[Fredslist] The 7th Annual Report On "Boys' Night Out" At Rao's Restaurant

[David Abeshouse]

The 7th Annual Report On "Boys' Night Out" At Rao's Restaurant

By David Abeshouse

August 2016 edition

 

I'll again try to keep this year's review on the briefer side; for plenty of
background info, please see the previous years' reports, accessible at:
<http://www.gothamnetworking.com/page/reviews>
http://www.gothamnetworking.com/page/reviews (suggestion: you may wish to
read - or skim - them in chronological order, starting with 2010, or at
least read the 2010 installment for background).  Last night was the seventh
incarnation of what our generous host Fred calls "Boys' Night Out" at Rao's.
If you are unfamiliar with the legend and lore of Rao's, the venerable
(founded in 1896 - not a typo) little East Harlem venue that likely is the
most difficult restaurant ticket in the country, do see my previous reviews
for background info. 

 

The L.I. contingent gathered at our secret meeting spot and I drove us up to
114th St. and Pleasant Ave., in East Harlem.  Seven "BNO" regulars gradually
arrived and gathered at Rao's bar: Fred, Lonny, John, Odey, and 3 Davids.  

 

The first celebrity we noticed was Tommy Mottola, in a black T-shirt and
black baseball cap.  To refresh your 1980s/1990s recollection, he was the
head of Sony Music Entertainment for a decade and a half, and was married
for a while to Mariah Carey.  At another table, there was a world-ranked
tennis player.  And there probably were other notables to whom we didn't pay
attention, in the packed room.  

 

We were seated at a table in full proximal view of the framed photo of Fred
on the restaurant wall.  Coincidence?  I think not.  

 

Lonny brought a selection of awesome red wines: a Kosta Browne Pinot Noir
2010; Ridge Monte Bello 2000 (red meritage blend); Ornellaia 1999
SuperTuscan; and two bottles of Ramey Diamond Mountain 2002 (red meritage
blend), just because.   

 

There was the usual selection of breads (with olive oil, of course) on the
table.  Head waiter Joey sat with us to recite the menu - everything is
shared, family-style, so we ordered by consensus.  And then the food started
to arrive: first a simple but delicious salad with what else but the house
Italian dressing, excellent baked clams, and (overly?) vinegary seafood
salad. 

 

Next up was the pasta course: elemental Fileto di Pomodoro with pancetta and
rigatoni, classic large meatballs, and good linguini with white clam sauce. 

 

Main courses were: pork & peppers, broccoli rabe, shrimp parmigiana, chicken
scarpariello - all delectable.  And I can't forget the dozen scoops of
excellent ice cream, for dessert, accompanied by espresso and after dinner
liquors.

 

The food, ambiance, kibitzing, and aura always are consistently good at
Rao's.  But there's a bit of a bittersweet flavor this year, in light of
reports that the families who own Rao's are experiencing disagreements; see,
for example:
<http://nypost.com/2016/07/21/raos-owner-cant-get-a-seat-on-the-board-of-his
-own-business/>
http://nypost.com/2016/07/21/raos-owner-cant-get-a-seat-on-the-board-of-his-
own-business/ and
<http://ny.eater.com/2016/7/22/12260006/raos-owner-lawsuit>
http://ny.eater.com/2016/7/22/12260006/raos-owner-lawsuit 

 

I hope, both as a business mediator and generally for the sake of gustatory
humanity, that they resolve things amicably.  If they need some assistance,
I'd be happy to exchange my mediation services for a few of their ethereal
meatballs. 

 

Hoping, as always, that there's more to come, next August.  Many thanks to
Fred for hosting this merry band of "boys" for 7 years in a row. 

 

Best regards, 

David Abeshouse

Gotham L.I. 

 

 

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David J. Abeshouse

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