Tuesday, May 15, 7:00 pm
Members $500*, General Public $650*

*A portion of each ticket price is tax deductible, as follows:
Members ($250 is a tax-deductible charitable donation)
General Public ($400 is a tax-deductible charitable donation)

New Yorkers don’t like to take no for an answer. And yet, over the past 110 years or so, “no” is what most of the people who’ve called to make a reservation at Rao’s, an unassuming Italian eatery on 114th Street in Spanish Harlem, have gotten instead of a table. Of course, the rejection is delivered with regret and the hope that “no” now might not mean “no” forever. But so regular are the restaurant’s regulars and so famous its celebrity clientele that—though you’ll probably wait three months to get a table at a decent hour at Per Se—you may have to wait a lifetime to get a seat at Rao’s.

When Rao’s opened an outpost in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace last fall, your odds of sampling chef Carla Pellegrino’s exemplary Italian food increased. But the experience of enjoying it in an intimate Manhattan setting, with Carla’s husband, Frank Pellegrino Jr., his dad, Frank Sr., and Bartender Hall-of-Famer Nick the Vest working the room, still eludes all but the chosen few. Or it did, until now.

As part of our Beard Presents: Masterpiece Dining series, the James Beard Foundation is proud to bring you A Night at Rao’s, an exclusive, limited-seating, unforgettable culinary event at the historic James Beard House. How do you get a reservation? No need to call in any favors—just call 212.627.2308.

Hors d'Oeuvre

Tomato and Basil Bruschetta

Salmon Mousse with Salmon Roe

Deep-Fried Polenta with Italian Sausage

Aneri Brut Prosecco NV

Dinner

Insalata di Mare > Seafood Salad with Steamed Calamari, Shrimp, Lobster, Prince Edward Island Mussels, and Crab 

Pepperoni Arrosto > Roasted Red Bell Peppers with Golden Raisins and Pine Nuts 

Vongole Oreganate > Baked Bread-Stuffed Littleneck Clams
Bracco Pinot Grigio 2005

Rao’s Meatballs

Penne alla Vodka > Penne with San Marzano Tomatoes, Ground Parma Ham, and Vodka Cream Sauce  

Risotto alla Primavera > Risotto with Baby Peas, Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Carrots, and French Beans
Marchesi di Barolo Barolo 2001

The following dishes will be served family style with French beans and zucchini:

Rao’s Lemon Chicken with Uncle Vincent’s Lemon Sauce

Bistecca alla Pizzaiola > Pan-Seared Shell Steak Topped with Sautéed Tomatoes, Oregano, and Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

Gamberone in Umido > Jumbo Shrimp Sautéed with Lemon, Butter, and White Wine
Allegrini La Poja Monovitigno Corvina Veronese 2001

Tiramisu

Torta di Ricotta > Italian Cheesecake

Macedonia di Frutta > Italian-Style Fruit Salad
Maculan Dindarello Moscato 2002