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Rao's New York Yelp Reviews
Latest Reviews On Yelp
32 Reviews
0 Replys |
Been meaning to give a review of Rao's NYC for a number of
Been meaning to give a review of Rao's NYC for a number of months. Two of us were fortunate to grab seats at the bar when we went without reservations. We had to hang for a bit but eventually the hanging paid off. First, reading the reviews posted lately one would be very confused, both from an experience perspective along with some horrible grammar and over-the-top drama. Either it's great or it sucks, or you're not really sure what the reviewer is trying to convey. We felt it's somewhere in the middle. It's an institution of sorts, small, tucked into an area of East Harlem (don't let the location of "Harlem" throw you off, much has changed over the years, all for the good), has been around since the late 1880's (!), and has a regular and loyal clientele. The staff was very friendly and the food was good, nothing outstanding but certainly not awful. The overall experience, though, was fantastic. We're at Rao's...they said it couldn't be done!
Be the first to Replythe food here is so bad.
I think that AL copne would not bone for this. Berts Special Red sauce IS soo much better. Bert Is Way italian. I think a Irish person could cook way better. Plus you might get robbed on the way becase its in harlem. This food is not busting.
Be the first to ReplyBest Italian food in the city.
Period! Their veal is fork tender and their homemade, made to order pasta is always perfectly Al dente. Their linguine with clams, veal with roasted peppers are two of my favorites.
Be the first to ReplyIt's not what you know, it's who you know.
.. Last night I was fortunate to have had a dining experience at Rao's, probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (at least for me). Based on the reviews I didn't have very high expectations for this exclusive, historical, and family owned East Harlem hot spot. I was totally blown away... not only was the staff amazing and friendly, but each and every dish was delicious, all served family style. The Maitre d' sat with us and walked us through the different courses and options (there's no written menu). We started with the seafood salad and baked clams, followed by the pasta arrabiata and orecchiette with broccoli rabe and sausage, accompanied by the biggest and tastiest meatballs smothered in Rao's amazing sauce. For entrees we got the shrimp oreganata and veal with hot peppers. For dessert I tried the chocolate raspberry ice cream. The restaurant had a warm and intimate vibe. We even had a chance to visit the kitchen! I had such a lovely experience that I'm grateful for. Hopefully I'll be lucky enough to patronize this establishment again in the future.
Be the first to ReplyZero stars !!!! This restaurant has to be the worst and
Zero stars !!!! This restaurant has to be the worst and meanest restaurant in New York ! Me, my sister and her friend visited New York and decided to go over to see if they would take us regardless of the reputation it has for being super hard to get a table at. We checked the scene and seen the whole restaurant was empty and there was plenty of seating and tables available . The only people there were the workers and 2-3 guys at the bar area(all men). We decided to ask if they had a table for 3 people and Some short heavier set guy (his name was Tony I think, he's the guy in the picture attached) told us NO right away. No, if, it's or buts. He was so mean and made us feel so unwelcomed and unworthy. We asked why we couldn't seat and he said, "you have to have reservations". We explained that we tried calling and he still shut us down even though they were NOT busy! Upon giving up and walking out he meanly stated "we are booked all year round 365 days a year"(with so much SASS)" as we were walking out. He pretty much stated that we don't have a chance to EVER get a seat here. Whoever raised this man is a coward and so is he! No gentleman at all and bad for business! These people wouldn't even let us wait inside. It's snowing in New York and they all watched us leave feeling so unworthy and let us freeze in the cold for 15 minutes waiting while we waited for our ride. They kept poking their heads through the windows watching us. They showed NO signs that they would have a change of heart towards us....these people lack basic human decency and there is NO honor in that. I don't care how much money or how exclusive you think you are what raos did tonight is atrocious. This place is literally in Harlem and they act like their Shxt doesn't stink! You should be ashamed of yourselves for even thinking/hyping that it's an honor to dine here. Even if I was the richest person alive I would NEVER waste my money to these axxholes . Also Safe to say I will NEVER Purchase anything with RAOS name on it including the store bought pasta or anything! Literally disgusted!!!!! And Tony, you no tough guy talking to 3 young ladies like that! You outta go take a dive off the Brooklyn bridge you punk bastard . Go swim with the fishes
Be the first to ReplyI have been to many restaurants all over the city .
Some with 3 Star Michelle ratings. The food that's served here I would think twice before I gave it to my dog!! First they don't know how to make a tomato sauce. The meatball are disgusting the shrimps are soft and old and fishy the calamari's are deep fried in old dark grease same for the chicken resembling diesel oil... I could go on and on. When you first come in a waiter comes to the table and basically sells you drinks and dinners like a car salesman . Oh yea then there's a bill I almost forgot 5 people $1900!! Are you kidding me? What else to say? All of that aside I was nice to be in an iconic restaurant!!
Be the first to ReplyThe ambience was beautiful and the service was good.
The place was almost empty at the time, and it was 7:30. The food, not so much of either. The Uncle Vincent's chicken was not in a lemon sauce. It was swimming in about a cup of runny lemon broth that was so acidic you could barely eat it. It was like sucking on a lemon. The linguine and clams was tasteless. The frito mixto was good, but it's fried and how can fried food be bad, at least most of the time? The roasted potatoes were delicious, but I don't know that they were really roasted as they tasted more like they were fried. There were two of us, and it cost $200 plus the cost of parking. We each had one drink. Totally not worth it.
Be the first to ReplyGreat food, service.
This place is one in a million!Great at mosphere, enjoy Italian American food at its finest.
Be the first to ReplyLook, here's the deal it's one of the greatest dining
Look, here's the deal it's one of the greatest dining experiences that I've ever had! Everything that we had was incredible! I've eaten in the LA restaurant and they closed one in Vegas, but they don't hold a candle to the original. If you ever get the opportunity to die in there, you will never forget it the rest of your life.
Be the first to ReplyWent here for our anniversary and everyone was great.
The food was excellent and the wait staff was very informed on all the menu choices.
Be the first to ReplyIn town visiting relatives - they managed a reservation a
In town visiting relatives - they managed a reservation a while ago. For being so hyped up - was not impressed - marginal at best. Pasta was gummy and flavorless. I appreciated the company - but there is much better out there - maybe try somewhere off the beaten path.
Be the first to ReplyAnother great meal at Rao's.
This was my 6th time. I've been lucky through the years to have friends that have access to a table. Everyone is so friendly and such a fun relaxed ambience. The meatballs never disappoint, seafood salad, rigatoni , orecchiette with sausage, lemon chicken, clams oreganata, steak pizzaiola. Can't wait until the next time.
Be the first to ReplyOk let me start by saying I truly apologize for not knowing
Ok let me start by saying I truly apologize for not knowing that you guys exist. I've been to NYC countless times but never been to the actual restaurant. Next trip this is my first spot I promise. With that said. One day I'm walking by the frozen food section in whol foods and I stumble upon rao's chicken parm w/ spaghetti. I grab one to take to work for lunch, thinking much of it than just frozen dinner. Or so I thought... come lunch time I pop this suckered in the microwave and I'm like wow this smells really good. I take it out,peel off the plastic and take my first bite...... oh my effing god!!!!! The best, hands down, food I ever tasted from the "frozen" section. No frozen taste, taste freshly made, portion is spot on, not too much to get food coma while working but not small enough to leave you going to the vending machine. So about a year goes by of me trying the chicken parm, penne vodka, and the meat lasagna. A fucking plus I swear if rao's was a religion I would convert. No joke I finally tell my wife to try it with my son, since out of nowhere a family size box appeared in whole foods... I almost lost my wife to the chicken parm lmao. So today, a couple of months later. We are in whole foods again, we shop in other stores too I swear lol. We decide to do a whole rao's dinner. Farfalle pasta and the sensitive marinara, it was the only sauce left. Came home and made it with some slice spicy pork sausage... chef kiss is an <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Funderstatement.im&s=308c37a2f869b932e5a4484caca4789adcea748cb02ad11b86c4839869e2782f" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">understatement.im</a> not kidding by far and Ieam by far the best tasting sauce, frozen dinners, pasta. I don't who grandma's up there cooking up a storm but she must be protected at all cost. That is all frome today. Did I mention how effing delicious rao's is.. just making sure lmao
Be the first to ReplyWhat an amazing and interesting place.
Its 100+ years of history is based only on memories and not historical context. The food is fantastic and delicious. Wet meatballs vs. dry. It's lush vs. crunchy. The Lobster Fra Diablo was a salty yet creamy lobster with a perfect al dente pasta sauce that was light but left traces of heat applied. The guardian will remain for the elderly and they are just a vest for energy and life. A loving effort.
Be the first to ReplyThis a very racist establishment.
The owner was extremely disrespectful and used aggressive language towards a Black woman in front of the of the whole restaurant. I would not eat here unless you like your food served with an hateful attitude.
Be the first to ReplyDELIRIOUS DEFENSIVENESSFor me, this business model deserves
DELIRIOUS DEFENSIVENESSFor me, this business model deserves a poor review. However, who cares, because the owners want you not to come here, anyway; and there is literally no reason why you would want to come here: food is bad, the business culture is bad, space is bad, and the atmosphere is boring.This is a restaurant that basically promotes people to book tables for life, and trade their reservations, to those who do not hold the privilege of owning a table. This di facto has created a club of old members whose prerogative is to benefit from the possibility for others to gain access to the restaurant. PROVINCIALISMUsers and owners, ended up trapped in a provincial sense of ownership and advantage, based on seniority, that as a side-effect has made this spot one of the most dire cauldron of gerontology in the five boroughs, over the years. That is the funny thing: they do massive efforts to exclusively own something that no one really would want to use. And that is what makes this place what it is.If you are expecting to find here a lively atmosphere where generations and cultures mix, you are wrong. The delirious appetite for exclusivity, ended up turning this place into a glorified elders day care. GASTRONOMIC ILLITERACY Food here consist of bad overcooked versions of Italianish cliches, made on the greasy and stodgy side. Basically, this is food that people who are illiterate in gastronomy can like, and that those who really know about gastronomy and about the richness and delicacy of Italian cuisine would be embarrassed by. Not great ingredients to start with, a lot of fried tomato, vulgar overcooked pasta and melted cheese all over. Any conventional Italian restaurant would basically do not worse than this. UNWELCOMING, BECOMING A FORM OF UNEXCITEMENTBut beyond the poor quality of the food, It is really uninspiring to think of a restaurant as a place that does not welcome customers; and that makes its culture out of illiteracy and exclusion. The same people, week after week, year after year, eating the same spaghetti. Sounds like a nightmare, right?The fact that a group of guys have a privilege membership status because they arrived before is a dreadful notion of a society; and makes these people's lives repetitive. A society with neither hospitality nor interest for those who come, for visitors, for foreigners; is a society that rots in selfreference, lack of imagination, intolerance and bore. THIS RESTAURANT IS NOT NEW YORK The beauty of New York is that it is a city that welcomes everyone, without fear. Diners are there for the rich and for the poor. For the local and for the visitors. Since 1762, Fraunces Tavern has been pulling out a plate of great food and a beer to anyone who was hungry or thirsty, and who wanted to contribute to the improvement of the city. This is a city that makes everyone feel welcomed and at home. It makes those that come in a greyhound bus escaping from a hell of a town notice that they belong here. It becomes once and again the best city in the world because it attracts and celebrates different cultures, because it is neither afraid of changes nor of the intelligence of those that are different and unique. IF THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT, YOU CAN BE MORE DARINGMaybe this whole club should consider to move their aged dusty club, their overcooked spaghetti and meatballs to the depth of an underground abandoned mine, where depth would allow them to totally isolate themselves, and make sure no fresh air and no one with new ideas would ever ventilates the rarified hovel. They would became as exclusive that no one would ever know that they exist.Maybe one day some speleologist would find their skeletons, and their plastic dentures chewing spaghetti as death founded them.I would definitively remain on the surface, enjoying the company of many others, and welcoming the richness New York is made of.
Be the first to ReplyThe anticipation of going to Rao's was really huge, ain't
The anticipation of going to Rao's was really huge, ain't gonna lie and let me just say the experience of not only the food which was truly amazing and then add in the atmosphere the history the great people eating, talking and truly enjoying themselves not only at our table but the whole restaurant had a truly amazing vibe that anyone would enjoy but especially to myself and people like me that grew up Italian and spent many days eating around the kitchen table with family, it's memories that very few restaurants in my life have been able to recreate!If I ever get the opportunity to go there again it would be a true joy and blessing!John Tedesco
Be the first to ReplyBucket list item for sure.
Dining here was an incredible experience! The inside is small, only enough for about 10 groups at a time, but tables vary in size. Every staff member was incredibly kind (especially since I came straight from work and arrived a little early, and the rest of my party a little late, they sat me at the bar and had a lovely conversation with me while I waited even though they seemed to be extremely busy.There was no menu, the Maitre D' sat down with us at our table and told us our options for each course. He helped us develop a well rounded menu that would serve all of our tastes and it ended up being just enough for us four. Obviously the meatballs were incredible, but the veal over pasta was our favorite. I'm still dreaming about it!
Be the first to ReplyWhen you look up in the dictionary "old school Italian"
When you look up in the dictionary "old school Italian" Rao's in East Harlem is what comes up. As someone that loves the history and culture of New York from the day of yesteryear stemming from the 19th century through the 1980's, this place is "the place".It's in a neighborhood that many of us have read about, how it's its' own little enclave with many historic people who've dined here from the right side and on the wrong side (and I'm not talking politics).Yes there were a few known people recently here, one with us, to enjoy a great meal and share stories of his peers in the acting world.But the evening was a night of going back in time, chatting with DDP and interacting with staff as if we were long standing family.We flew into NYC only to dine here. And quite frankly even though we were offered a table and came, we really expected mediocre overrated food much akin to what we typically experience in NY, but we were so wrong!Dinner started with bread and as Ron said why stuff yourself with bread when the food is so good? And he was right.They gave us time to catch up and reminisce without impeding on us and then Joe pulled up a seat and asked for our preferences. There was a lot to choose from and through negotiation we came up with a dinner plan.Wanting to sample as much as we could we may have overextended the ordering but who cares when you're going through such a cool experience that many don't get a chance to try.We started with mozzarella caprese which was very good, clams oreganato which was delicious and a dish of roasted peppers.After that we went with their very good meatballs. Maybe not as good as Steve Martorano's Fort Lauderdale meatballs but these mini football sized ones were still great, second place so far on the US, straight out of a early 20th century kitchen from Nonna.And then the pastas, do you want the best bolognese sauce you've ever had? Then you'll need to come here. With rigatoni this was the best hands down. If you're from another generation and experienced Sunday cooking with a dividing line between gender responsibilities, then this is where you'd come to remind you of how good the past was, and how much many of us miss the "old days". We also had linguine with a soup of garlic and oil, also great although with a wish of the pasta being Al dente in lieu of soft.The wine was flowing and the stories kept on coming... with multiple reasonably priced but excellent Brunello's. And then ... an OMG chicken parmesan made by The Almighty himself, the best I've ever had, bar none. No one has ever come close. We also had their lemon chicken which is unique and delicious.Finished off with a great pistachio tartufo and cheesecake, rubbed our bellies with content, took a few pictures with staff to cement a night of great affair, and left with big smiles on our faces.This is a gem with history that is so rare to find today. If you somehow get lucky enough to dine here do so. You're not going to regret it.
Be the first to ReplyGo here for the meatballs! The lemon chicken is a star as
Go here for the meatballs! The lemon chicken is a star as well as the veal piccata. My favorite will always be the orecchiette with broccoli rabe & sausage.
Be the first to ReplyThis place is Great they treat you like family and I go
This place is Great they treat you like family and I go once a year. Orchestra broccoli rabbe and steak with peas and meatballs are out of this world
Be the first to ReplyIt's quite laughable the extremes people in and around this
It's quite laughable the extremes people in and around this city will go just to eat here fooling themselves as if they've never had a better meatball if they aren't Italian American and had their nonna's much less looked up the several upon several of Italian American restaurants ย in every NYC neighborhood, not to mention Staten Island and then Long Island. How many Italian Americans live in New York City? The obsession to eat at "exclusive" places like Rao's is a phenomenon yet impressive to see the fantastic energy kept up for hours on end. Strangely, Rao's reminds me a lot of a certain speakeasy type of Italian American restaurant in Atlantic City. Go enough and you know the one. Rao's ย one isn't much different to that one either, minus the fact you pretty much don't have to buy your way in. Capitalism and entitlement are a funny duck.
Be the first to Replynot worth the hype and to top it off they support communism
not worth the hype and to top it off they support communism even have a picture of Fidel Castro in the restaurant never coming here again.
Be the first to ReplyHad the awesome opportunity to dine there the other night.
It's all about the atmosphere. It's a small place with only about 10 tables. He the opportunity to chat with the owner and his daughter. The meatballs are fantastic. There is no menu. The Maรฎtre d' sat down with us and went through the food options. We had several courses. Enjoyed many bottles of Barolo wine. Hope I get another chance to visit again. It was definitely a bucket list item!
Be the first to ReplyThis restaurant is very welcoming.
When you enter the vibe is very family oriented and fun. The staff is kind and friendly. The food is also amazing. Authentic Italian food, with a fun family feel. I recommend, 10/10. ย Plus you may never know if you get graced by the presence of a celebrity.
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