Legendary Italian-American with near-impossible reservations; classic dishes & exclusive vibe.
After multiple attempts and a bit of luck, the authors finally secured a table at the legendary Rao's in East Harlem, detailing their journey and the classic Italian dishes they enjoyed.
Rao's is a legendary Italian-American restaurant in East Harlem renowned for its almost impossible-to-get reservations, creating an aura of exclusivity and a coveted dining experience. While the food, including signature meatballs and chicken parmesan, is generally well-regarded, the primary allure is the challenge and prestige associated with securing a table. The restaurant maintains a classic, old-school ambiance, making it a quintessential, albeit difficult to attain, New York City dining destination.
The cuisine is classic Italian-American, with dishes like meatballs, calamari, chicken parmesan, and various pasta dishes frequently mentioned. While many customers praise the quality and flavor of these dishes, particularly the meatballs, a notable portion of feedback suggests the food is good but not exceptional, and can be overrated given the difficulty in accessing it.
"Customers frequently recommend the signature meatballs, chicken parmesan, and clam pasta. The roasted peppers with mozzarella are also highlighted as a good starter."
Customers describe the food as generally good, with some specific dishes like meatballs and chicken parmesan being highly recommended, while others find it mediocre or overrated. The primary sentiment revolves around the extreme difficulty of obtaining a reservation, with many noting its exclusivity and club-like atmosphere.
Important Note
Reservations are extremely difficult to secure, with most tables controlled by long-time regulars. It's often described as having a private club atmosphere, which might make newcomers feel out of place.
"A commenter stated that the meatballs from Raos, which they had during Covid takeout, were some of the best they've had, described as huge, moist, and flavorful."
Positive"Contrary to fears of feeling out of place, this commenter had a very positive dining experience at Rao's, noting that the staff was excellent and they even had a pleasant chat with a member of the ownership family."
Positive"Rao's functions more like a private club where tables are "controlled" by regulars who pay annual fees, rather than a traditional public restaurant. This system, with some tables costing thousands annually, explains the extreme difficulty in securing a reservation for outsiders."
Neutral"This commenter expresses concern that someone new to Rao's, even with a reservation, might feel uncomfortable and out of place due to the restaurant's exclusive, private club-like atmosphere, potentially leading to an unpleasant experience."
Negative"The bar at Rao's is generally for drinks only, but it is considered a good spot for people-watching."
Neutral"Rao's reservations are often found in charity auctions, though they tend to be very costly. Other ways to get in include having a connection to a regular or waiting at the bar."
Neutral"Reservations for a table for two at Rao's are frequently made available through charity auctions."
Neutral"Getting a reservation at Rao's is notoriously difficult, often requiring a connection to someone who "owns" a table. An alternative suggested by The Infatuation is to try sitting at the bar and hoping for a chance to dine."
Neutral"To get dinner at Rao's, one might need to know a table owner or try their luck at the public bar by being charismatic, as occasionally this can lead to getting a table."
Neutral"In a jocular response to a question about getting into Rao's with the critic's help, the commenter jokes that it might turn into an Indian restaurant, playing on the critic's name."
Neutral"The author makes a humorous query asking if the new critic, Tejal Rao, could help them secure a reservation at Rao's, implying its well-known exclusivity."
Neutral"OP (cy_ko8) enthusiastically supported the idea of dining at Rao's, sharing a personal story about living near the East Harlem restaurant and their dog receiving treats from the staff."
Positive"The commenter suggested trying to get into Rao's for the OP's special dinner, highlighting its exclusivity and desirability."
Positive"The user lists Rao's among several restaurants that live up to their hype."
Positive"If you go to the bar enough, tip enough and have a good energy, eventually you will be asked if you want to eat at a second sitting."
Positive"Mid quality red sauce Italian American."
Negative"The fact that ppl would even do to this extent for medicore food is sad."
Negative"Would be cool to go in there, see some old schoolers lol."
Neutral"We were shocked to be paying double for seriously bad overcooked food. It’s really gone downhill."
Negative"Rao’s food is absolutely phenomenal."
Positive
