This was my first experience at a Batali restaurant and I really wanted to enjoy it, but the place is so tiny and cramped that regardless of where you sit you're nearly in your neighbors' laps. Our server seemed more or less indifferent to us, which was annoying. The octopus appetizer was undercooked and tasted fishy, but the chicken ragu and the ricotta gnocchi were absolutely out of this world. However, the noise (this was a Friday night at 10 PM) was unbearable--every other diner in the place was shouting at his or her friends. It was so loud that the two of us couldn't even hear each other talk at a normal level... and this was in the (supposedly) ""quiet"" back room! I was not impressed overall, and can't say I'll be going back.
Pros: great prices, outstanding food
Cons: extremely crowded, horrendous noise
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