Founded by two Italians, Pepolino feels like an Italian Italian restaurant and not a Manhattan one. The decor is simple and warm, with one dining room on the main (elevated) level and one on the floor above (atop Nancy Whiskey Pub) as well as tables (tented and open) out on the sidewalk. The vibe is polished rustic Tuscan, with wooden tables and a brick wall (upstairs). The food is satisfying, if familiar, and the regulars love it that way.