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All Reader Reviews of...
La Bottega
88 Ninth Ave., New York, NY, 10011
at 17th St.
212-243-8400
| 5.6 | "Mixed Reviews" Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10 |  |
Water
michelc from 10011 | Posted on 8/18/09
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Nice summer place to dine al fresco! When ordering mineral water, just watch out! The waiter will serve you NYC tap water (filtered three times, apparently) with gas. We call that seltzer; they call it sparkling mineral water bottled at the source (stated on the bottle). NY tap waster, so strong you can smell the chlorine! Unbelievable! Just order a bottle of Chianti, unfiltered!
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Best service we've ever had
Jophesine from 10011 | Posted on 6/10/09
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Back in April my husband and I ate at La Bottega. Although our meal order was taken quickly, no one brought us any water or asked us for our drink order. My husband was ready to make a fuss but just then a man appeared from nowhere and asked if there was a problem. We explained and he swung into action. First of all he brought the water to us, took our order to the bar and for the rest of the night was much in evidence. After commenting on his accent he told us his name is Adam and that he is from Australia. I don't know if it's the Australian way of doing things, but the entire evening he worked the floor, checking on every table to make sure everyone was happy. He served when it was really busy and chatted pleasantly with everyone. We found out later he is the General Manager! I read a lot of adverse comments about the service at La Bottega. My advice is to phone ahead and ask if Adam is there and you'll have a fantastic experience.
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clueless hostess
foodcritic150 from 10155 | Posted on 4/24/08
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I went on my birthday and we came early at 6:30pm on thursday thinking that we would not have any problems getting a table, but we were waiting over an hour to be seated. When I went to check on the status, the hostess was totally clueless and there were mobs of people waiting to get a table. I looked around the terrace and there were several empty tables. Clearly, the hostess was clueless about her job. This was the worst place I have ever been to. Do not bother going to La Bottega because you will not be able to get a table. They just want to make it look like its a happening place, but if you actually want to eat, you are better off going somewhere else.
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Not worth going
cburke52086 from 14610 | Posted on 7/25/07
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I went the other night on a tuesday with no reservation and was seated right away. But from that point on, the service was terrible. It took our waitress well over a half hour to settle the check. The food was ok, but nothing outstanding. My date and I both had two appetizers and found the food a bit salty. Sitting outside was nice, but thats about all that was great.
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The service was great!
allikit229 from 10029 | Posted on 3/12/07
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Our waitress Zoe, was fantastic!! I think she was the best waitress that I have ever had. We didn't wait long for food or cake, (it was my birthday) and she even brought extra candles. She took pictures of us and was basically on hand for anything we needed. I had read that La Bottega was known for ambience, not service, they are wrong, just ask for Zoe!
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warm weather only
TheBoyAboutTown from 10019 | Posted on 2/9/07
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I wouldn't go here unless it were warm weather dining outside al fresco on the patio. Serivce was spotty for having parties at probably only 5 other tables. But, I am a sucker for pizza with truffle oil (which they have).
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passe
badlyburnt1 | Posted on 1/11/05
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It was all the hype in the summer time, but the restaurant has been unable to adapt for a fall and winter menu.Unfortunately its menu remains stale and stagnant. All the beautiful people have left for the newest and hottest restaurant. La Bottega though great in the summer, catering to its customers desires(i.e. allowing smoking), does not do the same in the winter.The menu has not changed at all and thus is unable to maintain interest.The outside seating was great when it was in demand, and it was definately the place to be and to be seen, unfortunately it's lack of originality & obvious copy of Balthazaar's and Pastis architectural make up makes it nothing less than a duplicate of something else. The menu is bland, predictable, inconsistent and in the end very disappointing. La Bottega is definately the spot for spring and summer, but I have to take a pass in fall and winter. One bright spot is the staff, who are very knowledgable and helpful. Though most of the time they look as if they are simply trying to make the best of a bad situation.
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Don't waste your time going to this restaurant
missyb262 | Posted on 10/31/04
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We went to La Bottega for a nice dinner... our server came and brought our drinks we had ordered, he then took our food and wine order... we were the only people in the restuarant and I guess this should have clued us in... We did not see our waiter for the next 40 minutes and no one came to check on us. We never recieved our food and our waiter came and asked us if we would like to see a dessert menu. We proceeded to tell him we would just take the check for the drinks since we hadn't even gotten our dinner yet! He apologized and did not charge us for our drinks, but we left before any more damage could be done!! There are much better restaurants in this big city... don't waste your time here.
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The scene is everything
notel | Posted on 7/15/04
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Now I understand why the scene is so skinny. It's impossible to get served in this restaurant (if that is what you call it) A cross between an overcrowded beach and the A train platform on 42nd street when the trains are cancelled. And about the scene, I can't say it is the "A" list crowd you'll bump into. I bumped into the "Path" list crwod for the most part. Avoid at all costs>
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a trip to the (new) old country
euge | Posted on 1/29/04
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great room,great energy.i love the food and my wife can't get enough of the bronzino. she's been back 3 times for it. You must save room for dessert,especially the warm chocolate cake with ice-cream it's to die for. this place is definitely a 10.
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