Location is everything—well, perhaps not if you’re a restaurant (where food and flavors are and will always be the determining factors for greatness), but nevertheless, Italian restaurant The Leopard can’t get much better when it comes to all of the above.

Stationed in one of the most iconic spaces in New York City—the landmarked Hotel des Artistes, designed by George Mort Pollard and developed by Walter Russell as an artist’s cooperative apartment building at the turn of the 20th century, and the former home of the renowned Café des Artistes—The Leopard has ambiance to spare, with Howard Chandler Christy’s nine “Fantasy Scenes with Naked Beauties” oil-on-canvas murals situated throughout the renovated space.

But the food is even more remarkable than the atmosphere. Owned by husband-and-wife team Gianfranco and Paula Bolla Sorrentino (whose famed Il Gattopardo is located at 33 W. 54th St.), The Leopard’s menu is rooted in the area once known as “The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies” (mid 1800s) and in the culinary traditions of the Italian regions of Campania, Basilicata, Calabria, Apulia, Sardinia, and Sicily. The result is everyday food done with respect to Southern Italian cultural traditions, absolute quality of ingredients, modern research, and outstanding service.

Private dining room and event coordination—with flowers, invitations, decorations, and more—is available. Reservations are strongly recommended. Dinner daily, 5-11:30pm (Sun. until 10pm); lunch Mon.-Fri., noon-3pm; brunch Sat. & Sun., 11:30am-3pm.