The Leopard at des Artistes is a captivating culinary time capsule hidden on the first floor of the legendary Hotel des Artistes. What makes this West 67th Street treasure truly special is how it seamlessly blends historic New York with authentic Southern Italian cuisine, creating an experience that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

The moment you step inside, you’re transported by the famous Howard Chandler Christy murals—those sensuous nymphs that have graced these walls since 1934—creating perhaps the most distinctive dining backdrop in the city. Yet what keeps locals returning isn’t just the art but the impeccably executed regional Italian dishes that celebrate the coastal flavors of Campania, Sicily, and beyond. Their handmade pasta dishes particularly shine, with the pappardelle with wild boar ragù developing something of a cult following among regulars.

The service embodies that rare combination of European formality and New York warmth—attentive without hovering, knowledgeable without pretension. The dining room buzzes with a gentle energy that makes it ideal for celebration dinners or intimate conversations alike.

What ultimately sets The Leopard apart is how it honors its storied past while remaining vitally present—this isn’t a museum piece but a living restaurant that delivers genuine hospitality alongside culinary excellence. Whether for a pre-Lincoln Center dinner or a leisurely Sunday lunch, it offers a dining experience that feels uniquely, romantically New York.