A MF BURGER! This place is just as much a premier spot for a lunch as it is for anniversary dinner. The ambience is elevated, sleek, old school without the unnecessary stuffiness or fluff. Classic bistro. Walking in the pastry case will have you salivating. Service is warm, simple, clean. Not over bearing, but always present. Offering genuine conversation, warm hearts, and great energy. The burger? Juicy. Literally and meraphorically. The bun absorbs it all and somehow still maintains structure. Cornichons add that lovely crunch with acidity to balance all the flavors. A tarragon aioli is the star here. It's creamy, with a subtle love tap of brightness thick enough to prevent to burgers juices from dripping. Oh, and let's not forget: to count the seeds on the bun is to count the stars in the sky. Limitless. Just how you feel after eating this. read more

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I should have read the reviews before coming. We had a real BAD experience. Came here for brunch. Ordered the salad Nicoise was ice cold...like 30 degrees pre-prepared straight from the ice box. Way too much vinaigrette . The breakfast sausage patty was complete red and raw in the middle like a burger?!? I asked the server if pork patty should be served raw, he responded that it's the marinated. I asked to redo, so they put the pieces in the oven for 10 mins and reserved the pieces. Unbelievable for any restaurant reviewed by NY Times to serve this. The burger is the only respectable item but you can get a much better else where. Save your stomach. Go else where. read more

Really really liked this place- tucked on the side so might miss but really good quality French food. Decor was adorable both inside and outside- Parisian feel. Went with a friend and enjoyed various dishes- chicken (large portion), leeks, a couple of cocktails, and tiramisu. Perfect size portions and everything was so flavorful (loved the chicken). Super cute spot and really recommend read more

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Came here for brunch on a Saturday and had a great meal! I made a reservation a few days before online for a party of 4. Tables of 5 aren't available online so I had to email the restaurant. They responded the next day and were able to add another person to the reservation which I appreciated. The interior of the restaurant is gorgeous, it's upscale and classy but not stuffy or old. The cocktails are great, really enjoyed their spritz. I got the burger which was pretty good! Very big and came with great fries. The drinks were also solid. They also had a bunch of pastries in the front from their bakery that looked delicious but I was too full from the burger to get anything else. read more

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Friendly service, but food was just alright here. Got the bread basket with ricotta - butter was good, but the bread was unfortunately cold, and the ricotta could have used a bit of salt. Tried the leeks appetizer, the inner parts were nice and tender, but the exterior for some of them were quite fibrous. Pork main was just alright, decent flavors albeit quite simple. Pasta was probably the best item that we tried. Layout was quite packed, and pretty busy on a weekday evening. read more

Raf's - Bakeries Near Me - New York, New York

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They were accomodating and welcomed my little one with open arms. The bread was out of this world but very decadent. Anchovies were very salty. I didn't quite understand the chicken pan bread, but quickly understood what they meant. There was literally a giant piece of bread under the chicken. The chicken was very well cooked and moist. I would definitely get this again. The rigatoni was good, but nothing special. read more

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Came here for a weekday breakfast. The interiors are chic but cozy, and our waiter was friendly. We shared a cacio e pepe scone, brioche cinnamon bun, breakfast sandwich, and uovo in purgatorio. The pastries were very good. The scone had a nice pepperiness and cheesiness, and you could not tell that it was gluten free. The cinnamon bun wasn't overpoweringly sweet, and the brioche had a nice airiness. The main dishes were a bit too heavy; neither of us could bring ourselves to finish them. read more

I stopped in with some friends on a whim looking for a late night spot for desserts and cocktails. We ended up loving all of the desserts we got, and my friend also really liked her drinks. We all agreed we'd come back to try their dinner because the vibes were really great, the lighting and decor was upscale yet accessible. read more

Raf's - White chocolate budino dessert - Bakeries Near Me - New York, New York

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Honestly was so excited to come here specifically for the burger but didn't know it was a lunch exclusive. Came on a weeknight with a friend and had the first dinner seating, which was in the bar area in the small little tables. I asked the server if the burger could be served and she said they can serve it if they're left over from lunch but you have to be seated at the actual bar stools. They explicitly said that " we can't serve that to you at the table bc other people may want it" I could maybe understand if we were in the standard dining room with the white tablecloths but we were in the bar area- cramped in with 1 person next to us. I asked a second person hoping that the practice of customer service hasn't completely gone by the waste side but I was given the same BS excuse by another woman who was tripping on her words as she realized how stupid she sounded as the words came out of her mouth. Also they pre batch their cocktails another major turnoff for a place that doesn't have a high volume at the bar. Food was decent but nothing to write home about and I definitely wouldn't return or send anyone there just simply based on how rude the staff was. read more

To me, Raf's baked goods are one of the best in NYC. The quality of their food is consistent. Their pastries always impress me. My top picks are their candied orange almond croissant and canelé. ＊Seasonal Peach Galette My favorite item in this haul The glazed peach is sweet and juicy. The crushed nuts on top adds more tecture to the tart. The crust of the galette is buttery. Perfect in every way. ＊Canelé A classic french dessert, yet it is difficult to find a good canelé in NYC. Their canelé has the perfect crunchy outer and pudding-like interior after I reheat it in the oven. ＊Asparagus and Goat Cheese Danish Sadly this is my least favorite as I dislike goat cheese. The danish part is perfectly flaky as always. However, the goat cheese is too pungent and overpowering that I have to give up after first bite. My bf enjoys this pastry though. read more

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I was able to snag a reservation on a Tuesday night, so glad I did since it's not easy to get a reservation. Cozy place with cool ambiance, food, wine, and service were amazing. Also, a few celebrity sighting. The half chicken and pommes frites were my fave and a must try. The caramelized white chocolate budino dessert was incredible and cannot be skipped. Staff were very friendly, would definitely come back for brunch, lunch, or dinner and try everything else. read more

Still love the vibe and hosts are nice. Recently came here for dessert and it was about 45min wait and it took a bit too long to get our tea and dessert once we were seated but I love that they didn't rush us and we were able to chat over tea as long as we wanted to. read more

Raf's - Persimmon pudding - Bakeries Near Me - New York, New York

Food wasn't OMG knock my socks off. But the service was. We arrived at the end of brunch service and were quickly seated and got a cool waitress from Brooklyn who was patient and kind giving us food recs and even swapping my pasta as when it arrived it was not hot and just kind of luke warm. It was also low key bland. Our table had a view of the open kitchen and we saw the issue, the chef kind of just sat the food there as he looked around the kitchen for ingredients to finish preparing the dish. I actually had to call our waitress to go grab our dish bc if not, I would've had the same issue as before. The decor was fine, watch out for those white table cloths they're huge and I had to kind of sit it on my lap to sit comfortably in the corner table. read more

Raf's - Bakeries Near Me - New York, New York

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Enjoyed my Easter brunch at @rafsnewyork ! Their pastries are on the sweeter and heavier side for me, but I did enjoy both the pasta and the omelette. The omelette was light and delicate, while the pasta was surprisingly spicy read more

Raf's - Pear sticky bun - Bakeries Near Me - New York, New York

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Our server was awesome. The breakfast sandwich with Italian sausage was great. Ambiance was also pleasing. No complaints.

Raf's (from the Musket Room team) was solid but not amazing. I came for lunch and tried: + Tuna tartare + Red endive + Leeks vinaigrette + Dry aged beef burger + Olive oil cake The olive oil cake was actually my favorite bite, though it doesn't need the icing. Burger was the next best thing, followed by the red endive. Tuna and leeks were tasty but both overdressed. The pastries were the most exciting to me, so I'd swing by for breakfast or a quick treat in the AM. read more

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My friend and I met for an impromptu dinner a few weeks ago. The ambiance was a small restaurant, and reservations were hard to come by. My friend managed to get a reservation for two people, and I did not want to have the FOMO. The restaurant was very strict on taking photos, and their menu stressed no flash photography. This place takes this photography rule pretty seriously because one diner had a huge flash on when they were taking pictures and everyone working there, and neighboring diners were NOT happy. Service was great, and our server was very knowledgeable on what wines to pair with our dishes. 1) Selection of Daily Breads - These breads are freshly made in-house and to order. They were amazing. 2) Escargots - pretty presentation, but we had difficulty getting the contents out of the shells, plus it was very herby. Personally, I wouldn't get this again, but if you want to take a picture of a pretty dish, then order it. 3) Malfaldine - I had mixed feelings about this dish. On the one hand, I didn't taste the shredded rabbit meat. On the other hand, out of the homemade pasta dishes, this is worth ordering due to the quantity of the pasta. 4) Half Chicken - Chicken is very tender, and the portion appeared large due to the addition of bread. This dish is worth ordering. 5) Pomme Frites - Fries were addicting and definitely worth ordering. 6) Carmelized White Chocolate Budino - this dessert was amazing. This is a must order. 7) A glass of the 2019 Cardedu, Canonau di Sardegna, 'Caladu,' Sardegna - this wine paired so well with the savory dishes ordered. The experience was worth the splurge. I'd personally return during the day to taste and order a bunch of their baked goods. read more

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A restaurant with the pedigree of its sister spots should deliver excellence at every turn. Not so with Raf's. At best, the food can be described as... uneven. The arancini are a delight--clever, playful, and buoyed by the inspired additions of taleggio and mortadella. But the Carta di Musica? A tragedy. Its excellent ham is brought low by the stale, too-thick Sardinian crispbread it rides in on. The escargot should be removed from the menu posthaste--at least until someone reintroduces the kitchen to the virtues of garlic and salt. And let's be clear: lardon is no substitute for butter in this classic of classic bistro dishes. The little gems salad earns a succinct "so what." It's a salad. So what. It would also be helpful if the menu mentioned that the Chicken Liver Agnolotti are pan-fried, so guests can brace themselves appropriately. That said--how is it possible to lose the flavor of something as assertive as chicken liver? The morels? Missing. Rosemary? Missing. Vincotto? Unfortunately, found--and far too much of it. The leeks vinaigrette and the dorade were serviceably good, but nothing this evening justified a return visit. read more

I have been to Raf's multiple times and it is such a cute place to eat. I usually go on early evenings on weekdays so I typically find a place at the bar to sit as a solo diner. Plus they have space for bags/coats so if you shop in the SoHo/NoHo area, you can have a place to dine. As a person who does occasionally drinks but prefers to not go all in, they have teaser versions of their cocktails so you can have around half of the full drink. It was around $10 dollars so I think it was fun & I had the together forever drink and it was refreshing and sweet. I had pasta at the restaurant and it was done well. The bartender who served me was well informed on the menu and gave me suggestions. Overall, the people working there are so kind.But a highlight for me is the desserts. Specifically the white chocolate caramelized budino. I went back to Raf's just to have that as a dessert again. I do need to visit this place for breakfast/ brunch and to try their bakery. I think due to its relative small size I think it can be relatively intimate (date night for sure). I will definitely be back! read more

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I visited their restaurant on a Sunday morning and was intrigued by their bakery. I tried the olive oil lemon poppy cake, which was moist and flavorful. I'd love to come back to try more items--and perhaps breakfast as well. The decor was cute, adding to the overall charm of the experience. read more

Raf's - Bakeries Near Me - New York, New York

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Love it here! The food, drinks, service are all just perfect. You can come here for any occasion. It's not the easiest to snag a prime time reservation but we were able to eat at the bar as walk-ins on. Wednesday night at 7:00. Don't sleep on the bread, rigatoni or of course the chicken - it's life changing. Leeks were also very good and a bit different. Highly recommend! read more

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My final grade was an 8.3. We got a lot so I'll break it down by course: For snacks/appetizers we got the bread, ricotta and peppers, arancini, and both salads. Standouts for me were the salads and bread, the ricotta and arancini fell a little flat. The ricotta ended up just being a weird combo with the peppers and arancini was a little to ham and cheese-y to me but still good, just not what i was expecting. Both pastas (Mafaldine and Chestnut Ravioli) were very good and the chicken dish was bomb. The bread they put under the chicken that soaks up the juices goes crazy. All in all a solid dining experience. read more

Raf's - Half Chicken - Bakeries Near Me - New York, New York

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I went here for dinner, and in my opinion the food wasn't the greatest. Maybe they're not as known for dinner service but we had the daily selection of bread, which was decent but not the most amazing bread and the butter was a bit greasy. We had the arancini balls (super greasy but flavorful) and tuna crudo (very fishy and the radish overpowered the tuna). Then came the mains which we got the mafaldine, tuna spaghetti, and pork collar. The mafaldine was very lemon-y and I could see how someone could become overwhelmed with the sourness aspect. The pork collar was nothing special, and the tuna spaghetti had a very sharp texture that did not sit well. Service was great, but I've had better food elsewhere read more

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Amazing food and cool ambiance. Was able to walk in and sit at the bar Saturday morning for brunch. Service was a bit slow but they were busy and it was a nice ambiance so we didn't mind. The food was INCREDIBLE! Very flavorful and beautiful presentation. The only reason for not a 5 star is my friend was clear to order something without cheese, the waiter came by to confirm once again she can't have cheese, and then her order came covered in cheese. We did unfortunately have to send back and they remade but was a bit frustrating/confusing on our end. I would to try more of the menu and come back for dinner as well! read more

Raf's - Bakeries Near Me - New York, New York

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Lunch review: Their reservation system is wonky for one so I came in at 1 during Christmas week. They said the tables were booked except two were free and I was offered the bar. I'm not a great fan of the bar at this price point. It took 10 minutes to get a menu and water. Ate: Selection of daily breads $14 Salad Nicoise $26 The price point of the wines is high so I passed sitting at the bar. Breads should be top notch for the price. They did exceed the expectations but, It's a high price point for one, better shared. Not a stellar Nicoise with cold everything especially crestfallen that the tuna was not warmed. It tasted amateurish to be frank. so Cafe Chelsea is still the gold standard for Nicoise There was one table free when I left, would consider to return only for the bakery. read more

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One of my new favorite NYC restaurants!! Had a great dining experience. Service was ok but the food definitely made up for it. The baked chicken was my favorite, with the bread underneath was such a treat. The dessert was also so delicious, the white chocolate + raspberry crème brûlée were elite. Love the ambiance as well. Will def be back! read more

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We had a good time here at Rafs, we tried our luck via a walk-in as it is very difficult to get a reservation here. The host - "Melanie but with an L" was kind enough to help us secure a spot at the bar. The venue, small intimate, well furnished but unpretentious, and quite packed with guests. I loved that there was a brick oven all the way to back by the kitchen which was visibly seen from the front of the house. Very versatile yet distinct/interesting crowd. Music was also good. I like that they parade themselves as a french/ Italian bakery. The mystery makes it very appealing to me I must say. For starters we had the steak tartare 6/10 with the bread and ricotta. The bread was so fresh and tasty. 10/10 For drinks- my date had the Scorsese and it was so good that he had two more. I usually just stick to my plain old whiskey - neat with one rock on the side. They also had a good selection of whiskeys and liquors in general. For mains we had the mafaldine which comes with Guanciale, Sungold Tomatoes and Ricotta and the whole Dorade which is a whole fish. The latter was mine and came out really late from the kitchen so I had to take it home. (They did apologize for the delay and compensated one round of our drinks which we appreciate) I think our mains could have been a little more flavorful, the pasta wasn't anything extraordinary and the fish was well cooked but lacked a certain punch. I also stated I had a food allergy to anything citrusy or acidic and when I got home there was a lemon in my food. Overall I'll give the food 7/10 I love the ambience of this place and how nice the service was so I will definitely give it another try. read more

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From the team behind the Michelin-starred downtown favorite, The Musket Room, comes Raf's - a European-style neighborhood dining room and bakery located at 290 Elizabeth Street in New York City's NoHo neighborhood. The century-old space is layered in history, with wood-fired ovens dating back to the 1930s. The hearth-driven menu threads the needle through the south of France and Italy, highlighting dishes such as cast iron sfincione (Sicilian pizza), wood-kissed escargot, and dry-aged côte de bôeuf. With a focus on Island and Coastal wines and masterfully crafted classic cocktails, bar seats are available nightly for walk-in guests. Or stop by in the morning for fresh pastries, breads and espresso. The service was impeccable and vibe was on point. Both of our pasta dishes were good, different, But still had the same strong acidic notes of lemon that kinda blend both together for us. Our pork collar was great but on the medium to slight medium well temperature. Still don't know how I feel about that when it comes to pork but we trust the chef and team in kitchen. I would suggest to ask or give your cook suggestion when ordering the pork to gauge your comfort level. Cheers read more

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I made a reservation for 1:45 PM for lunch, and unfortunately the experience from the moment we arrived was extremely disappointing. We checked in at 1:30 and were told to return at 1:45 because the table wasn't ready. When we came back, the hostess asked us to check our coats because the table would be "tight," but then immediately told us the table still wasn't ready and asked us to wait in the front. When I asked why we were told to check our coats if no table was available, we were simply told to take a seat and that a manager would come speak with us. We waited 20 minutes with no update. When I checked again, we were told the table still wasn't ready -- now at 2:00 PM. When the manager finally came over, instead of addressing the clear miscommunication and long wait, he commented on my "tone," even though we were calmly explaining the situation. His demeanor came off as dismissive and highly unprofessional, and rather than resolving the issue, he told us to leave the restaurant and escorted us out. This was one of the most unprofessional experiences I've ever had at a restaurant. A confirmed reservation, respectful communication, and basic hospitality should not be difficult to provide. I hope the restaurant seriously re-evaluates how its managers and hosting staff interact with guests. read more

My new favorite spot! I teach on Wed evenings across the street at The Sheen Center and a student/friend wanted to take me for a bite to eat after class to celebrate my upcoming birthday. So it was relatively late & we just wanted something small. Wow! What an unexpected treat & a truly wonderful experience! The place is super charming as is everyone who works here. So warm and inviting. Beautifully decorated, very European/Parisian vibe, elegant touches everywhere (the clouds on the ceiling, the comfy banquets, the lovely lamps on the bar. Cozy without being cramped; maybe only the tile walls are a miss because it is a bit on the loud side for an otherwise subdued and sophisticated space...needs more sound absorbing materials somehow?) We ordered a bread basket and two vegetable sides (leeks vinaigrette and butternut squash) which were absolutely delicious and so surprisingly special and satisfying. They offer a nice selection of Italian & French wines by the glass. I can't remember which varietal I had but the super knowledgeable and extremely friendly waitress recommended just the right white! My friend mentioned to the bartender (with whom she'd bonded when she'd discovered this place after class a few weeks back) that it was my birthday so they brought us a complimentary dessert which was a not-too-sweet, super creamy toffee pudding with whipped cream & coco nibs...scrumptious! SUCH A NICE VIBE! Definitely going back, hopefully soon! read more

This was hit-or-miss for us. The bread basket with the butter/olive oil was incredible, and we also loved the anchovies and olives. We wouldn't get the ricotta again, and the mains (leeks, mafaldine, rigatoni) were all good but didn't blow us away. But then we impulsively got an order of fries and those were excellent, and we were truly blown away by both desserts (the ricotta cheesecake with pistachio cream, and the white chocolate budino). Definitely want to try the bakery here. read more

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Very cozy interior with an open kitchen concept! We came on a Friday night with reservations and it wasn't too packed. We got the bread, ricotta, and carta for apps. The bread was tasty but still pricey for $14. The ricotta tasted like tofu. While the apps fell flat, the main dishes were quite delicious. I got the ravioli and also tried the rigatoni, which were both very tasty. read more

Raf's was a pleasant surprise. I happened to find it and loved the cozy atmosphere. Service was personable and friendly and the food delivered. The accompanying salad was delicious as well as the chicken which was flashed fried. This is one of those cafes where you can easily be a regular. Great place to stop by for lunch. read more

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The new Italian spot from the Musket Room team, where Parisi Bakery used to be. Currently serving dinner, they will eventually be open all day with breakfast and lunch. The starters were especially good, definitely get the bread basket ($12) and the Carta di Musica ($24). The Little Gem ($18) and Beef Tartare ($24) are also great choices. The pastas were delicious too, go for the Mafaldine ($29) if you only get one, and do not miss the Caramelized White Chocolate Budino ($12) for dessert. read more

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This is a great new spot with a casual cozy feel. The food was on point even though the menu looks small. My group got a bunch of item from the Snack menu, thankfully more than the server recommended because we would've been hungry had we not done that. The crudo and the ricotta stood out. For mains we shared two pastas and the chicken. The pastas were very yummy but the chicken was a surprise hit -- it comes with bread underneath that soaks up all the drippings too. On top the great food, they were also very helpful in making wine recommendations that enhanced the experience. I can see this place getting super popular so make your reservations now! read more

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Jumping straight to the food because it was so good. The half chicken and Rigatoni pasta were both so flavorful. Chicken is huge and can easily be shared by two. Endive salad was also very fresh. For dessert we had strawberry cheesecake which was okay. Service was great. Ambiance can be casual or dressy. read more

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This little gem is located in Nolita, just off of Houston Street. What a beautiful interior, charming, very European feeling. We went for breakfast and the pastries were amazing. The egg dishes very very appealing. It's somewhere that you could go and relax. have a breakfast and not be rushed. Very relaxed atmosphere. My daughter went there for dinner and the food was delicious.Service was a little slow, waiters are very friendly and chatty. I can't wait to go back for dinner because the menu looked amazing. A little pricey, but well worth it. read more

Snagged a weekend lunch reservation at Raf's. This Italian and French restaurant has a bakery up front so you just order baked goods to go if you're not dining in. The bread basket was a great start, with an assortment of breads and olive oil with butter for dipping. We shared the rigatoni, Iberico collar Milanese and burger. The pasta was perfectly al dente and the pork was nicely crispy. Had to end with a croissant and olive oil cake. The cake was covered in thick frosting, but it would have been better without it. Croissant was super flakey! The other pastries in the bakery looked so good and will be back to try them. read more

big fan! came just for the pastries which were delicious. 10/10 no notes on the caramelized onion roll. the icing on the olive oil cake was WAY too sweet but we just scraped it off and enjoyed the decadence of the cake itself. it was sooo moist and i'd go back for it. chocolate croissant was good. latte was good, nothing special though. service was extremely friendly and we were sat immediately on saturday at 11:30am, i was surprised there was no wait. it got really full around noon though. the vibes were also beautiful. read more

Raf's - olive oil cake, onion roll, chocolate croissant, latte - Bakeries Near Me - New York, New York

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We started with the bread basket (because bakery), got some oysters, the gem salad, the tuna crudo, mushrooms and the split pea ravioli. I'd say skip the mushrooms and you HAVE to order the split pea ravioli (yes, even if you're not a big pea fan, like myself). They also seated us at what I thought was the best spot in the whole restaurant (booth in the corner, close to the kitchen entrance, with a excellent view of the whole space) and superb customer service. We rounded out the meal with the orange cake dessert and they gave us a complimentary budino (YUM, what a surprise hit!). As a fan of Cafe Zaffri, this spot is perfect for date night or dinner with girlfriends. read more