Great local Italian restaurant. My husband and I enjoyed the grilled octopus, beet salad and…read morefreshly made pizza. You can't go wrong ordering any of their homemade pasta dishes. Attentive and friendly service in cozy dining area.

We stopped in for lunch on Saturday and were surprised by how quiet it was around noon, although it…read moredid start filling up a little later. I'm also surprised I've never noticed this restaurant before, considering I've probably driven past it countless times. The restaurant itself felt clean, comfortable, and welcoming. Our server, who I believe was also the owner, was incredibly friendly and attentive without ever being overbearing or making us feel like we were being hovered over. The whole meal had a relaxed, comfortable feel to it. Overall, the food was very solid. We started with the Polpo, grilled octopus with hummus and grilled vegetables, which was extremely tasty. I initially thought hummus might be an odd pairing with octopus, but it worked surprisingly well. I wished there was more hummus. The Radici salad was also excellent. The Tortelloni Verde, spinach tortelloni was fresh and light, maybe a little too light and healthy for my personal taste! I probably would have preferred a richer sauce or a little more cheese, but that's really just personal preference rather than a complaint about the dish. We also ordered the Pasta Al Frutti di Mare. The sauce tasted fresh and flavorful, and the seafood was cooked very well. Unfortunately, the mussels were the one exception, as they didn't taste fresh. We finished everything else on the plate but left the mussels. When the owner asked about our meal and we mentioned it, he seemed genuinely surprised and concerned. My feeling is that this was probably more of a purveyor issue than something the restaurant did wrong, but unfortunately, it was the one thing that kept the meal from being five stars for me. We finished with tiramisu and two cappuccinos, and both were well made and delicious, the perfect way to end the meal. Despite the issue with the mussels, we really enjoyed our lunch. Between the food, comfortable atmosphere, and genuinely warm service, this is definitely a restaurant I'll be returning to.

This is probably my third time here since moving to the area…read more I love how rustic this place feels. Service is always on point. The owner or manager always check on the tables. Food wise, how can you go wrong with great ingredients and good classic cooking? I was eating kosher for passover this time. I had the Branzino al forno. A whole grilled fish with potatoes and salad. It was incredible. Perfectly charred, meaty and delicious. The fish was so flavorful. The salad with the lemon on it was the perfect accompaniment. Will definitely get this again. I have also tried pasta here in the past. So good, you can tell its homemade. Salads are large and always good. Everyone should try this place.

Delicious meal with good service. We had a group of five with a child. We started with an arugula…read moreand beans salad (Pecorino e Fagioli) as well as baked clams. Both were well prepared. For entrees we had some specials- pappardelle al guanciale and asparagus, fettuccine with shrimp and pesto, seafood stew (cacciucco for one), gnocchi with spicy sausage (Boscaiola), and a risotto ai fruitti di mare. I ate the pappardelle and tasted the others. Next time I'm getting the gnocchi which was nice and light - the way I like my gnocchi. We ended with tartufo. It was on the small side compared to other restaurants. It was our first time trying Tuscan Hills. We will be back.

Il Poeta is a neighborhood must-try! The ambiance was perfect for a date night--cozy, intimate, and…read moreinviting. The staff was incredibly attentive and kind throughout our entire meal. The drinks were amazing! I had both a dirty martini and an espresso martini, and they were easily 10/10. For dinner, I ordered the linguine and clams with zucchini, which was such a unique combination and absolutely spectacular. We finished with the dessert special--chocolate mousse-covered cream puffs--and they were to die for. I genuinely could've licked the plate clean lol. Everything from the atmosphere to the drinks, food, dessert, and service was fantastic. Definitely a neighborhood gem that I'll be coming back to!

Went for lunch today to celebrate a friend's birthday. Very pleasant afternoon. Decor was simple,…read morewhich added to the aesthetic. It was very quiet and only a few other tables in use when we got there but was filling up by the time we left. Food was delicious! I got the fish special and it was amazing. Cappuccino was great, no sugar needed. Waitstaff were very attentive and friendly

The food was excellent! The ambiance was perfect. The service was lacking. The staff was a bit too…read moreoccupied chatting with each other. I was a server many moons ago and that's a no-no, especially in front of the customers.

I'm left wondering why aren't more people talking about Park Side?? This is better than the…read morerestaurants in Little Italy, food and environment. The artwork, server-style, etc. was beautiful. My plate was 10/10. I ordered the fettuccine carbonara! Ugh to try it again... lol

I finally tried Nick's Pizza for the first time and I must say that I am hooked. The restaurant was…read morepacked when we arrived on a Friday night, but thankfully did not have to wait as we didn't need a booth. We ordered a large pie with pepperoni and a calzone with sausage. Both items came out together like we asked and was far too much food for two. My first bite of the pizza was hot, crunchy, and delicious. I love fresh oven pizzas with a crispy bottom crust. The chefs did an amazing job cooking it just right. I also loved the fresh mozzarella cheese and fresh basil. It really elevated the pizza to another level. The crust was great all around with a slight oven char. Lastly the calzone took me by surprise as it had no sauce and was filled with ricotta cheese as opposed to mozzarella. It came with a small cup of hot marinara sauce for dipping/pouring. It was definitely an interesting calzone but don't think it was worth the price. Overall, I really enjoyed my experience and Nick's and would highly recommend it. I do wish the pricing was a bit more fair when it came to full vs half pie toppings as well as the calzone.

I have to say that I hardly review businesses in this neighborhood because I live in the area and I…read morealways fear writing a review is too premature if I'm going to be a customer in the long-run, but I really have to give Nick his flowers, especially for a recent visit. My friend has a newborn and we were trying to find restaurants in the area that would be stroller-friendly (which actually isn't an easy task, to my surprise) and finally landed on Nick's because we had gone there together when it reopened. And it always seems very family and kid-friendly. We definitely went to the right place. I'm not a parent and I've never pushed a stroller without some bumps here and there, and I was so worried about helping get the stroller through the 2 doors. One of his staff saw us from the inside and immediately came out to help as soon as we reached for the door. Nick's paternal instincts definitely came into full effect because he looked out for us and wanted to give us the best seats so that we can have the stroller beside us. The pizza is excellent and I absolutely would come here over again and again, but the warm service from Nick himself and his staff is what truly makes this place so special in the community for so long. I didn't get a chance to come here during those formative years before the fire but when the restaurant finally reopened last year, it was incredibly sad to hear Nick explain how the fire and rebuilding devastated him and the business for over 2 years.

Dee's has gone from very good to fantastic!…read more Dolores provided some of the most attentive, thoughtful knowledgeable & friendly service we've ever had. No glass was allowed to run dry, no request left undone. (9 extra glasses of ice without blinking lol). The Tagliatelle Bolognese (pictured) is generously portioned and delicious. The Hot & Sweet pizza is not to be missed -- it is SO good we make sure to get it one way or another, as an appetizer or main. Other appetizers like the calamari & Burrata are excellent! We have returned several times recently. Dee's has become a can't miss experience!

Strong 4...Before the recent game-changing opening of the seemingly instantly James Beard nominated…read moreTourmaline a block away, this was pretty certainly the definitive best restaurant in Forest Hills, by a comfortable margin. While that may rank as a relatively mid-tier title by NYC standards, as the neighborhood restaurant average is sadly and shockingly low, especially considering its location in the literally center Queens, this is nonetheless a very special neighborhood treasure, befitting it's stalwart status at now over 30 years of age. Classic Italian American with some New American flourishes, the place stays consistent and honors its tradition while simultaneously managing to keep things fresh and staying up with the times. The pizzas are well-executed and make great use of the gorgeous wood burning oven, but for me it's almost impossible to order anything else but my go-to order, one of the house specialties the classic Cavatelli with broccoli raab and some particularly pungent hot Italian sausage. A modern day classic in the cannon, finding decent versions around the city is tougher than one might imagine, particularly in my experiences in this borough. The version here, served like the rest of the offerings in an extremely generous portion that usually yields some delicious leftovers to take home, is a strong contender for the best in the borough title. Also of particular note is the exemplary super-thin and savory chicken parm, served in the previous era in various forms including with spaghetti and broccoli, as well as with risotto, currently served smothered with a spicy vodka sauce and paired with rigatoni. I've only recently became aquatinted with the rich and unctuous dry-aged burger, served simply and unadorned save for American and sharp raw union, on a classic and proper sesame seed bun, it's a stealth under-the radar competitor for the best burger in the hood nod with previous title-holder Dirty-Pierres. The expansive, two-room space, an ideal setting for the many private events and family gatherings that regularly occur here is aptly bright and inviting with the aforementioned pizza oven serving as its centerpiece. I generally sit at the bar which offers ample opportunity to converse with the top-notch staff, just as genial and affable as you would hope to find in such a longtime neighborhood institution, as well as the fellow patrons, who are, more often then not, you guessed it, longtime local resident regulars.

This restaurant has a lovely decor. The weekend that we visited it was quiet because a lot of folks…read morewere out of town due to the holiday. We enjoyed attentive service and delicious food , including italian pancakes and italian crepes and a portion of yummy lasagna.

Well well worth it! This hidden gem is located in the heart of kew garden near many local…read moretransportation! With ample parking and extremely welcoming staff, the restaurant was well worth the trip! The decor and atmosphere were amazing! Food was extremely delicious and fairly priced! They had a fun bar and a nice selection of cocktails and wines. The knowledge of the staff when it comes to drinks and different wines was top notch and very delicious! Overall, had an amazing dinner and experience. Will absolutely return!

New management but same friendly staff! Most romantic ambience in the neighborhood with amazing…read morepiano music on weekends. The renovation is impressive! The food and drinks are fantastic as always! Table cloth, cloth napkins, and world class service!

We stopped in for lunch recently. The atmosphere is sort of formal but people were casually…read moredressed. One of us ordered the mussels, which were described as wonderful. Another of our party had a salad with "grilled beets." The beet slices were perfectly round and had what looked like the ridges of a can on them. There were no indication of the beets having been grilled. The salad was not bad but not grilled beets. The linguini with clam sauce had four clams in shells on top and the rest were canned clams. There were a lot of the clam feet in there, really chewy. I would hope that as close as we are to the coast that a fine restaurant would use a better quality clam. I'm actually typing this review while sitting here wondering if the sever will ever return...it's been a while. We talked about getting desert but the server has been away for a while. I had to get up and go ask the waiter about desert. We had a piece of cheesecake that was fine. I would not recommend any clam dish. I ordered an ice tea and it was never refilled. It's not bad but not worth a return visit with so many other options nearby.

Nick's Bistro serves seriously good Greek food, and you can tell the whole team takes pride in what…read morethey do--from the servers to the cooks and manager. I went on a quiet Tuesday and basically had the place to myself. They even showed me around the back, which was pretty cool and made me appreciate the operation even more. I tried the lemon stuffed cabbage because I wanted something besides the usual gyro. Remember to always eat your vegetables! The decor is great for a date, great lighting. I found plenty of street parking. It is a place that clearly cares about what they serve.

Intimate and cozy, this is where the locals of Forest Hills come to enjoy delicious Greek fare. The…read moreservers are all very attentive and helpful with suggestions. Came with some friends for lunch. We all got various combinations of the mixed plate and an order of fried calamari. The calamari was lightly breaded in a flaky batter that brought out the flavors of the squid. Cooked to perfection it was tender, not chewy. As for the mixed platters, we had lamb gyro and the souvlakis as well as the lemon potatoes and fries. The lemon potatoes were perfectly seasoned and had a nice tartness to each bite. The lamb gyro was tender. The chicken souvlaki being moist and flavorful is the barometer for the level of detail that goes into every plate served.