Absolutely incredible. Quick and friendly service, wonderful atmosphere, and INCREDIBLE food. Will be back, will tell my friends to be back. Lots of other nice places in the area I’ve been to fall behind on at least one thing either food or service, but this place was as attentive as their food was delicious. The pasta is unmatched. The best thing to happen to my tongue since Faro in bk closed. Couldn’t have been happier.

Wonderful cozy Italian bistro. Food & staff great. The owner is there & fully hands on

This place was absolutely amazing. I can’t wait to come back, the burrata, meatballs and lasagna was so tasty. The portions and the prices are unmatched I hope it stays that way. One of the best tirmasui I have ever eaten. Lorenzo was so hospitable and can’t wait to come back with my brother or my family. I love how this area has like 5 to 6 really solid dinner choices all within walking distance. This will definitely be in my rotation. It’s a place if you live close by you would want to come weekly.

I had a wonderful date night here. I loved the food and the service. It really feels like a proper neighborhood spot and it's very welcoming. My Nonna would approve! Update: I ordered the same meal but it was noticeably different. The sausage for the appetizer was not the same and the pork chop was overcooked. While still delicious, I feel it should be noted.

We had dinner here with some friends and we had a great time. They were super accommodating with adding one more to our reservation. The service and attention were spectacular! The food was also very delicious, we tried almost everything! The calamari was a teeny bit salty but everything was perfect. Bring a sweater-it got a bit cold when the doors opened. We’ll def be coming back. Love that it’s local!

Il Gigante is a warm and wonderful authentic trattoria. The food is very good and the ingredients are fresh. I am Italian, and yes I can make much of this food myself but I don’t always want to take out my pasta maker. It’s great to have someone in the neighborhood who can make this for me and my wife without having to clean up the kitchen afterwards. The owner is so kind and gracious. I’m wishing Gigante Buon Fortuna.

My wife and I went here on a Wednesday night for dinner. I just had one thought " Life is a combination of magic and pasta." From The Godfather movies. 1000000/1000000.

Pasta was just as good as in Italy! Absolutely delicious!!!

Food was delicious! Service was excellent. The wine list was accessible but well curated. Our group stayed late talking and enjoying ourselves. Hope you do the same :)

So insanely good. Tried four separate dishes and they were stellar. This will be a repeat spot.

Good stuff. Their parm could be better, it was about a level above "shakey cheese". But overall, food was excelent and service came with an italian accent.

I sat at the bar with a friend and we loved it. Straightforward and delicious Italian food with large portions, especially the pasta. Good wine list, elegantly rustic interior with character. Friendly service! Highly recommend it.

I really love this place but.... It is the middle of Summer in NYC and in the mid-90's, trying to dine in an non airconditioned restaurant is a horrible experience. You really need to either fix your current A/C or upgrade, it's unbearable and will not be back until temps cool. That being said, the food is phenomenal, the service is great, and the atmosphere is a delight!

The food is made to order and is so incredibly fresh. My wife and mother in law came here for an early dinner, and EVERYTHING was fantastic. The sausage app and beans was so lean and flavorful. Tri color salad was so fresh. Pastas were all amazing! So fresh. Best dessert I’ve had in a while, the Afagato! Gelato is amazing. Service was excellent. We will be back!

Food is absolutely incredible and great vibes from start to finish. Staff is super friendly and really wants to make you feel at home. This is an unpretentious Italian restaurant that will make you feel like you're in Bologna. Can't wait to come back!

We typically do not go out to on Mother’s Day, so glad we did. Delicious food, service was exceptional. This place made me feel like home. The owner Yiacomo was friendly and made us feel comfortable . Can’t wait to go back. This place is truly a hidden treasure. Thank you 😊

Absolutely amazing experience! We went to this Italian restaurant yesterday and everything was incredible — the food was absolutely delicious and the service was outstanding. Every dish was full of flavor and made with care. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made us feel truly welcome. We can’t wait to go back! Thank you Nicole and Niccolò

Literally the best restaurant in Ridgewood and a great Italian joint in general. I come here when people are visiting from out of town, I come here when I’m celebrating, I come here just because it’s the best

What a delicious meal and accommodating hostess. Very attentive wait staff. Portions and prices are aligned. Reasonable portions and prices.

Such a wonderful experience and thrilled to have this new spot in the neighborhood. The pasta is so fresh, the focaccia is the best I’ve had, and the salad was so good. I think what really sets this apart even more is the service…the owner is so kind and excited to share his beautiful food. Can’t wait to return!

My wife and I went here on Saturday it was our first time being here the service was excellent, the atmosphere excellent, the food excellent,we are definitely coming back again 😀

This place just opened and already feels like a neighborhood staple. The pastas are excellent, and they don’t scrimp on portion size. The service is relaxed, cheerful and good. You get the feeling that if you drop in just a couple times, the staff will know you by name. The place itself is cozy and comfortable. Zero pretension, just a cool, happy vibe. Perfect neighborhood spot!

“What a nice place! Great service, delicious food, and a wonderful atmosphere. You feel like you’re in Manhattan, yet it’s a local spot. The vibe is amazing — highly recommend!”

Went for a birthday and it was amazing. I had the tortellini with butter sage sauce, super tasty! The staff is so sweet and thoughtful. I gave it five stars because I couldn’t give it ten!

Wow, what a wonderful little restaurant. From the minute you walk in, you feel welcome. Their version of the paper plane cocktail is outstanding, wine list is reasonable too. Shared the beets, seafood pasta, amatriciana, and two desserts. The seafood pasta was tasty but had an unusual seasoning, would try something else next visit. The rest were 5 out of 5. Stop in, you will have a wonderful time. I’ll definitely be back. EDIT: Was back a second time and enjoyed it just as much. Do not sleep on the sausage and bean appetizer.

good food, great drinks and a fantastic vibe. Also, THEY PUT YOUR FOOD IN A BOX FOR YOU

WOW incredible experience. This place is dangerously delicious. I’ve lived in Ridgewood for 4 years now and haven’t quite found my “Italian spot”. I can now rest assured because THIS IS IT🤌🏼 👋🏼 Started off with a warm welcome by one of the owners, Lorenzo. We didn’t have a reservation but he found us a cozy booth in the back after a short wait time. Super accommodating! 🍝 The pasta was SO fresh and very clearly handmade. This place is as authentic as it gets — I lived in Italy for 5 months, so naturally I’m a pasta snob now lol. We ordered: 1. Gramigna alla Salsiccia ($19)— holy Flavortown!!! This dish blew my mind. 100/10 would recommend if you like sausage 2. Pappardelle al Ragù ($20)— brought me back to Italy. So simple yet so profound at the same time 3. Wine — you have the option to order a glass, carafe or bottle. We got the Chianti bottle ($57) which was *chefs kiss* *I found all of the prices to be very reasonable for the level of quality delivered. I will 100% be back!!!! Brava!!!

Absolutely fantastic. Everything was outstanding. Sadly, I wish I had saved room for the flourless chocolate cake. Rest assured I’m heading back on my next visit to NYC and will not leave without dessert.

I have never written a review in my life, but going to Il Gigante left me feeling inspired to write a review. Not only was the food amazing, but I left Il Gigante feeling incredibly energized. The entire staff was so welcoming, taking time to talk with us, get to know us, and making sure we had a wonderful experience. I grew up in an Italian household, where the family gatherings, or family trips to the local Italian joint left me feeling alive, relaxed, and at home. Il Gigante gave me the same energy. I can’t say enough about this spot, everyone go as soon as you can!!!!!

my receipt fr Il Gigante says Queens 11358 and google maps says Ridgewood . . after 2 trains delivered us . . me and Hana . . my wife w arrived at WTC NYC cáfe at Epicerie Boulud . . . after some time ACE to 14th . . . L to M to Forest and a short walk . . a common mass-transit error . . by choosing the nearest stop . . an x tra block walking wud have omitted the x fer 2 the M . . home travel took us 2 the L directly . . nice barrio . . unlike many NYC barrios homes have not been demoed and replaced by 7 8 stories super-skinny residential towers . . making the barrio gentrified yet preserved . . like other NYC barrios the sanitation workers collect trash primetime Saturday night . . eye imagine the municipal meeting debating trash collection . . [let's collect when bars and restaurants r full on Saturday night] . . huh . . eye trust there's good reason 4 this NYC oddity and Mayor Mamdani will change more important things 1st . . Ramiro is on my receipt tho eye don't think Ramiro is the bartender who served us. . . 27Dec2025 . . the bartender is white tattooed and worthy of my most sincere compliment . . friendly warm while multi-mucho-mas multi tasking . . pouring drinks 4 a full restaurant . . when he gave us his attn it felt like he was slack . . the model car placed decoratively was a '68 Cinquecento . . awesome car w classic Italian styling . . Hana's papa drove 1 during the early yrs of his arrival in Italy . . 5 trains andata 2 trains and a Pabt bus retorno . . worth the schlep 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Owner is so friendly, as is the rest of the staff. Such a lovely dinner! Got a bottle of the barbaresco, meatballs, lasagna, the gramigna, and the cotoletta- all of which were insanely delicious and flavorful. Can’t wait to come back!

Top quality and delicious nuevo spins on italian classics. The Parmigiano Reggiano sauce for the veal cutlet was truly awesome, a very difficult task that they nailed. Ambience leveraged the historical aspects of the building combined with interesting touches, like antique folding rulers, reminiscent of the many Italian carpenters/laborers who used to live in the area. Only critique, which is one I have with many Italian restaurants in America, is they served a doppio espresso in a cappuccino cup.

Great staff, very attentive, Good drinks! Amazing dishes. Lorenzo (the owner) greets regulars by name, making the whole place feel like you’re going to eat at your best friends place, Ramiro the server had great sense of homer, truly a homie experience.

Il Gigante in Ridgewood, Queens is a hidden gem! The Italian food here is absolutely delicious—every bite was packed with authentic flavor. The service was top-notch, friendly, and attentive, making the whole experience even better. I couldn’t get enough of the Chianti, it was the perfect pairing for the meal. If you’re in the area, this place is a must-visit for anyone who loves great food and a welcoming vibe. Can’t wait to come back!

Came here for the first time with my partner. Right at 5 they were extremely busy! Even though the first seating happened all at once, service was not sacrificed. Everything came timely and all the staff was attentive and friendly. Food was incredible. Wish the meatballs were a bit firmer, but the flavor was incomparable. A delightful, romantic neighborhood restaurant with exceptional food and staff. We will most certainly be back.

Eating at this new spot feels like you’re watching Hamilton off-Broadway before it was discovered. A line almost out the door on a Wednesday night — and well worth it. My mother-in-law said it was one of the best Italian meals she ever had which is all you need to know. Come for the amazing pastas, stay for the top-notch decor and service.

This place rocks! Went opening night with a larger party and had an awesome time. We ordered 6 different pastas (lasagna and arrabbiata were insane but all were delicious!), pecorina salad, large tagliere (get this!), calamari, baked cauliflower and all the desserts. Food was A++, service is top tier and authentically Italian and the ambiance was super cozy. Il Gigante you have my heart! I'll be back very soon!

Where to begin when describing a flawless experience?! The warm, jovial service that's become increasingly rare in this city; the A+++ candle-lit, hip, and yet completely comfortable ambiance; or the expertly curated wine list? No, we'll start with the food: From fresh focaccia to roasted beets with the freshest-tasting whipped ricotta I've ever had, to delicate pastas, a lasagne that dreams are made of, and a tuscan tomato chicken that tastes like, well, Italy, there are no wrong turns on this menu. And don't get me started on dessert—highly recommend the affogato (no notes!), the perfectly layered tiramisu, and simple gelato with a surprisingly complex cherry topping. TL;DR? Run, don't walk to il Gigante, assuming you can get a reservation—this place is hot for all the right reasons. Can't wait to come back on the regular!

CINQUE STELLE. 5 stars all around. Went with my 2 Italian friends last night because they were raving about this place. So I walked 8 min from my house and had the best meal in a long time. Everything from salad, to pasta, to cutlets, to dessert was satisfying. The staff all spoke Italian and made it feel like home. A++

This place is an absolute gem!! We had the pappardelle, gramigna, lasagna and pesto -- and they were all exquisite and so rich in flavor. The service was also excellent. You can tell a lot of love has been put into this place. Definitely worth the trek from Manhattan, will visit again next time I'm in NY.

Great experience here! Pasta dishes were delicious, wine options were great and I had one of the best dirty martini’s I’ve had in a while. Staff were excellent and super friendly. Will definitely be back!!

Il Gigante is a fantastic new addition to the neighborhood. The owner came by to chat and was incredibly welcoming, which set the tone for a great meal. We started with a delicious sausage and a fresh, perfectly dressed salad, followed by a standout bone-in pork chop wrapped in prosciutto with a rich, cheesy cream sauce, and a phenomenal pappardelle. We’ll definitely be back—and are crossing our fingers they get their liquor license soon!

Great food staff is great at providing extra accommodations for dietary restrictions! Great friendly vibe here. This is our second time coming and we will keep coming back. Thanks for a great evening.

I will always have a soft spot for an establishment willing to accommodate a solo diner on a busy night. Thank you for squeezing me in. Prompt, attentive service. Selection of food and beverage was narrow, but obviously very carefully curated. Indoor ambience; must love bustle. Outdoor ambience; must love traffic. Don't let passing car exhaust distract from the exquisite plate of pasta in front of you. Definitely will return.

I’m so lucky this place opened in my neighborhood. My girlfriend and I had a perfect birthday meal here! The food, the wine, the music, the ambiance - I wouldn’t change a thing. This is a perfect, cozy neighborhood spot with great prices, homemade pasta and carafes of wine. A new favorite for sure. Make sure to order the cotoletta, you won’t regret it. Thank you to Jacopo and our waiter for making my bday meal so special!

Delicious and such incredibly warm service!! Our first time here and will be back. Big winners were the tortelloni — big luscious pillowy bites — and the gramigna, a total crowd pleaser. Also enjoyed every one of our cocktails. Thank you Gigante team!!

I live in the neighborhood and love your restaurant. Each time we go it has been improving. Wine selection is fantastic and very well priced for its quality. Appetizers, salads and meat n cheese were amazing. Pasta dishes were banging. Only minor criticism was to tell the sous chefs to ease up on the salt on the chicken. It was really a great dish (very tender), but a little too much sodium. Much Love to the Il Gigante staff. Service was amazing.Thank you for a great night out!

Great Service! Excellent Food! Probably not the best Tiramisu.

Finally tried this place for dinner and the food was amazing and reasonably priced. Service was excellent as well. Place was a little loud and warm inside unfortunately but I can't really complain about that.

The food here is so incredible! Went here for date night/birthday dinner; they were so sweet to us and the vibe was perfect. The wine was great, pasta was outstanding, but the cotoletta alla bolognese was an absolute experience. Highly recommend, all around!

Perfectly cozy and very delicious. We ordered Cacio e Pepe (which is hard to find on a menu), branzino and pasta with clams. Couldn’t decide which one was the best. Old world setting in an OG Ridgewood building.

We had a delicious anniversary lunch here. Very fun menu. We had one of the salami platters, the beet salad, the lasagne, the Brussel sprouts and coffee.

Some of the best meatballs I ever had. And I’ve had them my whole life. Also they source the ingredients from local businesses. The service is fantastic. Thanks for making my spouse’s bday fab. He was so happy!

lovely, affordable neighborhood Italian spot. The host was very friendly and accommodating! he helped my girlfriend and I find the perfect table! food and drinks are yummy, especially the lasagna. great spot for a variety of occasions!

Very pretty restaurant in a great space on a cute block in a lovely area. Service is attentive, knowledgeable and welcoming. Food is refined comfort yummy (and surprisingly the best lasagna I have ever had because I've had like sooo many). Prices are not bad. You will love it.

Pretty please to have authentic Italian food, price was good but portions a little small!! Beautiful atmosphere!!

Top notch Italian situation, it scratches the itch with the classics and every dish has that extra level of sophistication that makes it stand out. A little bread and olive oil sets the tone, the bread is perfectly salted and the olive oil is nice and fruity, just enough to satisfy your urge for bread without tempting you to fill up on it. Meatballs, just a deeper and richer and more exciting sauce than you’d normally get. Orecchiette and broccoli rabe, lots of places would give you heavily cooked-down broccoli rabe floating in sausage grease and you’d enjoy it, but they leave enough green on the veg to really balance out the meat and brighten the whole dish. All the cheese is just a noticeably better cheese than usual, the pasta has just the right amount of bite. We split an appetizer, a salad, two pastas, and two desserts and had some pasta left over to take home. Pistachio tartufo for dessert was the best thing, and I am not a big dessert person. The liqueur does something special with the semifreddo, really the best use of alcohol in a dessert I can remember. It was quite busy on a cold weeknight, this place is new but people already know what’s up. Drinks brilliant, particularly the Old Country and M&M Negroni.

This is turning out to be one of the best in the neighborhood by a very long margin. Their take on authentic Italian food has easily beaten out every other Italian restaurant in possibly, all of Queens. The staff are friendly and the atmosphere is lively but cozy. Now I wouldn’t call it cheep but you’ll easily spend half of what you’d spend at a place like Rolo’s (easily the most overrated spot in the ridgewood) for twice the quality in food. Gets pretty busy on the weekends so id recommend making a reservation before hand.

Gabby

Hidden gem! The food is fantastic. We absolutely loved the sausage and beans dish reminded me of authentic countryside Italian food when I visited a few years ago. The linguine clam sauce was also really tasty. Finished off with some tiramisu for dessert would definitely order again.

ruth johnso

So happy I finally tried this place! Came here on a recommendation from a friend and it did not disappoint! Our server Elena was brilliant - take her reccomendations when you come! We let her decide our appetisers and they were just fantastic! The pecorina salad was my favourite. The food was so good that, as a vegetarian, I was even tempted to try the lasagna and it was so good. Don’t skip the drinks, the espresso martini and Bianco spritz were 10/10. Will definitely be back.

Kaia Dorrity

This place was completely amazing from start to finish - we had been wanting to try it for a while and we are so glad we did! Elena, our server, was amazing - from start to finish she made sure we had an incredible experience. I am not lying when I say a vegetarian member of our party thought the lasagna smelled so good that she ate it (and loved it!!!) seriously amazing, highly recommend.

Kerianne Baylor Marchesani

A divine dining experience. The friendliest staff. Amazing dishes. Phenomenal wine list. Cozy, warm interior. Baby friendly (they brought us a high chair) and babe loved the meatballs. Do not miss the cotoletta, it’s unreal. We were very excited to find a place with northern Italian dishes — the gramigna alla sasiccia is absolutely incredible! A solid choice to end on the panna cotta. We will be back again and again.

+1

Vanessa Dulaney

An incredibly delicious and authentic dining experience with tiny tweaks for the American palate. I had so much fun enjoying their menu and ordered the calamari, insalate gigante, cutlette and the branzino. Flourless chocolate torte for dessert. A gorgeous meal. Bravo!

Kristine A

Made last minute reservations, we sat at the bar. The bartender was great. Delicious food, enjoyed the pasta and calamari very much. Peroni on draft & good Negroni.

Jillian Mulrooney

Tried for the first time after looking for a cozy new restaurant in the area. Feels very homey, friendly service, timely and delicious food! Tried for brunch, but looking forward to come back for dinner.

Tessa Harstrick

This place is fantastic. We went for brunch but ordered off the dinner menu mostly— everything was divine and super well priced. Spot is cozy and service was great. Will 1000% be back and it’s a new favorite for Italian in NYC, easy.

Cara Stock

Wow, I am blown away! Firstly, when I walked in the door I loved the ambiance. Felt like a real classic NY joint (similar to Eddie’s Sweet Shop, iykyk). The service was impeccable- we had a really sweet waiter and bus staff. Each of our dishes were delicious and they have a specials menu, which I appreciate. Each dish was simple yet full of flavor. Next time I’ll have to try the drinks!

Rex Workman

My wife Yuni and I walked by Il Gigante out of curiosity, and one day finally decided to take a break from work and try it. We only had a short time to dine, but we were so glad we did. The pasta was incredible. A week later, we were craving brunch and looked at a few spots, but honestly, we just wanted to go back. That’s when I met their lasagna, and it completely won me over. We went back again the next weekend with my in-laws just so I could have it again. We all shared our plates, as you should at an Italian restaurant, and every dish was fantastic. Since then, Il Gigante has become one of our favorite places in Ridgewood. The food is amazing, but it’s the people who make it special. Everyone we’ve met has been kind, genuine, and welcoming. When you work long, stressful hours, meals like this remind you to slow down and enjoy life. Ridgewood’s lucky to have a place like this. Ps. They’re very dog friendly!

+4

Ninja Gardener

Ever since FARO closed I have been looking for my new pasta place and hallelujah il Gigante has delivered. Authentic food made and served by Italians from Italy. Recommend anything/everything. This time we tried: Gramigna, scoglio & tortelloni. Valpolicella. Whiskey cocktail. Amazing and warm service fron Sara et al. Gelato w/cherries was killer. Favorite was the seafood pasta. Can’t wait to go back. 6 out of 5 stars!!!!!

J. S. Jeanjaquet

A wonderful surprise in the neighborhood, a true giant among Italian 🇮🇹 trattorias in the area, with really good offerings from their uncluttered menu, the salads and pasta dishes in particular. Typically packed in the evenings, but still cozy and rather relaxed, and not at all loud. Rustic interiors add a nice timeless touch. Friendly and neighborly staff and crew, so apt for a ‘hood like Ridgewood. Photos are from our second visit.

karina onofre

We are so happy to finally find an authentic Italian restaurant in the area. Pastas are always fresh and cooked just as it should be,the service was amazing and the desert which I didn’t take a picture because it was impossible to wait to eat it was out of this world ( the Pana cotta) . Definitely our new favorite Italian restaurant.

Ethan Kassimir

Authentic Italian that fits right in. Food came out fast yet prepared with such care. The house focaccia really set the tone with fresh Italian olive oil. Burrata salad was refreshing to start out and the meatballs were light and fluffy. Lamb ragu was perfection. Prices were fair from the food to the wine. Customer service was pleasant and felt genuine as we communicated with one of the owners trying to get a reservation. 3 months in and these guys are off to a great start, get in while you can!

Sat at the bar for brunch, ordinarily would not bother me, but during our meal there were empty tables. But that was quickly overlooked as the food was spectacular. Flavorful as you would expect (no gimmicks) and overall a nice warming place to have a meal with family and close friends. Reminds me of meals in Ostuni.

l Gigante was really good. The pasta was tasty, and the pizza came out fresh and hot. The place has a nice vibe — comfortable and not too loud. Service was friendly, just a bit slow when it got busy. Overall, solid spot for good Italian food. I’d definitely come back.

Cute spot, feels very much like a real Italian trattoria, makes sense as the owners are from Tuscany. The Gigante platter was exceptional, wine list was good and priced for drinking. Food would be a 5 but the Cacio e Pepe was basically butter noodles. What I get for ordering Roman at a Tuscan joint. Overall I’d really recommend this spot if you’re looking for a more Italian-Italian style meal.

we got their specials for the day. the tomato salad and burrata with prosciutto. they were delicious, perfect for appetizers. bucatini was great and we also got the pork chop, but i think it would be a bit better with pepper but that’s just my preference. interior is great! it looks lived in but feels chic and inviting at the same time. it’s not pretentious at all. drinks were good and a lot of options for dessert! also their olive oil tastes good!

It's a lovely spot! It was opened recently so I imagine it'll get only better. The service there is very friendly and the atmosphere is very nice. Good place to have some pasta and good wine based drinks.

John D

I wish I could give this place a 4.6 out of 5. People were very accommodating here and service was good. Just a bit small inside. Try the meatballs and lasagna!!!! They were soft and on point. Pasta was cooked perfectly also. Just wish the calamari had a little less breading but everything else amazing.

mike gasper

This place is very cute, although it can get a little loud just because of the acoustics in the space. It was nice to hear the server and some clients speaking Italian while we were there, reminds me of my family and made it feel very authentic. The menu is very well priced and made for a pretty affordable good meal! The crostini are good but the artichoke one is far superior to the tomato, I was expecting a blend of the two. The pasta noodles themselves are very good, I would come back and try some additional pastas.

wallace dos santos

Nice neighborhood trattoria 🔆 enjoyed a lot of things about this restaurant. The atmosphere is great, with a chic interior, great branding, and excellent music. Elevated feeling, and without breaking the bank 😅 My table split the Tagliere del Gigante and the Pecorina, as well as the tiramisu for dessert, which was amazing! I enjoyed the diversity of flavors among these starters (though the anchovy dressing was a bit too strong for me on the salad). I ordered a homemade pasta, the Pappardelle al Ragù. It was good in flavor but a very small portion and a bit of a weird texture, in my opinion. Though that was overshadowed by the starters and dessert, I am excited to go again sometime, as there are many pastas to try.

Reina

Unfortunately had to eat outside on an especially horrible summer day because of how much it was bumping but I didn’t mind by the end of this meal. The waitstaff were super knowledgeable on the menu (as one would hope) and extremely comfortable and friendly. I learned a lot about digestives on the back of the dessert menu and the lady serving us was kind enough to bring a little sample. I highly recommend the sausage and beans—beautifully juicy and every bite was aromatic and flavorful. Just enough beans for me to dip some bread too (which I believe they make). They are constantly bringing out more of their focaccia and gorgeous containers of olive oil. They’re freshly baked too and just the perfect oiliness, texture, and size. I couldn’t stop dipping it in stuff. You can’t go wrong with any of their pastas. I got the sage and ricotta one and it balanced out the meatiness and flavor punch of everything I ate before. Beautifully buttery, slightly sweet, and an absolute abomination to everything I thought I knew. One of the best tiramisu’s I’ve ever had at a restaurant too. Dang.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Came in for dinner and waited about 30 minutes for a table (expected and fine). Once seated though, no one offered water or even took a drink order for quite a while. When our server finally came, we had to order everything all at once, which made the meal feel a bit rushed when I was hoping to enjoy a proper dinner with my friend. We started with the pecorina salad and the pulpo & potato special appetizer — both were excellent! Unfortunately, the pasta was disappointing. We ordered the linguini allo scoglio and the cacio e pepe, and both dishes came out very cold, to the point where the sauces had congealed. After waiting over 20 minutes for the pasta and since the restaurant was close to closing, I didn’t bother sending them back. The atmosphere and vibe are great, and I’ll definitely come back for drinks and appetizers at the bar — but I’ll likely skip the pasta next time.

Similar to what others have said, this place has so much potential. I enjoyed the ambiance and found the room to be cool and cozy. Overall the food was decent, but not groundbreaking. We ordered the beans and sausage, watermelon salad, lasagna, and chicken. I found the food to be a bit salty, but not offensive. Everything was okay, not amazing. We also ordered the flourless chocolate cake and I felt cheated by how small of a portion they served us. It was barely enough for one person. The service was pretty bad. Our server never introduced herself, she kind of forgot we even sat down, and had to be reminded by the other servers that we were still waiting on the bill. I’m being specific in my comments because I think this place could really be a neighborhood gem and everything that we experienced is fixable.

I’ve always seen Il Gigante in Ridgewood busy, so I finally decided to try it out and see what the hype is about. The wine selection was great, and the meat and cheese board was a solid start. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed with the linguine allo scoglio (seafood pasta). It lacked the depth of flavor I expected, and the mussels were definitely not fresh. They tasted like old frozen mussels that had been defrosted — the flavor was off and even a bit stinky. Having grown up eating fresh mussels every summer, this was a big letdown and very noticeable. The cacio e pepe was fine, though nothing special, and the cotoletta alla Bolognese was not for me. I only ordered it because the server recommended it and described it as more of a small appetizer, but when it came out it turned out to be a full entrée. It was far too heavy for what I expected, and we ended up forcing ourselves to eat it. Overall, the atmosphere is nice and the menu does look authentically Italian, but I was hoping for much better execution on the pasta dishes. If I return, it would likely be just for drinks and the cheese board, but not the main food.

The tiramisu was actually really good despite me not being a tiramisu fan. The crostini was a good appetizer. Ragu pappardelle was solid. I ordered the pacchrri but they gave me bucatini instead. The kitchen was closing so didn’t send it back but the bucatini needed more flavor. The burrata was eh

+1

Kristen Saladino

The gentleman who greeted us was very friendly and welcoming. Unfortunately, our waitress was incredibly abrasive and short with us. We ordered a glass of wine and martini. The pour and the martini were very small. We shared a salad that was solely made up of lettuce and cheese. For mains, my friend had the linguine with mixed seafood that was underwhelming, and I had the baked chicken, which was perfect, and spinach, which had too much liquid. For dessert, my friend had the panna cotta and a cappuccino and I had the tiramisu. She said the cappuccino was all foam, but both of the desserts were delicious.

Dwight Kenneth

Il Gigante in Ridgewood has the vibe and potential of a true neighborhood trattoria, but our experience fell short in a few places. We went in on a Friday night around 9 PM with reservations. We were seated right away, which was great. I’d definitely recommend sitting inside—it’s cozier and better for the vibe. The service overall was friendly, but it felt stretched. The bartender seemed like they could’ve used a barback or extra help—it slowed things down. We weren’t informed about any daily specials, and no one offered us the dessert menu at the end, which felt like a miss. We shared: • 1 appetizer (slow-cooked Italian sausage with beans—the sausage was solid, but the beans were meh) • 1 salad (Barbarossa salad - Roasted beets, whipped ricotta cheese, walnuts, in a balsamic dressing - portion was tiny, especially for the price) • 1 pasta (tortelloni—nicely cooked but needed salt or punchier seasoning) • 1 main (branzino—presentation was underwhelming, served in parchment paper and tin foil at the table, which took away from the plating). Complimentary focaccia was cold and not super inviting. Rustic bread was okay, but nothing special. Price-wise, it’s not unreasonable: $88 before tax/tip ($105 total) for two people with a bottle of sparkling mineral water. But given the small portions, we actually left hungry, which is saying something for Italian. Ambiance is nice, the concept is appealing, and the ingredients seem quality, but execution was uneven. I think the reviews calling it “inconsistent” are pretty accurate. Bottom line: good, not great. Needs work on service consistency, staff training, and portion sizing. I’d be hesitant to come back right away, but with some fine-tuning, it could really shine as a local spot.

+7

I’m not usually the kind of person who leaves bad reviews, but the beef ragù was extremely salty. I couldn’t eat it, and I was so excited to try the food from this restaurant :(

If you want good Italian food this place was not it. The pasta was soggy and bland and just lacks taste. Rustico Taverna on Fresh Pond is way better as well as Joe’s on Forest. I was excited by the reviews to try this place out but it seems most are either paid for or made by people with no taste buds… hope they improve in the future.

Okay yesterday was my first time there. I went to rolos but they don't have take out so I went here. The area was crowded with small spaces which is fine but I notice a few staff there were prejudice. I was wearing normal clothes street clothes because i came from work. And a couple were in front of me and a guy with green hat yesterday white shirt was talking to them for a while I was visible to him right next to him and once the couple got a seat he left without saying how am I or what can i help you with?...I find that to be a horrible trait for a host or waiter. I stood there for 7 mins or so waiting to order and nobody came to me. Finally someone who look like he tipsy but nonetheless a great guy took my order. The tipsy guy was having trouble working the card machine he got helped. I felt a strange vibe there!!...def not for regular street people they look at apperance first. Not my type of place to go . But the food was really good!...sad I hoped better for this. Dude with green hat needs better training. Also they only open for 5 hours for food. 5pm to 10pm.