Polished Italian-French bistro w/ standout breads, tartare & roast chicken. Great ambiance, but seating can be tight. Don't miss dessert!
Amber Sutherland-Namako reviews Raf's, a new Italian and French-influenced restaurant in Noho, highlighting its polished ambiance and standout dishes like beef tartare and roast chicken, while noting some issues with table spacing and pricing.
This Italian and French-influenced restaurant in Noho offers a polished bistro ambiance, with a menu featuring well-executed dishes. Standouts include their highly recommended bread basket, beef tartare, and roast chicken. While some dishes are noted as bland or overpriced, and seating can be cramped, the overall experience is positive, with many recommending a return visit, especially for dessert.
Raf's offers a blend of Italian and French influences, with a strong emphasis on well-executed classics. The bread basket, featuring focaccia, sourdough, and milk buns, is a must-try. Standout dishes include the beef tartare and roast chicken, which are consistently praised. While some find certain appetizers like the ricotta bland and overpriced, and escargot merely 'mid,' the pastas, dorade, and particularly the desserts like the pistachio rhubarb cake are often recommended. There's a mixed review on burgers, with one user having a cold experience and another willing to return to try it again.
"Standout dishes include the roast chicken, pork chop, beef tartare, and the bread basket. For dessert, the pistachio rhubarb cake is highly recommended. The corn and crab ravioli are also a noted favorite."
Customers generally have a positive sentiment, praising the well-executed dishes, polished ambiance, and standout items like the bread and roast chicken. Some minor criticisms include cramped seating and occasional blandness in certain dishes.
Important Note
Seating can be tightly packed, and some dishes may be considered overpriced or bland by certain diners. Reservations are recommended.
"Raoul's (likely a typo for Raf's or a separate mention of Raoul's) is mentioned as a potential option."
Neutral"Raf's is suggested as an option with beautiful candlelit ambiance and more approachable price and food."
Neutral"This user has heard great things about the espresso martini at RAF's but has not tried it themselves."
Neutral"Raf's is included in a list of recommendations for splurging on a meal in NYC, with links to articles about fancy dining."
Positive"Raf's was included in a list of NYC restaurants that provide matchbooks."
Positive"This user visits Raf's primarily for their pastries and sweets."
Positive"Includes Raf's in a list of recommendations for places that might match the desired vibe."
Neutral"Suggests Raf's as a potentially good option."
Neutral"The pork chop was phenomenal, but the escargot is often ordered and considered overrated."
Positive"The roast chicken at Raf's is very good, especially the bread soaking up the jus. The escargots were also considered 'mid'. The reviewer agreed that the seating area can feel claustrophobic with people brushing past."
Neutral"The roast chicken at Raf's was outstanding, and all the vegetable dishes were also loved. However, the space felt claustrophobic with poor energy. Despite the ambiance, the food was excellent, prompting a desire to return."
Positive"Raf's was great about a year ago, with excellent atmosphere and service, feeling like a hidden gem. While the food was good, it wasn't super memorable. It's definitely worth going to, though it's now harder to get a reservation."
Positive"While the food at Raf's isn't exceptionally memorable, it is well-executed. The service and ambiance were terrific, leading to a great solo dining experience at the bar."
Positive"This is a suggested dining spot for visitors, particularly for those with a flexible budget, offering a range of options."
Neutral"Rafs is recommended for its restaurant week lunch deal, offering two meals for $30."
Positive"Raf's is recommended and is participating in restaurant week."
Positive"Raf's is listed as a restaurant that the user likes."
Positive"The commenter had a very enjoyable lunch at Raf's during Restaurant Week, highlighting the tuna tartare, burger, and rigatoni as generous portions for the price."
Positive"This user recommended raf's for their corn and crab ravioli."
Positive
