Babbo LLC

After calling them 1 month in advance we were 'lucky'to get an 10:45 resrevation. Mind you, PM! Okay so far, so good. After a long trip from the Netherlands we arrived in a good mood 5 minutes early. We were asked to wait to be seated, and enjoyed a couple of good drinks at the bar. The barkeeper apologizing every 5 minutes for our waiting. At midnight we were brought to our table. We ordered fungi and sardines as antipasti. Tasteful but in portions that would normally be enough to survive for one week on a normal diet. There we learned Babbo's preference for balasmico. There was a salad on the side from grean eans tasting very much like basalmico. The primo was a shared spaghetti with lobster with a spicy taste. Just a little basalmico. By the way it was so late, and the music was so loud (Sex Pistols and that kind of music) that we only wanted to go to sleep, but we still had one course to go. The secundo was an outright disappointment. My wife had a skirt beef tasting to basalmico, in a huge portion taking all your appatite away. And my branzino was very plain. I go on holiday in Portugal often, and the fresh fish from the sea is not only better, but more tasteful and at least one third of the price. For me the end of the dinner was a completely cremated piece of vegetable. Black burned, tasting of basalmico so strong that I taste it now 20 hours later still. And that was my second try of vegetable, because I asked what kind of burned vegetable it was. The answer was that it was theit style to burn it completely black. Because I'm a little afraid of getting cancer from eating burned foor they brought me a new one. Same degree of fire wounds ... We were so disappointed that we asked for the bill, without ordering a dessert or even coffee. All we wanted was out of this place. Then they sent us a manager who we shared our experiences and he apologized and said that he would adjust the bill accordingly. We paid a mere $160 (no discount on the bill found, but to tired to get into a new discussion), left a $10 tip and I wrote on the AMEX slip 'for the service, not the food'.
What had to be a celebration of our first year together became a little disaster. I definitely ate twice at Bobbo's at Sunday Sept 6th, my first and my last time.
I cannot recommend Babbo, and I strongly believe this place is terribly overhyped. And the arrogance from the reservation till you leave the place is one big joke, at least if you look at it from a simple gastronomic perspective.
Fried air ... below zero.

Posted 09/07/09 | Report Abuse

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We really enjoyed our meal here. The downstairs is a bit loud but the upstair tables are quiet. The wine list is extensive & the food is prepared to perfection. A bit difficult to get a reservation but worth trying.

Posted 12/15/08 | Report Abuse

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Totally agree with Jochen, this is one of the best restaurants in its class in New York. Great food, top service. Just happy to be back again. Try it!

Posted 03/30/06 | Report Abuse

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Babbo is definitely one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. The food is excellent, the wine selection from great value for money to unaffordable and the service is an experience.
plus the rock music in the background and the people watching.

Enjoy!

PROS: food, service, wine list
CONS: not for the budget traveller

Posted 03/27/06 | Report Abuse

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