Our favorite bottled pasta sauce, hands down! I read an interesting article about Rao’s in Vanity Fair, Oct 10, 2016 and we were delighted when the local Italian Market started selling jars of their pasta sauces this fall.
Rao’s has been among the most difficult restaurants to get a reservation in the country since being awarded 3 stars in 1977 by the New York Times. Rao’s has 4 tables and 6 booths; there are no reservations, just table assignments. 85 people come weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually or only at Christmas. Families often “inherit” a table, or they can “loan” their table for the evening to a friend if they want too or donate the night to a charity.
Unless requested there are no menus…………homey staples such as seafood salad, lemon chicken, meatballs and marinara. The marinara is sold retail and has been a corner stone of their success. And it is really good! We use Rao’s Vodka Sauce in our Baked Shells with Spinach and Prosciutto recipe, for dipping cheese or bread sticks, with meatballs as a meal or appetizer, and any other time we need a quick delicious meal.
Rao’s has opened restaurants in L.A. and Las Vegas in the past few years so there is some hope of dining from the menu.
There have been many colorful people sit at Rao’s NYC tables. Frankie Valli and Frank Sinatra. Keith Richards and Celine Dion; Rod Stewart and Jimmie Fallon. Jay Z shot his D.O.A video at Rao’s.
For the complete article go to: https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2016/10/raos-new-york-exclusive-restaurant