Becco (New York, NY)

I was looking for a relaxed dinner near the theater district and ended up at Becco. The restaurant felt busy without being rushed, and it had the kind of atmosphere where people seemed comfortable settling in for a full meal. I ordered the pasta tasting, Caesar salad, tiramisu, and a cappuccino. The pasta tasting ended up being the centerpiece of the meal, offering enough variety that every few bites felt a little different. The Caesar salad was fresh and simple, and the tiramisu was exactly the kind of dessert I wanted after a rich dinner. The entire evening felt easy and enjoyable. Good food, attentive service, and a location that worked perfectly before an evening show.

I’ve visited Becco many times over the years, and it has always been a place I’ve enjoyed returning to with the people I care about. I’ve come here with friends, family, and colleagues for all kinds of occasions, so I walked in expecting the same comfortable experience I’ve had in the past. When my sister and I arrived before our Broadway show, there were a few hostesses at the front. The first one we interacted with didn’t seem very friendly. She looked preoccupied and didn’t offer much of a welcome, which felt surprising based on my past visits. Another hostess then stepped in and began leading us to a table upstairs, but as soon as I saw the stairs, I let her know we couldn’t sit there because of knee issues. She moved us without any trouble, and the rest of the staff was friendly throughout the evening. The part that left me disappointed was the inconsistency with the unlimited pasta trio, which has always been my favorite thing to order. For the first time in all my visits, I found myself sitting with an empty plate for long stretches, waiting to ask for more. They were extremely busy, and I understand that, but the long waits took away from the experience. If I had known it would be like that, I would have chosen a different dish. The food itself was as delicious as ever, and the prices remain very reasonable compared to many other restaurants in the area. That part hasn’t changed, and I’m grateful for it. I still care about this restaurant and hope this was simply an off night. I’ve had so many great meals here, and I’d love for future visits to feel like the Becco I’ve always known.

I had a really great experience at Becco Restaurant. The pasta was excellent—fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. The drinks were just as impressive, with a nice variety and well-balanced flavors. The service stood out as well; the staff was attentive, friendly, and made sure everything ran smoothly throughout the meal. The only small downside was that the atmosphere was a bit loud at times, which made it slightly harder to have a conversation. However, it didn’t take away much from the overall experience. Everything else was genuinely amazing, and I would definitely go back again.

The all-you-can-eat pasta special sounds like a fantastic deal at first—three rotating pasta selections for around $32 plus an appetizer—but the experience ended up being pretty underwhelming. Service was quite slow, and there was often a long wait between pasta refills. The biggest disappointment was the pasta selection itself. Two of the three options were vegetarian, while the third was a gnocchi with what seemed like duck flavor and a few tiny bits, but no actual duck meat to speak of. I expected a lot more variety and substance. Ironically, the Caesar salad was the highlight of the meal. It almost felt like the generous appetizer was there to fill you up before the pasta arrived. By the time drinks, tax, and tip were added, the total came to well over $50 per person. In a city like New York, where there are countless outstanding Italian restaurants, I don't think this experience offered particularly good value.