Il Poeta — Restaurant in New York

I walked in the restaurant it was EMPTY I went to a small table on the left at the end and sat down a Mexican man I think it was the matredee asked me to GET UP i was wondering what he wanted but I got up he proceeded to look in a book and remember the place is totally empty exept for 4 people and then he tells me I can sit like this Mexican man is my boss or something so I sit and I ask for bread and butter to start and a menu so this Mexican matredee tells me I CANT HAVE BREAD AND BUTTER TILL I ORDER FOOD WHICH WAS SHOCKING I asked the fool why do you think I have the menu in my hand for so I can order food right maybe he thought I was going to CVS to shop what a jackass so I order and the MEXICAN MATREDEE finally found it fit to FINALLY GIVE ME BREAD AND BUTTER WHAT A DISGUSTING MAN HE WAS the food came the baked clams were super small the pasta was undercooked very soft and the 2 sausage were tiny so I asked for a side of spaghetti and he says half of order I said no a side so he insisted on a half order which was 14 dollars instead of a side which was 9.50 so he gauged me for extra money so I get done and ask for the bill and it's 71 dollars for less then a pound of pasta 5 small clams and 2 small sausages and get this this Mexican matredee CHARGED ME 5 DOLLARS FOR BREAD IVE BEEN TO 100 ITALIAN RESTAURANTS IN MY LIFE AND IVE NEVER BEEN CHARGED FOR BREAD ESPECIALLY WITH A FULL 67 DOLLAR DINNER FOR 1 PERSON WITHOUT ANY ALCOHOLIC DRINKS OR SODA JUST A SMALL AMOUNT OF FOOD TO SAY THE LEAST I WAS INSULTED AND SHOCKED THAT THIS MEXICAN MATREDEE WOULD GAUGE ME FOR ANOTHER 5 DOLLARS FOT BREAD so I paid the bill and asked to speak to the manager and HE WAS NOT THERE and they said to go back Monday thru Saturday to talk to the manager and I found out thru family that the cook is the owner WHAT A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE THE WORST EXPERIENCE IVE EVER HAD IN A ITALIAN RESTAURANT ABSOLUTELY ATROCIOUS . I went back to see the manager told him my sister went there once a thought it was ok so I gave it a chance since it's a locally owned business which i ALWAYS SUPPORT my family has resided for 60 years in the neighborhood and he said I can come back and have a makeup dinner but I HONESTLY COULD NOT WORRYING THEY MAY TAINT THE FOOD ON PURPOSE BECAUSE IN ALL HONESTY THEY ARE NOT HAPPY ITALIA PEOPLE THEY ARE ANIMALS AND ARE IMPOSTORS NOT JOLLY ITALIAN PEOPLE . I told the manager I would like a refund instead and he mentioned my sister who had been there once and HE REFUSED A REFUND .. please avoid this place like CANCER C A N C E R ... DONT GO NEAR IT IM ITALIAN AND IVE NEVER IN MY LIFE HAD BEEN TOLD IN A ITALIAN RESTAURANT THAT I HAVE TO ORDER IN ORDER TO GET BREAD AND BUTTER . HORRENDOUS SERVICE YOUR BETTER OFF GOING TO MCDONALD'S ACROSS THE STREET YOU WILL GET TREATED WITH MORE RESPECT AND THE FOOD IS WAY BETTER .. THIS PLACE IS POISON AND NOBODY SHOULD EVER GO THERE . DISRESPECTFUL...

First and foremost, I want to attest -in writing- that no individual associated with Il Poeta asked me to submit a review. I mention this as we have enough societal charlatans who try to control every aspect of our responses, reactions, and thought process. That being said, the experience this restaurant affords is magically splendid to say the least. Our dignified and utterly charming server was Sergio. He exudes class by being a thoughtful, caring and conscientiously intelligent man. He is the type of assiduous gentleman who will not idolize an athletic or movie celebrity if that person is not a thoroughly decent human being. His food recommendations were on point and he simply makes you feel like you are the only party in the room without being overbearing. Total class. Then, we have the head chef and owner, Mario, whose reputation precedes him. He is a dignified bon vivant who does not allow his own happiness or ambition to exceed a "win win" collective attitude. He seems most galvanized when others in his milleu advance and progress. His gastronomic creations are sublime but not pretentious. A deceivingly simple menu item like like the potato leek soup of the day was exemplary. Few ingredients and directness intertwined with humble industriousness. Like the master opera composers or Italian poets whose stanzas seamlessly touched every element of the emotional spectrum, his multifaceted mastery of texture, taste and transparency has no rival. The gnocchi had character and definition in the periphery but were light as a carefree feather in the essentially expansive center. Mario has warmth and unwavering sincerity that is manifested when you realize you taste a collective flavor buttressed by and celebrated by individual nuances of flavor which simultaneously explode and implode by simply existing, giving you a sense of epicurean living and not only a sense of purpose. This restaurant is a great destination and I look forward to interacting more with Serio and Mario. The staff is replete with those you would want to have as friends. ...

Dining at Il Poeta is never just about the food — it’s an experience that feels like coming home.

As a family with deep Venetian roots, we feel incredibly lucky to have this gem right here in Forest Hills. From the moment you step in, you’re welcomed not just with warmth, but with the familiar sounds of the Venetian dialect from Chef Mario and the unmistakable aroma of true Italian cooking.

It’s the only restaurant that brings my husband & me right back to our parents’ and grandparents’ kitchens — where meals were made from scratch, with love, and always shared.

Chef Mario, a friend and true Venetian, has created something really special. Every dish is rooted in tradition and executed with care.

Our daughter Irene loves the baccalà mantecato and the fegato alla veneziana, something she wouldn’t be able to experience elsewhere. The entire menu celebrates the lesser-known treasures of Italian cuisine, always healthy, authentic, and handmade.

The ingredients are fresh, the flavors are authentic, and there’s never any rush — just like if you were at home for Sunday dinner.

Our Golden Retriever Red loves coming here for alfresco dining and to try some of Chef Mario’s specialties.

We come back again and again, and every time it feels like a reunion — with the food, with the culture, and with great friends.

If you're looking for real Italian food, Il Poeta...