Has anyone ever eaten at Rao's? I hear it is impossible for the "average" person to get in. I travel to NYC a few times a year for work and always thought it would be cool to grab a bite to eat, but I have never even tried because I hear it is impossible. Maybe if you go as soon as the open at like 10 AM? or is it impossible regardless?
If you are visiting NY and want to go, yes, it's basically impossible without knowing someone. That being said I would give 2 points of advice:
First, I've heard the bar is non-reservation. Anyone can walk in and have a drink at the bar. I bet if you lived here, and became a regular there where eventually you were going a few times a week and got to know the staff there, you would get the chance to eat there.
Second, there is nowhere in the country that has better Italian food than NYC, so if you just want to go somewhere with some of the best food there is, or to a mob hangout, there are dozens of other choices.
