BABBO. ITALIAN FOR BAD JUJU. OR: WHEN THE PERSON AT A RESTAURANT PODIUM USES THE WORD "POLICY," YOU MAY JUST WANT TO LEAVE RIGHT THEN

BABBO in New York (Mario Batali's baby) is everything you don't want in a restaurant--disorganized, unfriendly, and stupid. After half an hour waiting for the table I'd been promised "in ten minutes," I was told that "policy" forbade seating single persons.  And now that I'd waited half an hour, and tables were obviously available?  No, sorry, policy.  Policy.  This is a place that persons of sensibility should assiduously avoid--and please tell your friends.