Felidia or Babbo

[dooner78]

Have show tickets for Billy Elliot on Friday, 6.19, don't know if I should try and squeeze in dinner at Babbo, don't want to rush an amazing dinner, or if I should take the last lunch at Felidia, and take our time. Thoughts? I have dreamed of Babbo for a long time.

[steakrules85]

Never been to Felidia, but Babbo is great. One of the best meals I ever had there.

One piece of advice though- don't go to the jewelry store that is Del Posto it is a rip off!

[jfood]

Babbo should not be rushed. Try another time when you can sit and enjoythe food which is fantastic.

Jfood liked Felidias more twenty years ago than today. There was more of a casual love of the food in the 80s. Now it has tried to be something away from the roots that jfood enjoyed over many lunches. Not that it is less than very good, but jfood was fortunate to have enjoyed this place in a different generation. Enjoy Felidias and then really enjoy BE.

[c oliver]

We'll be in NYC soon and I really want to eat at Felidia's. Just checked their menus and it sounds great - especially the three course lunch. Thanks for posting this.

[dooner78]

thanks all. Going to do Felidia.

[annabana]

I used to live a block from Felidia and ate there regularly. Heaven! The food was often inventive w/o being trendy and absolutely delicious. Quiet but not stuffy and was greeted by Lydia several times. Enjoy one of my favorites in NYC.

[Deenso]

Based on a single dinner at Babbo and several meals at Felidia, my advice would be to have the late lunch at Felidia and pass on Babbo. All the touting and raving and huzzahs about Babbo -- I guess I was expecting something else. Whatever the reason, I was slightly disappointed. The food wasn't bad, you understand. It just wasn't all that. And I've never felt that way about meals at Felidia.

Having tried several - not all - of Batali's/Bastianich's kitchens in NYC (Otto, Lupa, Del Posto, Babbo, Esca, Becco), my favorite would be Lupa.

[ChefJune]

Count me among those who think you should save Babbo for an evening all its own. a leisurely late lunch at Felidia is also an event to be savored, and will set you up nicely to enjoy the show.

[jennielap]

Felidia or Babbo--I'd love to have that decision to make! I hate to say it but I think you should blow off Babbo. Yes, you can have dinner there in 90 minutes, but do you really want to rush and be looking at your watch the whole time? It's such a great restaurant, I think it's the kind of place to linger over your wine for a few extra minutes and take your time. (Altho the service is good and I imagine they will get you out of there fast if you tell them to.) Maybe it's just me, I hate to rush. I'll say good luck getting a cab in the Village at 7:30 on a Friday night! Anyway, either way you can't go wrong. I'll be interested to know what you decide.

[financialdistrictresident]

I have only been to Felidia and it was too long ago to be helpful. I still remember we went with a chef friend, it was truffle season and we had shaved white truffle over our pasta and a really wonderful smoked beer. Every time I buy the smoked beer I think of Felidia's.

[Campofiorin]

You do know that to get a table at Babbo you need to call one month in advance to the calendar date and be rather lucky, don't you? Well maybe not that lucky but at least willing to take what's left once you get the line... which in my case usually is at least 30-45 mins after 10 am, when they open.

[dooner78]

yes...i do know and did that on 5.19. I have a reservation set up. I didn't know if 2hrs 15 mins was enough time to enjoy dinner and get to the theater

[financialdistrictresident]

Or use an American Express platinum card . . .

[LBNJNY]

Sell your reservation at Babbo to the highest CH bidder and then enjoy the leisurely lunch at Felidia :)

[MMRuth]

I've tried that, and sometimes it works, and sometimes it just doesn't.

[LBNJNY]

I was totally teasing!

[MMRuth]

Oops - I was referring to using the Platinum Amex to get a reservation, not the selling it off - I knew you were joking about that. (grin)

[jenhen2]

Good luck getting into Babbo.

[dooner78]

have a reservation already...is it worth rushing?

[MMRuth]

What time is your reservation?

[dooner78]

530

[jenniebnyc]

i dont think they open til 6? odd.

Neither B or F have been worthwhile imo. I would head to Esca, Crispo, Hearth or Apizz.

[jenniebnyc]

^^^^ OR Convivio. Love Convivio

[c oliver]

Babbo opens at 530.

I'm curious. How do you define worthwhile? Not a term I'm familiar with.

[jenhen2]

I don't think so. I would go to Felidia. I've been there several times and fouind it both times to be totally amazing - delicious and amazing food, fabulous service - in all, a great experience. Babbo to me is good, but not as relaxing, and if you're already pressed for time, I think it would be less enjoyable.