10/28/09

Bad experience with manager

by EatsOut

The restaurant is very crowded. After others at the table and I were bumped by staff several times, the waiter hit me hard in the head with a tray. While I'm sure it was an accident, when I complained, the manager came over and proceeded to explain that it happened because "you turned your head when he walked by." She was not at all apologetic and made it appear as though it were my fault. I would not return to this restaurant. I do not hold the waiter responsible, but the manager should have better customer skills than to imply it was my fault I was hit in the head!

• Pros: Food was OK
• Cons: Nasty manager

05/21/09

not going here ever again

by KatblueNYC

I've been here several times in the past and had nice group dinners in the back room, however my fiance and I went with friends last week for a light bite and had embarrassingly bad service. The waiter sighed dramatically and rolled his eyes at our friends when they declined wine, and disappeared completely when the only ordered salads. When my fiance absently said he like full bodied French reds, the guy hissed that this was an Italian restaurant and they only had Italian. He never came back. Take a break Zoolander! The hostess and busboy served us our meals and checked on us again later, but my lamb ragu was bland and watery, and I couldn't get the bad taste our first waiter had left out of my mouth. Don't waste your money on a half-full restaurant pretending to be something it is clearly not. Next!

• Pros: ok food
• Cons: our server was so rude

01/26/09

nice neighboorhood haunt

by ScubaSteve25

nice place. food is good. a little sceney but i like that. ive seen quite a range of celebrities here. staff is helpful and knowledgable

• Pros: good food
• Cons: hard to get tables sometimes

07/13/08

The worst customer service in New York

by klaq

I never get what I order. When I recieved order and realised I didn't get what I wanted they simply said 'well next time don't order from us'. I can not understand their rudeness.

• Cons: AWFUL rude service

07/13/08

Nothing to write home about

by Chelsealive

My boyfriend and I were looking for an outdoor spot to grab dinner on a Friday and found this place online. Aside from being rather rude on the phone, the service was friendly and prompt when we arrived.

Fluorescent lighting in the bar area overflowed into the main dinning room, making you feel like you were more in a cubical than dining out in the city. The tuna tartar was very fresh and flavorful and our fillet mignon was tasty but not spectacular. The prices are on the high side for this slightly above average Italian cuisine.

• Pros: outdoor seating
• Cons: bad lighting

06/13/08

Most beautiful garden

by dandro

Had a great dinner in the garden at Bottino; our wait for a table outside was pretty brief, (they dont take reservations for the garden), so we enjoyed the crowd at the bar (art world, west chelsea on a Thursday night...quite intense) Loved the black spaghettini with lobster and tomato, roasted orata, octopus vinaigrette. Reminded me of Venice (Italy, not California.)

• Pros: ambience, food, value, crowd

06/04/08

Great first date!

by sixftcutie

I went with a guy I'd met and let him pick our spot to eat, which in and of itself couldve been scary but when we got to Bottino I realized that he'd actually done very well. The salmon was really good and our server was attentive, but not one that hovers. ( I hate when they hover) Overall, I had a great time! Good job Bottino!

01/23/08

Decent Italian

by gymgirlly

We went out to dinner at Bottino for a freind's birthday and the server, Pablo was pretty lame-o. He didnt introduce himself, lacked all social skills and didnt know the menu well. We were seated at a round table right by the main hallway, so we were constantly bumped by "traffic." The atmosphere was almost like a green house with wooden ceiling beams and some wooden chairs and iron lawn-chair like chairs. The crowd was a lot older and it was a pretty quiet restaurant. It wasnt that crazy for a Saturday evening. As far as the food goes, the salmon was a great portion that was excellent. The bread could be better and they shouldve offered olive oil (instead of or along with) the butter.

11/04/07

A good standby

by wellsd

I like Bottino because the food is decent, the service is usually good, and it's good for groups. Each time I have been I have gone with a group. I have also been there each time on a stormy night and I felt very welcomed once inside. They seat you promptly and the drinks are good too. I read the last couple of reviews and I say ignore them and give it a chance.

• Pros: Great ambience, decent food & really good mashed potatoes
• Cons: Always been a thunderstorm when I am there

07/23/07

just not worth it - bad attitude

by ak79

This place has all the makings of a good restaurant. Nice space, decent food. But the wait staff is so very rude. I work nearby and have been there a number of times in the hopes of receiveing better service. However, they are consistently obnoxious. For example, when i asked to omit an ingredient in my dish, i was given the up-and-down. He rolled his eyes as he took my order. Don't bother going there unless you enjoy being treated poorly. The wait staff just think way too much of themselves.