Outside of Italy, New York City is the best place to find exclusive Italian restaurants.
The New York City dining scene is overflowing with Italian eateries. You can find one of every specialty, style and historic significance on every sidewalk and side street. Indeed, the very idea of the NYC Italian restaurant has taken on a cult-like status, immortalized in Billy Joel's song "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant." Yet, while there are many delectable joints, each with its own devoted followers, only a select few can truly be considered "exclusive." Regular folks, be forewarned: getting a seat may take a small miracle. Mangia! Add this to my Recipe Box.
Harry Cipriani
Fifth Avenue's Harry Cipriani is more than an Italian restaurant: it's a cultural legend. The restaurant and bar were lovingly designed to be an almost exact replica of the original Harry's Bar in Venice, since declared a national landmark. Harry Cipriani is a second home to New York's elite families and mysterious international types that pack its hallowed halls every night brandishing black American Express cards; indeed, many such "regular" customers hold court at their very own tables. The plebians fortunate enough to break Harry Cipriani's exclusive ranks are literally transported to a new reality: the epitome of The Good Life. And the food, oh the food! The menu is both comforting and refined, featuring a splendid selection of homemade pastas and classic Italian desserts. Harry Cipriani's signature drink, a bubbly, beautiful peach bellini, is a must...even at an absurd price of $19. Don't hold back; this place is an experience of a lifetime.
Harry Cipriani
781 Fifth Ave.
New York, NY 10022
212-753-5566
cipriani.com
Babbo
Babbo is the brain child of celebrity chef Mario Batali, a former Food Network personality, and this ristorante is indeed an exclusive culinary destination worthy of celebrity status. Babbo expressly eschews "favorite regional classics" (read: ordinary Americanized Italian food) in favor of authentic Italian delicacies catered to the most discerning elite foodie with the most refined palette. You won't find chicken parm on this menu; in fact, you won't find much of anything that the ordinary diner would recognize. Babbo's reservation policy is exclusive to the tee. The restaurant will hear reservation requests in person or via phone call exclusively; online reservations, today the norm for most eateries, are not accepted. In addition, Babbo will only make its reservations available to the general public one month prior to the date; not surprisingly, frustrated callers are often left with the sorry choice to be relegated to undesirable time slots or go elsewhere, after being informed by Babbo operators that the prime hours have already been snapped up. Yet, if you are one of the lucky few regular Joes to score a reservation, you are in for a culinary love affair that will keep you wanting more, whatever the cost. Go with the multi-course tasting menu: who knows when you'll get another taste.
Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca
110 Waverly Place
New York, NY 10011
212-777-0303
babbonyc.com
Rao's
Rao's is surely the most exclusive. In fact, it may be the city's singular most exclusive restaruant of any kind. This legenday Italian eatery is literally virtually impossible to get into; it has only 10 tables, and getting a seat at one of them actually requires a personal invitation from that table's "owners." Moreover, Rao's "no reservation" policy does not permit exceptions; calling up for a reservation even years in advance will be of absolutely no use to you (just ask the desperate minions who've been trying this futile tactic for decades). Rao's quirky operation policies have only furthered its legendary reputation for exclusiveness. Among them: scrict dress code (only your finest); closed on weekends; kitschy home living room decor; tucked away in the bowels of less-than-scenic East Harlem; and a host of powerful, famous clientele, including global movie stars, major company CEOs, and certain infamous Italian American gentlemen with "pull." And of course, the food is to die for, or so they say. Apparently the pasta sauce is the specialty. Hey, you can always get it in your grocer's aisle.
Rao's Restaurant
455 East 114th St.
New York, NY 10025
212-722-6709
raos.com
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