Il Bambino

Recommends

mighty B

Joined 3 years ago

Always good. excellent panninis and awesome appetizers. the ingredients are high quality, and everything is always thoughtfully prepared. the atmosphere is cool and low key. bring your friends and have a couple beers in the rear garden... good times

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greener urban

Joined 2 years ago

The best Panini in NYC. Il Bambino is a fantastic establishment that stands as a hallmark to the dining opportunities in Astoria. The menu is concise, but filled with variety--each made with the best ingredients complimented by a great wine and beer list. The staff is pleasant and prompt. The prices are unmistakably reasonable.

I have eaten there a countless number of times and I have never been disappointed. I particularly recommend the rear garden if the weather is nice. It is a great space that you don't expect from the street. Definitely make a stop there.

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718DelishGrubMaker

Joined 2 years ago

#1 Paninni's int NYC. Living in the area I recently stumbled acroos Il Bambino on the way to work. And I love it. Why ist has become my regular stop. What I really like other then the food is that the place is always always consistant. Very clean and verry Good Menu,

I also like that the owner is there most of the time making sure that everything is just the way you like it. GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I recomend a must ry.

thier mozzarella paninni with tomato and pesto. A+++++

Along with Lemon Ailoi is 2 die for. And a Schneider Organic Beer.

Being a chef myself I enjoy this palce when I tired of being in the kitchen

The best Pannini's in New Ytork City

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Borsen

Joined 3 years ago

Good Engery-Good service-Good Food. Felt good energy as soon as we walked in. Three staff greeted us with a warm hello and Patrick the waiter was on point and pleasent. Had the special potato/mushroom soup which was excellent. Enjoyed the Italian meatloat panini which was fresh and tasty. THe cupcakes score a 8 out of 10 and coffee very good.. The red wine special was full bodied and tasteful. Would definetely go back but and go with a specials again .

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rebastargirl1

Joined 3 years ago

Always outstanding. Just go here. Amazing every single time.

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jekoontz

Joined 8 years ago

These guys know their meats and cheeses!. I've been enchanted by Il Bambino for the last several months now. Their simple but supurb menu selection of paninis, crostinis, and salads, the impeccable quality of their ingredients, how their food stands up to delivery wonderfully, the charming quaint atmosphere of the restaurant, (not to mention BYOB! yay!)... all adds up to a keeper. I think I'll be enjoying Il Bambino's sandwiches for as long as I live in Astoria. We're committed!

However, the honeymoon period is over, and I'm starting to see a few areas where Il Bambino could stand to improve. They're so close to perfection, just a little more polish could tip them over the edge!

- Appetizers are all rehashes of the panini and crostini ingredients. Slightly disappointing if you want to order a panini or several crostinis AND one of the appetizers, because you're going to be getting repeats of something. Which is fine, but a few more different delicious appetizers would be appreciated.

-The bread is too hard. Ok, I'm sure it's supposed to be that way, and it tastes delicious and not at all stale or over-toasted... but... ow. My mouth hurts.

-The salads have WAY too much oil/dressing. Seriously, after eating one, my throat feels all lubed up and greasy. Ick. I love fat as much as anyone, and their dressings are delicious, but a little goes a long way! I'm gonna have to order dressing on the side from now on...

Other than that they're perfect!

My favorites are the Mimosa Salad and the Prosciutto w/ Gorgonzola Dolce & Fig Spread Panini. OMG delicious! Also their desserts are very good... I LURVE the mini chocolate bundt cake! (However I find the cupcakes have way too much icing - about as much icing as cupcake! - but I'm weird like that... it hurts my teeth.)

Il Bambino, I still love you, I provide only constructive criticism so that you can get even better! I'll still order from you at least once a week, I swear... :)

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megcate5

Joined 5 years ago

Deeeeelicious!!!!. This little Astoria jewel is well worth trying. Not only was the food amazing, the wait-staff was super kind and very attentive. As far as the ambiance goes... Its quaint, cozy, and whimsical. My friends and I had a lovely dinner and bottle of wine for a great price. Its the perfect nook for a good book, glass of wine and hors d' oeuvre's.

You absolutely must try the olive, feta and caramelized onion crostini.

P.S. The dummy who said they were appalled that this restaurant had a corkage fee is a complete moron. I would say 90% if not more have corkage fees in New York that are 10 times more expensive. The reason behind a corkage fee is the restaurant usually serves wine and they lose money when jerks like you bring in your own bottle. Also the server who probably doesnt make and hourly wage and lives off tips loses a percentage of the tip (which should be 20%) of the bill (which I am guessing the waiter opened and served the wine). AND YOU ARE USING THEIR GLASSES AND SOMEONE DOES HAVE TO WASH THEM. Why dont you quit being so darn cheep and actually order a bottle from the restaurant you go to.

P.S.S. We had an awesome bottle of red for $23.00. I mean really!

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lukasmom

Joined 5 years ago

In response to the corkage fee. I am writing this review mostly in response to the person who felt the corkage fee was absurd and the owner rude.

I go to Il Bambino almost every week with my 4 month old son, and have NEVER encountered the same attitude from the owner as you claim. He has been nothing short of a great host, and his food is by far the best for the type of food he serves. Even when my son starts screaming and I appologize for the noise, the owner reassures me that it is fine - and always with a smile!

As for the corkage fee that you find so revolting. For this type of restaurant, this type of corkage fee is absolutely acceptable and the norm. I have been in the restaurant business for 20 years and have seen many restaurants like this who charge the fee. They do have to wash the glasses and also assume that some, if not many, will break in the process. At least they offer very nice glasses to drink your wine from - not the thick, water stained glasses that most places in Astoria offer. $5 is not much to pay considering you're buying your wine from a retail store and saving yourself a lot of money had Bambino sold you the wine themselves. Wine markup at a restaurnat - no matter what type - is usually at least 200 - 300%.

I think this place is great and will go here as long as I live in the area.

Keep up the great work!

Doesn't Recommend

Bobbyr11

Joined 5 years ago

Can you say overrated?. Not the best food on the block, forget about the neighborhood. I have been there for salads a couple of times, they are good but overpriced.

I ordered delivery from them (I live 3 blocks away) and it took over an hour to delivery two salads. I thought it was a fluke so I tried again a couple weeks later, not only did it take an hour but I found two very long red hairs in my salad. Go to Brick, better food and better (cleaner) service..

Doesn't Recommend

BillyTheSquid

Joined 5 years ago

An ok sandwich. Nothing to rave about.. I went, I ate a sandwich and I forgot about it. That about sums up this non-descript tiny shop. Mostly overrate, dont buy the hype.