Ubiquitous celebrity chef, Mario Batali recently made news with the announcement that his West Village gem, Babbo, would finally begin serving lunch on Tuesday April 17th. Since opening in 1998, Babbo forwent serving lunch, leading to what was considered one of the hardest tables to secure for dinner in the city. Maintaining a one month minimum reservation in advance, Babbo required a profound degree of patience and appreciation for the highly revered meal it served. Luckily, after years of frustration and humility, suffering through many alternative italian restaurants serving inferior pasta, Babbo is finally open for lunch. It is akin to a dream come true as Babbo’s superlative dishes can be enjoyed without the hassle of a wait or a reservation. The menu is comprised of many of the restaurant’s most famous and delightful dishes including: Beef Cheek Ravioli $20, Gnooci al Telefono $19 and Black Spaghetti $19 among the pastas and Guinea Hen “alla Cacciatora” $23 and Crispy Branzino $23 among the secondi’s.
In addition to featuring an impressive variety of pasta’s, appetizer’s and entree’s, Babbo also serves a equivocally appetizing and economically modest four course Tasting Menu for $49 per person. The tasting menu, which has the option to be accompanied by a $35 wine pairing, features a Mozzarella with Grilled Ramps and Bruschetta, Orecchiette with Stinging Nettle Pesto, Grilled Heritage Pork Loin and Olive Oil and Rosemary Cake dessert to conclude the meal.
Overall, considering the lunch is less than one day old, it is difficult to gauge the scene and following that the exceptional Italian Enoteca will maintain. While the scene was a bit quiet on a weekday afternoon, very few people have heard or know about Babbo’s lunch menu. However, within a few weeks, crowds of hungry and discerning New Yorkers yearning for a taste of arguably the most divine pasta in town will emerge. Nevertheless, lunch at Babbo represents the antithesis of dinner, devoid of the normal stress and long waits that inundates what is still considered one of the hottest dinner reservations in Gotham.
110 Waverly Street,
New York, NY, 10011
P: + 1 (212) 777-3365
2DineOut- the luxury food magazine. 
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