Babbo Ristorante Enoteca   

Don't listen to all the review's by people that probably haven't even been there or expect a table to just have their name on it without reservations. The food was wonderful and if you call this expensive you have no idea what an expensive meal is. I Ate at both Babbo and Esca Monday and Tuesday and I can tell you everything was totally Mario and on the mark. They know how to run a restaurant and it shows by all the people trying to get in. Kudo's Mario and Joe for entertaining us with your great visions of what a good Italian restaurant should be. I can't wait to do Del Posto next.

Likely the best italian deal in the city, as the Pasta Tasting Menu is out of this world, and a bargin. ForkNewYork.com

On Saturday night my wife and I dropped into Babbo without a reservation, it was 5:20pm. We went to the front desk and were told the wait would be about 90 minutes or so. We decided to wait at the bar, grab some drinks and then have diner. We then out our name on the list. Please note that the bar at Babbo is very small, maybe 12 feet long if that. All 10 seats at the bar were taken so we stood up behind some folks who were seated and tried to get the attention of one of the two bartenders. Waited 10 minutes before being seen, got a wine menu and waited an additional 20 minutes before the sommelier came over to us. All this time not one bartender paid any attention to us although he kept serving the two couples on either side of us. One bartender spent an entire 20 minutes talking to two girls at the bar who inquired about every dish on the menu. He was more than happy to explain each dish as though he was Mario himself. Although we were literally 2 feet in front of him he NEVER looked up to make eye contact. Remember, 10 people seated at the bar and 2 bartenders. A few minutes later the sommelier came back to tell us that the wine we chose was "just picked by another person" and they were out. 1500 bottles on the list and I just happen to pick the one wine that was just “sold out”. After another 5 minutes of this nightmare we decided to walk 4 blocks to Bellavitae where we had one of the best meals we ever had in NYC (See review). Horrible service, rude and totally inattentive bartenders coupled with a VERY overpriced menu. I suggest you all stay away from this place.