Since 1906 N.Y.C's Infamous Barbetta

For over 120 years, Barbetta has been bringing the flavors of Italy to the heart of Manhattan with elegance and culinary authenticity.  

 

Barbetta holds the distinction of being the oldest restaurant in the theater district, the oldest Italian restaurant in New York and the oldest restaurant in the city owned by the same family that founded it. 

 

The restaurant  is housed in four historic brownstones dating from 1874 to 1881 that once belonged to the Astor family. 

 

This place has been around since even before the heyday of Broadway Theatre, which began booming in the 1920’s. 

 

Sebastian Maioglio founded Barbetta in 1906 and his daughter Laura took over the restaurant in 1962. 

 

This is not your typical rustic red and white checkered tablecloth, chianti fiasco stereotype.

 

The dining room has an elegant high ceiling with chandeliers and is decorated with 18th century antiques and a harpsichord signed by Francesco Fabbri in 1631. 

 

In the back, the outdoor garden is surrounded by tall trees and has a fountain right in the middle. Imagine relaxing in a quiet courtyard, surrounded by trees without any street noise in New York city. 

 

Barbetta is known for its Piemonte cuisine (northernwestern region of Italy) with a menu that features classics (pastas are the real showpieces here) like housemaid agnolotti, risotto, brasato, bellito and a wine selection of 1700 bottles. 

 

Their most notable dish is the great white truffle dishes served seasonally from October through December. Barbetta maintains their own hounds in Piemonte, searching for truffles. 

 

Television shows and movies like Madmen (where the character Don Draper runs into his ex-wife Betty), Sex in the City, Woody Allen’s Alice and the FBI Stories were filmed there.

 

So if you’re looking for Old World charm from a timeless institution, where the service is impeccable, and the food is sensational. You’ve got to experience Barbetta.