Polished Italian-French bistro w/ standout breads, pastas & wood-fired meats. Ambiance & a celeb sighting chance.
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 charming, old-world bistro with a modern twist offers a broad European menu with strong Italian and French influences. Highlights include house-made breads, escargot, and unique pasta dishes. The wood-fired mains, especially the whole dorade and the half-chicken, are well-executed and shareable.
The restaurant offers a menu with Italian and French influences, known for its house-made breads, escargots, and pastas like mafaldine with lamb ragu. Standout dishes include the beef tartare and a well-executed half-chicken. However, some find certain appetizers like the ricotta bland and overpriced. Desserts, particularly the pistachio rhubarb cake, are also recommended.
"Highly recommended dishes include the house-made bread basket, the beef tartare, the half-chicken, and the pistachio rhubarb cake. The corn and crab ravioli and the chicken with pan bread and salsa verde are also positively mentioned."
Customers generally have a positive view of the restaurant, praising its ambiance and specific dishes, though some mention cramped seating and occasional overpricing.
Important Note
Some reviewers mention that the tables at Raf's are tightly packed, and a few dishes were noted as being overpriced or bland.
"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"Raf's was listed as a potential restaurant that serves the type of pork chop dish the original poster was seeking."
Neutral"Raf's is recommended."
Positive"While this commenter likes Raf's, they are unsure if it's a suitable choice for an anniversary dinner."
Neutral"Raf's is suggested for a nice experience and meal, with a chance of celebrity sightings. It's a choice between Raf's and Kabawa based on cuisine type."
Positive"Raf's is recommended specifically for their breakfast pastries. The commenter advises against getting a meal there."
Neutral"Raf's is suggested as a dining option if you are willing to walk west a bit from the LES."
Neutral"This user recommended Raf's for their bread and olive oil."
Positive"This user agrees with the previous suggestion of Raf's rhubarb pistachio cake, implying it's a good recommendation."
Positive"This user suggests Raf's pistachio rhubarb cake as a dessert option."
Positive"The original poster states that Raf's, along with Au Cheval, had 'off the chart' ambience, scoring it 10/10, and was particularly impressed by its beautiful interior during a daytime visit."
Positive"Reports being served a cold burger at RAF's, a negative experience."
Negative"Recommends the Chicken with pan bread and salsa verde at Raf’s ('Thank me later'). Also mentions Crevette's roast chicken is insanely good."
Positive
