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Family-owned Italian restaurant serving traditional fare in a homey, white-tablecloth setting.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 98-04 Metropolitan Ave, Forest Hills, NY 11375
Phone: (718) 544-4223
Website: https://www.ilpoetanyc.com/
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Il Poeta is a family-owned restaurant featuring classic Italian dishes brought to life with the culinary touches of Chef Mario Di Chiara.
Il Poeta Restaurant – Forest Hills, NY | OpenTable
Il Poeta is an Italian restaurant with a Northern Italian cuisine. Chef and co-owner Mario Di Chiara has over 20 years experience in the most famous Italian …
Il Poeta, 9804 Metropolitan Ave, Forest Hills, NY 11375, US
Il Poeta is a family-owned restaurant featuring classic Northern Italian dishes brought to life with the culinary touches of Chef Mario Di Chiara.
Reviews
Jennifer
If I was rating the food on taste alone I’d rate this restaurant 4 stars. I have to take a star off because the portions were way too small, and we all left hungry. For that alone it wasn’t worth coming here, and we will not come back even through the food was good. None of the appetizers were shareable either. The beet salad we had was very good, but not shareable. We also had the ravioli and the gnocchi in Gorgonzola. Both were very good, but not filling at all. The gnocchi dish especially was a very small portion! The food in the pics I took look a lot larger than the food that was in front of us. We also ordered 4 desserts those were a decent portion except the soufflé which was disappointing in size and in taste. All the desserts were fresh and homemade, but they were just ok in taste. If you are ok with very small portions and good food than you may like this restaurant.
… moreRichard Ondreicka
My wife Shirley and I have come to Il Poeta for years, before heading into the city to go to theatre. It’s a romantic, intimate place to eat where the food is always made to the highest Northern Italian standards with homemade pasta and gnocchi. Chef Mario hails from both Cipriani Restaurant in Venice Italy as well as NYC where he worked alongside his Papa Luigi who taught him everything. We’ve had their calamari, mussels and clams, Caprese, croquette di eggplant, and Linguini with clam sauce with zucchini. Chicken breast parmesan crust white wine and lemon sauce, veal scallopine with mushroom and bacon (to die for) and Salmon in a mustard pistachio crust and spinach. I do want to try the pork tenderloins with wild mushrooms next.
Put it this way, after reviewing and eating at multiple restaurants up and down Metropolitan ave we chose to celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary here with a party of 25 people. Everybody loved the food, and the service was excellent. Mario provided me a choice party menu at a price we were happy with. I wouldn’t change a thing. The family raved about the menu and we all plan to come back again. Thanks Il Poeta
… morePut it this way, after reviewing and eating at multiple restaurants up and down Metropolitan ave we chose to celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary here with a party of 25 people. Everybody loved the food, and the service was excellent. Mario provided me a choice party menu at a price we were happy with. I wouldn’t change a thing. The family raved about the menu and we all plan to come back again. Thanks Il Poeta
PhilYouIn
Small restaurant with nice decor, seating inside and on the sidewalk. Service is professional but not particularly friendly. Prices are steep, and the food is good, but you do not get what you pay for. Zucchini flower is served in a drab plate, all alone. We had to ask for a side of marinara sauce. And although my chicken and mashed potatoes were also delicious, would it have really hurt their bottom line to throw in a vegetable? One broccoli floret? A single asparagus stalk, perhaps? (Check out my photos)
What really irked me was the cocktails. If you’re gonna charge $17 for a drink, you had better make it right. Taste and presentation. They failed horribly. Moscow Mule did not taste like a Mule, and was served in a gin & tonic glass. Old Fashioned was served with half a dozen ice cubes and the incorrect garnish.
One visit was enough.
… moreWhat really irked me was the cocktails. If you’re gonna charge $17 for a drink, you had better make it right. Taste and presentation. They failed horribly. Moscow Mule did not taste like a Mule, and was served in a gin & tonic glass. Old Fashioned was served with half a dozen ice cubes and the incorrect garnish.
One visit was enough.
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!
… moreWe 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!
Kristen Stewart
I love this restaurant so much, the food is always phenomenal but the service today was so bad I don’t ever want to come back. When I asked for more bread and lentils my waiter told me flat out “NO”. When I asked why he said “because it’s an extra charge (as if we didn’t already know that). Then when we asked for our food to be packed to go, instead of taking the plate to the back and properly packing it… he brings an aluminum pan to the table for me to pack it myself as if this were Applebee’s. I’ve been here maybe 10-15 times and never spend less than roughly $80 so to treat a good customer like that was so disappointing Great food, great atmosphere, waiters attitude sucks.
… moreLaura Demarco (Laura & Irene)
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 is the place.
… moreAs 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 is the place.
Dumitrita Paladi Contes
We stopped by for lunch on Easter Day and the atmosphere was perfect for the occasion, as well as the food we shared. The staff was very friendly and accommodating even though we didn’t have a reservation.
… morePhan Alvarado
Terrible service. Never fails. We have been to this restaurant numerous times in the last 9 years since we moved to the area.
Food is not bad. Drinks are not bad. But the service is slow as molasses. And if you are not a regular don’t expect a warm welcome.
My husband, two sons and I have been going for NYE dinner here for the last 4 years. We made a reservation for this year 4 days in advance, and it was later than we wanted, but we made it anyway. I was then called and told to come in even later because someone else changed the number in their party. I said that was too late and they basically told me “oh well then cancel”. Thanks. Two days before NYE.
We have brought friends from out of town and always recommend this place despite the terrible service because it’s a cute neighborhood Italian restaurant. The wait staff needs training ASAP, including whoever takes reservations.
WILL NEVER BE BACK !
… moreFood is not bad. Drinks are not bad. But the service is slow as molasses. And if you are not a regular don’t expect a warm welcome.
My husband, two sons and I have been going for NYE dinner here for the last 4 years. We made a reservation for this year 4 days in advance, and it was later than we wanted, but we made it anyway. I was then called and told to come in even later because someone else changed the number in their party. I said that was too late and they basically told me “oh well then cancel”. Thanks. Two days before NYE.
We have brought friends from out of town and always recommend this place despite the terrible service because it’s a cute neighborhood Italian restaurant. The wait staff needs training ASAP, including whoever takes reservations.
WILL NEVER BE BACK !
rochelle Berliner
My new favorite restaurant in Forest Hills. The new decor is cozy and warm, the food is amazing, the service is top notch, and the chef/owner is friendly and grateful. I always get the Tagliatelle Bolognese which is lick-ypur-plate delicious. And you must try the strawberry napoleon for dessert. It’s divine.
… moreChris 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.
… more