Baraonda

Not just lackluster, but disappointing.
The outdoor patio/​sidewalk seating grabbed our attention for dinner al fresca and the staff kindly welcomed us. That’s where the good stuff ended… upon arrival.
Perhaps they were waiting for a fresh food delivery or perhaps they just had a bad night in the kitchen for our dining experience but the place just seemed off. Spotty silverware and mismatched glassware for our settings was a little odd but whatever.
Food: the octopus antipasti starter sounded delicious but, while the octopus was tasty it almost seemed like an afterthought or they ran out because we didn’t get much octopus (plenty of red onions though). The salmon dish was undercooked and under-​seasoned but edible. The chicken breast dish was literally met with «where’s the chicken» when it came out. When I found the «chicken» it was NOT a fresh chicken breast but more like the flash-​frozen-​rubbery chicken-​like portions that I expect from fast food — I did not eat half of it (but I did finish all my asparagus) even though it was 22 dollars. The check arrived with extras to it (I’ll give the benefit of the doubt as an honest mistake but the place was NOT busy and waiter should’ve caught it).
I really hope I just got there on a bad night but, unfortunately, I won’t be visiting again. The check came to 70 bucks (post-​correction and no drinks) that I will not see again. The prices do NOT match the food quality.

Baraonda has scrumptious food and an inviting ambiance. The service was fantastic and the upbeat, lively and welcoming attitude of the entire staff –especially Suzan– sincerely made it one of the best dining experiences EVER!!! Guaranteed great meal and memorable time! «What happens in Baraonda, stays in Baraonda!»
–Kim C.

I have frequented Baraonda for quite a while and it continues to be a favorite of mine. The food is excellent and it has a fine wine list. I am particularly fond of the chicken parmigiana with pasta Bolognese. The atmosphere is terrific and I enjoy sitting outside now that the weather has improved. The staff at Baraonda is warm, engaging and friendly which adds a great deal to the dining experience. A very good restaurant…

One of my favorite restaurants in both the neighborhood as well as all of NYC. The food is amazing. Fresh, simple and incredibly tasty, just the way Italian food should be. I highly recommend the octopus salad (it is so light and fresh and the string beans and potatoes are a perfect compliment) as well as the truffle/​Parmesan potato gnocchi. It is comforting and decadent. Everything else I have tried has been great but those are my go-​tos. Both are just as good when delivered.
The space is cute and cozy, the staff is so friendly and the specials are always great. Also the gelatto is incredible — especially the chocolate with the white chocolate sauce and strawberries!
I have never been there for the late night dance parties that apparently happen, maybe they are fun but this review is for Baraonda just as a restaurant.

The food is consistently delicious. It is a bit expensive, but one of the best places for Italian in the area. The pasta is the best here. The gnocchi with the truffle cream sauce is SUPERB — perfectly creamy, slightly salty, and a nice depth of truffle flavor without being either too subtle or too saturated. Excellent dish.
The complimentary sundried-​tomate/​olive oil dip that comes with the bread is incredible. I normally eat all of the dip, it is really delicious and a well-​thought out departure from the standard boring olive oil/​balsamic vinegar options.
I have found the service to be excellent as well. Hosts and servers are attentive and friendly. Most nights, the clientele is… mature, but I never feel uncomfortable or out of place.
Also, surprisingly, although it is first and foremost a white tablecloth «sit-​down» restaurant, delivery from Baraonda is quite good and fast. The food comes packaged well, warm, and holds up really well.

love this pl
good food and nice music

Ordered the grilled octopus which was tasty, but abut on the small side and the Spaghettini ai Frutti Di Mare which was amazing! They gave quite a bit of seafood (super fresh) and the sauce was delicious! I was surprised at how good the portions were and fresh the food was since it was delivered. Would definitely visit and order in here again.

Wow! Sunday night party party! An out of world (upper east side world) experience! Dinner turned club type venue with a DJ, dancing dancing and even dancers.
I must have said 10 times I can’t believe I’m upper east .
Was walking home after dinner and kind of accidentally stumbled upon the party hearing /​seeing the energy activity from across the street. I had heard about dancing and something fun here Sunday nights but since this started later I never made it before this week.
I suggested we peek in but — you couldn’t just peek without a drink and partaking in some fun, a little dancing to Latin music and incredible people watching here, for at least a little while .
People dancing everywhere, even a few on the tables. Scantily clad dancers — reminding me of something you would see at Mardis gras maybe –with giant feather adorned hats came out of the back with a birthday cake for someone then later were dancing among the patrons and as we left on the bar.
My Manhattan drink was made well.
Only complaint was one female bartender whose service and attitude were horrific. I get along with and talk to anyone and everyone and completely appreciate great service but am also very intolerant of really bad service/​attitude. I asked her a couple questions at different points –including what kind of music was playing and if the costumed women were hired for a bday party or by the restaurant; and each time she gave a two word snippy non answer like «they’re hired» with attitude. The second or third time instead of asking her nicely to clarify I walked to the other end of the bar and asked the other (very friendly) bartender who answered my questions. When I casually mentioned his co workers attitude, the owner was by my side within seconds introducing herself. I said I was having a great time and didn’t want to be negative but she probed, clearly wanting to make her customers happy– I shared my enthusiasm for the unique especially to Ues, party atmosphere, which she was very happy to hear, clearly passionate about her restaurant. And when I mentioned the bartenders’ attitude she was sweet, apologetic, saying she would address it. Reiterating this is her restaurant and welcoming us there. She was great.
I would definitely go back on a Sunday night to show other friends the only club type spot upper east — and also for dinner to try their food!

Wow. So good! I went on a Sunday night around 930 and it’s a great atmosphere with a dj and some dancing but nothing so crazy that you can’t sit and enjoy your meal and talk with friends. The food was amazing, seriously. My table shared some apps (salad, eggplant calamari). I got branzino for entrée which was seriously OMG! Cooked perfectly, very flavorful, huge portion. Highly recommend!

Great food, fresh, and delicious. Always kind and accommodating. Great Italian for reasonable prices and very relaxing atmosphere.

this place is HORRIBLE. For charging $ 15 for a salad, then dried out chicken dishes at $ 22, I’d go to McDonalds over this. I would not go in nor ever recommend this to anyone.

God I loved this place — they had the best salmon with sauce ever. I’ve been making a mock of their recipe since! Absolutely great. However, beware of the «specials» I once said yes to a fish and they served us (two plates wide) a toasted fish for $ 80… Not cool and not my type of dish. The salmon however, makes up for it and I’ll still give them a 5 star for it. Yummmmm

The service took forever… even just to take our drink order. They were going to all the other tables except us which was kind of rude. Eventually we got to order … again the food took forever and people who sat after us got served prior to us… kind of strange …
The food was good but not amazing … I had seafood and pasta… the wine was nice but that’s what we expected for the high price. I expected this place to be a lot better and was disappointed it wasn’t proven to be about all the good hype.

I cannot believe this place does not have a 5 star rating!
The food here is amazing! The waiters are so accommodating and knowledgeable. The service is great. I’ve been here twice and I can’t wait to return again.
The bread they give you is so good and the sun-​dried tomato/​olive oil they have for you to dip it in is OUT OF THIS WORLD.
The wine selection is great. We also got a bottle of champagne here which was very good.
The appetizers I’ve had are burrata with tomatoes and fried calamari/​zucchini/​shrimp. I love that they have all three, calamari/​zucchini/​shrimp, included in one appetizer and they give generous portions. The burrata is super creamy and really delicious.
The main dishes I’ve had are a lobster spaghetti special and a broccoli rabe/​sausage pasta. Both were TO DIE FOR. The lobster dish had an entire lobster in it!
I haven’t had dessert here yet but I’m definitely getting some next time. I would DEFINITELY recommend this place to anyone in Manhattan. 5 stars!

Excellent food, good wine, great service, Sunday night parties!
This place has a great vibe. The outdoor seating and open storefront make the place fun and inviting.
The pastas are all amazing and cooked perfectly and you can’t lose with their homemade sorbets and cookies.
You have to come here, it’s really great!

PHENOMENAL Italian food! Highly knowledge and professional service. We had the (seasonal) soft shell crab appetizer and it was amazing! Exquisitely cooked. And the Burata app. So good! Delicious fish and the lobster/​pasta special was perfect.
GREAT WINE LIST!!! Some very well priced wines with superb vintages.
BARAONDA IS A HIGH RECOMMEND RESTAURANT!

I can’t believe it. I am suffering from cancer and I was having desert withy good girl friend there. We live in the area. Some individuals were smoking next to us and we asked management to have them stop yet they refused to even consider a simple request.
Management told us to let them be and let them smoke because they were having drinks and we only ordered deserts. I am so shocked and disgusted I am not believing no one cracked on them.
Food is modiocre at best.
Danielle

Baraonda is one of my favorite places in the city! The food is delicious!!! I was born and raised in Italy so I’m pretty picky with Italian food… lol Believe me!!!
My favorite dishes are truffle gnocchi, spaghetti alla chitarra and cotoletta alla milanese
The bartenders Joanna and Dino are the best!!! They are super nice, fun and sociable! They make you feel at home right away.
The waiters are really nice and helpful! I love Radu and Melodia.
I absolutely love Sunday parties at Baraonda. Sia, the host and DJ of the party, is super fun! She dances and talk with crowd. Everyone loves her!
I can’t wait to be back!!!

Came here with my family for a big group dinner of 10 people — we called 15 minutes ahead of time and they were able to accommodate us. Attentive service, tasty Italian food and they were quick to wash my aunt’s coat when the lady sitting behind us spilled her wine! Only con was that their huge, beautiful flower arrangement on the bar had gardenias which are very fragrant and you could smell them all over the restaurant. Walls are covered with cool, funky artwork and ceiling is complete with disco ball for late-​night discothequing.

We had a dinner on Saturday night
It was amazing time for us people are so kind with smiling face.
Foods are so delicious
Also owner of the restaurant she is gorgeous lady so kind and positive