I was a reviewer of restaurants for a NYC newspaper and posted a review of Rao’s.
The restaurant was packed that evening as it was when I have been there as a diner.
Cool. Would you share that review with us?
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Why not? Since I imagine you’ve been to a few good restaurants in Rome, isn’t that pasta, or for that matter bucatini all’amatriciana, generally on the menu?
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Are you saying that your review was the reason it was packed? Do you know how Rao’s works? People can’t read a review and then say “Rao’s sounds good! Let’s go eat there tonight or tomorrow!” That is not reality.
Rao’s is probably fine. I have never felt the lure to try to get a reservation-- especially when there are so many Italian restaurants that are outstanding. Maybe I’m missing something. Doubt it.
Still waiting for @Wingate1961’s review…
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I’ve been a few times. ‘Fine’ is a good word to describe the food. It was perfectly fine. I dated a criminal defense attorney and we used his clients’ table.
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I saw two very old reviews by a “NYC paper”.
I tried, about 30. years ago, to. make a res at Rao’s. Drove up there and went into the bar, where the bartender (maybe his name was Frank??). told me he had nothing but he would give me a table if I called six months to the date. Did so, and was told to call again, six months later!!! Even went into the bar in daytime a while later when I was nearby (what was that old-school bakery one 116th with the prosciutto bread???)… I think “Frank” was just having a laugh at me.
I know some people who went there as guests of people who had “tables.” I never heard anyone give an astounding review. Each and every one said the food was fine, but nothing special. I used to eat often at Don Peppe, near Belmont, and that place is still running and for someone who has never experienced that type of restaurant, it can be great fun…I just might go again soon, now that I think about it. Just not on big race days…
Thougts on Don Peppe (near the track…I think it is Ozone Park). here???
Was “Wingate” going to post his own review of Rao’s??? What paper was it in…?? th NEWS, maybe. How would a press person get in there without a non-press contact?
I did get the Rao’s cookbook from the library and made their lemon chicken but it was no better, no worse, than the many others from that dish…just pile on the butter.
Anyone been lately to old Arthur avenue stalwarts? Roberto, Mario, Dominicks??? I’ve given up on those but do go up there to shop a couple of times a. year…
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Exclusivity is such a sad crutch for the eternally thirsty 
I feel sorry for anyone who needs that kind of shit to feel important.
Whenever I see a velvet rope around a place I immediately lose any interest I may have had.
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Sure its a classic probably served most everywhere, even if its not stated on the daily menu, in the average Roman trattoria. To not offer it would be like a NY diner not offering say burgers or tuna sandwiches
I was mainly talking about american chefs… Obviously the reason they are serving cacio e pepe, like ragu bolognese , insalata caprese, etc is because these are extremely familar dishes that people feel comfortable ordering Same is true in Italian tourist destinations - it makes sense commercially to offer them locals like a change of fare too. its easy and more tempting to do cheffy riffs on standards than to go out and find equally satisfying but less familiar traditiona recipes.
I always count myself lucky though to get some of the less famous dishes from the cuisine when in Rome (or in any italian place) - there are thousands of dishes in the cuisine many wonderful tastes to explore. I remember the first time we got the wonderful combo of eggplant, mint and swordfish in sicily - hardly a new taste in western sicily, but to me a revelation. How many of the NY italian restaurants offer such dishes?
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Have you been to Arco Cafe, the Sardinian place on Amsterdam/103? I had lunch there twice, thought the pastas are pretty good.
Had lunch at Don Peppe’s for the first time about a month ago. Highlights were the baked clam app, linguine with clam sauce, and shrimp Luciano over linguine, that last I found remarkably good, never had anything like it before. The pastas are cooked perfectly, too.
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I’m going to get to Don Peppe’s again soon…have not been since was a regular at the track, maybe 40 years ago… Looks like a fun scene. We used to be crazy about the place so long ago.
So where is that review of Rao’s?? Remember when one of the owners, Frank Pellegrino, I think, opened up a place in west midtown…it was good as I remember but that was probably 20 years ago…and I can’t remember the name…started with “B” maybe (??). Don’t they have a Rao’s now in Miami?
This is pretty funny…the worst landmark NYC restaurants:
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Yes. Years ago. It was good but I guess not special enough to return so far. That’s the only time we’ve been to that part of Central Park.
You had some of their classics. After about 5 visits we developed a love hate relationship. Some of the waiters can be a little intimidating.
@erica1, Via Google, the restaurant Rao’s owner opened in Midtown was Baldoria.
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Yes!! Baldoria! We ate there a couple of times and I remember liking it…thanks, Roz!
We need you posting more here.
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San Carlo Osteria does typical Piedmontese food…
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