Becco

We had tickets to Movin Out last Thursay and were recommended to Becco by a friend who swears by the place. After reading the reviews here I wasn't sure. There's alot of truth in them all.. The food is fantastic, the service is great and it is crowded. Tables are smaller than I'd like, but prices are reasonable enough to justify, and it seems there's plenty of demand. We'll go back next time after the theater rush.

Posted 03/16/05

Whether you're off to a show or not, Becco was a very "average" stop. The pirce-fixe wine list is a good idea, but finding something tasty is very difficult and I found myself wishing I would have brought my own bottle and asked for a corkage fee. Tables were too small, as they handles the budtle of the pre-theatre crowd, I found myself having to move thinsg off the table to fit the over-sized plates. They were very consciencious about fixing teh wine problem, and getting us out on time for the show - that we appreciate!

Posted 03/14/05

I was there Saturday night and had a fantastic meal and service. Had to wait less than 10 mins. for our reserved table but was given complementary champagne and desserts. Overall, very satisfied and would definately recommend stopping in for dinner.

Posted 03/07/05

This is one of my favorite restaurants for dining. However, I was there this past Saturday night, 2/18/05 and it was one of the increasingly more and more less than pleasant experiences. The tables are so close, the waiters/wait staff/helpers kept bumping in to me constantly trying to get to other tables that were near us. The table itself has little if no space for the appetizers they bring out, and you feel extremely cramped. You are so close to each other, it's like you are invading others privacy. Love the food, but really dislike the cramped feeling.

Pros: Reasonable, Great wine list, Great Pasta

Cons: Crowded, noisy, Rushed

Posted 02/21/05

The restaurant is so crowded and noisy, and the food is very expensive. It's hard to even walk through the place, you have to shout to be heard, and there are always busboys moving tables and running about with skillets of pasta. You could pay half as much at other places, have better food, and certainly be in a less frazzled environment.

Cons: noisy, expensive, crowded

Posted 02/16/05

This place is fabulous! Took a group of 5 this Saturday...great food and the service was amazing! We had two waiters the entire night helping!
Definitely get the 3 pasta course...either as meal or add on...so worth it! Also, take advantage of the $25 wine menu!

Pros: Amazing Food, Great Service, Great Value on Wine

Cons: , n/a, n/a

Posted 12/20/04

I walked in without reservations on a busy Friday evening and was shown to the back bar where my friend and I got to try different wines for free along with delicious olives and breadsticks. We waited about 15 minutes before being seated in a cozy spot next to the patio doors. The ambience in that room was better since it was darker and quieter, plus great exposed brick walls. The service was friendly and prompt. The food was hot and plentiful, plus we ordered a three pasta special, which we got to share and was divine. We were very sorry that we ate so much that we couldn't try a dessert. Finally, for one glass of wine and an entree per person, we each paid $36.00 including tip.

Pros: beautiful place, excellent service, delicious food

Cons: , n/a, n/a

Posted 11/29/04

One of the best meals I've had in a long time combined with the vakue that was excellent. The only thing that could have made it better would have been having Lydia there herself. Service was quick and very polite and helpful!!! The three pasta special was our choice with the $25 bottle of wine that the waitress seleceted for us. "I'll Be Back"

Pros: Affordalble, courteous service, friendly patrons

Cons: , none, none

Posted 11/16/04

I ate in this restaurant twice during my stay in NY . Our evening meal was slightly disapointing. The food itself was fine but we were seated at the back of the restaurant where the tables were too close together, really intrusive on the people either side. I would request a table at the front, much better. Also we ordered a reserve wine and I was slighty annoyed that when they took it away to open it, they did not bring back the bottle to show us, even though I queried this, so it left us in doubt of what wine we were drinking.
When we had lunch on the Tuesday it was less busy and we were seated at the front. The service was great and the food lovely (set 3 pasta menu).
I would definately return either pre-theatre or lunch, not for the whole evening.

Pros: reasonably priced, friendly staff

Cons: , slightly rushed

Posted 11/15/04

NICE LITTLE PLACE IN RESTAURANT ROW IN THEATER DISTRICT, FOOD WAS OUTSTANDING, SERVICE VERY GOOD, AND PRICES FOR NYC WERE REASONABLE. CHECK IT OUT YOU WON'T BE SORRY.

Posted 08/28/04

Took my girlfriend during a recent weekend in the city. Family members have always raved about Becco so I decided to give it a shot - we were not disappointed. The service was outstanding, they were even accomodating to my girlfriend who is a vegetarian (since she couldn't eat the lobster ravioli that was part of the price fixed meal, they made her a special order of spinach ravioli!). Great selection of wines, delicious food all around, wonderful service, we will certainly be there again!

Pros: Great Service, Courteous Staff, Great Food

Cons: Tough Reservation, Tight Space

Posted 07/21/04

Average food, noisy room, high prices... this place has it all! The out-of-towners writing rave reviews obviously have no idea that you can get *excellent* Italian food in NYC for the same price elsewhere, and get very good Italian food for much cheaper somewhere else, too. If you live in NYC, you already knew this. For the toursts: check out the many great places in the East Village or uptown. There's a reason why the locals only eat in midtown for business lunches.

Posted 07/08/04

Considering how many expensive restaurants there are in NYC, it is wonderful to find somewhere to enjoy a delicious meal and not go broke. Becco is that place. I went before a show with my girlfriend and the waitstaff is very conscious of your time limitations but they don't rush you out either. The food was absolutely delicious (you must try the osso bucco) and as stated in the previous post, the dessert sampler is one of the best deals for dessert in all of NYC. Highly recommended restaurant row choice. Give it a try!

Pros: Food, Value

Cons: , Parking

Posted 05/24/04

This is my # 1 favorite restaurant in the city and beyond comapre in the theatre district. The prixe fix menu is Fanastic... so much food... and the pastas.... THE BEST! Wonderul atmosphere... prefer the back room or upstairs.
The dessert sampler platter is THE BEST DESSERT DEAL ANY WHERE!

Pros: Pixe fix, dessert, Wine list

Posted 05/22/04

Raves do not apply to this little cafe for the food. The pastas were very salty without decent flavor. They relied on unusual pairings. The pasta itself was fresh but undercooked. We did like the 20 dollar wine list because it was unpretentious and the our waiter was great!

Pros: Service, Late night kitchen

Posted 05/22/04

I've longed to taste Lidia's meals and salivate at the sight of her creations on TV, so when I went to her restaurant, I expected the best. I got even better! The food was inventive and delicious and the service was impeccable. I highly recommend it!

Posted 05/10/04

Well prepared and delicious food along with friendly service would keep us coming back. The food and wine came out at a quick pace which helped to take your mind off of the uncomfortable chairs. The $20 wine list is a rare find with a great selection of table wines. Order off the reserve list and you receive Reidel Crystal. Very enjoyable!

Pros: Service , food, Wine

Posted 02/01/04

With so many excellent choices for Italian cuisine in the city, it's perplexing that Becco has received such a positive response. As another reviewer stated, it's just a pre-theater fix for tourists. That should tell you all you need to know right there. Everyone who knows NYC well knows that Times Square caters specifically to those who are too starstruck to notice that the food is sub-par at best. Try a different neighborhood for REAL New York food. It's not at ESPN Zone, mind you.

Pros: inexpensive

Cons: no elbow room, subpar food

Posted 01/15/04

The service was very uncoordinated. It was as if the waitress and the several men helping her didn't talk because noone knew what the other had done or not done. My friend & I both ordered the pasta pre-fixe and she was given a plate and I was not. She was served and I waited at least 5 minutes before I even got a plate.... There were so many issues, but what could have made up for it was a waitress with a good disposition, not a snarly one. The food was good though and I would return with the hopes of receiving better service. Lydia was there signing cookbooks, it was fun to get a glance of the tv chef.

Pros: Pre-fixe, Good Value

Cons: Service, Tight Seating

Posted 12/23/03

Becco is a much better value and establishment than Felidia has turned out to be. The food, though less refined, is consistently satisfying. The pasta prix fixe is a value that can't be beat. Dine after 8PM to avoid the pre-theatre crowd (and the noise level that it can bring).

Pros: Food, Service

Cons: Noise

Posted 11/24/03

We have eaten at Becco twice. The first time we had a little trouble being served seconds on the all you can eat pasta. But the food was so delicious that we decided to try them again. The second time the service was excellent & the food as great as ever. Their pastas are delicious! We can't wait to get to New York City again to eat here.

Pros: affordable wine, great food, great location

Cons: small dining area

Posted 11/11/03

We were treated like royalty on our anniversary. Greeted at the door professionally and seated within a few minutes of our reservation we were out in time for our theater reservation. Pork Chop was AWESOME! Green beans amd little potatoes roasted were perfect. Service - Great Food - Great Don't miss dessert! Try the Tiramisu

Pros: Food, Service

Posted 11/06/03

My husband and I found ourselves on an impromptu Wednesday evening stay in the City for business. Friends recommended Becco and being a cooking show fanatic, knew Lidia's place had to be great. Not disapointed! We were treated to a wonderful "taste" of wines at the bar before dinner (yummy breadsticks and fresh olives), the staff trying to find us just the right one. Then dinner at a quiet table in the back room - everything was terrific - my husband had the pasta special, and my veal chop was delicious. Salads were fresh, tasty and the cannollis....well, we couldn't eat them after the meal, but they wrapped them up for us and it was a great late night snack at the hotel and even breakfast the next morning - best ever.

We will be taking friends from out of town there before a show next week - can't wait!

Pros: Service/staff, food, location

Posted 11/06/03

Love of Lida's TV show lead me to Becco for dinner on a Thursday night. The restaurant was crowded and didn't have much elbow room. Waiters had to reach over people to deliver food. The food was sub-par. We ordered a prix fixie (aniti pasto or ceaser salad with 3 types of different pastas) and anitpasto caldo for two. Antipasto was interesting enough; however, pasta was only one step up from Olive Garden. The pasta offered for the night were penne w/ tomato & basil, ling. w/ clam, and cannelloni. Among those, linguni with clam was best tasting; however, it was served with only 2 clams in the begining, and subsequent servings consisted only of pasta, no clam. For the total dinner price of $95, I think that the restaurant should have been better.

Cons: sub par food

Posted 10/24/03

Went pre-theatre on Sept 26th. The wait staff were friendly, knowledgeable and appropriately attentive. Never felt rushed. Jeremy, the sommelier, was charming, discerning and most helpful. The food was well prepared (osso bucco was fork tender and delicious) and the three desserts we tried were exquisite, especially the Pannacotta. My wife and I travel to NYC at least 5 times a year and always try different restaurants bur Becco is a keeper and we will go back.

Pros: Excellent value, Great Staff, Terrific menu

Posted 10/10/03

Our pre-theatre party of four was promptly seated and engaged in conversation by a friendly wait staff. The pasta special was delicious and an excellent value for restaurant row. The dining area was a bit of a squeeze, but tight quarters can be fun when everyone around you is obviously having a good time. Giant pans of pasta circulate through the dining area, refilling the plates of those that ordered the three pasta, all you can eat special. Everything is so fresh that you just expect Lidia to walk out of the kitchen with a spoon in her hand.

Pros: Everything is Fresh, Homemade aroma, Homemade taste

Cons: A/C needs a boost

Posted 09/21/03

The space is definitely crowded but whether you are pre theater or just looking for a reasonably priced restaurant in Manhattan with wonderful food and a fantastic wine list, this is the place. I cannot rave enough about the food and I just love the idea of a $20 wine list in addition to the regular. Restaurants all over Manhattan should adopt that idea!

Pros: Food , Wine, Service

Cons: Space, Getting in

Posted 09/17/03

Becco saved our night. We had reservations at Barbettas. Made them and had them confirm them the day before. Got there to find Barbetta closed for vacation!!! Becco fit us in and fed us WELL! A very busy place, good food, and great service!!! Save room for dessert, though as they are even better than the pasta.

Pros: food, price, service

Cons: crowded

Posted 09/01/03

It's just another pre-theatre place and that's all! Like all the other supposed GREAT "Restaurant Row" joints, the food here is "so-so" and the ambience, well, there is none! It's crowded, noisy and frantic! The supposed "deal" is a Prix Fixe that includes a choice of marginal salads and three "all you can eat" pasta specials. Any menu offering/choice beyond that is over-priced and under-quality. If you go, get a downstairs table. At least there, they seem to have painted it recently and it's a lot brighter than the upstairs subway tunnel.

Pros: Convenient to theatre

Cons: Packed too tight, Marginal food

Posted 08/20/03

After hearing so many good things and watching Lidia on her T.V. show, we finally got to visit Becco after being stuck in a blackedout hotel.

Happy to say, everything was back to normal in NYC and the meal was delicious. The staff made it fun and next time in town we will definitely be back.

P.S. Order the "Fried Shrimp appetizer.
Awesome.

Pros: Friendly., Good.

Cons: Very Busy.

Posted 08/19/03

Becco came highly rated everywhere we looked. They have a fabulous wine list where every bottle is only $20 and the servers are knowledgable enough to make recommendations based on your likes and dislikes. I had the pasta special (the mushroom ravoli were incredible), my husband had a chicken dish. We shared a bottle of wine and a dessert, but our bill was only $90 (including tip). We stuffed ourselves with food and took the cannelloni home to eat later. (By the way, if you like cannelloni ask for it as it wasn't on our menu!) One word of warning: this place is BUSY, so don't show up late for your reservations or they may not be able to seat you for a while.

Pros: value, wine list, service

Cons: busy

Posted 07/31/03

We were recently visiting New York and were on our way to a Show. We made reservations at Becco. We had prompt seating, outstanding service, amazing food, tremendous wine list (we recommend the Sangiovese). What made our visit extra special was that we didn't have room for dessert at the end of our meal (the pasta was so amazing we just kept eating), our waiter suggested we come back after our show, which we did. To our surprise they recognized us, set up a "special dessert table" and served us some FABULOUS desserts, topped off with wonderful after-dinner-drinks. All in all, a perfect dining experience. Thanks Becco!

Pros: great food, great price, wine list

Cons: crowded

Posted 07/12/03

Pre Theater resteraunts are usually so so.. so/

this place was great. Fast and Friendly, Delicious and Happy to See US!

Try the Appetizer of the SPECIAL CHEESE!

GREAT Wine List and GREAT PASTA!!

Pros: GREAT FOOD, GREAT SERVICE

Posted 07/04/03

The meal was booked for a surprise 30th birthday for my husband. When making reservations, I asked if a bottle of Champagne could be waiting at the table for when we arrived.
Not only was the chapmagne chilled and waiting for us, but the staff made us feel extremely welcome. The waiter even dressed up my husbands dessert with a candle and wrote 'Happy Birthday' in chocolate sauce - it's the little touches.
The food was delicious, the service was fantastic and the price could not be beaten.
I will definitely be returning and I would recommend Becco's to one and all!

Pros: Delicious food, Great service, Inexpensive

Posted 07/03/03

We were late getting into town to see a Broadway show and had several cell phone conversations with the lady and gentleman who kept answering the phone. They were extremely helpful and held our table for us. After a LONG TERRIBLE drive into the city, we arrived at Becco. Very warm greeting and excellent service. Our food came out on time and we got to our show which our waiter gave us directions to. Too many good things to say about this place.

Pros: Friendly, Fast, Good Food

Posted 06/03/03

This past Saturday, two weary, rain-bedraggled shoppers showed up at Becco. Even tho we did not have reservations, the lovely young lady at the door put us down for the 1st dinner seating. We were treated in grand style by all the staff, and had the best meal we've had on a shopping trip. Although we could have made a meal of the breads and dip alone, sis had a super steak;I had perfectly grilled salmon. Too full for desert but I ordered the sampler anyway. We devoured it. If you want to be alone, eat at home. If you want "cheap", go to McD's. But if you want really good food, pretty surroundings, sweet people waiting on you...give Becco a try. Sis works in a hospital , I work in a factory. Our pennies are hard-earned. Becco was worth every cent.

Pros: Good, fresh food, attentive staff

Posted 06/02/03

Kid Freindly: YES
Romantic: NO
A zoo. My wife and I had the pasta & salad Prix fix.
Not bad - but the place was packed tighter than a sardine can with screaming kids all over the place. We couldn't wait to leave. If you're into carbo loading before a marathon this place is for you. Anybody else - go elsewhere.

Pros: Groups

Cons: Noise, Cramped, Kids

Posted 05/25/03

The $20 wine list was a nice aspect of the experience. Very large portions. Great service.

Posted 05/18/03

This is the best pre theatre dinner there is. Pretty dining rooms- busling with people going to shows. Very fun atomosphere. Great prices- price fix pasta meal was great and reasonable wine selection. Great service too!

Pros: Inexensive, Location, Service

Cons: Loud

Posted 05/12/03

My fiance and dined there on Saturday 5/3/03.
We arrived about 5:30 without a reservation.
Within a 1/2 hour we were seated.

Great food for the price. If you do the prix fix it's
$21. We ordered from the menu. The steak was great, as well as the special that evening, stuffed
boned suckling pig.

The only negative I can say is that their pasta as well as their risotto were a little too al dente for
me. I don't know if they always cook them that
al dente or if it was just the chefs that night.

Oh.. and 100 wines under $20!

Pros: Food, Great Wine List

Cons: Pasta too Al Dente

Posted 05/09/03

Once we sat, a box of homemade bread was placed on the table with a nice orange table dip. We all ordered priced fixed which was three delicious pastas coming after a fresh vegetable plate and cesare salad. I saw a steak at the table next to us I WISH i had ordered, but the desserts were great. I will definitly go back.

Posted 05/05/03

My guests and I were stunned by the stuffed shells we had at Becco the other night. We asked our server what was in it, and he said it was ORANGE ZEST! I've never heard of that before! We also had Rigatoni with Broccoli and Garlic (mmmmm..) and a Fetucini with a meat sauce. A dessert sampler was shared for the table and consisted of bread pudding, homemade ice cream, a chocolate mousse to die for and fresh berries that were so good they should be illegal.

I highly reccomend Becco. The staff was fantastic, and be sure to say hello to the tall guy who sells the wine. His choices for our party were outstanding.

Pros: Good Food, Location, Takes reservations

Cons: Crowded

Posted 04/02/03

Brought my parents there for my dad's 60th birthday!! Food and Sevice was great.

Pros: Food, Service, Price

Cons: Tables a bit cramped, loud

Posted 03/31/03

Fantastic. The pasta all you can eat three different kinds is an awesome idea. and they're delicious. This has been my second time there and I will soon visit again because everything on the menu looks good. Service was great and the ambience was homey. The wine guy made great selections and we will soon b back.

Pros: Inexpensive, Good Service, Great Food

Posted 03/29/03

Food was ok. It was packed the night we went. Took forever to get our soda refills (too much ice, too little coke!!). We tried the prixe fixe but pasta being pasta, you can only eat so much. We didn't have enough time to try the dessert sampler, which sounded nice.

Pros: lively

Cons: small space

Posted 02/26/03

fun staff, food is ok, great prix fix $20 win list

Pros: fun, lots of food

Cons: food not great, loud

Posted 02/09/03

I took my boyfriend there for his birthday (we went to Felidia for my birthday). Rife, our waiter was AWESOME! His recommendations were right on the money. The aps, the dinner, the wine, the desert! Absolutly Fabulous. Close quarters allow for friendly conversation between tables. Yes they have pre-fix pasta, but the other items on the menu are not that expensive and yummy too!
HIGHLY recommended! Def. will go back again!

Pros: Friendly Staff, Family-like Clientle

Cons: Close quartered

Posted 02/04/03

Becco was the perfect way to start my birthday celebrations in the City! Four of us ordered of the pre fix menu and enjoyed sharing the fabulous treats with each other. For dessert, the sampler tray had a simple candle in it in honor of my birthday, but there was no obnoxious or embarrassing singing. The food was great! The decor was simply elegant. A fantastic experience!

Posted 01/30/03

Fantastic wine selections. The $20 wine list had some surprising standouts. We had a large table so we were able to experiment and the staff was very helpful with recomendations. I had the pasta dinner and wasn't very impressed with the quality. It was good, but i had been expecting better. The seafood appetizer was a little fishy also. Service was great. The staff was friendly and attentive. Overall I recommend this restaurant, especially for larger groups who can take advantage and appreciate the large selection and varient of wine.

Pros: Great $20 wine list, Parking nearby, Good value

Posted 01/10/03

We dined here on the first night of our first visit to NYC. This was a perfect start to our trip....the prix fixe menu was great - and the pasta was phenomenal! Definitely recommend it.

Posted 01/09/03