And then I stumbled upon Il Bambino in Astoria. I probably should not admit this, but I found my feet carrying me back there again and again. I actually ended up eating there three times in just four days. That was nearly five years ago. Since then, it has become a staple, and friends from Manhattan even request their favorite paninis and salads now when I travel into town. Keep your eyes peeled, Manhattanites, because the Il Bambino team is already at work in Greenwich Village preparing the second Il Bambino, which is expected to open early this summer. Rumor has it that fanatics make pit stops at Il Bambino when traveling between LaGuardia airport and Manhattan. I don’t doubt the obsession even the slightest. This delightfully cozy restaurant boasts a phenomenal fusion of Spanish tapas and classic Italian sandwiches, as well as a generous selection of wine and beer—all served by one of the friendliest wait staffs in all of NYC. With tapas and ‘nini’s all reasonably priced, you can enjoy an unbelievably satisfying meal without breaking the bank. The bread is baked fresh daily specifically for their panini and crostini just up the street at a local bakery. If you are unsure of the names for the various cuts of meats, just glance at the diagram of a pink cartoon pig in the entryway labeled for that specific purpose. If you still don’t know what to try, just close your eyes and point. I’d guess it’s safe to assume everything at Il Bambino is equally fantastic. Crostini arrive Noah’s ark style—two to an order—unless you go for the gold and order a PuPu platter to share with the table. The egg salad crostini with truffle oil and shaved speck is a personal favorite. 34 | BOROMAG.COM | APRIL 2015 Panini are more substantial fare, and the porchetta with spicy pickle slaw and the meatloaf with onion jam and provolone are the kind of sandwiches of which legends are made. For just $1, you can add a house made sauce on the side. Their herb pesto lusciously compliments almost everything. Or try one of their house made soups when in season, as they are accompanied with a slice of pesto bread perfect for dunking. Someone at your table simply has to order the potato salad. Fingerlings are diced into coins, tossed in truffle aioli, sprinkled with fried shallots, before being drizzled with chive oil and blanketed beneath a snowfall of shave pecorino. The back dining patio is perfect for outdoor brunch in the soon coming gorgeous spring weather. Brunch panini are offered Friday through Sunday from 10:30 to 3:30, featuring cleverly named panini such as the Cheese Us Christo, Sir Oink-a-lot, Lard Have Mercy, and Weekend at Bearnaise. Always save room for a sweet ending, as their brownies and panna cotta are reason alone enough to return. Whether you enjoy an outdoor brunch, a quick crostini and Limonata, or an evening cheese flight and glass of wine, the bottom line is this—treat yourself. Il Bambino is deliciously wonderful, unpretentious, and affordable. Beyond doubt, it’s some of the best panini around. Astoria 34-08 31st Ave Astoria, New York 11106 (718) 626-0087 Manhattan 48 W. 8th St. New York, NY 10011 www.ilbambinonyc.com FOOD & DRINK Roasted Tomato Soup Homemade Brownies Panna Cotta Fingerling Potato Salad Chickpea Panzanella
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