New York Magazine

Skip to content, or skip to search.

Skip to content, or skip to search.

Home > Restaurants > Babbo

All Reader Reviews of...

Babbo

110 Waverly Pl., New York, NY, 10011
nr. Sixth Ave.
212-777-0303

Avg. Rating

8
Food: 8
Service: 7
Décor: 8
"Recommended"

Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10.

68% would go back.

 Write your own review

Tasty but not perfect

By Mangetout on 10/11/2010

  • Overall Rating: 8
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 6
  • Décor: 8
  • Yes, I would go back!

I organized a (very early--it's still hard to get a reservation here) dinner at Babbo with eight friends and colleagues, and we all looked forward to the event with great anticipation, given this restaurant's reputation. The atmosphere of the restaurant is warm and pleasant. Our waiter was efficient, but stiff and unfriendly--he provided a real contrast to the sort of warm-while-extremely-professional service that good NYC restaurants (Gramercy Tavern, Gotham, etc.) seem to take pride in (as well they should). The food was delicious, of course, although not life-changing, and one might almost expect it to be the latter considering the price of a meal here. Overall, I'm glad we went, in part just to see what the fuss is about.

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes No Request Removal
57 out of 118 people found this review helpful.

classic

By kim34 on 3/19/2011

  • Overall Rating: 8
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 8
  • Décor: 5
  • Yes, I would go back!

i love batali's restaurant....

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes No Request Removal
100 out of 201 people found this review helpful.

Great all around

By KristenShoark on 4/19/2011

  • Overall Rating: 8
  • Food: 8
  • Service: 8
  • Décor: 8
  • Yes, I would go back!

I came here with a friend of mine and I have to say we weren't disappointed. The service was great and attentive and the several dishes we split were amazing. If your in the area you should definitely give it a try

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes No Request Removal
88 out of 184 people found this review helpful.

Who's your "daddy"?

By shamrock on 1/31/2003

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 8
  • Décor: 8
  • Yes, I would go back!

From savory chickpea bruschetta to the infamous beef-cheek ravioli, Mario's molto interested in blowing your mind with creativity and cleverness with his high-rolling, rib-sticking peasant fare. The lovingly crafted pasta, succulent meats, delicate vegetable balances, and lambent finishes will seductively educate most, and delight the already sophisticated. Bonus for single women: When I beat my companions to the restaurant, I had a drink at the bar, and even though I wasn't dressed like a glamapuss, the debonair host and gentle bartender made me feel like one.

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes No Request Removal
223 out of 426 people found this review helpful.

i never knew animal faces could taste so good

By dtulsa on 2/21/2003

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 8
  • Décor: 8
  • Yes, I would go back!

this place is amazing -- if you're willing to eat animal faces. lamb's tongue salad, beef cheek ravioli, and pasta amatriciana (pig jowls) ended my vegetarian days.

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes No Request Removal
227 out of 471 people found this review helpful.

Great to eat at the bar!

By CityGirl3 on 4/17/2003

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 9
  • Décor: 9
  • Yes, I would go back!

When you can't get in, which is all the time, eating at the bar is great. If you are with another person, the steak is truly amazing. Love the salads and that lamb pasta. But the bolognese is THE BEST!

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes No Request Removal
165 out of 361 people found this review helpful.

wow service beyond belief...food not bad either

By frankie on 9/21/2003

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 9
  • Yes, I would go back!

i cant get over the service here, they all know everything, its amazing, the waiters, the wine stewarts, even the coak check girl knew my name, the food is tremendous, the lamb dish is the best, the gnocchi pasta was great, and all the deserts very good.. a little expensive, but i guess its worth it...

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes No Request Removal
165 out of 317 people found this review helpful.

Belive the hype!!!!

By Bollan on 8/15/2005

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 8
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 7
  • Yes, I would go back!

Was recommended their classic tasting meny with wines. First out a cured salmon wich was quite poor and not italian at all. Then onto two fantastic pasta dishes (world class) especially the Papardelle. After that two mainstream main coarses good but not spectacular and hardly any "italian" about them. They then finished off our table with 4 !! different desserts. 2 fantastic ones and 2 below average. All in all a night with mixed impressions. Service just perfect as were the wine choices. But som of the dishes on the menu were just not up to the stantard. Should have been more "italian" and really dont do justice to their brilliant chefs. A tip just go a la carte.

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes No Request Removal
298 out of 605 people found this review helpful.

Stick with Red Meat and Pasta!

By ywwan on 11/5/2005

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 9
  • Décor: 8
  • Yes, I would go back!

One of my favorites, I have tried most of the menu. Mario Batali outdoes himself with the pasta and the flavored red meats, you really can't go wrong. My stand out favorites include the mint love letters, papardella with wild boar and the duck. Although he does a good job with the seabass, the branzino is only so-so and as a general matter, stick with the Asians (Japanese or Chinese) when it comes to fish. If you go to the trouble of booking a month in advance, indulge yourself with the tasting menu, the excellent pairing of wine with the different courses is well worth it.

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes No Request Removal
325 out of 648 people found this review helpful.

Just an amazing experience

By nycfoodie1234 on 1/8/2008

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 8
  • Décor: 8
  • Yes, I would go back!

Babbo is truly one of those restaurants that you have to experience for yourself. The effort to get a reservation can be overwhelming (I bought mine on tablexchange.com), but once there it is worth every penny. The meat dishes are absolutely sublime, and its really worth trying all of the wild game on the menu. If you havent read the book Heat, its a great read, and will give you some additional perspective on the meal. http://nyc.tablexchange.com/restaurant/babbo Perfect date spot as well....if you cant get in try Lupa down the road

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes No Request Removal
93 out of 204 people found this review helpful.

Add Comment

You will be prompted to sign in with your NYMag or
Facebook account.

  awful average excellent
In determining overall rating, food and service are given more weight.
Rate
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Food
Service
Décor
Would you go back?

Some Hints:

  • The best reviews give a clear sense of why you liked or disliked a restaurant, bar, or store. And that means details. Mention specifics dishes, type of crowd, pros and cons...
  • If it's helpful to compare one place to another, go for it.
  • Come up with clever, funny, pithy subject lines, and write in the first person.
  • Don't forget to read the user rating guidelines and rules.
CloseUpdating your review
By
| Not you?
Advertising
Advertising