Babbo
Italian restaurant · Greenwich Village
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011
Highlights
High-end Italian fare from Bastianich's group, known for pasta.
High-end Italian fare from Bastianich's group, known for pasta.
"Babbo closed for renovations last May, teasing an “exciting new chapter.” That chapter’s almost here, and it involves restaurateur Stephen Starr and chef Mark Ladner, who worked at Babbo decades ago and recently helped Starr launch Borromini in Philly. The updated menu will feature some old Babbo classics like beef cheek ravioli and calamari Sicilian lifeguard style, in addition to brand new dishes." - bryan kim, willa moore, will hartman, molly fitzpatrick
"Babbo closed for renovations last May, teasing an “exciting new chapter.” That chapter’s almost here, and it involves restaurateur Stephen Starr and chef Mark Ladner, who worked at Babbo decades ago and recently helped Starr launch Borromini in Philly. The updated menu will feature some old Babbo classics like beef cheek ravioli and calamari Sicilian lifeguard style, in addition to brand new dishes. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Bryan Kim
"With Stephen Starr taking over the restaurant and its sister spot, the Italian restaurant that opened in 1998 has closed to prepare for the transition of ownership. An Instagram post reads: "The Italian restaurant will be temporarily closing for renovations as we begin an exciting new chapter." "We’re working hard behind the scenes to bring you an elevated dining experience, with fresh updates and inspired touches — while keeping the heart and soul of [the restaurant] you know and love," the post continues. There is no confirmation yet whether Mark Ladner is on track to take over as chef." - Melissa McCart
"The professional kitchens where Laurie Woolever worked, gaining experience and insight into the culinary world under renowned chefs like Mario Batali." - Rebecca Flint Marx
"Opened in 1998 by Mario Batali and awarded the James Beard Award for best new restaurant in 1999, the restaurant “had few peers among Italian restaurants, serving unusual meats with a side of light decadence,” Pete Wells recalled in the New York Times in 2017, citing the famous goat’s head, lamb’s tongue, head cheese, and beef-cheek pasta with a squab liver sauce. The property was among two iconic Bastianich-family restaurants recently confirmed as being taken over by Stephen Starr (Grub Street confirmed), and Mark Ladner — the Batali‑Bastianich‑era chef who went from opening the sister spot to leading the kitchen at a high-profile Manhattan project — will be running the kitchen. Following sexual assault charges against Batali in 2017, he sold his ownership stakes and the restaurant and its sister site “took hits, never really finding their footing,” despite tweaks in ownership; as Youjin Jung, the executive chef at the restaurant in 2022, said, “This is a new era. The restaurant had been under big shadows. Let’s call it ‘orange shadow with a ponytail.’”" - Melissa McCart
