Bacaro Reviews

So sad. The food here is good - the sardines reminded me of Venice, the gnocchi were light and the steak melted in your mouth. The razor clams however were a bit on the sandy side. The wait staff was nice and attentive and the ambiance, well - who would know? I reserved a table downstairs and the door staff decided that we should be seated upstairs - right next to the kitchen and bathroom. This was a 7:30 reservation - not a full house at all. We weren't late and the place was empty and yet she claimed the downstairs was all booked (yeah, i was one of those bookings!) Even her co-worker was surprised when we were seated by the bathroom. I wish these restaurants realized that the experience begins when you walk in the door - I was made unhappy right from the start and with that it marred the rest of my experience. Did i like the food - yeah, it was ok. Would i ever go back? No. Would i recommend this place - certainly not.

With hidden underground dining rooms lit by candlelight and beautiful cheese plates to share, this spot is perfect for bigger groups. The cellar rooms stay cool during the summer, and the staff is friendly and down-to-earth. The upstairs bar is a cozy nook for dates. "Off the beaten track" of some of the trendier NYC bars but oh so worth it.

It's not often easy to find a place to hold a large dinner for business associates so when you find one where almost everything goes well, it's hard to criticize. Large quantity of food , great staff, good wine selection. All was a pleasure. It's a bit dark in the downstairs, but aside from that - I'd say it was a success. Desserts were the standard Italian fare, and possibly the least successful part of the dinner- but with all the chicken, meat and salad in our bellies, did we really need dessert? Thought the pasta was the weakest dish, but the chicken was solid and the tiny fried meatball appettizers were a home run (touch down? oscar?)

Started upstairs with antipasto and a bottle of wine. Went downstairs to a cozy alcove for a quiet dinner. Great black pasta special, sole was delicious as was the steak tender and tasty.

Found this quaint little Italian restaurant while staying in Chinatown for one evening. Looked up restaurants near us on Trip Advisor and read good reviews. Glad we gave it a try! A few things to note... they charge a credit card fee that is automatically added to the bill. We were surprised and curious about the "cc processing fee" , so we asked the waitress about it. Apparently it's written on the menu... we missed it. As many Italian restaurants do, they bring out bread for the table. They also brought olive oil, but we had to asked for balsamic vinegar, which they gladly provided. The dinning area downstairs provides a remarkable experience with low ceilings, exposed brick walls, candle lighting. But you need to be willing to sit close to the neighbouring tables. We enjoyed our meal and evening!

The food, the staff, and the atmosphere of this place is awesome. The downstairs area is very cool and has like a speakeasy feel to it. Our server recommended a great bottle of wine, it really complimented our meal. The only critique I have is the portion sizes could be a bit bigger, other than that this place is perfect. Definitely will be back!

We went to dinner to celebrate a friend's birthday and were pleasantly surprised by the food, service and overall atmosphere. We shared appetizers, which were the perfect size for our group of 5. Each our our main dishes were appropriately sized and delicious!! We sat in the very cool basement, that reminded us of a wine cellar and reminded us of restaurants were visited in Italy! I would highly recommend going to Bacaro for a special event or even a just a nice dinner.

If you go early for dinner, you will almost have the place to yourself. It's quiet, cozy and it feels really cool to be surrounded by old stone construction. The fried oysters are delish! Will definitely return.

My family and I have just had a really enjoyable meal. The hardest part was finding the place as the name isn't on the door (next to the bike shop!) The bulk of the restaurant is in the basement and is an awesome atmosphere. Food was delicious, extensive wine menu and the deserts were enjoyed all with great service.

If you want authentic rustic Northern Italian with a terrific staff and great atmosphere, this is the place. The anchovies are amazing. The Spaghetti Nero, Stinco Di Maiale, Tagliata Di Manzo Al Amarone, Insalata Di Granchio...I've eaten almost all of it. The wine list is spectacular and the cocktails delicious. I enjoy just sitting with the bartender, Nicole, and having a drink. But I really love everyone in there. Don't walk, run!

For our 10th anniversary weekend in New York City, we were looking for something off the beaten path, but with atmosphere and good food. Located in a tiny dark stretch of Chinatown, Barcaro seemed to fit the bill. The downstairs dining room was warm and inviting, but a little noisy due to the close proximity of other tables and the low ceiling. At 8:30 on a Friday night, the dining room was filled to capacity, and although we had reservations, we were seated at a table next to the back exit, which was used frequently by exiting diners, allowing icey blasts of air to blow across our table. The food was fine. My husband's braised pork shank was delicious and meltingly tender. My whole wheat pasta with duck ragu was also good, but there was nothing that really said "duck". Sadly, our server and other dining room attendants were almost non-existant. After ordering cocktails, some time definitely passed before they arrived. Same again for our wine with dinner. In fact, more than once our server gave us a quick shrug, and an "I forgot" when we asked for something. We even joked that we could have used the back exit next to us to beat a hasty, unseen retreat. Again, the food was very good, but if virtually non-existant service makes your place hip, then Bacaro's is definately that.

I love finding great Italian restaurants off the beaten path in Manhattan. Bacaro fits the bill very nicely. Down Division Street with no signage out front, it would be hard to stumble upon if you didn't know it was there. When you enter, you can see why it's a neighborhood favorite. I feel the building was a speak easy back in the day. A small, but inviting bar area upstairs where you are greeted by the hostess. You can tell locals keep coming here by their interactions with the very professional bartenders. When they take you down some narrow candle lit stairs, the rooms are all in old world brick with a center dining room and private rooms for larger parties. In fact, the rooms go back and and around like a labyrinth. Truly a funky, cool design. The wait staff is very attentive once you sit down bringing you water, bread, and olive oil. The menu is small, but has a great variety of Italian favorites. We got the Crostini Assortimenti which comes with olive/anchovy, cod spread, and mushrooms. It was excellent. I opted for the their speciality which is Spaghetti Nero. Pasta with cuddle fish ink. I even asked them to add some grilled shrimp which they were able to accommodate. The taste is truly amazing and the portion size was just right. The red wine was very good and paired well with the pasta. The ambiance is very romantic with dim lights and candles everywhere. It does tend to get a bit loud because of the brick rooms so I suggest you go on the early side to avoid a full room. I highly recommend a trip to lower Manhattan to experience this small, neighborhood gem. I've eaten at many more expensive Italian restaurants in the City which couldn't compare to the overall experience of Bacaro. You will be happy you did.

Bacaro is a truly unique dining experience in heart of New York City's lower east side. Everything about this restaurant is spectacular.... The food is superbly cooked italian dishes straight from the old world. While the food aloner makes the trek to the LES worthwhile the atomosphere of the restaurant truly sets it apart. Dning area is in the brick-lined basement on rustic wooden tables with the entire room lit only by candle light! One feels as though they have been transported back to an Italian wine cellar before the turn of the century... Truly creates a magical setting for initimate dining with friends & family or for a romantic experience with a special person. This is a must visit for anyone in the area looking for a elegant and memorable dining event!

I booked a cellar room to host a group of 10 before the 5 Boro Bike Ride. On the outside you could drive right by but downstairs is just lovely. The table was beautifully set for our arrival with the appetizers I had chosen and my friends were so delighted. Food was very good, service was professional but friendly and we had a wonderful time. They were easy to work with. I highly recommend for a group dinner.

We had a fantastic dinner at Bacaro.The food was special and delicious. Started with snails cooked in a special sauce,and razor clams in a tomato sauce.We also had black ink spaghetti cooked in a special sauce.We had a bottle of Sangiovese wine.Service was excellent,always attentive waiter. We also had a pork shank,cooked to perfection.Highly recommend

two for dinner, setting reminded us of our hometown in Bucks County, PA exposed beams and brick walls, warm and charming. small but good menu, homemade pasta. I totally enjoyed our experience and will for sure visit again. Dinner was Delish!

We dined at Bacaro as a group of 8 and were sat in the wine cellar on the lower level. The food was delicious and service was amazing. Great ambiance for a close get together.

This restaurant transports you from NYC Downtown Chinatown to Europe as you venture downstairs to a cellar type room with hidden little corners. The food is phenomenal with great prices. It's a very intimate environment, great for small groups or a romantic dinner. A must try.

The food and service was great. What wasn’t was the owners kids running around the restaurant yelling and screaming disturbing the diners. It made for a very stressful experience

Not impressed with the food, but very cool space.

The vaulted basement rooms have a wonderful speakeasy-wine cellar feel. The staff is warm and helpful. The food is very inventive and well-prepared. It is very popular, so reserve for an early or late hour.

I was at Clandestino on Canal and asked the bartender for dinner suggestions. He said there was an Italian restaurant serving "small plates" around the corner on Division, in a basement. We walked past it at first because no sign was posted. (Actually several other restaurants had no name or no English signs). Anyway turning around we could see tables and place settings below street level and a hostess from the bar area at the ground floor noticed us and escorted us in. We had terrific zucchini blossoms, razor clams, and Mozzarella di Bufala for appetizers. My husband had fritto misto which was delicious - very lighted fried not oily, and no unnecessary sauce. I ordered baccala & polenta because I wanted something I'm not going to cook. My meal looked very bland and white but tasted good. The others enjoyed vongole, fish, etc. My scoop of amaretto gelato closed off the meal nicely. The portions weren't the huge sizes a lot of mediocre Italian places serve, but they were very normally sized. The one drawback is the wine list was extraordinarily expensive. We ordered the cheapest bottle of white wine we could find ($33) , Still with 3 appetizers, 5 meals, 2 coffees, 2 deserts it worked out to $38 a person with tip which was very good,

Four of us came for dinner on a Saturday night and enjoyed the cozy, dimly lit dining area (that was nice and cool on a hot day). We shared several appetizers and two delightful bottles of wine, then went solo on our entrees. All-in-all the food was good but I did not taste a single flavor combination that will stick in my memory to draw me back. Our server was great and very attentive, but there was a very long wait time between the apps and entrees which gave me agita.

A real nice place but the food has absolutely no interest. This has nothing to do with an italian restaurant. Small portions bad taste. I will never return.

We dropped in for drinks before dinner and the bartender was great...laid back but clearly very knowledgeable and made us feel welcome even though we weren't there for dinner.

super cute and romantic date spot with good tapas and wine selection

I've been here a handful of times. I've eaten upstairs, downstairs- the 'cellar', only place i haven't eaten is the under-the-stairs room which is more private than the rest of the downstairs area. Downstairs has lots of character, unique; kinda of a romantic, dim-lit big chandeliers, lots of wood- atmosphere; I feel like at any moment Lord Byron will come out and greet me... and we'll eat and be merry and feast on lamb and drink red wine... which is something you can do... minus Lord Byron. The entrees are decent; nothing special but what is great about the place is (in no particular order unless stated other wise): 1. red-head bartendar guy is curteous, observate and a cool guy. 2. service staff 3.music; one friend said, "Dude, I haven't even had the food yet but they're playing Elliot Smith, Built To Spill..." and he named off a few other bands... we all agreed; the music is superb (i know it's someone's iphone) 4.appetizers as follow are amazing: crab salad on polenta, summer squash (seasonal), oysters with mayo, artichoke and rice balls... the appetizers that are so-so are snails and meatballs. 5.Hostess. 6.Pretty much the entire staff are invaluable 7.Probably most importantly, it's a very comfortable, easy, unpretentious place to gather around and have some fun. When I tell my friends I'm going there, they say, "eat some oysters for me. They're awesome..." and it's true, they are... I highly recommend Bacaro for drinks and appetizers... at times service has been slow but the staff will usually let you know what's going on... and did I mention the bartender with the funny glasses and red hair rocks...!

I almost hate to write a nice review for fear that the place will become over-discovered. South of Little Italy and China Town is this great little restaurant. Italian or probably more specific would be Venetian cuisine. The portions are true Italian stlyle but also modestly priced and the wine list seems to feature lesser known but good quality selections (also nicely priced). Great little marble and dark wood bar upstairs. Dinning area is a nesting of various size alcoves of brick and stone. Great for an intimate couple dinner, or family, or small group. all around terrfic

On a sketchy looking street in a part of the Lower East Side that is becoming extended Chinatown, Bacaro has no sign (as of today). Enter and you are whisked down stairs to a labyrinth of wonderful little caves with isolated tables. Absolutely enchanting. And the food is reasonably priced and extrememly innovative. We loved this restaurant and will go there again the next time we visit New York.

There is no sign to this restaurant so I passed by it at first. The restaurant is downstairs and there is a small bar in the main level. At first it doesn't seem much of a restaurant since the area on the main level is so small. We started w/ some drinks. I had the aperol w/ proseco. Very refreshing. It was a good deal since it was happy your. Went downstairs for dinner. It felt like a wine cellar in the best way. So romantic and the service was really good. We shared a bunch of apps. The fried zuchini blossom w/ ricotta cheese was yummy and cheesy. The tiny spicy meatball was spicy and good but really too tiny. The best app was the asparagus w/ the fried egg. I could have another order of this. The combination works somehow and tastes more delicious when you wipe the remaining off w/ your bread. I had the black ink squid pasta. Just the right amount of pasta and you can really taste the ink flavor; it was nice and mild.i just wish there was more squid. There was only one little piece that was given. The panna cotta was absolutely luscious creamy. Would go back.

We really stumbled upon Bacaro - we just wanted to eat somewhere close to our hotel....loved the ambience and subterranean feel. Our meal was excellent.

The service here is phenomenal. Our waiter Ahmon was very attentive without being overbearing. He had excellent recommendations based on our tastes. He was friendly and courteous as well. He did us the favor of making a list of places we could go after we ate as our prior plans had been cancelled last minute. We ended up taking one of his recommendations and it turned out wonderfully. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was chic and relaxed. I will be highly recommending this restaurant to family and friends.

We went for my boyfriend's 50th and enjoyed it immensely. His sole was tender and well-flavored and my Risotto was very good. They were attentive to us and I actually had flowers delivered to our table, which were waiting for us when we arrived. Ordered them in conjunction with my opentable reservation.

This Italian restaurant is very interesting. The dining rooms are below ground and our party of 6 ended up in what was a private room. The main photo shows the room we were in. The food was very good quality and very tasty. We had a variety of dishes including steak, fish, pastas.....all very, very good. We started with several appetizers which were great. Serving are not huge but, but you wont go away hungry.

Once you find this restaurant in the middle of Chinatown, this restaurant has a charming family atmosphere. The food was very good, reasonably priced and the service was extremely warm

We loved this place so much that we just keep returning. At first i thought it was an intimate bar with great food then i discovered the basement was humming with people. I actually prefer upstairs and have no problem eating at the bar or at the high stool tables. The food is fantastic and remains one of the highlights of a trip to NYC for me. Staff are friendly and unpretentious.

It is a gem in the neighborhood it is in! Upstairs is a bar where you can have an aperitif and downstairs is nice seating with romantic Italian atmosphere of brick walls and candles. The food was delicious, we even tried frog legs as an appetizer. The service was also remarkable - friendly and attentive for drinks and additional food orders.

We sat at the bar on a balmy night with all the front windows open and enjoyed fried zucchini blossoms, garlic shrimp on polenta and an excellent bottle of Bardolino Rose from the Veneto, all very reasonably priced, with a great service too. Location kind of on the cusp of Chinatown and Little Italy, a little hard to find but worth it.

Bacaro is tucked away in a small spot in the edge of Chinatown. We had a charming table near the open window on a beautiful June night. The service was about the best I've had, with a team of waiters that was incredibly attentive without being intrusive. They kept a careful eye on the table and anticipated our needs without constantly having to ask. The food was incredible. We shared an order of razor clams and the fried rice balls. Both were excellent. I went with the waiter's recommendation of the black pasta with cuttlefish and wasn't disappointed. My wife's boss said his steak was the best he's had (and he loves steak) and was amazed that it only cost $20. The prices were the most reasonable I've seen on a New York City menu. Atmosphere, food, service and price were all excellent.

Set in a labyrinth of chambers deep underground below Manhattan, with rustic settings and exposed brick walls and mainly lit by candle light. One almost expects the occasional rat to cross your path, but NO, that did NOT happen! You certainly need help to find your assigned table. so fortunately service is good and friendly. Food is high-class Italian, and some special Venetian dishes. Both meat, sea food and of course pasta. We were a group of six, so were able to try a large range of different dishes from the large menu. That also goes with the long extensive wine-list. Quality is very good and prices are very high. Recommended for the special occasion.

Book my reservation on Open Table more then 20 days in advance and asked for a romantic spot for a special Birthday Dinner for 2. Don't think they read the notes on open table because they sat us at a table with 4 other people we didn't know right in front of the bathroom downstairs along the walkway for guests to enter the tables downstairs. We were at a separate 2 person table but it was so busy they must have been trying to make the most of what little room they have so our table was up against a 4 top with people we didn't know. They as well as us found it kind of strange and awkward. Plus it was very hot down there and extremely loud I guess bc of all the brick walls. The food was not good either, we both had that mushroom lasagna and it was almost not editable. Strange taste and texture and mine had a crunch like bits of sand or something Idk. I had high hopes after reading some of the reviews but left apologizing to my girlfriend for making that her special Birthday dinner in the city. One good note the girl waiting on us was very sweet and knowledgeable. If bot for her and the uniqueness of the location this would have one star nit two. Def would never go back.

Tucked away in the Lower East Side in Chinatown, Bacaro is a gem. Most of the tables are downstairs in a brick walled candlelit room...very reminiscent of some of my favorite spots in Paris. The menu was well priced and service was efficient and friendly. For main courses, we had the braised pork shoulder over polenta and the pasta with duck ragu. Both were delicious. The wine list is fairly priced at about 2x retail. We had a great barolo for $46. Total tab including 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, 1 dessert, wine and bottled water was $130.

The brand of Italian food served here will have you licking your lips and wanting more... it's the #1 restaurant i recommend to anyone going to NYC. It's an especially good place for a date/romantic dinner with the candlelit caves.... I have eaten here several times and everything on the menu is great...above and beyond.... wonderful service too.. everyone who i have sent to Bacaro have come back thanking me and rating the experience as most excellent... every visit to NYC i end up here once or twice... Check it out!

Was staying in Chinatown... this restaurant in Division Street in Chintown was awesome... different food to what i'd normally try but just great.... going in early or late the atmosphere and service was quick and friendly... try eating both upstairs or down or at the bar ....different experience depending where you sit.... great staff

I was really hoping for something special but the food was okay and the atmosphere and service were less than expected. The location of the restaurant isn't ideal for NYC as it's off of Canal Street in Chinatown where you feel like you're walking into a back alley. Surprisingly, and to our relief, you approach a number of restaurant establishments that are quite vibrant. With 35,000 restaurants in NYC, plenty better to select.

We were wandering in the district when we came upon this delight. It was purely by chance as there is little or no signage outside, an investigatory look confirmed that there were in fact people inside the bar so we popped in for an Apéro. Two glasses of Spritz along with some delicious Crostini were ordered and we settled down and relaxed. A quick inquiry confirmed that there was space downstairs to dine and the evening commenced. Great decor, wonderful food, good wine and a helpful and cheerful waiter - Paolo All in all a great experience.

I've been a week in the Lower East Side, checking out various places nearby that get good reviews on Trip Advisor & Zagat & Yelp. Bacaro is easily the best one I've found. A distinct quality notch above the average "authentic" NY Italian place. I had razor clams then spaghetti nero with cuttlefish -- both dishes just oozing deliciousness. Good wine matches, excellent service, if I wasn't leaving tomorrow I'd be back pronto!

This place doesn't look like much on the ground level. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong at the ground level but most of the restaurant is below ground in a beautiful vaulted cellar. The surroundings remind me of romantic European hideaways. The food and service is very good and won't disappoint. There are bars on both levels and the upstairs bartender is very friendly and capable.

This is a beautiful restaurant with exceptional food. The prices are a little steep for the portion sizes but the food itself is truly well prepared. I split a few dishes with some friends: the gnocchi con funghi which was so indulgent and flavorful (highly recommend, a dish with cuttlefish and cuttlefish ink pasta (pretty good), and the Stinco Di Maiale (most recommended!). The Stinco Di Maiale was a fall-off-the-bone, tender pork shank that sat atop the most delicious polenta I have ever tasted! The atmosphere of this restaurant is pretty romantic (dimly lit, beautiful). I have to say that the service wasn't very good. The restaurant was pretty empty while we were there yet our server appeared to be very lazy with our table (didn't come to check up on us, we had to ask other servers for salt/pepper, the check etc). Great overall experience though!

Reading the reviews we were prepared for something exceptional, but perhaps we were guilty of setting expectations too high. It's in a quiet residential neighborhood, the staff is friendly, and the setting/ambiance is terrific with stone walls and candles everywhere. We definitely over-dressed, and would have been more comfortable in jeans and a nice shirt (as most of the guests were very casual). The food was okay, maybe a 6 or 7, and the wait staff was a mixed bag with the lead server pretty inexperienced but the support crew working hard. It can get loud (especially if a group of Japanese businessmen happen to be drinking & dining next to you). Tip for couples - get a table next to the downstairs bar, best seats in the house. They also have amazing private tables set in stone-arched rooms. Worth the trip from midtown? Nope. But if you're in the area then it's a nice place to try.

I visited Bacaro on a Friday night with a friend. We had a small table in the basement, which was intimate and tucked-away. First we shared a baked artichoke appetizer, which was cooked perfectly. My friend had shrimp and polenta, cooked fine with good flavor. I had a pan-cooked fish with arugula. My dish had a light wine sauce that was delicious. The food was excellent. We shared a panne cotta for dessert. It was fabulous.

My wife and I went to Bacaro for dinner this past Saturday with our son who now lives on the Lower East Side. What a fabulous evening. The service was outstanding. Along with the outdoor ambience. And the food!! Did I mention the food?! Outrageously good. We started with the Stracciatella appetizer. Like a creamed burrata. From there, we shared their green bean salad. With anchovies, radishes and hard boiled eggs. Amazing. For my entree, I had the Spaghetti con Vologne - spaghetti with clams, cherry tomatoes, and more. It was among the best pasta dishes I can recall. A couple of complimentary desserts finished us off. Our son is friends with some of the staff. So perhaps we got some special treatment. But I sure didn’t see any unhappy patrons. The place is a total, five-star winner.

I would definitely give 5 stars if the food was more than average, but sadly wasn’t up to our expectations. What made the difference in our dinner was the spectaculaire service and the great attention of the team, from the door manager to the waiters. Very helpful and wonderful hospitality. Great cozy place very authentic and dim Witch it match our taste. Wine selection are wide and interesting but must invest in better bar manager upstairs that he have more info about Italian wine since he work in one. The food was very avantage but the seating and the cozy atmosphere make you more relaxed than picky.

Fantastic place with great food, a superb 'made in Italy' wine list and a lot of loving details in the interior. Great place.

Located on an obscure street in Chinatown, this restaurant serves some interesting dishes that are well prepared. Overall, the price was quite reasonable and the portions satisfying. The only negative may be that everything tasted a little on the saltier side, but maybe that's more of a local thing.

Great ambiance,remided us of places we have loved in Tuscany. Exposed brick, candles everywhere, tiny stairs leading downstairs. Perfect for a romantic meal for two, or a large family dinner, Food was delicious, as was the wine. NOt a huge menu but everything we ordered was great. We chose 3 appetizers, a main, and a side and had no room for dessert as the portions are all quite large (the tiramisu at a neighboring table will have us returning and ordering less!). The waitstaff were lovely as well. Can't ask for more, will for sure be back.

This restaurant is deceiving from the outside, it's not a flashy, modern looking restaurant and my family went downstairs for our dinner. The food is out of this world, their escargot is highly recommended, steak is so tender and flavor is ohhhh, soo good.. I could'nt wait to go back with my family . .

Résumé en français:Resto italien - Exceptionnel et super sympa. Vaut le détour An unexpected Italian island in Chinatown. And an enchanted one! Coming from Paris, when landing in that area, we had the impression to be lost. At first you may think (or even fear) you got it wrong as you are in a bar, a bacaro, but even then you don't want to leave as the place is so elegant and friendly...Alain and his team welcome you as a member of the club. And there IS a restaurant downstairs, old cellars made of bricks and stones, real ones I mean. It's warm and well decorated...and packed (not a guarantee but a good sign). That was only the good part...now the best! We were lucky to be invited by a special friend who is a Bacaro addict, so we had dinner at bar level, at the table d'hôtes which made it even more special. The dishes, including the pasta (the most difficult ingredient to cook properly) and the wine were great, much better than in a Venice bacaro for sure and even matching the best Italian places. The service is perfect, friendly and efficient. Keeping my conscience clear, I have looked around me, including downstairs, and I can confirm that we were not the only ones happy. Wish we had a Bacaro branch in Paris...Alain your absence there could even trigger a revolution...look at what happened in Catalonia, after one of our dinner mates left the other night. But we hesitate shedding the French part of your blood...and anyway we won't start anything now, we'll let you celebrate your 10th anniversary with our (lucky) delegates.

We came on a Saturday night, got a table straight away and had a very delicious mix of small plates and pasta. Highly recommend the zucchini balls!

We try to eat at Bacaro whenever we visit NYC and we did so this past weekend. The old work charm reminds me of restaurants in Italy. The latest visit there were six of us and most of us were not over hungry so we ordered three different appetizers - it was very early but we had plans we had to get to. On other occasions, we have ordered and ordered and never once received a bad dish. We will return again next time, order dinner, and review the restaurant again. We love it!

Perhaps we dined here on an 'off' night because Bacaro didn't live up to our expectations, especially after reading the glowing TA reviews. The restaurant is initially quite difficult to identify from the street because at night there is no illuminated signage and it's only identifiable because it looks darker inside than the surrounding Chinese fast-food outlets. Once in side it takes a few moments to adjust to the very low light levels, and care is required when descending the dimly lit staircase to the basement restaurant area. We were part of a large group seated on two long tables, our set menu was previously chosen for the group and unfortunately included several items unsuitable for vegetarian diets. This is not the fault of the restaurant, however when I asked what vegetarian options were available I was told only gnocchi.....OK if you like gnocchi! I feel a restaurant of this calibre should be able to offer a better choice for veggie and vegan diners. Bacaro is styled with the ubiquitous 'shabby-chic' interior detailing, however with the extremely low lighting levels this feels slightly too shabby. Unfortunately this is further reinforced with a visit to the rather cramped and grubby toilet. When the final bill arrived at $240(excluding drinks!) for 3 people we concluded Bacaro to be terribly over-priced for what we actually ate.

My wife and I were referred to Bacaro by some friends. It did not disappoint. The food was really unique (I ordered the lasagna) and the decor, and the history of the building was very interesting (in a good way). We had a blast. Our server was really great, and the hostess went out of her way to make sure everything was AOK, which it was. We ordered a couple of apps, had a couple glasses of wine, with two entrees, and I think the bill was just North of $100. Which is like stealing in a very good NYC restaurant. We would for sure come back here again.

A bar on the ground floor with stairs leading down to a candle lit cellar with authentic Venetian cooking and a well-chosen wine list. Great place for a small gathering or a romantic evening for two. Very friendly staff who are always there but never in the way. Dishes are light but tasty in the Venetian style. We drank a sparkling red, a Brachetto d’Acqui I think. A perfect little restaurant.

A really great Italian restaurant with friendly welcoming staff. We had the pasta and bean soup and codfish over polenta for starters and the Pork Shank and Chicken Milanese for mains. Everything was perfection! We look forward to coming back soon!!!

Came here for a birthday with a party of 12. We started off with a meat/cheese platter - pretty standard. Then we ordered some of the razor clams, which were pretty good. For my entree, I had the steak, which was overcooked and a bit bland. Plus it took forever for the food to come out. Not worth the high price tag for mediocre food.

Been here a couple of times for HH a few wines beer Prosecco, Bellini to drink and various crostini: anchovies, bacalau, ricotta & mint and tramezzini to eat(tuna & egg small sandwich) , all tasty, pleasant bar service good once not so good another time

very cozy !!

An experience of a lifetime what a place famously know for Sex in the city scene , what an amazing table by the way !. Food was out of this world very different from the UK a must !!

Excellence in all ways. Food selection and quality, service, atmosphere, mood and setting. A Venetian menu. Enter on the street level, then down stairs to cave-like rooms. Quiet, intimate setting. Nice music. Not a huge menu but ample selections. Fair prices.

Love this restaurant more than words! Everything on the menu is scrumptious. The razor clams and polenta with cod are amazing as apps to share, as are the gnocchi and filet of sole as main courses. The ambiance is really unique for New York. It looks like an old cave downstairs with many cute corner to sit in with friends or a boyfriend. It is a must try... Take it from someone who travels to Italy every single year!

My now-husband and I ate at Bacaro in April of this year, on the day we got engaged. We were seated in a private booth downstairs, and everything about the experience was absolutely fantastic. The ambiance of the restaurant is fantastic, and the food was wonderful, as was the service. We look forward to returning the next time we are in NYC. GREAT find.

Bacaro has a great environment, very pleasant service and extremely generous portions. Great for family dinners and/or date night.

This place was a surprise. We thought we were going to a traditional Italian restaurant, but it turned out to be much more unique. The upstairs here is a bar, and the dining room is downstairs. It is quiet, intimate, and candlelit, with rustic tables and chic decor accents. My husband is not an adventurous eater and did not see much he thought he would like on the menu, but he ordered the chicken cutlets and was very pleased. I had the braised beef with polenta, and it was absolutely delicious; very rich and flavorful beef with creamy polenta. The others in our party had the lasagna and the squid ink (?) pasta, which they liked, but they kind of wished they had ordered the braised beef, too. :) Service was also good. We didn’t try any extras as they were a la carte and we weren’t quite that hungry.

Bacaro on Division Street (Lower East Side / edge of Chinatown) serves Venetian specialties and other Italian food in an unusual setting: the basement of an old building. There are several rooms, some with communal tables. The food is very good, the wines are mostly Northern Italian, and the cocktails definitely bring Venice to mind. Their spritz and Bellini are authentically Venetian. The service can vary from mediocre to very good, but the food generally makes even spotty service worthwhile. Their gelati and sorbetti are truly wonderful. One warning -- the DECAF espresso isn't worth the time or money. Otherwise I have no complaints about food or drink.

We found Bacaro on TripAdvisor and mentioned it to our concierge who immediately agreed that it was a great restaurant and bar. We liked it so much that we went back on the second night. The first time around we had a drink at the bar and then went downstairs to the restaurant. The food was delicious if a little more than what we would pay in Melbourne at $160 Aud for 2 courses each plus a bottle of wine. The meals were not huge but very delicious. On the second night we had had a late lunch so just ordered a cheese and meat plate which was extremely generous at $10 U.S. And easily fed both of us. Stacey from Ballarat was managing on the second night and we chatted with her through the night as she dashed about taking great care of the other patrons. We had a fabulous night and would highly recommend Bacaro for a casual drink and snack while you 'belly up' to the bar or eat formally downstairs.

Romantic. Intimate. Old world. Candlelit. Small and delicious plates. People seemed desperate to be seated and get in.

Rustic atmosphere. Everything is served ala carte. Food was great. My husband and I shared the sole and the crab salad on polante.

A weekday visit to the wonderfully atmospheric cavern downstairs. The food and wine is proudly Venetian and our meal of fried zucchini blossoms & oysters followed by polenta with shrimp and radicchio lasagna was a memorable one. The staff are super helpful and pitched in with great wine recommendations for those not sure on Italian regional grape names and styles... A great place for an intimate meal and to meet friends and dine out.

This restaurant is a warren of subterranean vaults.: low barrel vaults of brick, small brick room or stone rooms. Great fun, but young people shrek and shrek with excitement, and the space focuses the defining sound,. If you are over 35, either bring ear plugs or have some nice Chinese.

Came to NYC to meet with some business associates. One of our guys had never been to NYC so a bit of digging was done to find a great place to eat. When our cab dropped us off were were a bit concerned. This was supposed to be a Venetian style place and here were were in a sketchy part of Chinatown. There is no sign for the lace so we had to look hard to find it. Once inside we were taken downstairs to a basement with a great deal of character. Many of the tables were in their own cubby / room which made it great setting to chat. Servers were pleasant and did a good job. We ordered several appetizers and everything they brought us was just fantastic. A couple vegetable items were very good and the escargot was exceptional. For main courses, most ordered the Veal Shank and we all agreed that it was the best we have ever eaten. Always good to get out with friends and even better to have such a fantastic meal in a very unique place. This has been saved in our contacts and will be in our regular rotation upon additional visits to NYC. I'm baffled by some of the negative comments but guess folks going there for "Italian" food were expecting an Olive Garden.

Friendly staff, efficient staff, fabulous food, wonderful ambiance, old world feeling in the 21st Century and the price inexpensive. A Hot Spot!

I loved going down the stairs and around the corner and into a brick cellar --- away from the crowd and noise of the street-level bar and the busy sidewalk. The lighting is low but not TOO low. Unfortunately, we were seated at a communal table that had long benches on either side. My 50-something-year-old hindquarters cannot handle a 2-hour session on a hard wooden bench! By the time the waitress came by the dessert menu, I was in pain and had to stand up. My 24-year-old son sat beside me, and he also complained of the painful bench seating. We started with fritto misto, polpette, risi e bisi, anchovy and green bean salad, and crab salad over polenta cake. All were very good! However, just after we placed our order for the cichetti, another group was seated at the other end of the communal table, and suddenly it got loud in that tiny low-ceilinged, brick-walled room. I think the other group was as aware of that as we were, and they sort of modulated their voices and laughter as not to drown out our conversation. Soon we were able to settle and enjoy our meals. For secondi I ordered the shrimp with polenta, and it was very good. My dining companions all loved their entrees - the mushroom gnochetti, the filet of sole with arugula, the steak with greens, the squid ink pasta. I would have loved to have been able to enjoy dessert here, but I had to get up and walk off the pain in my rear end -- which worked out great for us, because we walked to Il Laboratorio del Gelato, about a half mile away, and enjoyed some really outstanding gelato!

I have been to this resto close to a dozen times, and my last trip their reminded me just how great this place is (and that I should post a review). In my view, a simply perfect spot. Food, service, ambience are all exceptional.