110 Waverly Place – West Village
http://www.babbonyc.com
Italian, Notable Chef

After years of wanting to go to Babbo but only being able to get Tuesday 10 pm reservations, we FINALLY made it! The strategy was weekday lunch reservations over the holidays. We planned a 2pm lunch knowing we’d eat multiple courses and skip dinner.

Beginning with the vibe, Babbo is warm and inviting with Tuscan yellow walls and white tablecloths. Tables are lined along the banquette on the main floor. One really nice touch is that two tops sit next to one another on the banquette and face the center of the restaurant. And the tables are 4 tops, so there is plenty of room for food and wine.

 

We ordered Antipasti, Primi, Secondi and Dolci.  When in Rome, right?  And we had Bloody Marys, wine AND after dinner drinks while we were at it too.  And believe it or not this managed to NOT be the most expensive meal we ate during our 12 Days of Christmas extravaganza.  More on that in other posts!

Favorites of this meal were the Cockles, Beef Cheek Ravioli and the Olive Oil and Rosemary Cake with Olive Oil Gelato.  The cockle broth was so good I scooped it all up with a spoon.  The Beef Cheek Ravioli was rich and encased in amazing homemade pasta.  Wow!  And the olive oil and rosemary cake was such a perfect Italian ending with our post dinner Tawny Port and Nonino Amaro.  And Batali’s gelatos are out of this world!

We ate out so many times that we wound up having better versions of  Quail and the Octopus at Il Buco Alimentari.  The quail was nicely grilled and topped with fennel to lighten the flavor.  The octopus was char grilled as well with earthy mushrooms and vinegar sauce.  Also, Steve had a knock out steak preparation at Gramercy Tavern, so his Grilled Skirt Steak fell a little flat comparatively.  This version was even topped with black truffle viniagrette and set on sliced fingerlings.  This is not to say by any stretch of the imagination that this was not an amazing meal.  It was.  As you will see by the photos…

ANTIPASTI

Steamed Cockles in Red Chili Brodetto with Green Onion Fett’unta  $15

 

Grilled Quail with Shaved Fennel and Lardo  $16

PRIMI

Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe Pesto and Salami Calabrese  $18

Beef Cheek Ravioli with Black Truffles and Castelmagno  $20

SECONDI

Grilled Octopus with ‘Funghi Misti’ and Chianti Vinegar  $23

Grilled Skirt Steak with Roasted Potatoes and Black Truffle Vinaigrette  $23

DOLCI

Olive Oil and Rosemary Cake with Olive Oil Gelato  $13

Babbo is as amazing as you hear.  This is a perfect special occasion restaurant and should be visited at least once!  Batali was a pioneer in New York and really created a special West Village location with charm, atmosphere and truly fantastic food and service.

We did, of course, also have a Batali sighting while there.  He was at the table on the other side of the Christmas tree by the bar.  I didn’t want to be rude and shoot a photo!