Babbo Is More Expensive. Still Worth It? Yup.

i track consumer prices. i am the nyc food critic for bloomberg news. i am ryan sutton.

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Babbo Is More Expensive. Still Worth It? Yup.

One of NYC’s more affordable pasta tasting menus is still one of NYC’s more affordable pasta tasting menus, even though it’s a wee bit more expensive. Joe Bastianch & Mario Batali’s Babbo has hiked the price of its eight-course noodle fest by $11 to $80, as first tweeted by Philadelphia’s Matthew Tulini, a consistently reliable Price Hike Soldier.

That means a pasta tasting for two will run you $206 after tax & tip, or $335 with wine pairings.

Tulini also points out that the regular tasting menu has risen to $90, a 20% percent hike from $75. Your traditional tasting menu for two will now set you back $232 after tax & tip, or $361 with wine pairings.

To the best of our knowledge, Babbo hasn’t raised the price of these set menus since before The Price Hike was born in the spring of 2011, so we credit B&B for their commitment to price stability. A spot check at the restaurant last night revealed a 10 minute wait just to get to the host stand, so we don’t think Babbo will suffer under these new higher prices.

Keep in mind that Shea Gallante’s Ciano serves a pasta tasting menu for $110, so comparatively speaking, $80 is still pretty reasonable. Danny Meyer’s Maialino charges $55 for a five-course pasta tasting, but that’s only on Sundays, when you should be watching football (really).

We’re calling Babbo a BUY at these new higher prices.