West Village
Babbo
Few chefs have racked up as many accolades as Babbo’s Mario Batali. Considering Batail's armfuls of awards and media appearances, including on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations and Iron Chef America, it’s not always easy to get a seat at Babbo, even with 90 seats in its split-level, rustic-chic dining room just steps from Washington Square Park. If you can though, it’s worth waiting for Batali’s Hudson Valley version of Italian classics including black spaghetti with rock shrimp, spicy salami calabrese and creen chiles, and goose liver ravioli with balsamic vinegar and brown butter. Perpetually busy, this isn’t the place for a quiet, romantic dinner.
Insider Tip:
Due to Babbo's popularity, reserve a table at least a month in advance. In fact, it’s better to do it in person as it can be difficult to get through on the phone.
