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Locanda Vini e Olii
129 Gates Ave., Brooklyn, NY, 11238
at Cambridge Pl.
718-622-9202
| 8.9 | "Highly Recommended" Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10 |  |
I love this place
normanmcdonald from 10013 | Posted on 11/8/09
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it's good food, it's a secret, it's tucked away, it's warm, it's great for the neighborhood, it has LIFE, the squash pasta is celestially good, the proprietors are immaculate and old world...long live vini e olii...
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Locanda Vini e Olii
JerryCT7 from 06410 | Posted on 2/22/09
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We went for dinner as a party of 4 on Friday night. The food was generally good, but not exceptional. I was especially disappointed with the small portions of the Pasta dishes. We ordered one dish as an appetizer for two of us and got about a cup each. I felt badly for my son-in-law who made the mistake of ordering a different pasta dish for his main course. The wine list was also pricey and the only bottle of wine I could find for under $40 was a Valpolicella which I passed on in favor of something better. It was my daughte's birthday so we ordered desserts which were also very average. Overall it is not a good value restaurant. Dinner for 4 was about $260 including wine and tips.
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Nasty service, miniscule portions, no reason to return
charissita from 11205 | Posted on 5/14/08
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went in for dinner last night w/a party of four. when we walked in, we were not greeted or welcomed. we were told to wait a few minutes, and then we were seated. after 20 minutes, we received menus. 15 minutes later, we ordered. 20 minutes after that, our wine finally arrived. starters and pastas were decent, nothing great. but once the entrees arrived, we were so shocked by the small portion of our fish that we sent it back. the waiter showed the manager the size of the fillet and she looked at our table and laughed. not cool. the menu described it as roasted branzino - we assumed, since a branzino is usually 1 1/2 pounds, that it would be a whole fish and not some measly fillet. seriously, they got 4 portions off of a 1 1/2 pound fish. and it was listed as $20 on the menu. i will not return. noodle pudding, graziella's, your own kitchen. all better choices.
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gets better every time
amantedicibo | Posted on 4/25/05
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After 2 years of going to Locanda, I can definitely say, it gets better every time! The new appetizers are just superb. The staff is so informative and if you let them take care of you you will have a great experience. The portions are perfect to try a little of everything and prices are portioned as well. The wine list is one of the cheapest in town. Thank you guys!
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Overpriced small portions!
missfern | Posted on 7/25/04
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The looks are fantastic, which is nice. But the food is really only ok, with super small portions that left me (after splitting a salad, eating a pasta entree and sharing dessert STILL hungry!) The waitress we had was unfriendly and pretentious. I expected more from such a lovely place. I had to get a slice of pizza afterwards to feel full! It also took years to get our bill. $93 (before tip) for 4 people - with no wine!
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What a disappointment!
anakbadung | Posted on 1/10/04
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After reading all the great reviews, I decided to bring my friends there for their birthdays. Bad decision! First of all, they put 5 of us in a small table between the door & the wine cellar (this was with reservation) and then reorganized the table so that they can squeeze by to get to the wine. The bread was cold and the appetizers portions were way too small. We thought, lets wait for the entrees to redeem this place. Another bad decision! My papardelle with wild boar was way too salty (I could hardly finish it), the spinach side dish had no flavor at all, and the steak was on the dry side. The salmon & seafood stew was alright. The seabass with roasted onion was the only thing that was good. Dessert was OK -- I can get the same flan in the bodegas. They finally switched our waitress and made us feel a bit better b/c she smiled & made an effort. The dinner was not cheap and we left feeling robbed. Maybe we caught them on a very OFF night. However, it was not worth the price tag, the car ride, and the time.
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Loved It
motherhen from 32322 | Posted on 11/6/03
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Despite subway fiasco getting there, food, wine and service made up for it. Cab back to Midtown Manhattan only $17 and worth every penny we saved on the food. Great value, lovely atmosphere and incredibly personable service. Both owners very gracious.
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A Gem in the Mist
Lizzybee | Posted on 10/31/03
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Okay, it's REALLY located in Clinton Hill, but I'm not grumbling too much. Fantastic, charming, bumbling restaurant makes you feel like you're in Europe and not in a neighborhood your mother warned you about (I only live 3 blocks away, but whatever). Service can be spotty, but in a charming, Euro-way and so you forgive your sweet, cute waiter for forgetting to refill water. Family-owned and run, this place features small portions of homemade food that depends on subtle flavors, delicious olive oils, and fresh takes on traditional favorites to create dishes you dream about later. You won't realize how good the food is until later, when it hits you: damn, that was some fresh pasta! Natural flavors are allowed to exist peacefully instead of being overdone with the "latest" spice/method/trendy food. You'll rediscover how good a tomato/pumpkin/mushroom really is here. Great for taking the folks in from Connecticut/Michigan/Manhattan to. They'll love the food and you can enjoy watching them squirm as they survey the locale. Destined to become your new favorite restaurant.
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Terrific
cpardon | Posted on 8/17/03
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This place is as Tuscan as it gets. The food and service was absolutely fantasic and the host is among the friendliest I've encountered anywhere. The only negative is that I found the neighborhood to be a a bit sketchy. I realize that Fort Greene & Clinton Hill are not the war zones they once were and that this type of place opening up here would have been unheard of as early as 3 years ago, but having come from Manhattan, I can't honestly say I felt comfortable walking around there at night. Nevertheless, it's a terrific place and everyone should go.
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Tuscan Passion in Brooklyn
faral | Posted on 7/31/03
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In Brooklyn as in Italy there are people of passion. The owner of this quite little converted pharmacy has all the, passion charm and warmth of its deep dark wood. All of the food is delicately prepared with the same kind of passion and specials change weekly.. The menu staples are as good and consistent as the wood lining the walls is dark and old. Don't sell the little pharmacy food emporium short short.
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