Bar Toto

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gina_podesta

Joined 7 years ago

Relaxed, Comfortable Neighborhood Spot with GREAT Food. From the bruschetta to the pastas to the panini you can't go wrong at Bar Toto. Oh, and did I mention the pizza? Thin crust, made the Italian way - not that thick-crusted cardboard with fake cheese that passes for pizza in some parts.

Prices are very reasonable, the ambiance is nice, and it's an easy place to dine with kids where you can find something to feed them other than the fried chicken nuggets that populate so many other menus. Bar Toto is one of the few places in town that has great vegetable sides (roasted cauliflower and broccoli rabe are two favorites).

The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable and its a place where most of the time you are seated quickly. While the service is relaxed, for the quality of the food and the moderate prices you shouldnt miss this place.

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bernardo_pace

Joined 7 years ago

Deep Italian wine list by the glass, calamari fritti, and rigatoni with eggplant and smoked mozzarella. It says so much to me that Bar Toto is usually full of regulars, including me. It's comfortable, the service is great, there's a good balance between menu standards and specials, and the culinary instincts of the Italian-born owner are always on target. I especially love the place when I can sit outside and take in some Brooklyn.

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dottietron

Joined 7 years ago

Good Old Standby. The food here is great (LOVE their veggie burgers!!) and it's in a very convenient spot for locals to grab a quick meal. I have to agree, the service is a bit lacking. I walk by Bar Toto every single day and the waitstaff is constantly changing. Seriously, the turnover rate is out of control. I get the feeling that this is not a very pleasant place to work. The bad attitudes are most likely the result of some very unhappy employees.

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lizzygannon

Joined 7 years ago

get a clue with the service!. i have had similar experiences to "angelataryn" and i'm about to give up on the place. sure, it's conveniently located but someone needs to tell the waitstaff that they're being paid to serve food. i realize it's supposed to be low-key but they take it a little too far. this is certainly not a good place to go if you're trying to impress someone. besides being preoccupied with his cellphone, one night our waiter began clearing the table before everyone was finished - and tried to take a half-full glass of wine with him. i can't stand that. if a restaurant is casual then there should be no rush at the table.

the paninis are tasty enough but i've been disappointed in a couple of other dishes - like the chicken over arugula and their pastas. i think there are better choices in the area - with decent service and more exciting food.

Doesn't Recommend

angelataryn

Joined 7 years ago

Bar Toto. Bar No-no.. Wow! I read some of the other reviews before writing mine to see the overall thoughts. It is interesting to see that I am not the only person who noticed the complete lack of attention to customer service. This, perhaps, Bar Toto, should be your cue to clear out the lackadaisical employees you currently have and hire a competent staff.

My boyfriend and I dined here on Sunday night. My boyfriend ordered a bottle of wine right away. When the waitress brought the bottle of wine she poured it for me to try, though I hadn't ordered it. I understand the protocol for wine ordering and presenting. The waitress completely ignored the tradition, in the process angering my boyfriend and embarrassing me. We then had to flag her down to order appetizers. She never even came by to offer the specials to us. She never asked what entrees we'd like, we had to call her over to ask for dinner.

While we were waiting for proper service, "our specials for the evening are..., what would you like for dinner, can I bring you anything else, how is everything?" we watched our waitress playing with her cell phone by the bar area. Texting or checking messages - this is something you don't let your customers see. Take it to the kitchen or the restroom area. Just don't let the customers you're supposed to be taking care of see it - it makes them angry.

It really is disappointing because the atmosphere of the place is charming. The food was tasty and the wine lovely.

The service was truly despicable. I highly recommend that the management of Bar Toto take a really good look at its staff. Looks like if you don't make a change soon, you'll continue to lose business. I know I won't be back until you make a very serious change.

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lmrk

Joined 7 years ago

Great food, Great Atmosphere, Great Price. This is by far my favorite regular stop in the neighborhood. I live around the corner and can't resist returning at least once a week. The atmosphere is cozy and casual. The cuisine includes great paninis, panini burgers, pizzas and some heartier entrees. The prices are reasonable, the food is great, and there is a fabulous wine by the glass selection. The staff is friendly and I have always had top service. If I have friends visiting this is where I bring them for dinner. Tables are close together so it is not great for intimate dining.

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dancer1979

Joined 7 years ago

Good food but going down hill. Friends and I have frequented this place many, many times. We were drawn to the ambience, outdoor seating, inexpensive menu, and great food. But the staff is consistently rude, including the owner. We overlooked it for a while. But the food quality hasn't been as good, and the service has never gotten better. This place looks like a quant neighborhood restaurant, but it lacks warmth, friendliness and appreciation for its patrons. Maybe the owner should remember that its the locals that will keep you in business!

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summeranytime2

Joined 7 years ago

Luv it!. I live close by and I love that I have such a great neighborhood restaurant. The decor is so beautiful with a nice combination of modern & old Brooklyn. Service is friendly, paninis, french fries and salads are great.

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chris74

Joined 8 years ago

Worst. Service. Ever.. The food was great, service atrocious. Even though I specified eggplant parm "entree" and POINTED TO IT on the menu, I was brought the panini. When I told the server it was wrong, I got no apology or indication of how long it would take. I stared at my husbands entree for 15 minutes before my dinner came out. No apology, no explanation. Then I ordered the "apple tart w/ vanilla gelatto" for dessert. The server hands it to me, sans gelatto. I say: ummm, I thought this comes with gelatto. And she said, "yeah it does, but the kitchen staff said you wouldn't need it"?!?!?! Then it takes 10 minutes to get the gelatto on it; by then the warm tart was cold. The final frustration came when she brought my credit card slip and the pen didn't work.

Doesn't Recommend

hannoosh

Joined 8 years ago

Why bother. We ate dinner at Bar Toto this evening. We appreciate the fair prices, but the waitstaff was completely absent, and the food was not good.