Very dificult. This is the what I have heard/read over the years: It's a very small place with all the tables pre booked for years in advance by the same few people. The best way to get a table is to know someone who "owns" one. Think along the lines of a country club: If you don't know some one who is a "member", good luck. Google should have alot more info.
"Enjoy Every Sandwich" Warren Zevon
Posts: 518 | Location: NYC | Registered: August 14, 2008
Occasionally, one of the regulars does cancel. It's not impossible to get in. It doesn't hurt to call.
The bar is open to anyone, though it's very small. You could also schlep out there unannounced (Rao's is not in a great neighborhood), have a drink, and mention to the bartender that you're interested in a table if someone cancels. Of course, there's only one seating a night and a dozen tables max so the odds are not in your favor.
They do occasionally auction off tables for charity. You might call the restaurant and see if any are coming up and where the auction is.
As a last resort, there's a Rao's in Vegas. Anyone can get in there.
Depending who you talk to, it's either an overpriced red sauce joint that's 99% about the experience, or the closest thing to what Mom used to make and worth every penny.
If you're an out of towner, Little Italy has tons of little joints that offer the same type of experience (without the prices or exclusivity) and NYC as a whole has tons of gourmet Italian restaurants that offer more adventurous menus and still cost less.
I was at a charity event a few months ago, a reservation for 4 at Rao's was auctioned off for something like $4,000... That was not for dinner... only for the reservation.
hand out in the bar for a yr... till one of the regulars croak.. then you're good as in. don't forget to tip the bar tender.
" . i put two boxes of cigars on the window sill and voila, the cigars became, well, "plump" within a few days. so far the plump damp cigars smoke "better" than the cool dry ones "
"i'll have you know i am the only person in the world alive today who has counted to infinity - twice ! so there, you dolt !" -guru frankd
Posts: 897 | Location: Fresh Meadows, New York | Registered: April 17, 2009
Correct me if I am wrong, but Rao's is in Harlem, no?...why don't you try hanging at the bar as suggested above and if you cannot get a table and can adjust your standards from Italian to BBQ, another Harlem institution is Silvia's on 125th Street.
Posts: 1143 | Location: Miramar, La Habana, Cuba | Registered: May 07, 2002
Another possibility...how about Patsy's in the theater district? Bigger and less intimate, but a (sort of) celebrity hangout with reliably excellent Italian food and good prices. Sort of thew atmosphere you're looking for. It's between Broadway and 8th Ave. Sinatra ate there. You can't go wrong.
Correct me if I am wrong, but Rao's is in Harlem, no?.
That is correct Roy. My uncle Pat grew up in that neighborhood he was from 116th between 2nd and 3rd near the coal oven bakery. They just went out of business last year, best bread i ever had
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Posts: 6577 | Location: Reggio di Calabria, Italy / New York United States | Registered: July 12, 2007
After watching that interview, i realized that i will probably never ever eat there although they do sell the sauce at the grocery store and it's great.
“I have to laugh when I think of the first cigar, because it was probably just a bunch of rolled up tobacco leaves” - Jack Handy
Posts: 2093 | Location: The Green Mountains | Registered: March 26, 2009
Apparently you're allowed to drink at the bar. It may take a year to get a table but you can start hanging out if you have the motivation and are willing to tip well.
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