"Ok, getting into Rao 's is a Herculean feat, and frankly if you don 't know someone who has a table already, you 're not getting in. No reservations, they tell the regulars when their dates are. We were fortunate to be invited in, and the experience was phenomenal. The food is good, solid, mostly Northern Italian (great sauces, pastas, etc) but terrific baked classic and other dishes. All served family style on individual plates (the group places the combined order and the kitchen serves it individually). The reason to never say no to an invitation is to be in the center of a family owned historical site. To be able to casually say oh, sure, I 've been there. Great place! So now I can say with certainty: Rao 's? Oh yeah, I 've been there. Great place and terrific evening!"
