Babbo

During one of our many visits to NYC we decided to do Babbo. The food was great and the service was just as good. But I must say the selection of music in the background (or should I say the foreground) is way too loud. I couldn't have a decent conversation with my spouse.I hope the next time we arrive we'll notice a change for the quieter.

The pastas are the way to go. The Garganelli (sp?) is by far one of the best things I've ever tasted. While I'm sure it's romantic, go with a group. There's too many good things to try to limit yourself to two people. It's not a group party place, but 4-people will be some nice variety. Too bad it's so tough to get a table otherwise I'd be here more. Given the food quality and experience, great value for NY.

Upon getting reservations to Babbo, I was extremely excited. I couldn't wait to try the food. But when I got to the restaurant I didn't understand what all the hype was about. Yes the food was good and yes the quality was superb, but I've had better. Union Square Cafe and Nobu were much better and affordable. I didn't understand what all the hype was about. The pretentious atmosphere of the waiters and diners was not worth the visit. Babbo is over-priced, over-hyped, and under-criticized.

I had been planning on going to Babbo for years now and finally made it last night. What a disappointment. Although a lovely town house setting and excellent service, you just can't eat the flowers and the white shirt and tie waiters. The food, although good, was just too overpriced. I also would have liked more of it on the plate. All in all, I don't think Babbo is a very good value for the money. It's amazing to me how and why people are willing to spend good money on a mediocre meal just because the chef/owner has appeared on television. Oh, the power of TV!

Babbo is one of those rare restaurants that manages to feel both like the treat of a lifetime and like a family dinner at your favorite uncle's house. The food is unapologetically extravagant, but also unapologetically comforting, like the upscale Italian version of a chicken pot pie. The beef cheek ravioli, in its earthy sauce of squab liver and black truffles, tastes like nothing so much as the culinary equivalent of velvet. It's the small things that make you feel at home: the generous shaving of white truffles on pappardelle, the waitstaff that assures you "we can put truffle on pretty much anything; just ask", the waiter who somehow knows you've been there before, even though the last time you snagged a reservation was over six months ago. And even though the man at the table next to you might be proclaiming the health benefits of beer and showing some chest hair under his unbuttoned button-down, at Babbo he tends to affectionately remind you of your eccentric uncle rather than make you feel your party's been crashed. Must be the wine -- from Bastianich's family vinyard.

I was a little worried after reading some of the reviews, but my wife, friends, and myself must have gone at the right time. We went after the theatre for an 11:00 PM reservation. The dinner and service were perfect. The wait staff was extremely knowledgeable, knowing everything on the menu and making excellent recommendations. The wine list is amazing and the sommelier truly knows has wine. We had various items: from the heirloom tomatoes, funghi, and pasta; fluke, beef and lamb; right down to the grappa and dessert - everything was superb. We were never rushed, leaving around 2:00 AM. We all agree that this is one of our favorite restaurants.

My brother has been nagging me for 3 months now... finally we go to Babbo with some friends and order 4 small appetizers, 2 pastas, 4 main course, and dessert. The only thing i liked was the dessert. i thought the beef was too dry, the duck was ok, the fish didn't have much taste,... i do not plan to return. Still the service was wonderful, they were all very friendly and the meals came out one after another.