NEW YORK — When patrons come to the Flatiron District location of the Obicà Mozzarella Bar, they often say what a perfect spot it is, declares the company's U.S. manager Raimondo Boggia. With that, he welcomes us to the newest location of the Italian chain that has already conquered some of the world's key markets.

The company was founded in 2004 on the initiative of owner Silvio Ursini, and it has since grown to 20 restaurants in Rome, Florence, Milan, Tokyo, London, Los Angeles and New York. With the new Flatiron District location, Obicà now has two restaurants in the Big Apple.

It's just another Italian touch in an area full of boutiques and offices affiliated with the Bel Paese — including the ginormous emporium that is Eataly. 

Photo: Obica New York Flatiron

"It was a shrewd choice, carefully thought through and studied," Boggia says. "We surveyed different areas, but we didn't want anything too fashionable. On one hand, there was the importance of making Obicà stand out among many others, but on the other to find where the right target audience were."

When he saw the location, Boggia imagined how it would look and knew right away that it was the right choice. The rest is history: an inspirational industrial environment, with visible pipelines, exposed red bricks and high-beamed ceilings, two counters, one bar and a restaurant.

The renovation and decor created by Labics Studio and architect Maria Claudia Clemente reflect the philosophy of the mozzarella bar, an elegant reception for each of the more than 150 seats, ideal for those who want to enjoy authentic food. The extensive menu is prepared by chef Enzo Banks. The cheese is imported from Italy, but it's not the only food on offer. There are also traditional antipasti, primi piatti (pastas), as well as main dishes, plus other mouthwatering innovations. And then there's the pizza. 

Photo: Obica New York Flatiron

Los Angeles-based Neapolitan chef Daniele Uditi is in charge of the pizza menu, and this "pizza alchemist" is somewhat of a celebrity at the Los Angeles branch. "The secret is the dough — 65% stone-ground flour and 35% whole wheat flour, leavened over 48 hours," he says. It's all in accordance with the Slow Food Movement: "good-clean-fair."

During Boggia's 10 years at the company, they have revamped their image to "reinforce the Italian-ness" — notably the change of spelling, from Obikà to Obicà, which, in Neapolitan dialect, means "here it is."

The Flatiron District is increasingly multifaceted, by day a hectic area of office workers and by night a worldly area with good taste. But, above all, it's becoming more and more Italian. 

Photo: Obica New York Flatiron