Reviews & Ratings for Rao's Restaurant

06/02/10

Not worth the hassle

by GustavChichoni at Citysearch

Not worth the trouble for getting a reservation. Pure hype. Went with some friends who have a secured a table and noticed that the pasta they use was De Cecco - which can be bought in the store. Plus if you go with friends or family is almost impossible to have a conversation without other people listening what you are saying. Frank Pellegrino was nice and tried to be a great host but doesn't go further than that. I also found very annoying apeople looking from the bar to our table. Definitely not a place that a public figure would like to go. One of the person at our table was within that category and he didn't enjoy the experience. I guess what keep the business going is the reduced number of tables they have available. Very unlikely will be able to fill a bigger space and keep customers coming.

• Pros: familiar atmosphere
• Cons: reduced space, luck of privacy

06/19/06

A legendary family-style Italian restaurant that's worth the trip to Harlem for the people-watching alone.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
Martin Scorsese has been known to treat his editing crew to dinner here, and it's easy to see why. Entering this small room--beautifully restored to its former glory after a fire destroyed the premises--is like walking onto the set of "Goodfellas." But unless you're a friend of owner Frank Pellegrino or otherwise "connected," you might as well forgeddabout it. You'll age a year before you get a reservation.

The Food
The best homestyle Italian cooking and service (Menu? What menu?) in New York. In fact, you can't really say you've arrived in this town until you've scored a table here and made the pilgrimage to east Harlem for luscious pastas and chicken in vinegar and lemon.

11/01/04

Nick the Vest is Best!

by wineturtle at Citysearch

Wineturtle worked with Nick in the old Daleys Rest by Bloomies 30 some years ago and he was the best barman around in those days,an half step slower now but still sitting at his bar is magic ,watching a master mixer run this old time bar is still a treat and the staff he has trained....well they would shine anywhere else but next to Nick every one takes a back seat(alas even Wineturtle). Some say Frank is the show,some say the food is the show,both right BUT NICK IS THE BEST!

• Pros: Nick , The food, Franks 'songs
• Cons: , Hens teeth are , hard to get.

07/27/03

Great place...

by galano at Citysearch

I have been to Rao's probably 15 times the past 3 years and it keeps getting better. For those that go once and don't enjoy it, all I can say is that they just don't get it. Rao's has the best service and atmosphere in NYC. Good luck getting a table.

• Pros: Parking is easy, Celebs, Impossible to get in
• Cons: Expensive, Impossible to get in

02/02/03

Wow

by Taurian32 at Citysearch

I was at Rao's last Wed. for Meetball Night. The service was excellent, the food was excellent, but the entire experience was very cool. It's true, you feel like your in a scene from Goodfellas. Nicky the Nose at the bar is a treat. If you wrote a bad review, it's because you don't understand what Rao's is all about. I can't wait for the nex time.

10/22/02

Too Snobby for Real New Yorkers

by JERSEY at Citysearch

Been there, done that, and New York, it's not that big a deal. The food is decent at best, and the ambience, well, it's a matter of opinion, some may consider it to be a sweet thing, I thought it was just annoying. If celebrities make you sweat, then your in for a ride, but if your like most around these parts then you'll just yawn and wonder whats with all the hype. Rao is a good restaurant, but it's nothing special.

• Pros: friendly service
• Cons: cramped, difficult to get in, so so food

09/02/02

Still the best after 16 years

by james_stanley at Citysearch

it has been at least 16 years since I have eaten at Rao's. The food was unbelievable then and I am sure it is still so. If I ever get to New York again I can only hope I can get a chair in a corner for any meal.

08/01/02

Best Restaurant Ever

by boken at Citysearch

Seriously, this place kicks ass. The atmosphere is unheralded, the service impecible, and the food magnificant. Best Italian food I ever had (and being Italian, that means alot). It is nearly impossible to get a table, so if you ever have the chance to go here for dinner, DO NOT pass it up.