Couples sip espressos and slowly savor spoonfuls of chocolate gelato.
Behind them, on another level, a chef maneuvers thin-crusted pizzas in and out of the Italian oven and the handsome young maitre d' skips down the steps to welcome new arrivals and guide them to an unseen dining room beyond. Caroline Bates, Gourmet Magazine Stunning Gelato and Moderate Prices make Alto Palato a Sweet Deal Alto Palato is casual, friendly in feeling and moderate in price. It's a good neighborhood trattoria that, instead of taking up a little storefront, occupies this rather grand room. The answer is yes. Mauro Vincenti and Danilo Terribili's Alto Palato is the big exception.