I eat at and review the original Rao’s in East Harlem of New York City. The long-standing Italian restaurant is one of the most difficult reservations to get not only in NYC, but the country. I was lucky enough to dine at Rao’s where I tried some of the restaurant’s most famous courses like their meatballs, seafood salad, and a porterhouse steak. I found out if Rao’s lives up to the hype.
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About Me: I live in NYC and I’m about food, travel and work.
34 Comments
Was in Vegas to eat at there location and it was closed down
I'm from NYC originally…born in 1965 on the lower East side…13th St. & Avenue B. I left in 1984 to go to college and only go back for a visit once in a while. I don't think I ever heard of Rao's until maybe 20 years ago. I ate at the Rao's in LV a few years ago and it was very good.
I have a better chance of getting hit by lighting.
For an unforgettable dinner at a world-famous restaurant, this experience was worth every penny. Rusty, feel free to invite me.
Although I always enjoy these videos, I would never visit any of these restaurants. I cannot justify spending that much money on a meal. I won't even pay $10 for a jar of Rao's sauce. I can make my own sauce from fresh tomatoes and it will beat Rao's every time. It's easy to do and a pleasure to share with loved ones.
LMFAO They're "exclusive" so word doesn't get out how mediocre they are. The entire business model is catering to tick tock tards that wouldn't be able to tell the difference between good Italian food and Chef Boyardee.
What??? the MOST exclusive restaurant in NYC? WOW! not even close, just above average at best.
Excellent video. Everyone wants to eat at Rao’s! Another must try is Monte’s Trattoria at 97 MacDougal Street. It’s there over 100 years and serves the best Northern Italian in the city. Thanks for the inside look.
I hate the glass they served the Manhattan in.
Just want to compliment you on wearing that blue shirt and standing in front of a cream background which made your eyes look absolutely beautiful.
Forgettable ice cream on a plate lol
its right across a terrible east harlem project
Love your channel ❤❤❤
Geddaouttahere! So exclusive that folks from the neighborhood are guaranteed not to "bother " the old style fraternity ensconced in there. The gall. I don't need them and they don't need me, and from the looks and description of the food and expense, there are plenty of fine italian restaurants all over the city offering better quality and egalitarianism.
PEOPLE THE FOOD IS NOTHING SPECIAL ITS ITALIAN AMERICAN RED SAUCE JOINT…NOT ITALIAN FOOD LIKE IN ITALY😢😢😢
I can't stand either one of those songs you mentioned.
I tried their jar pasta sauce once and wasn't impressed.
Overpriced pasta because they know foolish New Yorkers would pay.
There are small mom and pop Italian restaurants out there that have excellent food for about a quarter of what Rao’s charges!!!
Don’t believe the hype
It’s definitely not worth the price!!!
Each of the 5 mafia families of New York owns a table in that restaurant
I’m from Chicago. Chicago has the best Italian food hands down. We don’t care about Rao. Chicago better food than New York
I never knew that this brand was an actual restaurant. I use their pasta and marinara sauces all the time they’re excellent.
This place looks WAY Over Rated … lmfao..
Ive been to ITALY, and almost ANY restaurant there would blow this Place out of the water .. Even family owned Restaurants in Small Hotels would destroy them .
I dont feel like I am missing anything at all.
their pasta sauce is great, didn't realize it was an actual restaurant!
Their jarred marinara sauce is very good. We used to just get a lower quality big name sauce, but since my family has tried the Rao's sauce we can't go back. Their jarred sauce reminds me of the tomato sauce we get from a local pizza place we go to a decent amount. It's a nice sweet sauce that pairs well with an Italian food dish.
Looks overrated as hell.
I feel like that check doesn't add up. 344 + 53 = 397. But then the subtotal is 450…why? The tax is add on afterward.
Fun Fact…
New Yorkers are Ret@rded.
Wow. I’ll never have these 12:31 again in my life. This is BS.
Rao's canned soup comes in a jar
@russellb What was tha name of the place?
Just LOOKING, I could tell that orchiette was AL DENTE PERFECTAMUNDO!! 🤌👌💥 And nothing beats the texture of purest al dente pasta! 👏👏
i love your videos!
-THE NORGUS
It seems to me you're paying for the name, the ambience, and the ability to be able to brag about having been there. I mean, they're serving canned peas and box pasta fer cripessakes.