Comments on: The Five Toughest Reservations in America

By: grace.g.yang

grace.g.yang — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:41:45 +0000

@Vantage Properties – It’s possible that the super-exclusive restaurants will get old (eventually) but for now, it seems like Rao’s has no problems filling their tables. In LV, Rao’s is more accessible…but that means you’d have to fly to LV to actually enjoy their food.

There are a bunch of restaurants that make dining seem like a secret society – Grant Achatz’s “Next” is a great example!

By: Vantage Properties

Vantage Properties — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 15:27:07 +0000

We’re curious to know that if, after awhile, these super-exclusive restaurants get old. For instance, will Rao’s in East Harlem always be reservation/guest list only for dinner? The restaurant culture in New York City is so fascinating, it’s almost like a secret society!

By: Prelude to Staplehouse | A is for Atlanta

Prelude to Staplehouse | A is for Atlanta — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 13:03:05 +0000

[...] on by Ryan and Jen Hidinger, a lovely couple with a passion for food and community. It’s Atlanta’s version of Rao’s: everyone wants to to eat at their table, but it’ll only seat so many. If you’re [...]

By: Grace

Grace — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:36:47 +0000

John – it does seem pretty ridiculous, doesn’t it?! When the waiter explained the reservation system to us, I almost thought he was kidding around…but we asked him if he was serious and he looked at us like WE were crazy for not knowing the rules!

By: John

John — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:11:18 +0000

“and the reservations are passed down from family member to family member”

That sounds friggin ridiculous as if reservations could be passed down like a legacy…or an inheritance.

By: Grace

Grace — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:42:40 +0000

@Neil – the foie gras puree shooter sounds interesting for a dim sum tasting – now I’m very intrigued.

@cliff – I think it’s easier to get into Rao’s in Las Vegas – you might even be able to sit at the bar for your meal. I think if you stayed in Caesar’s Palace (where the restaurant is located), you could probably ask the concierge for a reservation. However, if I were in Vegas, I would probably dine at some of the other amazing restaurants before heading to Rao’s

By: Cliff

Cliff — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 04:08:41 +0000

Ooohh, I’d go to Alinea! Twenty-five courses for the win!

Interestingly, I wonder what it takes to get into Rao’s in Vegas…

By: Neil

Neil — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:10:02 +0000

The ‘minibar’ is actually a 6-person private room in Cafe Atlantico. I’ve never planned a meal a month ahead, so I haven’t been to minibar, but Cafe Atlantico is a terrific restaurant in its own right. In fact, you can get a bargain, easy-to-schedule sample of the minibar’s avant garde style by ordering the Chef’s Dim Sum Tasting during Sunday’s brunch. Just make sure you bring a friend with an adventurous, not-too-hungry stomach. My last date to brunch at C.A. was not a fan of the Foie Gras puree shooter – probably because it looked like chocolate.