Came here to celebrate getting engaged to my fiance with my family. Great drinks (especially the margaritas), the grilled octopus was delicious, and they had very pleasant service. I would recommend this place
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shirley Goicochea
From the moment you step into Il Poeta, you’re transported to a world where Italian hospitality and culinary artistry reign supreme. The ambiance is warm and intimate, perfect for a romantic evening or a soulful family gathering. Chef Mario Di Chiara’s creations are nothing short of poetic — each dish is a masterpiece, blending tradition with innovation. We started with the eggplant croquettes and grilled vegetables drizzled with truffle oil — divine. The gnocchi melted in our mouths, and the seafood specials were fresh, flavorful, and beautifully plated. The wine list was thoughtfully curated, and the staff made excellent pairing suggestions. Service was impeccable: attentive, gracious, and genuinely welcoming. You can feel the love and pride in every detail, from the decor to the dessert. Il Poeta isn’t just a restaurant — it’s an experience that nourishes both body and spirit. Highly recommend for anyone seeking authentic Northern Italian cuisine with heart. Forest Hills is lucky to have this treasure!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Doany Will
Il Poeta hits a sweet spot of offering elevated Italian fare in a neighborhood setting — perfect for a date night, a dinner with friends when you want something better than casual chain fare, or for celebrating something special without going ultra‐formal. The dishes, service, and ambiance all lean toward the positive. Just be aware that if you’re after a super quiet, spacious setting, this might feel more intimate than you expect.
If I were rating it, I’d give it something like 4.5 out of 5 — strong recommendation, with small caveats around space and noise.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chris Benvegna
NOT THE SAME! My wife and I have been coming here for her birthday for the last 3 years and we loved it. Not any more! They renovated the place this past year and it ruined the experience. The ONLY good thing about the place is the food (my wife's fish, however, was lukewarm). The servers are incredibly rude and rush you to order. They won't let you put in an appetizer order unless you order everything at once, again, feeling rushed. We were 1 of only 2 tables in the place but I was told the chef is too busy to make any kind of change to my order. The music was terrible, sounded like club music, and the entire atmosphere feels like you are eating at a restaurant in Las Vegas, it's extremely bright and sterile. The tables are crowded together on one side with couch seating! You used to get such a warm vibe from this place but all that is gone. Sadly, we will not be celebrating her birthday here any longer.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
Danny
Best restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Connie
Didn'appear to have enough staff. I asked for a drink and waited 15 minutes as only two people working. Food was ok. Thought it to be much better in the past
Sarah
We always have an excellent meal and appreciate when Mario comes around to check on each table and make everyone feel special. He's a true chef who cares about pleasing his customers. The service was great too. This place is a gem and is our favorite restaurant in the neighborhood.
Jonas
We have tried several dishes, never been disappointed by any of them, they are authentic, delicious and served perfectly. I would easily eat here every night! Main point, food even though very rich will never sit on your stomach! all ingredients are top quality!
Howard
I have eaten at Il Poeta many times and have always enjoyed it. This last time was the exception. It took an hour just to get our appetizer and three hours to complete our dinner. I asked our waiter what the delay was and he said they had a big party at the street side tables. It seems to me that if you can't handle that many diners you either don't book them or get more staff. I also found it very annoying that people who came in after us were served before us. I don't know if I will be going back to Il Poeta.
Philip
Crowded, small restaurant with sidewalk seating. Food was very good, but the plates were sparse. No vegetable included in our main courses. And if you're going to charge $17 for a cocktail, you should know how to make a cocktail.
Always have a wonderful meal at Il Poeta. Especially live their octopus when they have it as a special. The fish specials are always delicious and fresh. The wine list is diverse and reasonably priced.
Lisa Best
This was out first and last time eating here. Tables are very cramped and you literally have no room on your table to eat. The food was just ok and very small portions. They ran out of the desserts we wanted and the waitstaff is not that friendly. They cram too many tables in a very small restaurant and it is super loud. We ordered our food at 7:00 PM and didn't get our check until 9:50 PM. Not a great experience.
Lisa
I will never eat there again. We sat down at 7:00 PM and was not given our check until 9:50 PM. The tables are super small and you can hardly fit plates on the table. They cram too many tables in a very small restaurant that you hit the chair next to you trying to get out of your seat. The food is just so so and the service is very slow. Too many other great choices to eat at Il Poeta don't waste your time or money. Nothing special about this place.
Kurt
Mario is a great chef! Have been coming here for years the food is ALWAYS on point. Never disappointed. Had private parties here and was fantastic my guests love it. My go to place in Forest Hills. Love it!
Roseann Morris
The food is beyond delicious!! Atmosphere is lovely and the service is excellent. Would suggest buying a bottle of wine because one glass which is only 1/4 filled is 20.00. You’ll get 4 full wine glasses for the price of 2
Came here to celebrate getting engaged to my fiance with my family. Great drinks (especially the margaritas), the grilled octopus was delicious, and they had very pleasant service. I would recommend this place
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
From the moment you step into Il Poeta, you’re transported to a world where Italian hospitality and culinary artistry reign supreme. The ambiance is warm and intimate, perfect for a romantic evening or a soulful family gathering. Chef Mario Di Chiara’s creations are nothing short of poetic — each dish is a masterpiece, blending tradition with innovation.
We started with the eggplant croquettes and grilled vegetables drizzled with truffle oil — divine. The gnocchi melted in our mouths, and the seafood specials were fresh, flavorful, and beautifully plated. The wine list was thoughtfully curated, and the staff made excellent pairing suggestions.
Service was impeccable: attentive, gracious, and genuinely welcoming. You can feel the love and pride in every detail, from the decor to the dessert. Il Poeta isn’t just a restaurant — it’s an experience that nourishes both body and spirit.
Highly recommend for anyone seeking authentic Northern Italian cuisine with heart. Forest Hills is lucky to have this treasure!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Il Poeta hits a sweet spot of offering elevated Italian fare in a neighborhood setting — perfect for a date night, a dinner with friends when you want something better than casual chain fare, or for celebrating something special without going ultra‐formal. The dishes, service, and ambiance all lean toward the positive. Just be aware that if you’re after a super quiet, spacious setting, this might feel more intimate than you expect.
If I were rating it, I’d give it something like 4.5 out of 5 — strong recommendation, with small caveats around space and noise.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
NOT THE SAME! My wife and I have been coming here for her birthday for the last 3 years and we loved it. Not any more! They renovated the place this past year and it ruined the experience. The ONLY good thing about the place is the food (my wife's fish, however, was lukewarm). The servers are incredibly rude and rush you to order. They won't let you put in an appetizer order unless you order everything at once, again, feeling rushed. We were 1 of only 2 tables in the place but I was told the chef is too busy to make any kind of change to my order. The music was terrible, sounded like club music, and the entire atmosphere feels like you are eating at a restaurant in Las Vegas, it's extremely bright and sterile. The tables are crowded together on one side with couch seating! You used to get such a warm vibe from this place but all that is gone. Sadly, we will not be celebrating her birthday here any longer.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
Best restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Didn'appear to have enough staff. I asked for a drink and waited 15 minutes as only two people working. Food was ok. Thought it to be much better in the past
We always have an excellent meal and appreciate when Mario comes around to check on each table and make everyone feel special. He's a true chef who cares about pleasing his customers. The service was great too. This place is a gem and is our favorite restaurant in the neighborhood.
We have tried several dishes, never been disappointed by any of them, they are authentic, delicious and served perfectly. I would easily eat here every night! Main point, food even though very rich will never sit on your stomach! all ingredients are top quality!
I have eaten at Il Poeta many times and have always enjoyed it. This last time was the exception. It took an hour just to get our appetizer and three hours to complete our dinner. I asked our waiter what the delay was and he said they had a big party at the street side tables. It seems to me that if you can't handle that many diners you either don't book them or get more staff. I also found it very annoying that people who came in after us were served before us. I don't know if I will be going back to Il Poeta.
Crowded, small restaurant with sidewalk seating. Food was very good, but the plates were sparse. No vegetable included in our main courses. And if you're going to charge $17 for a cocktail, you should know how to make a cocktail.
Restaurantji Recommends
Always have a wonderful meal at Il Poeta. Especially live their octopus when they have it as a special. The fish specials are always delicious and fresh. The wine list is diverse and reasonably priced.
This was out first and last time eating here. Tables are very cramped and you literally have no room on your table to eat. The food was just ok and very small portions. They ran out of the desserts we wanted and the waitstaff is not that friendly. They cram too many tables in a very small restaurant and it is super loud. We ordered our food at 7:00 PM and didn't get our check until 9:50 PM. Not a great experience.
I will never eat there again. We sat down at 7:00 PM and was not given our check until 9:50 PM. The tables are super small and you can hardly fit plates on the table. They cram too many tables in a very small restaurant that you hit the chair next to you trying to get out of your seat. The food is just so so and the service is very slow. Too many other great choices to eat at Il Poeta don't waste your time or money. Nothing special about this place.
Mario is a great chef! Have been coming here for years the food is ALWAYS on point. Never disappointed. Had private parties here and was fantastic my guests love it. My go to place in Forest Hills. Love it!
The food is beyond delicious!! Atmosphere is lovely and the service is excellent. Would suggest buying a bottle of wine because one glass which is only 1/4 filled is 20.00. You’ll get 4 full wine glasses for the price of 2
Loading...