I was excited for Babbo as it seems to consistently be listed in the top 10 NYC restaurants. These FSC posting aren't necessarily to review the restaurants but the food did not live up to our expectations. I think Del Posto is Batali's best restaurant in NYC and I've been to all of them apart from Lupa.
The interior was beautiful. I love the use of flowering branches in restaurants. I've seen it used in Colicciho & Sons and Gramercy Tavern.
The waiter directed us to order the Prosciutto San Daniele with Black Pepper which is beautifully plated. The meat was very subtle for a proscuitto.
Another gorgeously plated appetizer that the table shared. This is the Goat Cheese Sformato which is a chestnut crepe. It was drenched in balsamic so I couldn't taste the cheese.
I read up on the best dishes and the Mint Love Letters pasta was said to be one of them. This was one of my favorite dishes - it's a mint pesto ravioli with a lamb sausage sauce. The combination is perfect.
Trish and I shared the Grilled Lamb Chops with Broccoli Rabe Pesto, Grilled Onions and Lemon Yogurt. I don't typically eat lamb and this dish convinced me to eat it more often. The lamb was so tender and I loved the pesto and lemon sauce.
Mer is not much of a meat eater so she ordered the Goat Cheese Tortelloni with Dried Orange and Wild Fennel Pollen. The filling was delicious but the pasta was a little more al dente than expected.
I read that dessert was something special at Babbo and we all saved room. The lights were romantically dimmed between the main course and dessert which is apparent in the photos.
I had the Chocolate Hazelnut Cake with Orange Sauce and Hazelnut Gelato. It was a great end to an otherwise inconsistent meal.
Mer was happy with her Saffron Panna Cotta with Quince and Pink Peppercorn.
And Trish ordered the dessert that our server recommended - a Ricotta Cheesecake. It was delicious.
Mer and Trish enjoying dessert.
You perfectly nailed the meal down. I'm impressed.
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