Reviews & Ratings for Baraonda

02/15/12

Upper East Side Favorites

by Christina Murray

Yes! The Upper East Side has a chosen few amazing restaurants. Baraonda is a place that has been around for over 18 years. After that length of time you can call it an institution. The food is always consistent, the waiters are always happy & most importantly the FOOD is just simply Italian. Yesterday on Valentine’s Day I ordered the Homemade Tagliolini with Braised Lamb Ragu’ & Burgundy Wine and it was like a Tuscan Dream. The Lamb Ragu to perfection. Then Veal Scalloppine topped with Sage & Prosciutto served with Spinach & Mashed Potato and it’s no wonder why I keep coming back. I love the Food. The people next to me were also pleased with their meal and we raved about how happy we were that this restaurant is still here. There are not that many places in New York that have longevity so when restaurants are around for so long that must mean something. I recommend this place and they do deserve 5 stars for FOOD, 5 stars for being around for so many years and 5 stars for having regulars that are always cool people. It can be romantic and it can be fun. A New York City Classic and a must try!

02/07/12

One of New york city's true gems!!

by foodie1987

Outstanding Italian dining in a NYC neighborhood setting. Gnocchetti di Patate was great - the pasta and sauces are unbelievable! Prime Beef Tenderloin with dry Figs, aged balsamic glace served with asparagus and Potatoes would be my ultimate meal!

The ambiance and food would make me happy if i were in Italy !! that is the how high my regards are for this restaurant! The staff are very hospitable and warm! My favorite restaurant in NYC hands down!

01/15/12

Be careful ladies the manger is a groper!

by SHAWNETT ROBINSON

I have been to this restaurant for dinner several times. The food is reliable deliciousness and the wait staff is warm and pleasant. My girlfriend invited me on a Sunday night and it was packed. We were standing against the bar and people were passing back and forth constantly. I felt someone grope my ass! I turned around with urgency and get this, the groper asked me what is my problem. I was very uncomfortable in the situation and told him you just touched me. He knew what he did, why did I have to mention it. He came really close in my face as if he would do physical harm mouthing off I pushed him with my elbow. I was shocked. After asking to speak with a manager, turns out the groper is the manager! Giacomo, is a horrible person and should not be in the restaurant industry. He didn't apologize he was very defensively aggressive and put his fingers in my face while he was talking. I will never be a patron at this place. Giacomo feels it's ok to blatantly disrespect women. No woman should ever be treated this way. This rotten apple spoils the entire place!

10/02/11

How NOT to treat a loyal customer

by marlev48

How not to treat a loyal customer? Follow Baraonda's lead. I have been going to Baraonda for a few years. I have probably been there half a dozen times. The food is good not great. I go for the fun scene. Especially a certain night of the week. I may start there by myself but end up with friends and spend $50-$100 per person. I have told many people about Baraonda. Not anymore. A couple of nights ago, I stepped up to door and was barred entry. First I was told there was a “private event” in progress. This was not true and when I challenged it I was told that the owner was limiting who could enter. This is not a hotclub; this is an Italian restaurant in NYC! Apparently with an attitude. I don’t hold the door guy , who was new to me, responsible even though I told him that I was a long-term customer. I'm not going to beg to be let into a restaurant but he hostess could have a taken a moment to look at me before she also turned me away. Baraonda aint seeing my money or me again.

07/28/10

so not worth it

by nads22

I went for brunch this past Sunday with my bf bc the menu looked decent. Upon seating we order some water and my boyfriend gets a bloody mary. It doesn't occur to us to ask the price because we assume it can't be THAT much since it's brunch and bloody mary's are a staple. The bloody mary comes, we order and waitt. I notice every table around us had a breadbasket... ours was just "forgotten" and never brought out even after asking for it. The food came, I asked for a diet coke, it tasted like the filter hadn't been cleaned in years. I had two sips and couldn't take it anymore. Even my bf said it was awful. Food was simply ok. I got an omelet with crappy deli ham w/ way too salty cheese. I asked for more ketchup & by the time that came around i was practically done. Our creepy hostess was standing behind the curtain peering at everyone (not helping) while sipping a bloody mary. At this point we had already written up the restaurant as poor then the check came. $12 for a bloody mary?! You've got to be kidding me! Both our meals weren't even $12! how can you possibly charge more than a meal for a drink? We asked her if that was correct, she was rude and just said yes that's how much it is. I couldn't believe that it cost 1/4 of our meal. After crappy service, a creepy hostess, and not great food I'll never return. Suggestion? Look at your pricing, it should make sense. I'd be willing to pay $12 for a drink at the nicest brunch spot in town, but this dump? Hell no.

• Pros: good outside seating
• Cons: but thats not even worth it

04/05/10

Great UES bar and restaurant with nice outdoor seating

by MLLD

Baraonda is a great place to be, I always feel very welcome and well treated. The food is original Italian and I know many Italians who love to eat there, which is a good sign. The huge wine selection is great. It happened only once that they didn't have the bottle I ordered in store. Especially in summer, it's one of the best outdoor places on the UES. The bartenders are professional and entertaining. I can warmly recommend this place.

• Pros: excellent food, drinks, and staff
• Cons: it sometimes gets packed

12/14/09

always a great place! Great Service & Food!

by jpues

always love going to baraonda. each time i go with friends we always think we can't have more fun then the last time but it gets better and better. not that i am a regular but each time i go they treat me as if i am family. the waiters are great and very attentive. the food is always consistenly delicious and the portions are quite large for the money. what i love most is that even though it's a restaurant they play the best music that leads us to dancing! this is a great place for a girls night out!

• Pros: Great & Friendly Service! Delicious Food & Great Music!
• Cons: can get loud but that make is more fun!

06/21/09

Expensive and the food isnt good

by shert

The menu looks amazing, but the food was just your everyday italian restaurants food, nothing special here. I had the lobster ravioli, which you couldnt really even taste the lobster. My boyfriend had the tagliatelle bolognese and again...just boring. The price was quite expensive for what we got. I'd go elsewhere for better food and better price. In addition the waiter was TERRIBLE, at one point I was saying loudly "excuse me" and waiving my arms to get his attention to offer us parmesean cheese for our entrees. RIDICULOUS!

• Pros: Location
• Cons: Food, Price, Service

03/03/09

Great Vibe

by BushwickTao

Loved the atmosphere and the vibrancy. Almost like being at a party. Not the best place to go if you want a quiet romantic dinner, at least the night that I went. The food was excellent, the service was great, and again the ambiance and atmosphere was a good escape from the dreariness outside. I would recomend this place if you don't mind listening to good music and looking at beautiful women.

• Pros: People, service, ambiance
• Cons: none really

02/27/09

Nice Place

by Straks

Really nice atmosphere, good food, and a nice place to bring a date. Lobster pasta was tasty and the pasta was fresh made. Had a little spice to it. Overall decent experience. Recommended.

• Pros: Good date place
• Cons: Server was pretty weak