Babbalucci

The food here is great, have not had anything that I didn’t love. Besides the very yummy pizzas they make, the rest of the menu is awesome! Probably the most talented chef in the area.
My only complaint is for the service, not because they don’t try but maybe they need more training. Highly recommend it.

The waitstaff was delightful and the food was delicious. Had enough for lunch the next day too! Have yet to try something that I didn’t like.

They had a new years eve menu which had about 4 items in the main course section with 4 sides to choose from to go with the meals which I remember vividly.
We were first given a small loaf of bread which was rock hard. It took two of us together to pull it apart. I dipped it in my water to help although it did not do much. The bread was so hard that I am convinced Kevin McAllister could have successfully broken the window at Duncan’s Toys Chest in Home Alone 2 instead of using a brick.
When the time came to order we get this Wayne Brady looking dude as our waiter. My brother then proceeds to ask him out of the 4 main course items I mentioned above which one he would recommend. He then stares closely and silently at the menu trying to figure out what is on there. It is bad enough you don’t know your own menu but even worse we there are only 4 options to choose from.
That wasn’t even the worse part of this particular situation. When he is finished eyeing the menu, I am in utter disbelief about his response to my brother. He says (paraphrasing): «Typically when I go out to restaurants I tend to gravitate to the seafood as I am a seafood guy.»
I’m sorry but was he under the impression that any of us gave a damn about his personal preferences in life? I mean don’t stop there! Tell us how you like your eggs or whether you like your salamander medium rare or well done.
My lady and I got the duck while the other three got 2 scallops and one fish dish along with our sides. My friend who got fish is told that this is a whole fish which has been deboned, and will go great with his side of potatoes. In addition, the 2 duck meals are ordered medium rare.
Our sides come out first and look tasty. I ordered brusselssprouts as my side which were exceptional as I had others taste testing it multiple times. So we have five sides on the table followed by two scallop orders and a fish dish. Notice I said nothing about the two duck orders which I will address soon.
The fish which I noted above as being deboned had more bones than I did. For all we know the tonsils hadn’t been taken out. This fish was perfect for teaching a science lab class about fish bones and anatomy. This fish is the first thing that comes to my mind when someone says bon appetit.
I am not trying to make it seem like I or anyone else at my table is a snob for boneless fish but when we are told by Wayne «bones» Brady that it has no bone then that’s what we expect. Towards the end of the meal, he looks just as shocked to see bones on the plate as we are.
Now rewind back to the duck which is the main event of this story. Before I know it there are no more brussels sprouts on my plate and all those who didn’t order duck are half way done with their food.
Our waiter continued to tell my girl and I several times that our duck is coming and will be out soon. Then all of a sudden we get a curve ball when he tells us our duck never made it to the back and runs away. We all looked at each other dumbfounded wondering what the hell this meant.
30 – 40 minutes goes by and we realize one of friends has not gotten his side of potatoes in addition to the missing ducks. I am told that some of the employees were taking selfies next to his potatoes which were just sitting around. I could not see this as my back was turn to it but those at our table who witnessed this were confident in what they saw.
Minutes later a woman comes out who I presumed to be the manager to apologize, ensure us that our order will be out soon, and to offer us their famous Babbalucci bubbles (wine) on the house. At this point we just want our duck but take the drinks with irritation.
I would estimate that when we finally got our duck it had been close an hour after everyone had initially received their food. This to us meant that they hadn’t even started on the duck when we originally ordered. As you could guess everyone at our table was done eating and was ready to go as we had been at the restaurant for almost 2 hours.
The duck although properly presented and pretty tasty presented quite a workout. It was by far the toughest meat I have ever chewed in my 28 years of living. It was also tough to cut as well. I remember dreading the process of cutting and chewing the meat as I went piece by piece. I also remember being scared to even swallow the duck in fear in choking and dying. After what felt like an eternity, I was finally fed up with catholic crossing my body after bite and putting my jaws through some much pain. I passed the remaining duck slices onto my brother who I am not sure quite understood the state of the duck. He didn’t make it past one slice of duck before waving the white flag and putting his knife down.
We were then given 10 percent off on our bill which I did not think was enough. Personally I felt that the duck should have been free and everyone else receive at least 10 percent off. We were just so ready to get out of there that ultimately we said forget it and moved on.

Pizza from a fire brick oven. DONE.
Came here for lunch on a random weekday so the place was pretty empty. We ended up splitting a 16″ St. Nic and it was perfect. The waitress, Maria, came to refill our water glasses so often that I’m glad she ended up just leaving a pitcher. Not much to say other than can’t wait to come again!

The pizza here is a really wonderful. Their fountain sodas are always flat. Service is very quick at lunch time and they are pretty accommodating if you’re in a rush. It’s a bit on the pricey side (~$ 15 for spaghetti and meatballs) but the quality is nice. Not mind blowing overall but pretty good.

This is actually my second time here. The first time I had the same exact dish it did taste a little different the second time. The first time it was more saucy which I preferred but it’s still good. The service was ok laid back, but it goes with the environment. If your in a rush specify that up front. This place is very swanky. They actually have bartenders and chefs here from Italy which in my eyes make it a little more authentic. It’s nice to hear Italian spoken around you. This is a hidden gem in Harlem that will soon blow up. I didn’t post the first time because I wanted to keep it a secret. The staff is genuinely friendly. I want to come back and try desert when I’m hungrier.

I’ve eaten here twice and gotten takeout countless times.
Their service is a bit of what is to be expected in Harlem, but the food is great… I ate at the bar last night, and it was about 10 minutes before I was served a drink, and then about twenty minutes between courses, and they were not busy… but, having lived in the neighborhood for a couple years now, I guess i’m used to it. the food is great, so i’ll definitely go again. And, the delivery is always solid. Very pleased to have this option in the neighborhood!

Finally ate at Babbalucci last night after hearing some great word of mouth. It was totally worth the wait — the pizza selection was unique, the prices were good (for the food and booze) and the staff was super friendly. I had the Americana and my husband had the Astor Row. They were both so fresh and flavorful — definitely made us plan on a return trip sooner than later to try the other varieties! I would call this, hands down, the best pizza in Harlem. And it might be some of the best pizza in New York City. If you’re in Harlem, you have no excuse not to check this place out ASAP. And if you’re not, it’s so worth the trip. Harlem rocks, y’all!

BABBALUCCI has a benissimo atmosphere and causal scene, where the hipsters and non-​hipsters alike intertwine to be sweeped away, surrounded by candlelight tables, where the patrons are nestled in between both the Italian restaurant’s bar and brick oven. Also, the over head music is evenly distributed throughout the space and even-​toned in its volume. Therefore, patrons can be easily carried away in their conversation and don’t have to compete with the music. The restaurant’s décor is both causal and modest in style. The soft electrical lighting are well placed throughout the restaurant. It’s a very cozy place.
A person regardless of their age or race is immediately drawn into the comforts of the place by its restaurants employees, who are both friendly, inviting and knowledgeable of both the food menu and wine selection. I personally like the fact that you are given a wine tasting choice, prior to making a non-​pressuring final wine decision. My good friend tends to favor the red wines, more specifically the Cabernet franc.
Last night, my good friend James and I sat at the bar to chow down on some delicious slices of brick oven pizza: made with basil, ricotta cheese and great tasting sauce. It was paired up with mixed greens salad (as it was abundantly well-​flavored and fresh), and the same could be said for the al dente pasta dishes. So, I encourage you to drop in for happy hour drinks, crafted beer and the complimentary food.
Price: Average
Food: Excellent
Drinks: Well-​priced and Excellent
Service: Excellent
Takeout: Yes
I highly recommend a visit, If you ever find yourself in the Harlem neighborhood in which the Babbalucci is located and are looking for an A rated restaurant to dine or enjoy happy hour drinks and socialize. Please stop by and say hello to Ducky!
FYI: I happily recommend that you try the house made tiramisu.

Came for dinner and it was everything!!! Great atmosphere, great food, love the wine choices and very clean. This is the hidden Italian gem in harlem

This place is the
!
It’s an affordable and lovely addition to the neighborhood. Average menu price is between 11 – 21.
I came here twice within one week for the St. Nick pizza. It’s so amazingly delicious! I also love the primitivo wine. It pairs well with the food. Try the arancini balls. They’re the type of balls you’re going to actually want in your mouth regardless if you’re a man or woman.
Bottom line: delicious and affordable in Harlem. Why are you still reading this? Go!

Wonderfully warm atmosphere, incredibly friendly staff and managerial team.
I’m a huge fan of their happy hour appetitivo where well-​priced drinks are served alongside scrumptious free snacks.
The menu is artfully chosen, ingredients are fresh and presentation and taste are delightful.
Certainly a neighbourhood favourite!
Highly recommended

This spot is around the corner from my job and has one of the few not-​fast-​food lunch options around 125^th and Lenox available for less than $ 12. The food is super yuppy, the staff is great and they have a nice ambiance.
The Sicilian Tuna hero??? Amazing.

Food was good and cost effective. Unlimited $ 15 mimosas isn’t bad either! Service however altho friendly extremely slow.

Best new addition to My neighborhood. They do Italian food well! The pizza is awesome but doesn’t compare to Veal Bolognese and Short Rib lasagna! I’ve dined there and had take out twice and all 3 times the food has been delicious and well prep! The owners and staff and friendly and wine knowledgable. Well run and will be successful!
Delivery timing is definitely not their forte. After an hour and a half of waiting on a Seamless order that they confirmed, and stated its being delivered in the app… had to call and was told they are sending out a new one. Good recovery on customer service but please increase staffing. Food again is excellent though :)
Reduced my previous review

Thin crust, amazing tasty pizzas, great vibes/​perfect ambience & décor, great service, lots of vegetarian options… need I go on? Such a perfect Harlem spot!
Went here with three other friends who loved this place just as much as I did. Will definitely be back!

This place is a must go if you like great food and rewarding customer service. This is my new local. A vibrant bar with great, abundant, and free food during happy hour. Interesting cocktail menu, try the White Negroni.
The food is fabulous. I won’t speak for the meat as I don’t eat it. I’ve had all the salads, try the grilled romain, but they’re all great. I love the thin base of their pizzas fresh from their wood burning stove. The pizzas are delicious, great simple food beautifully prepared.
The service sets this place apart. Nothing seems too much trouble.
And that’s why it is my new local!

YASSS!!! Thank you, Harlem! This lovely up-​and-​comer is a refreshingly new face to the sh*tty food options that Harlem/​Morningside Heights area has to offer. (I mean things that are close enough and delicious enough AND deliver to my office – there are like 2 places that meet each of these criteria) I have had the pleasure of dining in, taking out, and getting a super fast delivery! **Delivery can sometimes be slow, but also keep in mind that this stuff won’t travel well. Your best bet is to dine in, if you want your pies not to be soggy, etc. It will happen with Neapolitan pizza
The ambiance is sweet and romantic, dim lighting. There’s a small bar to the right and I wish they had a few tables for outdoor seating, but inside are several comfortable tables and booths. Casual dress, moderate noise level and very friendly staff.
Each of my experiences at Babbalucci has been delicious, quick, and a demonstration of excellent service. Haven’t tried too much on the menu, but here are some stand-​outs:
1. Polpettine – perfect little beef and spinach meatballs, tender and juicy with so much flavor you could smack ya mama! These little spheres of joy are served in a bed of ricotta cheese grits – oh, my bad, RICOTTA POLENTA– which is beautifully done and complemented by a slightly spiced marinara sauce! Damn… had to repeat this order twice because it was so unbelievable! And all that for $ 9. It’s a little heavy for an appetizer for one (in my opinion) but is a great meal with a salad, or appetizer for sharing with one other person.
2. The Burrata pizza is on a beautiful Neapolitan dough (but I agree with a previous Unilocaler who said they should mention MELTED burrata) and quite filling. Delivery a bit soggy, but that’s to be expected – Pizza like this should be eaten hot and fresh out of the oven – best option is to dine in for this.
3. Lunchtime heroes — tried the meatball hero, although I was torn between this one and the prosciutto – the bread is homemade and a bit heavy, but if you’re very hungry, I would recommend one of these $ 9 monster sandwiches for your meal. Served with smoked mozzarella and an arugula salad, this was all the comfort I needed during a stressful work day last week.
4. Arancini with mushrooms and scamorza – delicious. Lightly fried, not greasy at all, and the risotto inside is creamy. I would perhaps like to taste a bit more of the smoked mozzarella in here, but can’t remember the other cheese involved and perhaps that’s taking away from some of the smoky taste. Still delicious and steamy on the inside.
I haven’t had a chance yet to try the pasta dishes, but I will be back to Babbalucci and hope to try all that they have to offer.

Im Babbalucci sind wir gelandet, da das Red Rooster voll war und wir haben es nicht bereut.
Der Service ist freundlich und sehr bemüht, hier und da scheint es aber noch leicht durchzukommen dass der Service noch nicht 100%ig eingespielt ist.
Wir haben ohne Probleme einen Tisch bekommen, Service war schnell und hat stetig Wasser nachgeschenkt und sich um Wein etc. gekümmert.
Kommen wir zum Highlight, es gibt «italian style pizza» die wirklich dem Original sehr sehr nahe komme. Frisch aus dem Holzofen wird die Pizza an den Platz gebracht. Dem Pizzabäcker arbeitet in einer offenen Küche und ihm kann bei der Arbeit zugeschaut werden.
Der Boden ist richtig kross, die Zutaten lecker und frisch. Die Sauce für meinen Geschmack etwas zu Süß. Auf Sonderwünsche wurde ohne Probleme reagiert (was in den USA nicht überall der Fall ist). Alles in allem eine der besten Pizzen die ich seit langem gegessen habe und dass dann auch noch in den USA :)
Für NY sind hier die Preise mehr als fair! Eine Flasche Wein für knapp über 20 $ und eine Pizza für unter 15 $.

Excellent pizza place! Still not the kind of pizza that I like but pretty decent. Nice crust and tender dough with a good combination of toppings. We got the Sicilian tuna pizza, no cheese though but with a lot of flavor. Kind of spicy, I think the peppers were too much.
The star of the night were the arancini, a fried risotto ball, stuffed with meat and peas. 5 star dish! The polenta and meatballs are good but I had better anywhere else, Sauce, Nocciola, Piccolo café to name a few…
Next time I’ll try the pasta to complete the Italian dishes.
Great ambiance, I think that’s the best expect of the restaurant

I didn’t eat here but i did take the liberty of adding this place to Unilocal.I was across the street eating and i kept gazing at the sign. I googled it and it’s not listed anywhere… We crossed the street and went inside. its beautiful. The hostess was very warm and inviting! A nice blonde lady with a big smile. She did say to us come eat with us soon. At that moment i wish i didn’t eat across the street. I will return to try the food…
My 5 stars is based on ambiance and the hostess!