IL Bagatto
New York, NY 10009-7737
Phone: (212) 228-0977
- Price:
- $$
- Directions:
- F to Second Ave
- Hours:
- Tue-Thu 6:30pm-11:30pm, Fri-Sat 6:30pm-12:30am, Sun 6pm-10:45pm
Editorial Review for IL Bagatto – by Abe Velez
The Scene
Cooing couples find some formality and open air up in the front room, while the subterranean back area offers hunkered-down seating for loungier dining. Local DJs provide a consistently funky yet mellow soundtrack for the experience. Be warned: Il Bagatto is no secret, and reservations are tight. The downstairs bar softens early arrivals.
The Food
This rustic Italian menu runs the gamut from homemade pappardelle to gorgeously braised meats. Openers include fagioli with tomato and shallot, sauteed spinach leaves with garlic, sprightly salads and ripe tomato-topped bruscetta. Savory homemade pastas dominate the appetizers, while main courses include tantalizing roasted chicken and sauteed veal. The revolving specials menu is in a menu in itself.
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Insider Tips
The ExtrasIf you're in the mood for a lighter meal or just a glass of wine, check out the place next door--il Posto Accanto--which is run by the same owners.
User Reviews for IL Bagatto
06/26/2008 Posted by pixelnyc
I felt a need to throw my 2cents in after reading a couple of bad reviews. I've been frequenting Il Bagatto for at least seven years. In that time the food has maintained it's high level of quality and consistency. The specials are ALWAYS out of this world and the wine selection impeccable. The gracious proprietors spend 24/7 hunting down the best ingredients and coming up with the best home-cooked Roman dishes and on creating a warm, chilled out atmosphere. The one thing that has changed over the years is the crowd that inhabits the neighborhood and city. Il Bagatto was one of the first true restaurants to open i the Lower East Side back in 1995. They are pioneers in the once crime ridden neighborhood, an oasis for bohemians, artists and old-school New Yorkers. Since that time the city, and I fear the restaurant, has been overrun by the "Sex-In-The-City", suburban trust-fund, sense of entitlement crowd. ------ As a quick response to some of the people complaining in the reviews...consider your own attitude before chastising that of the staff/owner/manager. The owner/manager has zero tolerance for those who exalt an attitude of entitlement. I can't say he's always 100% on mark, I'm sure he has his bad days. But more often than not I see patrons creating their own bad scenarios and ruining their own night/experience. One final thing. Most of the issues that people complained about regarding credit cards, waiting for whole party to arrive, ordering appetizer with meal, etc....are common NYC small restaurant practices. These are due to high volume, small spaces, high cost of operation and large credit card processing fees...among other things. ------ If you are of a good natured, mellow demeanor and love great Italian food, this is the place for you. If you're the type who is more concerned with who they might see or be seen by than you are about your food, please don't go to Il Bagatto. Also, don't miss brunch at Il Posto Accanto next door...same owners.
Pros: Amazing Italian food, atmosphere, neighborhood, very reasonably priced
Cons: Sometimes the patrons, can get pretty busy and crowded
05/15/2008 Posted by louiscipher
Il Bagatto is by far my favorite Italian restaurant in NYC. There delivery rocks as well. Fellow reviewers that snap on management for having a point of view and some attitude really should stick to Olive Garden in Times Square. Il Bagatto has the freshest specials every night and the best brunch hands down in lower Manhattan. People need to wake up on their brunch- it's that good! You can get great wine advice and the the tastiest bottles for a good price at the restaurant. The family nature of the staff is totally endearing and the owner takes GREAT care with his guests- especially peeps that have been coming there for a long time. It's a unique place that treats a square like a square. I guess thats why they're squawking on blogs like this. The fact that peeps like that don't enjoy Il Bagatto actually makes me like it more now. Give it a try- it's the best date spot in LES. Get a nice bottle of vino at the bar, then take it to the table. Believe me your night will be magical.
Pros: Fresh, tasty food, great price, cool atmosphere
Cons: waits for tables
