 20 seats packed into a narrow West Village storefront, the space feels more like dining in someone's Florentine home than a commercial restaurant.

The white tablecloths, exposed brick walls, and closely-spaced tables create an atmosphere where conversations spill over between tables, and the energy is infectious. The tiny bar specializes in variations of the classic Negroni, and the wine list reads like a tour through Tuscany's finest vineyards. Expect to spend around $80-120 per person for dinner, and know that the experience justifies every penny.

What to Order

Rita Sodi's menu is a masterclass in restraint—no fusion experiments or modern interpretations, just pure Tuscan tradition executed flawlessly. The handwritten menu changes with the seasons, but certain dishes have become legendary among regulars.

Start with the antipasti plate—a rotating selection that might include house-cured prosciutto, aged pecorino, and perfectly ripe figs. The crostini di fegatini (chicken liver mousse on toast) is polarizing but beloved by those who appreciate its rich, traditional preparation.

For pasta, the pappardelle al cinghiale (wild boar ragu) is I Sodi's signature—silky ribbons of house-made pasta with a sauce that's been simmering for hours. The spaghetti cacio e pepe might seem simple, but Sodi's version achieves the perfect emulsion of pecorino and pepper that makes grown diners weep with joy.

The bistecca alla Fiorentina for two is the crown jewel of the secondi—a massive, perfectly grilled T-bone that embodies everything about Tuscan meat cookery. Vegetarians gravitate toward the ribollita, a hearty bread soup that transforms humble ingredients into something transcendent.

Don't skip dessert—the panna cotta is silky perfection, and the cantucci with vin santo provide the ideal Italian ending to your meal.

The Drop Time

Here's where strategy becomes crucial. I Sodi releases reservations on Resy at exactly midnight Eastern Time, 13 days in advance. This means if you want to dine on a Saturday night, you need to be online at midnight on the Sunday 13 days prior.

The competition is fierce. Weekend dinner slots disappear within seconds, literally. Prime Friday and Saturday 8pm reservations are usually gone before 12:00:30. Tuesday through Thursday evenings offer slightly better odds, but even those vanish within the first few minutes.

What the Internet Says

Reddit users have been sharing I Sodi intel for years, and their advice is battle-tested:

"Set multiple alarms for 11:58pm. Have Resy open in multiple browsers. Click refresh at exactly 12:00:00. I got lucky on my 4th try doing this," shared u/WestVillageEater on r/FoodNYC.

Another user on r/AskNYC noted: "Tuesday nights are your best bet. Still competitive but not the bloodbath that weekends are. Also, if you're flexible on time, the 5:30pm and 9:45pm slots sometimes last an extra 30 seconds."

Twitter user @NYCFoodieLife observed: "I Sodi cancellations happen most often on Thursday afternoons. People realize they can't make weekend plans. Set up alerts and check obsessively Thursday 2-4pm."

One Chowhound forum regular wrote: "The bar seats are easier to get but you get the same incredible food. Rita doesn't compromise on quality whether you're at table 1 or standing at the bar."

Pro Tips

• Master the midnight drop: Be logged into Resy and refreshing at 11:59:59pm. Have your credit card info saved and know exactly what date you want.

• Consider off-peak times: 5:30pm and 9:45pm slots are less competitive than prime 7-8pm times.

• Tuesday and Wednesday > Thursday > Weekend: Adjust your expectations based on the day.

• Bar seats are golden: Same menu, same experience, slightly better availability.

• Check for cancellations: Thursday afternoons and Sunday evenings see the most dropouts.

• Be flexible on party size: Tables for 2 are most common, but solo diners can sometimes snag bar spots.

• Follow the restaurant on social: They occasionally announce additional availability or special events.

• Consider the lunch service: I Sodi also serves lunch on weekdays, which is significantly easier to book.

• Don't give up after one attempt: Persistence pays off. Many successful diners report getting reservations on their 3rd or 4th attempt.

Or Let Mise Handle It

If the midnight reservation drops and constant refresh battles sound exhausting, there's a better way. Mise's automated reservation service monitors I Sodi's availability around the clock, including those crucial midnight releases and unexpected cancellation windows.

Instead of setting 11:58pm alarms and competing with hundreds of other hopeful diners, Mise handles the technical precision required to secure these coveted reservations. The service tracks patterns, monitors multiple time slots, and can react to availability faster than any human refreshing their browser.

For a restaurant where timing truly is everything and reservations disappear in seconds, having Mise in your corner means you can focus on what really matters—anticipating that perfect plate of pappardelle al cinghiale instead of stressing about the booking process.