Barbetta

Barbetta offers a restaurant experience that's hard to match, even in New York. The space is elegant in the Old World, old school style, with a well-executed menu to match. But you need to go after the pre-theater rush to appreciate this. The good news is that Barbetta stays open late enough to accommodate post-theater dining. The bad news is that today's theater goers prefer jamming groceries down their gullets at 6:30 (then complaining about the experience). If you can break away from the early-bird mentality, you are in for a treat. The place does have its quirks, including corded electric lamps on the well-appointed tables and a chef who apparently doesn't mind throwing a tantrum within earshot of the dining room. But these things are part of the charm of the place. This is La Dolce Vita writ large, in all its fading glory.

Assemblyline atmosphere and claustrophobic condition. Food was mediocre for the price. Wait staff snobby and unattentive. Very rushed service and very impersonal. This restaurant is incredibly overrated. The wire from the lamp on the table dividing my wife and me was especially interesting.

My husband and I went here for a late dinner on a Tuesday night. We had been here once before in the winter and sat inside, which was very nice--piano player and candlelight. This time we sat outside. The entire area is just a great space. Beautiful enclosed courtyard with trees and fountain. However, that's really what you should go for--the ambience. The food for the price is not that good. I ordered the risotto with seafood; ok, pretty bland. My husband ordered the salmon, which was pretty good except for the cucumber sauce it was on. I am a huge dessert person, but didn't really find anything that tempted me. Wait staff was effecient, although a tad snobby.

A Saturday lunch in the garden was a most pleasant experience - even in August. The hydrangeas were in bloom and the fountain sparkled in the sunshine. The other customers seemed to be New Yorkers who knew the place well - two older couples, a grandmother and her two granddaughters, and clusters of friends. Impeccable service (they fixed an error in the bill promptly and apologetically) and absolutely delicious food. We could not resist the dessert tray. Highly recommended.

We love the food, but the garden in summer is the best italian experience I had outside Italy. And the prices for the pre-theatre menu are very reasonable.

Barbetta is all about fine dining in a great setting. The experience reminds one of being in Europe and dining at a storied restaurant. The garden is delightful, the service is warm, attentive and professional, the food is wonderfull and the wine list is extraordinary, albeit pricy. Barbetta is a rare treat.