Babbo — Restaurant in New York

TL; DR: Don't waste your time. NYC is full of better restaurants.

We made reservations for our table of 4 for 9:30, and we braved the shut-down city during the snowstorm to make it on time to Babbo. We knew we'd likely arrive a bit early because we made sure we had extra travel time, but we figured earlier was better than later and that we could grab a drink at the bar.

How utterly wrong we were. The bar was two people deep at every side. I don't mind busy restaurants - in fact, it's usually a great sign - but the bartender refused to acknowledge us until we literally had to wave him down. It's not that he wasn't looking at his customers - he took orders from and served the people in front of us and on either side of us before we could even get the wine list. When we attempted to order two glasses of wine and asked him if he'd be nice enough to make us a Vesper (knowing that cocktails are more complicated and time-consuming on busy nights), he surveyed us with utter disdain and said, "I can make a Vesper" with a heavy sigh. I did not mean to inconvenience him by ordering, but that is apparently what I did.

We were there at 8:45, and when 9:30 rolled right on by, we were hopeful that we'd be seated. At 9:40, the host came over to inform us that we were looking at "at least another half hour." We get that the snowstorm made it crazy busy, but at least an apology for the additional time we'd have to squish into the Very Unfriendly bar would have been nice. It's not as if we had walked in; we had planned ahead and made sure we were on time as a sign of respect for the restaurant and its time schedule.

The host did offer us a table by the door, which we took and then regretted immediately as the icy wind went down our backs every time the curtains were left open by a guest going or coming. We were happy to just be off our feet after trudging through the snow and standing at the bar for 45 minutes, which is good since our waiter didn't appear for another 10. I honestly thought we had been forgotten. When he did appear, he asked for our orders; we started ordering appetizers, and he informed us that he wouldn't take our order until we could order everything. Had we known, we could have used that 10 minutes to ponder our entrees, but we assumed that we were paying for service that would at least allow us to order in waves. We actually thought it might be easier on the kitchen if we didn't send in everything all at once. The meal was delicious, but not ONE person smiled at us the entire meal. When we asked for the sommelier's help in picking out our wine, he gave us a look that made me think his dog had died. Once again, I felt that I was an inconvenience.

I know there was a snowstorm, but I would think that a one-star Michelin restaurant would treat us well regardless. We spent the rest of the weekend patronizing other one-stars just to compare, and we were treated very well by Gramercy Tavern and Cafe Enrique, which made Babbo even more of a disappointment.

I wish we had had a better experience, and when I contacted Babbo to describe our night, they offered me an apology. It would take more than that for me to...

My friend and I decided to head to Babbo for an earlier Friday dinner as we did not make reservations. Luckily, we walked in a little before 6pm, and were seated at the last table reserved for walk-ins! We were quickly seated and offered menus. Since it was our first time here, we asked our waiter for recommendations. He was really helpful as he walked us through each of the courses, listing his favorites and giving a thorough explanation of each.

ANTIPASTI Arugula Salad

PRIMI Garganelli with "Funghi Trifolati"

The pasta was by far our favourite dish. The pasta was cooked al dente and the funghi was cooked to perfection as it was nicely sautéed in the pan. The rich taste of the funghi nicely complemented the pasta. The portion was just enough to have a taste and a bit more. We actually shared the pasta as the waiter suggested as the pastas were quite filling and so we would have enough room to try a secondi of our own. They are actually quite keen on sharing, as it was suggested by the waiter and portion out the order before it's served to you.

SECONDI Fennel Dusted Sweetbreads with Sweet and Sour Onions, Duck Bacon and Membrillo Vinaigrette For those who aren't familiar with "sweetbreads," they are the thymus glands of calves or lamb. The dish came with nicely presented with a Chinese yu choy base as the veggie bottom, the sautéed sweet and sour onions above, and the sweetbreads neatly placed on top. The sweetbreads were quite savory with a crisp outer layer. The vinaigrette sweet and sour onions along with the vinaigrette was a bit too strong, on the sour side, to complement the sweetbreads. I would either choose one or the other, otherwise the tart flavour overpowers the sweetbreads. But, overall the dish was delicious!

DOLCI Cheesecake and Cappuccino

Overall, the meal was very good. We were satisfied with the portions and service. The wait staff were all quite friendly. The restaurant wasn't pretentious and the people weren't arrogant, which was much appreciated and allowed us to have a good experience. It was one of the best Italian fares that I have had. Having frequented Mario Batali's Otto, Babbo certainly was no disappointment. The only complaint that I have is our seating. We sat across the bar, next to the coat check and in front of the hostess area, which all isn't a good combination. I was elbowed a few times by the party lingering in front of the coat check, and waiting parties were all huddling quite close to our table. But other than that, I have not complaints. It was a good dinner, and I...

It is with great regret that I am writing this review after possibly the worst meal, but even more upsetting the worst service I have ever received at a restaurant.We have been going to Bastianich/Batali restaurants since we moved to NYC over 20 years ago. We know Babbo is solely a Bastianich owned restaurant now and the name that used to hold so much weight is now an epic failure in our eyes. Once a haven for inventive Italian cuisine, Babbo is now a shadow of its former self. The bastion of good food at Babbo is no more. Once a place where service was unparalleled, where you could sit at the bar and the bartender remember your name, now is a place where smug waiters/managers condescend you while under the veil of making things right. Not only did we call multiple times to confirm a reservation for the Feast of Seven Fish, when we arrived we were seated at a table for five (we were a party of six), we waited 45 minutes for bread, were told the Feast of Seven Fish was sold out (even though we called and confirmed twice as well as put down a credit card payment), and later after telling the waiter and the server that I have a severe tree nut allergy was served a dessert with almonds. In the beginning of the evening we thought about leaving but how could we when we truly love this restaurant? However when we were told we were given a dish with an allergen all patience was lost. How could a top restaurant with a known record of fine dining and great service be so completely off and unapologetic? I could lay the blame at the smug, condescending manager, but that is too easy. The blame lies at the top. The blame lies at the people who employ people like this manager, the blame is at the complacency of a restaurant empire that perhaps no longer cares about food or people.

You lost loyal customers who visited many restaurants in your empire over the past 20 years, but we will never visit another one of the Bastianich restaurants again. You lost your way and you certainly won’t get it back by employing people who are smug and arrogant. We are truly disappointed, saddened and angry. Truly one of the worst dining experiences of our life and on Christmas Eve with our children no less. We hope you find your way back to restaurant greatness. Right now you are not on that path and like so many things in New York, maybe it is like the old saying “all good things must...