Bottega Restaurant Reviews

We enjoyed a pleasant dinner here. The food was nicely done and the space is attractive. Service was good. This would not be my go to for Northern Italian food, but it is a nice place to enjoy a meal in the neighborhood.

Do yourself a favor and don't pay attention to the positive posts and ignore the negative. Cannot imagine why anyone wouldn't enjoy themselves here. This place was truly wonderful. You will feel completely welcomed by the people greeting you at the door. The other diners were just a happy pleasant group of people. We just wanted drinks and appetizers and sat near the front windows which was so much fun because you can do a lot of people watching....it was the holidays so everyone was in good spirits. The music, the lighting, the server, the food... everything was perfect. One of the best spur of the moment dining experiences. Our drinks were a bit stiff...lol so one of us approached the bartender and she happily remedied it...no biggie. Will definitely go back and highly recommend this restaurant.

good food and service, really nice location. although, nothing spectacular, mostly older an older crowd enjoying slightly overpriced greek food and drinks.

We enjoyed dinner outside at this elegant northern Italian restaurant recently. Roasted squid was perfect, the pasta was newly made and excellent, service was attentive, and the wine rather pedestrian.

Absolutely fabulous evening! Went with a colleague who dines here regularly--the service was superb and so was the food. Had the veal and was in heaven. The tiramisu (what else?) was perfect. I would return here--I think they are associated with Barbaresco on Lexington Ave, one of my favorite places in the world! Stop in!

A favorite east side retreat from the hustle of the outside bustle. Excellent, warm and friendly service, with just enough formality in the white shirt, black vest attire for the old school feel, but always welcoming approach. Delicious traditional menu, with the peppers and burrata to begin that never disappoints. Nothing manufactured or processed here. Home cooked authenticity. Wine adorns the wall, music from the 50s and 60s. After a visit at the hospital near by, here I unwind.

We used walk passed this restaurant without ever going in. We still don't know why to this day??Then one day we decided it was time... When we did it was love at first sight! We even went back twice in the same week. It was that impressive!! New York has so many great places to eat and this is definitely one of them. They have a really cute bar area as you walk in. Very roomy and comfortable dining area that people can actually have a conversation in without being too loud. That's because they carefully placed decorative sound baffles around the restaurant to muffle sound. More restaurants in the city should do the same which is a ideal solution to a big problem in NYC eateries. Bottega's Italian menu is reasonably priced and well portioned. The wait staff is charming and management will always right any wrong. And with pleasure!! Also it's has a very romantic atmosphere in the winter time!

Slightly cheaper and way better than Mylos minus the really gorgeous atmosphere, but cute to sit on the sidewalk in the summer

This is the place to go for really fresh fish. Depending on what the chef picked up at the fish market, you can pick your selection off the shaved ice display at the front of the open kitchen. The kitchen will prepare it to your liking, but they recommend plain grilled to get the best flavor out of the fish. They will filet it for those who don't like to pick it apart (but warn that you may get a stray bone or two). But the purists among us ordered their fish whole grilled - head on. The raves could nearly be heard around the room. The dining room is light and roomy -and always crowded. This is definitely a recommended stop on the New York dining list.

Food is a touch above average but their chef's refusal to accomodate requests drops it a point lower.

Great brunch options. Steak and eggs were perfect. Crab cakes were delicious. Also had a great calamari dish.

My wife and I met at the bar for a drink before a couple of client/friends came to join us for dinner; and this was the only disappointing part of my evening. The bartender was pleasant enough but the quality of wines by the glass we had was quite disappointing. The wines we ordered by the bottle with dinner (one white and one red), however, were much better. I started with a homemade pasta with a lamb ragu which was absolutely delicious. My wife had the grilled polenta with truffle flavored sautéed mushrooms which she loved. My two clients shared a salad. For my entrée, I had the Red Snapper Filet with Capers and olives in a light tomato sauce. The fish was cooked perfectly and the sauce was delicious and was complimented by the lovely 2010 Nebbiolo Langhe Produttori D Barbaresco we ordered. I'm told the wine also paired well with the Salmon sautéed with chopped tomatoes, basil and sesame seeds. The other two at the table had the Branzino special; one fileted and the other the whole fish which she worked like a champ. They enjoyed a bottle of Pinot Grigio Maso Canali with their meal. Everyone said their fish was cooked just right which I am thrilled about because getting fish that is cooked this way in a restaurant, I find, to be a challenge most of the time. Two at the table had dessert; one a chocolate ganache filled lava cake and the other an apple strudel. I guess they must have been good because they seemed to get devoured to the last bite. I would be remiss if I did not mention that our server, Alex, was absolutely spectacular! He was attentive without being intrusive yet he was appropriately engaging...a real delight. It was a wonderful dining experience and I would have given it 5 stars were it not for the disappointing experience at the bar. I would definitely dine here again without hesitation.

Great neighborhood type restaurant. Relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff. Ate at the bar, nice selection of wines by the glass, great food. Wouldn't hesitate to go back..

I slipped in for lunch on a chilly day. I just wanted a bowl of nice warm soup and maybe a salad. I wasn't expecting much. I mean, come on. It's soup and salad, right? Bread was immediately brought to the table and not being much of a bread eater, I ignored it. The soup and salad were served and they were delicious. The best I've had in quite awhile. Remember the bread? I took one slice just to dip it in my soup and WOW! The flavor brought back so many memories from my childhood. I ate all the bread in the basket it was so good. The service is superb and the food is better. Looking for Italian on the Upper East Side? You found it. Right here. I'm heading back the next time I'm in New York. Well the soup of the day was fantastic

This is a neighborhood restaurant for us, so we've been there many times. I used to like it very much. But unfortunately on our last visit we were disappointed to discover the food quality had definitely gotten worse. My fish entree of swordfish was frozen as the fish was dry and tasted of iodine -not good! My husband's saltimbocca was bland and somewhat tasteless. And, to top it off, they didn't give us their usual mini biscotti with the check. Left wanting more.

For seafood lovers.

Had a nice meal in Bottega this evening with my mother. Had passed this place a number of times and always interested but hadn't pulled the trigger until tonight. Nice Italian menu though to be fair we only ordered my staple when trying a new Italian restaurant, Saltimbocca. It was good and filled with flavor though a little thin. The dessert was a delicious apple strudel with carmel ice cream. I wouldn't have expected strudel but then again it was a pretty northern Italian menu. The staff was friendly and accommodating given my mother is in a wheelchair and we were seated almost immediately. We will definitely return as there appeared to be plenty of space when i return with my family and or my siblings.

Everything was wonderful! The food, service and atmosphere is always great. My favorite neighborhood Italian restaurant.

Acceptable service and okay food, nothing special. The Caesar salad was good, but the swordfish entree was bland and lacking flavor. The accompanying risotto with spinach was tasty. My spouse’s endive salad didn’t make it, and he was somewhat disappointed in his veal saltimbocca. Not a traditional version of this dish, but the veal was tastier than my swordfish.

Seven of us ate here and everyone was happy with their meals. The service was outstanding and the wine list incredible.

We love this neighborhood restaurant. Always reliable. Delicious Italian food. They seem to always have interesting specials every night to choose from. I recommend it for lunch and dinner. I really love that you can have appetizer size plates for dinner. The manager is such an asset for the restaurant, he always make one feels welcome. Give a try. You won’t regret it.

One of my favorite pasta items is gnocchi, so I not only order them just about any time I see them on the menu, but consider myself an expert (thanks in part to a great education from several VERY Italian friends over the years). So when I saw "Gnocchi with spinach and ricotta in a light cream sauce," on Bottega's menu, I had to try them. As they say in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," I chose wisely! The restaurant is medium-sized for Second Avenue between 71st and 72nd Streets, and the walls are lined with bottle of wine (their list is pretty extensive, along with the Italian import beers like Moretti and Peroni) in a modern-style bookcase motif. I chose the lentil soup ($8), which was a nice-sized bowl of vegetable-base lentils prepared to perfection, and heavy on the lentils themselves, as my starter, and followed it up with their version of gnocchi ($18) perfectly prepared with ricotta and spinach in a light cream sauce. In a word, DELICIOUS, although I would have liked another six or so in the bowl! The sauce was precisely as described - light, creamy to the point of enhancing the spinach and and ricotta, without overwhelming them. Two desserts are prepared in-house, the tiramisu and the Italian ricotta cheesecake. I chose the cheesecake, largely because it's often hard to find that type and I'd heard it was good. The waiter pushed the tiramisu, but regardless of how good the tiramisu may be, I again "chose wisely." It was light, not overly sweet, had the right hint of lemon and was a large piece that my sister-in-law enjoyed sampling with me! My brother opted for the Peroni in a bottle, while his wife went with a glass of wine (I didn't pay attention to the type, but she was very pleased) - I stuck with the Italian import flat water. One other nicety: the bread is great and the zesty tomato dip that comes with it (more like a sauce) is every bit as good as my brother said it was! I highly recommend this Italian eatery!

Greek Seafood! All kinds of delicious fish you can think of.

We stopped by this restaurant for dinner. We hadn't made a reservation, but just showed up. Thankfully, there were tables available and we requested and were given a table outside. The owner took the time to come out, introduce himself and check everything was in order, which it certainly was. A perfect dinner with excellent service and really delicious, beautifully presented Italian food. We are returning to NYC next month and are really looking forward to eating at this restaurant again.

My wife and I went to Bottega after an afternoon cabaret performance on 22nd Street. The food was quite good but the service was a bit chaotic.

Service was fast and super friendly. I enjoyed one of the daily specials, ravioli. My cosmopolitan from the bar was very good and very cold. I was too full from dinner and drinks to enjoy a dessert. I look forward to dining here again. The are many menu choices to suit anyone's taste.

Best roasted potatoes ever, raisin bread french toast is a tasty twist on the usual, delicious and hearty frittatas (i had the spinach parmesan and asked for extra parmesan to sprinkle on top), well-brewed bottomless coffee (and soy milk!), fresh squeezed OJ...and tasty banana bread while you wait! (FYI: no bloody mary before noon...it's a license thing)

We recently had dinner at this establishment. It is unfortunate that it is in the middle of the second avenue subway construction so there is a rather unpleasant feeling when approaching and entering the restaurant. Added to that is the bland atmosphere and food making for an unmemorable dining experience. The room is dated as are the patrons and the service is spotty and slow. The only positive is that the prices are reasonable but I would rather pay more for a more uplifting experience.

This small-ish upper end Italian opened in April 2012. The food was fine. A house red was an attractive Sangiovese blend. I asked if they could do a pasta carbonara, not on the menu. Yes, they could and did, and it was excellent, dense and creamy. The bar, for a change, has a real marble surface. The ambience is pleasant, with dimmed lighting but not so dark as not being able to see. The staff was attentive, and, better, what appeared to be owners actually personally greeted us and seemed glad we were there, not the sometimes found cases of burnout. When we went, the place was booming, full of happy diners. We'll be back.

Bottega is a great find for local Italian. We were staying at a hotel within walking distance and found Bottega on TA so thanks to those of you who led us there. Not sure I'd go out of my way to go here but if I find myself staying at the same hotel in the future I'd certainly return. The service was excellent, the food was delicious, they have a nice wine list across the price spectrum, and the atmosphere is fun and lively. It'll be even nicer once the 2nd avenue subway construction ends and you can enjoy sitting outside.

Food is very good -- I went many, many times and spent thousands of dollars over the past few years; then wasn't in for a long while; when I returned, the maitre'd was rude and unfriendly and waiter was unhappy with my cash tip, asking arrogantly "was everything ok" -- definitely have now soured on the place, as it exhibited UES arrogance -- and by the way, we were trying to deal with a death in the family during the holidays -- the waiter and greeter were a disgrace

We arrived for an early dinner, escaping the ever-crowded Lexington Avenue Line to make our way over to Second Avenue, in upheaval from the tunneling for the new Second Avenue line. That mess is across the street from Bottega and, once inside the interior of this lovely restaurant, we forget all about subways and all things New York. We have escaped to Italy! We are seated at a table for four, so extra room to relax while we dine, in the corner. My view (of Handsome Companion, of course) is of the two wine-bottle lined walls and the blond and mahogany striped wood floor. It is elegant and pretty. The tables are draped in white linens and spaced nicely apart. We exhale and relax. Even though it is early, there are several tables of couples already engaged in meals. The atmosphere is relaxed and quiet. What more could one want after a long and stressful day at the office? My sautéed spinach arrives, roasted pearls of garlic tucked between the delicious leaves. HC's Caprese di Bufala arrives as well. The mozzarella is creamy and not cold as some mistakenly serve it. HC tries to get our waiter's attention. It's a miss, but moments later, the Maitre D is at our table. He caught HC's look and is now there to see what we need. That is the mark of a good Maitre D. While he is busy seating tending to so many things, his eyes are constantly surveying the room. Moments later, our waiter appears with HC's Prosecco in a beautiful glass and icy cold. Dinner arrives: Salmone Ai Semi Di Sesamo, salmon sautéed with chopped tomatoes and sesame seeds. HC likes it. My Rigatoni Di Bologna is warm and tasty, the ridged pasta al dente and the sauce light and just enough to coat the pasta but not overwhelm it. It's not in our neighborhood, not even close, but when a restaurant is this good, it doesn't have to be.

Contrary to an earlier review I would give the staff a big thumbs up. We were constantly attended too throughout the evening. One in my party did make note of the said owner's table which I guess is what they do here. I was not impressed with the menu. I found it hard to find a dish I felt comfortable eating especially the salads. I ended up sharing a Insalata Bianca which I did not like at all. Too much fennel and lemon. I went with the special pasta with shrimp and scallops. The scallops were rubbery and bland. The shrimp were okay but not great. The pasta was overly covered with sauce. The others at the table made no comments positive or negative. We did not stay for dessert.

Like several other reviewers here, I found the customer service and the management sorely lacking. The food was good, but the first time the waiter came over, he basically said "Sorry to interrupt, but you can finish talking once I read you the specials." Smooth. Fortunately, someone asked abut the red dipping sauce that came with the bread, so I discovered that it had anchovies. My dining companions said it was delicious but, as a vegetarian, I asked whether the waiter would mind bring me some olive oil for the bread. Some time later, some butter arrived. Close. When I went to use the one tiny bathroom is the restaurant, that unclean kitchen smell that I remember from working at a restaurant that didn't do its dishes often enough wafted into the hall. Off-putting. The waiter took our order, which was pretty simple, as three people got the same thing. Unfortunately, when the food came, there was a swordfish in the mix that no one ordered. The waiter snarkily took it back and, by the time the original order came, the rest of us had finished our meals, rather than let them get stone cold. At the end of the meal, when we got the check ($500.00 for five people, so we were hardly skimping), we asked whether they were going to make any adjustment for the mistake (Any restaurant worth its salt would have comped the fish, no questions asked), the waiter basically said "No." We asked to see the manager, the waiter walked away, came back and said "I can't do anything." I told him that he could find the manager like I asked. He then pointed out the manager who was skulking a couple of feet away (really bad form). The manger also said that he couldn't do anything, except maybe take the cappuccinos off the bill. It turned what was supposed to be a special meal, for a friend who has moved out of town and came to visit, into an unpleasant one. We won't be back.

My wife and I stumbled on this place last October. What a find! We have been there 3 times since. The service is very good. Food delicious. We had steak last month and it was better and less expensive than major steakhouses in city. Excellent wine selections. Had a party of 8 last time. No wait. Table ready. Friendly. Enjoy going this restaurant. It's not fancy but very good food.

Despite the average reviews, I found this restaurant quite pleasant, with good food, great service and a nice, easy vibe. We sat outside and enjoyed a nice light summer dinner of eggplant rolletini, fried calamari and zucchini, a basket of Italian bread with sundried tomato sauce and two bottles of ice cold Sauvignon Blanc. Consumed slowly over the course of two hours or so, our experience couldn't have been more pleasant. Our waiter was so nice and brought us a plate of biscotti, for no other reason than to make our experience more enjoyable. Note that the Second Avenue subway construction chaos has ended, which makes a tremendous difference to the overall ambiance.

Best grilled fish with a greek appeal....

My fingers are crossed that they can consistently fill the large space and become a neighborhood fixture! It's better than good, it's friendly, it's reasonable! A perfect neighborhood addition (which in this neighborhood and construction environment was sorely lacking!) First, hats off to the chef, who creates delicious soups minus the butter, cream or milk which adds calories! I have had the puree of celery root and the cauliflower several times and both are filling and tasty. I am looking forward to a few other soup additions! The avocado salad is large and delicious and I have recently ordered a $17 dollar chicken dish (YES - chicken - which I never order when I eat out!) with raisins and pine nuts and have become almost addicted to it! We've brought several friends and they have been as pleased as we've been! Welcome Bottega! You're doing it right!!

My first time here on a recommendation and I have to say it was great. The food, wine, service, ambiance....all of it was great. I had the Ravioli della casa....(ravioli stuffed with spinach) OMG, it melted in your mouth. We also had the string bean salad which was like no other string bean I've ever had...Rieseling wine was very good and Tiramisu was delicious. The waiters are very attentive and friendly. It felt like an Old World Italian restaurant with the Frank Sinatra music playing in the background...There's outdoor seating, but with all the construction and traffic on 2nd Avenue, it's better to sit inside. Indoors is very spacious...

Do you want the opportunity to choose from a diverse menu of Italian food visit Bottega EASTSIDE and Manhattan? Excellent salads pastas appetizers main course,dessert (if you have room) Moderately priced. The excellence of its cuisine and choices is exemplified by the crowded restaurant with people waiting.

This was my first time eating at this very good and tastefully decorated italian restaurant. My friend and I were there last night for dinner. The staff; including the manager/ maitre ‘d, waiters and bus people were all professional, caring, and friendly. The food is delicious. I ordered a chicken scarpriello entree served with potatoes and vegetables with a brown sauce that was fabulous and a nice amount of food. My friend ordered the scallops and a salad. I tasted the scallops and they were wonderful. They also have a great selection of wines; both red and white. And the prices are quite reasonable and fair. They also serve lunch. Can’t wait to return to this truly terrific and conveniently located restaurant. My friend and I live nearby so we walked there but the restaurant is right by the 2nd Ave. and 72nd. St. Q train subway station and the 72nd St. crosstown bus stop right on 2nd Ave. and 72nd St.

Sat outtside on a pleasant afternoon. Had mozzarella and tomato as first course and spinich raveoli as main. Tastey

My husband took our sons and a friend out for dinner on a lovely Manhattan evening. I was surfing the web and found this place. I called over and they said they would seat our group of 5 in 30 minutes. Food was amazing. Stuffed clam and melon/prociutto app to start, followed by all different entrees. Steak, pasta and soft shell crabs were ordered and everyone loved their meal. Our waiter was informative (lots of specials) and very attentive. I am so happy this is in our neighborhood. We will be back.

An experience beyond any other. Walking through the front door and being greeted by a personable staff, friendly waiters, and a real Italian feel. The meal from start to finish is luxury at its best. An experience not to be missed when in New York. Whether one lives here or is simply just visiting, this place is the place to visit for lunch or dinner.

Good seafood pasta specials and everything else my party tried had good marks. Servers were very friendly but I felt bad when seeing how their manager treats them. They were verbally abused for stupid reasons in three different languages, did he think patrons would not understand? Get a grip dude, you have good people working for you.

We live in the neighborhood and this was our first visit. I usually try to order something simple the first time I go to a new restaurant. My wife had the whole wheat pasta with summer vegetables. I had the Caesar salad and mushroom rissoto infused with truffle oil. All dishes were fresh, moderately seasoned and delicious. The risotto, a dish that requires constant attention, was prepared perfectly. The truffle oil did not overwhelm the dish which is easily possible if done carelessly. The atmosphere was relaxed. There is a small bar in the corner, perfect for a single person or couple to watch end of season baseball.

Great greek! Fish fresh and amazing big portions

The food was good but very small portions considering it is an Italian restaurant, which usually have big portions. The server was very friendly and accommodating since we had a baby with us. Not sure if I will return b/s of the serving size and price--doesn't add up.

Went for dinner with a friend and had a great time. Food was really good - had a simple (but refreshing) spinach salad and shared a fish entree. Very reasonable priced!

We needed a lunch time venue that could accommodate a pushchair and offer outside space. This was a great choice. The food was excellent, especially the home made pasta which proved a firm favorite. The staff were very attentive (although the restaurant was not that busy). While they didn't have any changing facilities they did happily offer towels and made the daunting experience of lunch out with a new born so much easier.

Bottaga is a great option for traditional Italian dishes. The well-trained staff is very friendly. The meals are reasonably priced and very fresh. They have gluten-free pasta options.Be sure to try the sun-dried tomato spread that comes with the bread- it's very addictive as well as the spaghetti with clams.

awesome greek food

Excellent place on the UES for dinner with friends. Nice ambiance, great wine list and the Best wild mushroom risotto on the planet!

Bottega is an UES gem for traditional Italian dishes. The staff is charming in this bustling restaurant with great outdoor seating. Dishes are reasonably priced and consistently good. Be sure to try the tomato dipping sauce (you’ve been warned it’s addictive!) and the spaghetti with clams that is made with the small Manila clams.

Good Italian food, spacious establishment so drop ins can be accommodated, great upper east side location. It's a good choice for nice dining.

Went for a birthday luncheon and thought the food was excellent! The tiramisu is THE BEST IVE EVER HAD!! Period. Don't miss it!

LOVE IT

Whether you like Pasta, Salads, Meat, fish or Poultry Bottega provides a diverse tasteful array of Italian dishes. Good choices of wine in bottle or glass. Waiters and management are attentive. Prices are reasonable for this enjoyable cuisine.

I, my husband, and other members of our family eat dinner here frequently (usually 2 -3 times per month). We have never had a bad meal. The chardonnay is wonderful. I usually order the blanca salad and grilled branzino, which comes with roasted veg and potatoes; it is one of my favorite fish dishes in NYC. The bread, which we request be toasted, is great and whenever they have the apple strudel, we order it. I have never had better apple strudel. The service is always welcoming and excellent. After reading some of the negative reviews, I wonder if this is the same restaurant.

Unlike the last time I was here, I had a very disappointing meal here this time. The meal started off very well with a delicious bowl of Lentil Soup. I decided not to have a main course and instead had two appetizers. The Scampi appetizer was served quickly, came out of the kitchen warm, not hot, and had little scampi taste. The fact that it came out quickly and was warm made me think that it was pre-cooked. The manager said that it was not pre-cooked, but would he tell me the truth if it was? The Mussels appetizer was FAR from the taste that I expect when I order Mussels in White Wine. The mussels inside the shell were small and had little flavor.

Good food , very great service.Have had dinner twice never disappointed , loved ....next time I'm going back for my Birthday party ...

Good food , very great service.Have had dinner twice never disappointed , loved ....next time I'm going back for my Birthday party ...

Big menu, many choices-all good. Priced well, convenient respite for folks visiting patients at Sloan,Kettering of New York hospital, as they are a 5 minute walk from either facility. There Is outdoor dining, where the scenery is the 2 nd avenue traffic. I prefer the air conditioned indoors.

We had arranged a dinner for 4 at Bottega to celebrate a family birthday. At first, all was well - a friendly greeting, nice atmosphere. We settled in with some drinks and then ordered dinner. The appetizers were tasty and fine, and then the entrees arrived. While three in our party were pleased with their selections, I was underwhelmed with mine, especially considering it was a special. It was not not at all flavorful and after two bites, I put it to the side. Our waiter returned and asked how everything was. I explained that my selection was not up to par, specifically describing why I was unhappy. He was very apologetic, and asked if I would like to order something else. I declined, since the others in my party had already finished with their meals. At that point, I figured I would just order dessert and be fine. The manager then came over, and I explained the issue once again. He asked if I would like another entree - I said no for the second time. Once the manager left our table, the experience deteriorated further. We sat for 40 minutes. Nobody came to clear our plates and our waiter simply vanished. Finally, a busboy showed up to clear the plates we had been sitting with. We asked him to please find our waiter, as at this point we were still thinking we would order additional wine and choose from the dessert menu. Suddenly, our waiter re-appeared, apologizing that he had gone missing, and telling us he had been "so busy outside", handling the guests dining al fresco. At that point, we were done with Bottega. We requested the check and explained to our long lost waiter that we would be leaving and having drinks and dessert at another restaurant, rather than attempting to resurrect a dining experience that had long gone downhill. The check was delivered. Not surprisingly at that point, we were charged full price for the dish that was returned uneaten. The customer service at Bottega is shockingly sub-par. Any good restaurant in NYC would have removed the uneaten dish from the menu. As we exited, we walked by the manager, who was standing outside, and he completely ignored us. Again, not surprised. I grew up in NYC and return often for functions with friends and family. Bottega is off the list. Never again.

We went with a big party of 13 and were treated with courtesy and attention throughout. We shared appetizers - burrata, carpaccio, fried calamari and a few different salads (with endives) and enjoyed it all very much. My personal favorites were the burrata and carpaccio. Mains were delicious and everyone was very happy with their orders were it the swordfish, seafood pasta or the Veal Scallopini.

It's nice sitting outside in the summertime, but not so nice as to have a nearly inedible meal. The food has gone downhill consistently from the opening when it was OK to now when it was inedible. All dishes were luke warm. The fried calamari and zucchini was tasteless, overcooked, soggy and greasy. The two pasta dishes were way past al dente, poorly seasoned and greasy. NOT RECOMMENDED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES

Last time I reviewed an Italian restaurant (in Yelp, I think) I got a real backlash from the owners how they have an Italian name and I was all wrong about their heritage. Just so, unlike that other place here in California I have no complaint with the food. I guess you expect that Italian restaurants in New York to be, well, Italian, if that makes any sense. Maybe too much TV. I just did not see, nor hear anyone with a trace of accent. I did overhear that they might have had a new owner recently who owns another restaurant in town. Maybe I am bigoted to think that only Italians can make great Italian food. The only minor issues I would comment on is that although I considered the restaurant warm and cozy, the music played a variety of "boomer" favorites; Michael Jackson, Donna Summer, Doobie Brothers. Does not scream "Italian." Candles on the tables are a nice touch but won't work without a battery in the bottom. Contrary to the online menu listing my favorite Saltimboca, I did not see it on the menu but decided to try another favorite "Wise Guys Bolognese." It did not disappoint, nor were my wife and adult daughter disappointed with their dishes. So are we Californians expecting too much? I don't know but an Italian facelift in several areas would have added considerably in the atmosphere.Still, I believe the quality deserves four Tripadvisor "stars."

This was a birthday celebration involving eleven guests and everyone was very satisified with their dinners and the overall restaurant experience from the gracious welcome to departure. Special requests for children were handled very well and 'supportive' services, i.e. enough water, bread, refills, etc. were attentively handled, as well. The food was excellent all around the table. Noteworthy were the following: Steamed Mussels, Carpaccio, and Grilled Baby Octopus appetizers; a Caesar Salad and a Mesclun Salad with Avocado and Shaved Parmesan; notable entrees included Linguini with Fresh Clams, Homemade Squid Ink Infused Pasta with Crab Meat, Sauteed Salmon, and Pan Seared Mediterranean Sea Bass, among others. Like so many NYC restaurants, the noise level was, at times, disturbing, thus disenabling effortless conversation, but do not let this minor inconvenience keep you from an excellent evening of Italian dining.

Vet good food and nice atmosphere. Love this place. I highly recommend this place, couldn’t have been better.

This restaurant serves delicious food. The menu is varied. They have indoor and outdoor seating. The staff is professional and attentive. Their desserts are excellent. All are moderately priced. Will definitely go back.

I was in the area because a family member was at NY Prebyterian Hospital and this was just a short walk away. Everything that we had was great (insalata di avocado, melon wrapped in prosciutto, calamari, veal saltimboca, rigatoni de bologna, all delicious!) You can get 1/2 orders of the pasta dishes which was great. All of the staff that we encountered was very friendly. We had Alexandria was our bardenter and Juan was our server and they could not have been nicer. I highly recommend this if you happen to be in the area and want Italian food!

We stumbled onto this place one evening looking for a restaurant which was not too noisy (hard to find nowadays). We were lucky to be able to sit on one of their outdoor tables on a balmy evening. The service was perfect. The food delicious. We shared a homemade ravioli in pesto sauce. Was a bit rich, so we could hardly finish it all but was delicious. What is nice is that they offer you have half portions of pasta if you wish, though to share we had the normal size. The soup (leek/potato) and salad (tomato and avocado) we had were also delicious. I don't like the way this site asks you to indicate, yes or no, if this was "one of the best meals you've ever had in a restaurant." I put no, as I'd save such a rave for something very special, but that does not mean that I did not have a very good meal. I would definitely go back here and plan to.

When I came in the restaurant I found that the music was too loud so they turned it down to just the right volume for me. It is pretty unusual for an Italian restaurant to play recorded music for the diners (my only complaint). This restaurant is in the former space of the Greek restaurant Trata. This Italian restaurant replacement serves very good food at reasonable prices and has a very nice and relaxing atmosphere. The walls hold hundreds of bottles of wine in different areas of the walls, neatly aligned, which gives the restaurant a unique character. I wasn't expecting much in regards to the food after I saw the low score in the burgundy colored restaurant guide book. Bottega is not far from my home so I gave it a try after I saw another review of the restaurant which praised it. I will praise it too because the meal that I had justifies doing that. I started off with the lentil soup which was very good and available daily. After that I had the chicken scarpariello. I was told by the waiter that the dish is served with half dark meat and half white meat. I asked for the kitchen to make it with all dark meat, which they did, and it was delicious. Total cost was $28.31 for the two dishes including tax and before the tip.

Don't waste your time. The manager here is rude and nasty. The owners sit at a table out front most nights talking amongst themselves (taking up prime seating no less) and don't say hello to patrons or visit tables. What are they there for then? The wait stuff is just eh - they make several mistakes and you have to wait forever for food even when the restaurant is half empty. I was hoping for a new neighborhood staple but will never go here again after a recent incident where the manager was abusive - made my 7 year old daughter cry! Go to Fratelli's on 1st Avenue between 70th and 71st - the manager there is awesome, the wait staff is top notch and checks on tables regularly and the owners are there every night walking around chatting with their patrons. And food is yum!! Skip Bottega - ick!

Fairly new to the neighborhood Bottega Restaurant is starting with a bang. The food has been consistently good and the menu has enough variety to please everyone. A starter of mussels for $10 is more than enough for two people, the sea bass is tasty and the filet mignon tender. The staff is professional and courteous and the service is good. I've made several visits now and everyone has been pleasant and helpful. The pasta dishes will cost you under $20 and the meat varies from under $20 for chicken to the low 30s for dishes like filet mignon or veal loin. There is outside seating which is nice but be prepared if you sit outside to face the current structures covering the work for the new subway. Don't let that stop you though, Bottega is worth a visit and both the inside and outside seating is nice. Definitely a welcome addition to the neighborhood. I'll be going back.

we love this place. it is great looking, attractive and has great service. the good is excellent and has something for everyone. the menu is traditional in many respects. ..but no less yummy. I hate sharing this place with all of you...because it also happens to be exceedingly fairly priced...so..I don't want to overcrowd the place ....but it's worth it.!!

I, my wife, and son went to this restaurant this past Friday night and Bottega lived up to all the reviews I read; good service, good food, and a nice atmosphere. What I especially look for in a restaurant is a respectful spacing of tables that give the patrons a sense of privacy to their conversations as opposed to being so close to your neighbor that your tables are touching each other. Just a word of caution when ordering sodas. There are no free refills even for seltzer water although the drink is generous with ice. We were charged for each of the 3 club sodas my son ordered for a whopping total of $12.00.

We were looking for a place to have a cocktail and then move on for dinner; in midtown that's a snap, on 2nd Avenue in the 70's not so much. We quit looking when we saw the outdoor tables at bottega (their card has it with a lower case 'b') and asked if we could drink and go. They were fine with that - I think they knew the fine service and good smells would keep us! So we had our cocktails - actually a bottle of Prosecco and vodka martinis - and ordered the burrata special - but I have food allergies so they prepared it two ways for the four of us. Delish! By then with more drinks on the table, and the friendliness of the staff taking hold, we succumbed and ordered a few pastas. Again, delish! We were never rushed; the waiter checked in regularly to see how we were doing. When he took one glass of prosecco a bit too soon, he reappeared seconds later with a replacement glass on the house. Vodka martinis were perfectly prepared. The scene was lively, the decibels matched by the noise of traffic - we all laughed that only in New York is the sound of traffic such a welcome addition to the sidewalk cafe experience. It's wonderful. It's an evening I will remember fondly for the great conversation - art and generational predilections towards collaborative work, the good drinks and the excellent pasta. I don't know if I would return to bottega - I am rarely in this neighborhood, but I wouldn't hesitate to send friends there should they find themselves in the area.

Food was fine, service was fast and it was ok, but just ok. Don't think it was value for money. Didn't think the staff were particularly friendly, wine list was a bit limited and expensive for what was on it.

I favorably reviewed this restaurant in September, 2013 after a birthday celebration attended by eleven family members. The review was entitiled, "Eleven Happy Diners." The same eleven plus two more of us had an opposite experience on Mother's Day, 2014. On an occasion like this, a crowded restaurant is to be expected, but every table must be treated attentively and in a timely way. This was not at all the case this time around. The food continues to be excellent here, though portions in some cases were noticably smaller than previously. Last year, the Grilled Baby Octopus appetizer with Fingerling Potatoes at $14 was generous. This year, the same $14 bought 3-4 small pieces of octopus and too many potatoes. Delicious, but obviously not worth it. Similar complaints were heard from others.The person who order the advertised soup of the day - Lobster Bisque - was given Tomato Soup with the server vehemently insisting that it was the Bisque, when it clearly was not. Our server's occasional apologies for the extremely long wait for our entrees did little to soothe a table of return customers who felt neglected throughout., The bottle of wine and the diet coke on the house, while kind, did not help matters, either. We were seated at 6:30. The final entree arrived at 8:30 (!) fifteen to twenty minutes after everyone else had been served. Even then, this salmon entree had to be returned since it was not prepared as requested. One in our party was not served at all because her order had been forgotten. Get the picture?! Strongly recommend not visiting this restaurant on special days when so many people are dining out. It is irresponsible to accept every reservation that calls in and then not have the organzation and staff to handle so many people much more competently .

Wonderfully prepared dishes that were full of flavor and so very delicious. We need to return to try the many other excellent options. Mussels, caprese salad and Caesar were all great. Several pasta dishes and then the tiramisu were so good! The service here is excellent! We will be back

This was my first visit but my friend and his wife dine here often and I can see why. We had a delightful meal last night. The ambiance is relaxed and has the feel of a comfortable neighborhood place but also the elegance of fine dining. The service was impeccable & friendly. The food memorable. We split a portobello mushroom stuffed with lump crab meat. I ordered the pan seared sole and my friend had a seafood pasta. My only wish is that there was a little more creativity in the menu choices - a few creative options in addition to the standards. We were not up for a bottle of wine but were pleased that there was a very good selection of wine by the glass. For a fine Italian restaurant - or any one for that matter - in this neighborhood the price was most reasonable. I will definitely be back!

The food wasn’t great, none of the dishes were. The minestrone was literally water, zero taste. The Caesar salad was okay. The risotto that claimed to be truffle didn’t taste like truffle at all, instead more like French onion soup mix, it was so salty. The pasta was okay, nothing great. The tomato sauce was apparently “really bad”. The service was fantastic though.

Bottega is a place where locals head when they want an excellent meal and excellent service. I met a friend for dinner and we enjoyed the relaxed pace, even on a busy Friday night. They graciously indulged our need to visit over a glass of wine before we even picked up the menus. I began with Insalata di Avocado, a simple lettuce, avocado and shaved parmesan salad, which had ample amounts of flavorful parmesan and avocado slices-- complementing textures and flavors brought together with a baby lettuce. I followed up with a chicken, artichoke and mushrooms in a light gorgonzola. The sauce was indeed light and flavorful without overwhelming the flavors of the chicken and vegetables. Crisp roasted fingerling potatoes were on the side. While we were too full for dessert, the real treat was the check--I spent less on dinner here than I did on lunch in midtown (granted, lunch was at Barneys, but still, I had far more for dinner and the location is UES).

We live nearby but never ate here and finally tried it. We shared two appetizers- the fried calamari and zucchini and the sauteed mushroom and peppers. Then I had gnocchi and my husband had the veal saltimbocca which was a bit odd in that it had tomato sauce but he said it was good. The portions were a bit small. I had tartufo and my husband had the chocolate mousse- which was really a cake- for dessert. The service and food were good but it was pricey for what it was and the wine choices were particularly pricey. Indeed, we were told that they were out of the wine we first ordered and the waiter tried to steer us to a wine that was 50% more expensive. We selected something else.

As with most NYC restaurants the seating was very tight, but the food and service were very good. All of entrees, pasta and otherwise, were excellent, waiter was friendly, and cocktails good.

My cousin chose Bottega as it is one of her favorite spots. By first look you'll find the inside of the restaurant small, cozy and first class. We ordered cocktails and later switched to wine, all was as it should be, great Malbec, nicely made cocktails. We both ordered the pasta special that evening, Orecchiette, with broccoli rabe and sausage in a light white wine sauce. just fantastic. We spent a few hours here dining on white tablecloths with attentive service. If you're looking for a great spot to dine and talk, unencumbered by the tumult of the city, you'll find Bottega a great choice. I will come back again and again.

The food is fabulous. The swordfish melts in your mouth. The Hamptons location is way more fun --DJ on weekends, fruit-infused martinis, and dishes made from local produce. The UES location is more family-friendly. Both are on the expensive side.

A friend took me here for lunch during a recent visit to NYC and it was a perfectly acceptable but not exceptional Italian restaurant. The only thing that distinguishes it is that they make their own pasta. The ravioli was extremely good, the wine was so-so, and the service was excellent.

Our waiter was fantastic. He was knowledgeable about the menu and not afraid to make recommendations. The service was perfection. I had pasta with clam sauce, a dish I order with hesitancy because it is often not what I expect. This dish was absolutely delicious. The wine was great and didn't break the bank. It is a wonderful friendly restaurant with excellent food and service. If I lived closer i'd be there every night.

Wonderful service, delicious food every single time and excellent service. Very professional. This is our neighbor go-to favorite restaurant. Our family has brought ourselves and our friends here for many years consistently, and we have NEVER had a bad meal. You are in for a treat here.

Enjoyed eating here very much. Not a large menu, which I always see as a plus, but a good choice of some great Italian classics. The atmosphere is loud and friendly with the tables being set very close together. Prices are reasonable for the city.

nice façade, so-so food and remarkably terrible service... Our waiter was Kosta and besides just looking lost half the time, he did not seem to know how to provide a very basic service to his customers. He was hard to find when we need him, did not seem to know or care about the food served, never noticed what was missing at the table, and looked like a deer lost in the headlights whenever we asked a simple question. In addition to the bad-to-non-existent service, the entire dinner was in ok to mediocre range. The grilled calamari tasted fishy and far from fresh. Dorado entrée was just plain greasy and lamb chop dish had a side of overcooked orzo rice that was drowning in tomato sauce. Would never eat there again and don’t recommend you do!

Over the past few months this place has gone downhill. Our bad experience started when i ordered wine and had the waiter tell me that my selection was not that great and suggested a bottle that's $20 more. Come on, now, really? you start off trying to rip me off? if the first one is not good, why do you offer it? (btw, it was good). ordered the octopus appetizer, which was great, however, it only contained about 4 pieces of octopus and the rest was onion. we questioned the waiter why we got so little (2 months ago, the same order was more than double in size). he said he didnt know. no follow up, nothing. Plus, had to fill my own wine up the entire meal. its unfortunate, because the place used to be great. Do yourself a favor, go elsewhere.

I'm calling the BBB on this restaurant, they charged our credit card (which was never returned to us from Jose the server) TWICE and gave themselves over 20% tip on both transactions. When we came back to speak with the "manager" Anthony, he assured us he would look into it and reverse the wrong transaction (we gave him a copy of our receipt, but made sure we had another copy). It's been well over a week, and I'm confident that Jose kept our credit card and Anthony is a liar. Do you waste your time eating here. Much better Italian food on the UES.

Good lunch! The Chianti was very good. Waiters barely spoke English which was a good sign. Quality Italian. Though the omlet choice off the special lunch was not great, but mussels were wonderful.

It is a very cosy restaurant with great food. You had a lot of choice starting from apperitives until desserts. The staff was very kind and they help you with your choice of food (if you are not a fish person for example, they give you different sugestions). It was also my birthday, so the staff also brought a cake and singing. I had a great time and it was my first night in NY. P.s don't forget the 20% tip on the total price ;)

This has become one of our favorite eateries for dinner in this area after several other local restaurants closed, and overall we have been happy with our choice. The service has always been attentive and the food has always been very good, and they have always accommodated our dining partners' preferences.

This restaurant needs a new chef. The food is terrible. On the plus side, decent service and a decent wine list for the type of restaurant it is. But the food really needs improvement.

Been here several times now, and the food is always good and plentiful. The staff is very good and give attentive service. Wine list is not overwhelming, and very affordable. Would highly recommend for family gatherings or just for the two of you!

Excellent place the waitress was fabulous best service in the upper east side the pasta 🍝 is like your Italian grandma 👵 will make it

The food was very good. The restaurant is great for business as it is not too loud or crowded. The waitstaff is wonderful.