Three days in NYC?

[Emilyc]

I am interested in info and opinions about Churrascaria Plataforma...we thought that we might try this place over a more traditional steakhouse.

Also considering one of Mario's places..Babbo in particular....is it noisy and crowded? Would another Batali restaurant serve as well??

[steve h.]

if it were me, i wouldn't come to manhattan and NOT visit an old school steakhouse. some things are just too important.

re: batali places. i like 'em all but babbo is my favorite. it's noisy and crowded at the bar (not necessarily a bad thing). it's not crowded at either the downstairs or upstairs dining rooms. noise? some complain about the music but i never notice it.

[MMRuth]

And, I've not been to Babbo, but if you can't get a reservation, I'd try Lupa, which I always enjoy.

[Pan]

I like Lupa, but Babbo is way better, and much more expensive - really, it's in a different category entirely, except inasmuch as both restaurants are Italian and in the Batali orbit.

[steve h.]

hi pan,
lupa is one of my "goto" lunch restaurants. it's quintessential batali: great salumi, terrific wines at a good price point and wonderful pasta. the two shops really complement each other.

[MMRuth]

I can't compare, since I've not been to Babbo, but everything I've had at Lupa has been excellent, and I've not had any of the service/host issues reported by others.

[Pan]

I go to Lupa roughly every three to four months, because it's a good value and only a bit of a stretch for me. Babbo cost me $90 the one time I went there so far, and I thought that, too, was a good value for the food and drink and overall experience, but I can't afford to do that often.

[steve h.]

love the lupa lunch. when solo, it's a salumi platter and wine. never fails to make me smile. the price? ridiculously affordable.

[Pan]

I've only been there for dinner, as of yet.

[steve h.]

the tocai friulano works well with the salumi. a very good lunch in my book.

[Pan]

I'll keep that in mind.