(718) 622-9202
129 Gates Ave
Brooklyn,
NY
11238
40.6849
-73.9627
Neighborhood: Clinton Hill
What People Are Saying About Vini E Olii Locanda Restaurant
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene – Located on a quiet, unlikely corner in Clinton Hill is this neighborhood restaurant of the highest order. The warm interior makes creative use of its former incarnation as a drugstore; the kitchen, for example, is fashioned behind the druggist's counter. Service is friendly and professional. – – The Food – The affordable menu features peasant-like Tuscan food cooked with heart, soul and dead-on execution. Start with marinated sardine "in saor," or tender wild boar carpaccio. Pastas are a revelation, particularly a chestnut lasagna cast with sweet sausage…
07/06/08
Overpriced and Average
by stinav
Highway robbery! I went with friends after reading good reviews, and was disappointed. The carpacio was bland and the portions small. The chestnut pasta and chickpeas was a tasty, but the portion way too small for an entree (but entree priced!). My friend's meal was not memorable. In addition, the staff was not very welcoming. Unfortunate, because I live nearby. But I will not be going back.
- Pros: a few good entrees
- Cons: too expensive
06/24/08
not worth the train ride
by sixftcutie
I LOVE Italian food so I make it a point to try and visit new places to add to my arsenal of good eats. This place was totally not worth the train fare out there. The service was horrible and the manager was a bit of a snob. Honestly, her being there made everything worse. My friend said she felt a little nauseous after her seafood ravioli and I have to admit, I've had better chicken fettucine. If you want Italian in Brooklyn, go somplace else that has way better food and the staff is really sweet.
- Pros: decor
- Cons: service, food, manager rude
05/24/08
utterly unmemorable. overpriced for both portion and quality
by dassmarschett
After hearing some friends raving about this restaurant, my friend and I decided to give it a try. It was a definite disappoinment. First, on first impression, the decor and the ambience of the place is nice, in spite of the inappropriately bright lighting which suits a dental clinic better. Since neither of us has eaten for the whole day we ordered a lot of food, or so we thought. First, we had a 20-dollar sampling appetizer platter with prosecco. As soon as we finished them we understood the caliber of the chef and regretted that we listened to our friends. All the food on the plate were so mediocre; at best you can see them as the experimental work of untalented culinary school students. The portion is so ridiculously stingy - low quality, tiny portion, and they have the dasity to overcharge as if the food deserves it. This appetizer is a prelude to the trainwreck that ensued. 10-dollar Crostini, four little bite of bread with some lousy paste on them. We ordered a parsley fazzolettini to share, which was boasted by the waitress to be one ambrosia created by the chef- turned out to taste the same as chef-boy-R-dee microwave pasta. Each of us ordered a main course. I had a run-of-the-mill grilled beef course with arugala and salt randomly spread on the plate. 27 dollars, I cannot get over it. I could have a fabulous seafood paella for 2 in Boqueria or with 27, though comparing them is an unforgivable insult to boqueria. My friend had a lousy grilled chicken with roasted potato crusted within a layer of goo. We were still femished after all was served. All in all, this place has nothing special to offer. Splurge your money somewhere else. Nothing about this place is worth it. To look back, it's ironic how the host and bartender acted so proud and stuck-up as if they are entitled to it. Oh, and check out other reviews from the reviewers that gave this place a good review- there's none. Give you an idea how scammed those good reviews are.
- Pros: the menu design
- Cons: overpriced. Tiny teeny portion. microwave quality food.
The Details on Vini E Olii Locanda Restaurant
Know Before You Go:
The owners host wine-tasting dinners and opera-themed tastings, so call ahead for a schedule of events.
What to Drink:
The wine list is all Italian and primarily Tuscan. Order either by the glass or bottle ($28-$100).
The Extras:
If you come with a party of four or more, the restaurant can design a tasting menu to suit your group's needs ($35-$45 per person).
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