Is Mario Batali ever at Babbo anymore?
Or is he too busy jet setting around with Gwyneth Paltrow and Mark Bittman? Has anyone been recently and seen him there?
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20 Comments:
I don't know about Mario Batali specifically, but I think it's fair to assume that most "celebrity chefs" aren't doing much of the work that made them famous in the first place. I'd be willing to put money on the fact that most of them haven't cooked anywhere other than in front of a camera for ages.
PumpkinBear at 8:40PM on 12/20/08
And I thinks its kind of unfair to accuse Batali of "jetting around". He does run an empire. If you don't like his restaurants or products with his name on it - then don't buy them. Its really that simple.
bravian at 8:52PM on 12/20/08
is the food really that good at babbo's (that's my dog's name btw)...? i wanted to take some friends to celebrate their wedding there... something i am planning to do after the new year.... but with the economy now... dare i?
pooch at 9:25PM on 12/20/08
@pooch - Yes, I think it's really that good. The food's good (really good) and the atmosphere is lovely, I've had some of the best meals of my life there. But, everyone's a critic, so I'm sure that's just my opinion.
LizNYC at 9:51PM on 12/20/08
@liznyc - thanks -- i love his cooking show ... and the simple style of the food....
pooch at 9:54PM on 12/20/08
pooch, you may have a hard time nailing down a rez there. try esca or lupa if you can't get into babbo. lupa is about a third of the price of babbo with absolutely terrific food.
cybercita at 10:13PM on 12/20/08
@bravian - when you ASSUME you make an ASS out of U and ME. Never said I didn't like his food or his products. In fact, from what little I know of him, I love the guy, and this despite his reputedly arrogant anti-French ways. I was asking a simple question. Does he still oversee Babbo or not? (never mind "cooking.") Jean Georges runs an Empire as well, and I've seen him there both times I've been. Cool your jets young grasshopper.
And yes, Esca is probably one of the most under rated restos in NYC, yet the food is mind blowing. Batali is just a partner though along with Joe "son-of-Lidia-my-Goddess" Bastianich. Dave Pasternack is the bossman there.
So, anyone seen Batali at Babbo recently???
simon at 2:21AM on 12/21/08
One thing I don't understand about these celeb. chefs with these multipul restraunts is they're never there preparing the food....its like going to a rolling stones concert and watching some guys doing a good impression of the stones but it's not the real thing, I'll spend my money elsewhere
Markbb at 9:59AM on 12/21/08
I've had both marvelous and maddening experiences at the celebrity chef-type restaurants. But I definitely have always had great food at both the Bastianich and Batali restaurants, those they've done together and separately. Babbo rez's are very hard to get, yes. I, too, think Lupa is wonderful, and would encourage that as a second choice. I would rather the food taste good and the service to be pleasant and reasonably efficient than see Mario on site, if I had to choose.
lemons at 10:55AM on 12/21/08
@simon ~ Next time I come to NYC, will you take me to Babbo? ;-)
izatryt at 11:26AM on 12/21/08
Sure, if you'll take me to Shola's when I'm in Philly.
simon at 1:35PM on 12/21/08
I am not familiar with that resto.
izatryt at 1:57PM on 12/21/08
That's because it's not a resto......
simon at 1:59PM on 12/21/08
You know about the Studiokitchen? I am not a member.
izatryt at 2:23PM on 12/21/08
@simon ~ I did read this past summer, he is supposed to open a resto.
izatryt at 2:46PM on 12/21/08
I hope so, I really really really want to taste his food.
simon at 5:48PM on 12/21/08
Check out what Shola did to Nigella!
And be sure to click on the bottom of each page to see the food and the experience:
http://www.pages.drexel.edu/~swk24/studiokitchen/
PerkyMac at 5:58PM on 12/21/08
I've been to Babbo a bunch of times and haven't seen him. I guess it's not an issue unless the calibre of the food drops and so far I haven't had a bad meal there. But the man does seem to be spreading himself rather thin, no offense meant.
sugarstack at 6:19PM on 12/21/08
I just read this on oishii eats:
http://oishiieats.blogspot.com/2008/12/babbo-ristorante-e-enoteca.html
there's a photo of him at the end (not the best picture :| ). don't know how long ago it was though...
caroliiine at 12:52PM on 12/23/08
caro - great detective work!
simon at 3:16PM on 12/23/08