Restaurant - Becco
 

Does anyone have any feedback on an Italian restaurant called Becco?
Much appreciated...

Becco on 46th Street in New York?

If so, it's very mediocre, at best.

There are over 1,000 Italian restaurants in NYC, and I don't know one New Yorker who would have Becco on a top 100 list.

Do a search for Becco on the Manhattan board on Chowhound.com. It gets pretty mixed reviews. I think it's more about quantity than quality. There are certainly better Italian restaurants, even in the Theatre District.

I'm glad you posted this. Friends of mine go here ALL THE TIME when they visit NYC. I mean, to the exclusion of many other restaurants. They always rave about it, and, based on their reviews, I have suggested that other go. Sounds like i might have to rethink that!

They have a very decent nightly chef special for $21.95 that is all you can eat three pastas and either anti pasta or salad before hand.

The pasta is served by waiters out of pans. It isn't a buffet.

It is probably one of the better dinner deals for pre theater Times Square.

It's handy to theaters and they serve a large amount of decent food at a very low price (unlimited simple pastas and salads for only $23 or something). But - the food is very basic (pastas typically don;t have chicken or shrimp or whatever) and the cooking is acceptable.

There are much better choices nearby - but not at that price - which is VERY low for NYC.

The divide is usually between visitors and Ny'ers.

We have only eaten there once and it was mediocre. But if I was feeding a football team it would be an excellent choice.

As would Olive Garden.

I just got back from NY and ate at Becco. Frankly, I had never heard of it - we were heading someplace else and peaked in, liked the look of it and went inside.

It was midweek and we were seated in the front room in about 5 minutes. We liked our waiter - he was enthusiastic and fun. I noticed all the Lidia books but unitl then had no idea it was connected with her.

We both had the pasta special. Our opinion: Loved the thin salty breadsticks and the white bean spread. Salad was crisp, simple and good. Of the three pastas, the ravioli w/ chard was tender and yummy, the spaghetti with tomato & basil nothing unusual but actually quite good and the orchiette w/ pancetta and cauliflower not bad; the cauliflower was hard to find.

Our service was very good; it was busy but not crazy, only one big party. It was cold outside & cozy inside. The manager bought us an after dinner drink, which we appreciated.

And, the price was reasonable - the closest place to me for really good Italian food is San Francisco; this reminded me of some North Beach places with fun atmosphere and tasty but not unique food.

We tried to go to Hell's Kitchen our last night (a Friday) but couldn't get in. We had been working most of the day, had just done the free Friday at MOMA and had early plans for our Saturday morning.We were tired and wanted food. Since Becco was near our hotel, we called and got a reservation.

Visit two: We opted to wait at the bar to be seated in our 'old' waiter's section. Bartender did a good job of discussing the wines w/us (I used to work in the wine business, but I don't know Italian wines in depth). He gave us tastes of a couple and topped off both of our glasses.

Becco was a lot more crowded that night - 3-4 birthday celebrations. The pastas did not appeal; I had the roasted chicken w/ sweet potato and chard. This is not something I usually order since I make a pretty good roast chicken, but it sounded tasty and simple.

It was - tasty and simple! The chicken was juicy and the skin crisp. Vegetables were prepared, again, simply, but nothing wrong.

We had fun there, and for a flavorful meal in a fun atmosphere with good service (for us, both nights) & decent prices, it was a good choice.

For inventive delicious food - maybe not.

By the way, from what we could tell by talking with people at the bar and a little eavesdropping and observing, the other diners on the nights we were there were a combination of locals and tourists.

I'd agree that if you like unlimited portions of three usually very bland mediocre pastas, yes it's a good deal. I personally don't care for it at all.

But the idea that the opinions are a divide between locals and tourists is laughable. Why do some people think all tourists have lousy taste but all locals have wonderful taste? If I'm not mistaken most of the negative opinions here are coming from tourists, no? The fact is that when we went some time back (NOT for pre-theatre), the place was filled with locals who loved getting all that pasta for a low price. There were a number of what were clearly "local" groups meeting for various celebrations including a big bridal shower and a large family gathering. The idea that only (or all) tourists like it is like saying that Tavern on the Green is for tourists. I recently read that Tavern on the Green is the number 1 spot selected by "locals" for special occasion. That doesn't mean that there aren't thousands of locals who hate it, just as there are thousands of tourists who hate it. It just shows that there is no given ratio regarding quality and whether it appeals to tourists or locals. Heck, I'd even be willing to bet there are Olive Gardens or Applebees in neighborhoods of NYC that are strictly visited by locals.

I'd agree that if you like unlimited portions of three usually very bland mediocre pastas, yes it's a good deal. I personally don't care for it at all.

But the idea that the opinions are a divide between locals and tourists is laughable.

Laugh away. As always there is a contradiction in your responses. Thus you can never be wrong.

The people who seem to dislike Becco are those who I beleive hold themselves out as Ny'ers or have visited extensively. It is prima facie evidence. Your argument is just that-an argument.

Where in NYC do you see Appleby's, Denny's, Cracker Barrel, Lubey's, etc.

You can count on your hand the number of Olive Garden's and Macaroni Grills in NYC. There are limited number of Domino's, Papa John's, etc.

The food chains that are numerous in NYC are Starbuck's,the three big hamburger chains, Dunkin, and Subway. A number of those are run by the Reise Brothers who are alchemist, the turn food into ....

Laugh away, Oh great defender of the bad restaurants but you seem to not like them either.


And as far as Tavern having events, it is because they specialize in events. Is the food at wedding halls better than restaurants, rarely. But the specialize in it.

Sorry I answered. Will refrain from arguing this point.

No Auduchamp, the survey I was referring to on Tavern on the Green was NOT about events. It was about family special occasions or dining. There are tons and tons of local residents who think it is the "end all" of special restaurants. Probably the vast majority of them have never eaten at Grammercy Tavern or Picholine or Le Bernardin or Bouley and probably never will. There are all kinds of "locals" in NYC and they don't all have the same taste as you or I. Period.

But there IS an Olive Garden in Bronx, one in Brooklyn, and one in Queens. None of those are there for "the tourists". I never said there was one on every corner. My point is that I consider Olive Garden a "not very great" restaurant, yet I have little doubt that those off the tourist track in NYC are still packed with locals every night.

My point remains. There is NO reason to assume that all tourists flock to bad restaurants, but all locals have good taste and don't. Not all tourists have the same taste. Not all locals have the same taste. That was my only real point. Argue it if you want.

And calling me "defender of bad restaurants" is absurd. As you say, I don't like them either and wasn't defending bad restaurants in any conceivable way (although I'd be hard pressed for anyone to establish a finite definition on what is a bad restaurant and what is a good restaurant -- again, tastes vary. I'm only a defender of "logic" and "honesty". Those are the points I was defending -- not restaurant quality.

And by the way, I see NO "contradiction" in my post. If anything, because I'm a tourist, the idea that I dislike Becco seems to support the statement that not all tourists love it while all locals don't. But where do you get the idea that people who don't like Becco are only or even mostly those who are New Yorkers or who have visited extensively? What possible theory would support that idea?

New York is an extraordinary dining city. Yes restaurant for restaurant in France the food is better and tastes different. The same is true for Italy. Is there a place in NYC that makes New Orleans style cooking well, not that I have found. How many good Mexican restaurants are there, very few. The Chinese food in Flushing which is moving back into the City is almost as good as the LA suburb of Monterry Park.

All that said, NYC is the restaurant capital of the world for variety, ethnic varierty and high quality. So when a visitor comes to NYC would should they settle for 2nd rate food. Particularly when you get excellent food at reasonable prices.

You noted that there is one Olive Garden each in Brooklyn, Queens, and Bronx.
There are:
1.3 million people in the Bronx
2.5 in Brooklyn
2.3 in Queens

Clearly there is greater threat from terrorists than from the Olive Grdens.

Auduchamp, sorry my post was so long that it confused you into thinking I was saying Olive Gardens are a threat to civilization as we know it. You totally misinterpret my comments.

I do not believe that all tourists pick and/or like "bad" restaurants. And I do not believe that all locals avoid and/or dislike those same "bad" restaurants. Tourists and locals both have varying tastes. Go ahead and disagree with that if you want. It really was my ONLY point.

On the other hand, I agree 100% with your statement: "All that said, NYC is the restaurant capital of the world for variety, ethnic varierty and high quality. So when a visitor comes to NYC ((why)) should they settle for 2nd rate food. Particularly when you get excellent food at reasonable prices." But to that, I'd simply add "yes, but why should locals settle for them either? Why are you singling out tourists as the only ones who would go to 2nd rate restaurants, when many, many locals do as well?

I just get tired of the "we New Yorkers all have GREAT taste. Tourists have NO taste." Sorry, that's what your first post clearly seemed to say to me. Not surprising, since you say it so often.

You are right Neo, you are always right.

Actually I like when people go to Carmine's, Ellen's, Serendipity, Tavern, Becco's and Carnegie. It means there are empty tables at other spots.

I agree.

And funny you mention Carmines. I have a good friend who was the manager there for a number of years (the Times Square one). He will tell you that at 8 (when all the pre-theatre people left) the vast majority of their customers were locals -- many of them regulars. So thanks for reaffirming my point. But while we're at it, there is another Carmine's (UWS) that relies almost totally on locals. So again, I'm not sure what your point was in bringing it up if your argument is still that those are strictly tourist places. Restaurants you may refer to as "mediocre" are regarding by some locals, as well as tourists, as "great".

I am sure I eat in restaurants in my neighborhood people turn their backs on.

Curious obsertvation. In the Zagat's for restaurants NYC, there are many places rated less than 20 for food. In the Zagat's Markets NYC (food, candy, bakeries,butchers, florists) there are few places rated under 20 for quality.

I am not exalting or criticizing Zagat's but using it as a point of reference.

What would you draw from that reference?

Our family of 5 ate at Becco pre theatre and enjoyed it. If memory serves me, if you get the three pastas, you get your choice of ceasar salad or antipasti. From reading rants on this board, I have gathered that they bring out the exact same amount of antipasti whether you have a party of 2 eating it or a party of 6....generous for 2, exceedingly skimpy for 6.

I have been to Becco twice - once for dinner and once for lunch. I thought it was good, not great. It was very busy pre-theatre dinner and I thought the service was spotty. Food was good. Some in my party got the 3 course pasta, some ordered off the menu. It's not amazing but it is also not terrible.

(Aduchamp - I do not always agree with NeoPatrick but why are you trying to pick a fight with him in this instance?)

missypie, it's been a while but I have eaten at Becco twice. When there were four of us the antipasta platter was clearly double the size it was when there were two of us. Things were counted out the same -- so many pieces of each item for each person.

And for the record, while two of us may have gotten off the subject and a little carried away, I'd never say that Becco is "terrible". In fact, as a pre or post theatre meal that is convenient in location, organized to get you in and out in time, and reasonably priced, it isn't bad at all. There are many places I'd prefer, but I didn't mean to suggest it is a "bad" restaurant with my comments using that word generally.

Interesting, NeoPatrick. Someone else described what their party of 6 got and it was exactly what the two of us got when we ate there (same portion size.) Sounds like the other group should have spoken up.

I am not going to get into this discussion, but will point out that the Zagat guide (I agree not the be all and end all, but an indicator of local opinion, including my own) gives Tavern on the Green a dismal 15 for food. Personally I don't know anyone who would ever choose to eat there unless they were attending some kind of convention or other event. I find it hard to believe that it is rated as the favorite special occasion venue in the city.

Becco is an all-you-can-eat pasta place. Never a good indicator of quality.

There is an Olive Garden in Manhattan on Sixth Avenue in the 20s. I cannot imagine who eats there. Most of those chain places do not last long in NYC.

In all fairness to Becco, no, it's not gourmet dining, but it is certainly above a mediocre rating. And, its $21.95 pasta special is still one of the best bargains in midtown.....regardless of what size serving of antipasto you get!

Oy vey. I just have to weigh in here. I am very much a foodie and love fine dining and the whole experience revolving around it. I also live in NYC and have eaten in every single top rated restaurant we have. HOWEVER, not every dinner every night can be an event for us. There are nights that we are rushing from work to get to the theater and dash in the first place that has an empty table, or we are just miserably exhausted and want some food. Or someone else has been in charge of the reservation and we end up wherever they have chosen--and do so with a positive attitude. So, even though we have excellent taste (smiling here), we do eat in what many would consider to be 2nd rate (and sometimes 3rd rate) restaurants pretty often. Sometimes we are pleasantly surprised and end up going back again, other times we say yuck and that is it. We are not often completely disappointed, and I can count on two hands how many meals we have had that have been just awful (Rao's is one of them). Sometimes average is not a bad thing.

Great point, bugswife. I always say there is a difference between "destination" dining and just eating. And the latter isn't always that bad. Even tourists with very discerning taste while in New York may want to venture off by taxi a night or two to a "destination" restaurant, but I'm tired of trying to explain to a handful of NYC locals why it is silly for someone staying two blocks away from a theatre to go 80 blocks for dinner every night when some nights it's just easier, more convenient, and still quite good to eat at a place that's only a few steps from both their hotel and their theatre.

Incidentally, according to "some" you'd think that all tourists when they travel have lousy taste and don't care about good food. How very ludicrous. I'm wondering what exempts New Yorkers from that same scenario when they travel -- and they become tourists in other cities. Do they suddenly become like the tourists to NYC coming from San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, or wherever -- suddenly throwing their taste buds away and settling for mediocre food like "all the other tourists"? What would make anyone think that a person with particular food tastes at home, suddenly changes when he travels?

And as to who would eat at that Olive Garden mentioned above? -- the same type person who would eat at an Olive Garden in Chicago, or Miami, or any other city in the US. Do you honestly think people in other cities only eat at Olive Garden because it's the "best they have"? How silly. No, some people LOVE Olive Garden -- that's their right and privilege. The idea that it is a "mediocre" restaurant therefore only tourists would go there is the idea that I've been arguing against here.

I have been to an Olive Garden twice. The first time was when they first came to town. We tried it and were disappointed. The second time was many many years later. Our family of 5 had just been to a movie. It was late. Olive Garden was about a block away. We were famished, the breadsticks were hot, the salad was crisp and we really enjoyed it. I agree that sometimes a restaurant is a destination or the event of the night; other times you're hungry, it's convenient, and lots of restaurants are just fine.

The whole thought of Olive Garden makes me laugh because I live with someone who has been dying to try the place for ages. I have told him that I will treat him when I find another of the two for one coupons that they publish in the newspaper once in awhile!!

I agree that a tourist who is bound for the theatre or other event may be condemned to eating in a less-than-wonderful place due to convenience. Personally, with very few exceptions (Le Bernadin!!) I tend to steer clear of the theatre district, and the entire midtown area, for dining.

I shun places that I think will be mediocre. I would rather eat dinner in a Chinatown dive if their food is great, than in an Olive Garden! Or a Becco. I can cook better food at home. But hotel tourists do not have that option.

Here are some places that I enjoyed in the last few weeks:

Ouest
Little Owl
Bar Blanc
Shanghai Tide, Flushing
Amazing 66, Mott Street
Allen and Delancey
Casa Mono
Omai

I have to argee with Patrick. I used to live in Chelsea and worked on 7th Ave.

Auduchamp, I think I read here that you live on the LES. Correct?

Let me tell you that my co-workers and I frequently had lunch or quick after-work dinners at many TS chains--including Beef Steak Charlie's and TGI Friday's.

To say that New Yorkers don't eat at places like Olive Garden is ridiculous. Do you know how many people from Hoboken, Jersey City, Long Island work in Midtown????

The vast majority of these people can't afford to eat lunch at Sea Grill everyday.

Living on the LES, you may be out of the loop. Just walk up 6th Ave (at 51st) and look at all the office workers eating at Heartland Brewery.

Thingorjus

Manhattan is not the easiest place to get around. We have successfully negotiated the subway systems in Paris, London and Barcelona (not speaking the language in two of those three places), but were repeatedly confounded by the NYC subway system....sure they were rookie mistakes we made, but here's my point. If you've bought theatre tickets for the family, it is of great comfort to arrive at your destination with plenty of time, eat dinner nearby, then walk to the theatre. If you live there, or visit New Yokr often, you might be very comfortable eating in another neighborhood, then zipping to the theatre just in time for the show. However, eating in the theatre district adds a level of security and convenience for many tourists.

First, Tom42 please check the chronology. I posted and then Neo weighed in.

Now where to begin.

I only eat at expensive restaurants maybe four times a year and two of those are during Restaurant Week. I am not speaking of expensive places.

I too have been to Pizzeria Uno and TGIF's for an office this or that, and it is plain old dreadful. Same thing for Tavern, where it was corporate function, the food was almost inedible.

So NY'ers do go there but because of convenience not because of great food. So it a tourist is here why should they go there?

And if you think Olive Garden where the food is older than the kids who prepare it is better than a neighborhood Italian joint? Please, please, then go there but do not send a tourist becuase there are hundreds that are better.

There is a place in the neighborhood called the Coffee Shop on Union Square. It had a reputation for attracting models and glamoratti, it is disgusting and once closed by the board of health but is is packed at lunch and on weekends. Why is it still crowded? Horomones, i guess, but not in the food.

I have a dear friend who worked for the Food Channel but lives out of state. When she had 2nd Ave chopped liver and the siganture dish at Cacio e pepe. Both tastes were too strong for her.

I am speaking of the hundreds of ethnic and inexpensive reaturants that I do not see when traveling the country. If you are not exposed to them, how to do you know about them.

When I visit other cities I always ask a local to direct me to resaturants. It is their city, not mine. They know better than I do.

The citiies I have visited the most are LA and San Francisco. Our office was two blocks from Boulevard, considered one of the best in SF. It was middling. I often thought the Chinese food was better there, but it far superior now in Monterrey Park, CA and Flushing Queens. The Italian food in SF is long been romanticized and is over rated. My favorite place is an Afgahni restaurant in North Breach called Helmond. I have not found a place in NYC to match that.
That is the type of place in NYC that should be recommended, a unique, realtively inexpensive, and grratifying experience.

The fact that you call SF's Boulevard "middling" and say that the Italian food in SF is "overrated" (which restaurants, I wonder?) speaks volumes. I understand a lot better now. Thanks for clarifying your opinions.

Lived in Chelsea and dined at Beefsteak Charlie's and TGIF Fridays???? Come on...you are just teasing us and you know it..you would not be caught dead in those places with your Goyard tote bags! Where the heck is Beefsteak Charlie's in Chelsea????? Puh-leese!!!!

The same people who eat their lunch at Macdonald's patronize those places...there are always going to be some who do not care about what they put in their mouths.

Um, if you re-read my post ekscrunchy, you will see that I wrote TS--Times Square Area.

Many of my co-workers and I would go to Beefsteak Charlie's--near the Ed Sullivan Theatre--for their salad bar (which we all loved because we had to stay THIN to keep our jobs). :)

Aduchamp, I never wrote that Olive Garden was as good as a neighborhood Italian on the LES. However, I don't think chain restaurant food is always disgusting. It all depends what you order. I have had some good sandwiches at TGI Friday.

I grew up eating Marmite on toast and prawn salad sarnies from Little Chef.

I can eat anything if I wash it down with gin.

Thingorjus

And although I'm a bit embarrassed to mention it, not long ago I did stop at MacDonald's -- for a very late lunch, when I felt I was nearing diabetic coma! I had a "new" grilled chicken salad that was crisp and very fresh field greens with a fair amount of arugula. The chicken breast was grilled and sliced -- very moist and very tasty. The salad dressing was Paul Newman's in a package, but quite good. As I sat there and ate it, I couldn't help but think that I've had much worse salads in nice restaurants for three or four times the price. In fact, they could do one of those "hidden camera" tests, put this salad on a nice plate in a fancy restaurant, and I'm willing to bet most of the customers would have raved about how good it was -- for an expensive price.
Now if I went back and got another I'm not sure how good it would be. And I'm also pretty well convinced it wasn't just my hunger that made me think it was that good.

Well, Patrick, I ADORE Oreo Cookie McFlurries from McDonald's.

I will never forget the Oreo Cookie McFlurry I had whilst riding the Star Ferry from Hung Hom to the HK side of Victoria Harbour. It is like Proust's madeleine for me.

Thin

Patrick and Thin,
You both should try the Shake shack in Madison Square Park. Its only open during the warmer months.
http://shakeshack.com/index.html

Thanks andrew, but perhaps you missed my "near diabetic coma" remark above. Clearly one of those things would put me into one!
Besides, I really don't care for sweets anyway, but the other "half" of us LOVES them so we just may have to make a journey to Shake Shack in June. Does is match Island Burgers and Shakes?

I like Shake Shack and have been there many times. It is nice to sit under the trees for lunch, then go buy some Lime/Basil/Mandarin candles at Jo Malone in the Flat Iron Building. :)

If I have enough enery after that, I go into Fishes Eddy for some lovely glasses.

Thin

They are talking about keeping Shake Shack open all year. I guess you will get a blanket with every burger in January.

Thing-Anybody who eats Marmite gets two votes in a food discussion simply based on survival. The Olive Garden comments were directed at one in particular except Darden.

And I have eaten at Boulevard maybe 5 or six times. The staff also looks like the Boys of Brazil, each born within 15 minutes of each other.