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All Reader Reviews of...

Bottino

246 Tenth Ave., New York, NY, 10001
nr. 24th St.
212-206-6766

Avg. Rating

6
Food: 5
Service: 6
Décor: 7
"Mixed Reviews"

Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10.

60% would go back.

 Write your own review

Charming wait staff

By Anonymousaction0102 on 8/21/2011

  • Overall Rating: 10
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 7
  • Yes, I would go back!

This was our first time eating at Bottino and the moment I walked in I thought the decor was elegant, yet dull. The Dingy burnt orange curtains dangling the entrance and the Dingy, also burnt orange Banquet, was an addition to the dull fabric choices. Busy busy restaurant in deed, but the staff was very quick and inviting. Lovely hostess, Lauren, was friendly in her approach. 10 min wait at the bar, had a round of martinis and cocktails... average, but good. Once seated, we were fast approached and the waiter wasted no time greeting us with water and a quite handsom/charming approach. Very very knowledgeable with both the wine and dinner menu. Every approach he took in advising us on food and wine pairing was perfect in every way. Again, it was a busy busy night and the waiter was quick on his feet and spent just the right amount of time at every table, including ours! We liked him so much we took the extra step in asking his name. (Stefen) I never felt so comfortable and relaxed and trusting in every recommendation he gave. This restaurant will definitely be a spot to recommend. Food was excellent, service was above and beyond, and the decor was simple and elegant, but some changes should be made. I won't rant about the chairs... ridiculously uncomfortable. HAH!...But again, the restaurant world needs more servers like like Stefen.

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28 out of 49 people found this review helpful.

Rude Waiters

By FoodLoverAlways on 4/4/2011

  • Overall Rating: 1
  • Food: 1
  • Service: 1
  • Décor: 4
  • No, I would not go back!

We were very sorry to have wasted our time/money at Botinno when there are so many excellent places in the 'hood.

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30 out of 66 people found this review helpful.

charming place

By willb on 2/25/2008

  • Overall Rating: 10
  • Food: (NA)
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 10
  • Yes, I would go back!

Last week I met up with a friend who suggested Bottinos before we did a gallery run. It was my first time at this restaurant and I was early. It was very early afternoon so there was no one at the bar but I wanted a drink so I sat at the empty bar and although there were many diners, one of the staff was quick to oblige. I ordered a Bombay no ice w/ lemon. The drink was excellent! On the strong side... the way I like it and the service was friendly and quick. Cheers Bottinos!!!

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108 out of 214 people found this review helpful.

Improved and worthwhile.

By fauxbourdon on 2/10/2008

  • Overall Rating: 7
  • Food: 7
  • Service: 7
  • Décor: 8
  • Yes, I would go back!

I think the preceding reader review is a bit harsh. I'd had a lackluster experience at Bottino last year, but was pleasantly surprised last night. My beets and goat cheese salad was a delicious twist on an overdone standard, with dill adding zest and golden beets an appealing visual contrast to the old warhorse. The penne with speck was pleasingly al dente with just enough of a smoky umami flavor from prosciutto to make the well-executed but otherwise plain pasta pomodoro interesting. Nothing earth-shatteringly original here, and perhaps not worth a special trip, but well worth it if you are in the area. The main dining room is sleek and elegant in an understated way, the glass-enclosed garden room is charming, and the service was competent and unobtrusive. I left pleased if unamazed.

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113 out of 213 people found this review helpful.

Hire a chef

By marieviljoen on 8/4/2003

  • Overall Rating: 3
  • Food: 3
  • Service: 3
  • Décor: 6
  • No, I would not go back!

The evening was saved by the delicious Sidecars at the bar. And the charming but frazzled barman. With the alcoholic fizz taming my temper, I made it through bloody carpaccio, steering around the wet red patches on the plate and nibbling the parmesan and arugula. Yawn. Then the risotto. The thing they called risotto, anyway. I love risotto. The creamy crunch, each grain separate yet bonded to the next...Not here. Seafood rice soup. The arborio rice cooked so long it split. Broth sloshing about all over the place. I sent it back. Whoever made it has never eaten the real thing or been taught to cook it. The waiter treated me with condescension. Clueless there, too. I didn't order anything else as no one else had anything particularly appealing. The broccoi rabe under the pork loins was cold. The steaks looked grey. But the memory of the Sidecars lingers...

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371 out of 770 people found this review helpful.

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