Bad Roman — Restaurant in New York

We absolutely love Bad Roman. Our reviews had over 57 million views last year, and no—we don’t get paid. We just love to eat, have fun, and share the best of what we find.

Bad Roman is one of the best places to eat in NYC, period. It’s located on Level 3 of The Shops at Columbus Circle, and it’s operated by the Michelin-starred team behind Don Angie. They’ve created a colorful, playful space that’s both stylish and fun—and the food? Absolutely phenomenal.

Next time, we might skip everything and go straight to the pastas and desserts, because those are the real stars of the show. But don’t miss the focaccia with whipped ricotta and black honey truffle as a starter—it’s rich, fluffy, and bursting with flavor.

Every pasta we tried was fantastic. If you love truffles, order the Penne Longa—a creamy, peppery dish with hand-shaved truffles at the table and 8-inch pasta tubes. Rich, elegant, but not too heavy—this one’s a must.

We also loved the Duoduo pasta selection, which is made for two (but hey, one hungry person could handle it). We got the Il Diverso—half red pomodoro pasta with grilled sweet tomatoes, half green pesto pasta, and stracciatella cheese in the middle. It even looks like the Italian flag.

Other standouts include the short rib pappardelle with San Marzano tomatoes and the chicken scarpariello rigatoni with hot peppers and sweet sausage. Every pasta we tried was a hit.

But the real showstopper? The desserts.

We tried:Blood orange ciabatta with whipped cream – light, citrusy, and refreshing. Zabaglione – slightly tart, totally addictive. Napolitana – a dramatic presentation: they pull the top off a large pastry cylinder and let the frosting and juices cascade over the sides. Watch the video below—it’s worth it. Lemon cheesecake – looks like two lemons, but when you crack them open, you find a soft, airy cheesecake inside. It’s everywhere on Instagram for a reason. And our favorite: Tiramisu ice cream cake – served cold with creamy layers of tiramisu, ice cream, and cake. Hands-down the best tiramisu I’ve ever had. Honestly, we’d come here just for the desserts and the pastas—they’re that good. The place is noisy, lively, and full of energy, with a great bar, big dining room, and fantastic views. Ask for a booth by the windows if you can—but honestly, all the seating is great. Just make sure to get a reservation, because this place fills up fast. This one gets our highest rating 5 stars and Two thumbs up. Ten stars if we could. Check out all of our reviews. If we do not like it we do no review it so all of the ones you see are places that are fantastic. Follow us if you like. We had over 56 million views so far this year and we thank you for that. We don't get paid, we just love to eat. Be sure to click on "RobH" at the top of this review to see all of them and to follow us if you like good food and FUN. If we do a review it is...

I came here for lunch after a couple of very successful appointments with one of my favorite clients. Turns out Bad Roman is very high on his list of must when in the area.

Admittedly, I was totally unaware of the “hype” surrounding BR. I must say I’m happy I was clueless because I dined without any preconceived ideas or notions.

It was a Friday afternoon just before 2pm, so we walked in and we were seated immediately. On first glance the place is a massive uniquely designed space meant to be visually captivating. Due to size I can see how the space can be overly stimulating during peak hours.

Thankfully it was subdued and we were seated in the section of the very well informed Sonia whom provided top tier service.

I started with the Roman Cocktail a suggestion from Sonia after she prompted me with questions about my drink preferences. In addition I had the Yellowtail Crudo and we shared the Spicy Gem Caesar. I enjoyed both and was pleasantly surprised that I was a fan of the crudo because I do not care for anything with grapefruit. My client also had the Yellowtail Crudo along with the Filet Mignon Meatballs.

For mains I had the Roasted Branzino and my client order the Cappelletti Bistecca with the Grilled Chicken Paillard. We shared some Brussels Sprouts. The Branzino and Brussels were perfect. I didn’t try any of his selections because I do not eat red meat but he enjoyed everything as he knew he would because he thoroughly enjoys this place.

As you can imagine we were literally at capacity but as a first timer it was impressed upon me to try a dessert. I selected the Lemon Cheesecake which is presented deconstructed. It was a delight as it was suggested it would be.

The service by Sonia was great, the food came out quick and most importantly hot. All was beautifully plated and delicious. She made excellent suggestions and was extremely attentive.

Now I can see why there is so much hype… it is aesthetically pleasing to both locals and tourist alike with its creative menu and inventive desserts.

They are very pricey and get extremely busy, as we wrapped up lunch around 4pm the first wave started to pour in.

I will definitely return but after reading reviews, I will more than likely stick to early afternoons to not taint my delightful first impression with a crowded experience.

Just A note:

-The deconstructed Lemon Cheesecake is a must try… Thank me later.

-Can you find less expensive Italian cuisine with even more refinement and no reservation logistics? In NYC, the answer is… Yes! However, is it worth the experience? Again the answer is…Yes! Even...

When my partner’s mother and her good friend visited, we chose Bad Roman for our dining experience. With high hopes, we secured a reservation and arrived 15 minutes early, only to be seated 15 minutes past our reservation time. This was puzzling, especially as others were promptly seated, even with parties of similar size.

Despite the initial hiccup, once we were seated, we were treated to a culinary delight. We kicked off with a selection of appetizers: calamari, tuna tartare, roasted garlic bakka, and roni cups. The calamari and tuna tartare were truly exceptional, leaving a lasting impression. The roasted garlic bakka and roni cups also deserve praise, rounding off an impressive start. These appetizers were a highlight of our meal and set a high bar for what followed.

Our salad course included the spicy Caesar and bad Roman wedge. These generous salads are perfect for sharing in a family-style setting. While the wedge salad wasn't quite to my taste, my partner enjoyed it. On the other hand, the spicy Caesar, with its perfect balance of spice, was a hit even for someone not fond of spicy foods like me.

For the main course, we opted for the short rib pappardelle and chicken rigatoni, with one of our group choosing the filet mignon meatballs intended as an appetizer. The entrees were flavorful and satisfying, yet the filet mignon meatballs stole the show. Their melt-in-the-mouth texture made them a must-try, whether as an appetizer or as a main dish paired with a salad.

After indulging in a delicious meal, we couldn't resist trying the lemon cheesecake for dessert, thanks to recommendations from fellow diners. This dessert is a masterpiece in presentation, resembling a couple of beautifully crafted lemons on the plate. The lemon cheesecake doesn't just look appealing; it delivers on taste in a big way. Each bite offered a delightful balance of tangy lemon zestiness and creamy, rich cheesecake texture. We couldn't leave a single crumb behind, making it a highly recommended end to our meal.

However, the ambience was a mixed bag. The restaurant was extremely loud, making conversations challenging. This noise level might not suit a romantic first date but instead leans towards a lively family or friends gathering. Be prepared to raise your voice to be heard over the din.

Overall, despite the seating delay and the noise, Bad Roman offers an excellent dining experience, especially in terms of food quality. Bring your appetite and loud voices, and you can't go wrong, especially with that lemon cheesecake...