Much has been written about All’Antico Vinaio, the sandwich shop opened in 1991 by the Mazzanti family in Florence, Italy, and that landed on these shores in 2021, but I will say this: it does not disappoint. It is one of those places that does one thing and one thing only, and one thing very very well. And it’s old school — taking me back to my youth in an Italian Long Island town — and refreshingly avocado free. (Don’t get me wrong — I love avocados. But these guys get their richness from the flavor of the meat and the creaminess from the cheese and spreads.)

The sandwiches — there are 16 of them, each with names — run from $14 for a caprese to $20 for one with salami and truffle honey, but trust me one could easily feed four. (I think the tech here would be to ask them to slice it — in fact I would ask them to slice it even if you are not sharing, because it is not easily done with a plastic knife.) Plus, this is a two-handed operation. Elbows allowed on the table.

They bake the Tuscan schiacciata (I would have called it focaccia but I would have been wrong) there, and that is the only bread they offer. It’s good, but it’s a lot. I ate mine open-faced, but then ate the bread anyway. And the real treat, and specialty, are the creams — rich, creamy spreads made with pistachios or truffle oil. To keep in theme, we ordered La Summer and La District and would happily get either again.

Don’t skip the Italian sodas. Oh, and they cater.

All’Antico Vinaio
Brookfield Place’s Hudson Eats, second floor
225 Liberty
Monday to Friday, 8a to 9p
Saturday, 10a to 9p
Sunday, 11a to 7p