il Gigante

Il Gigante Is an Italian Restaurant Destination for Groups of All Ages | Eater NY

"Sitting on a breezy corner in Ridgewood, this no-frills Italian spot channels the owners’ Central Italian upbringings with a pasta-heavy, house-made lineup and wood tables set with butcher paper, bottles of olive oil, and friendly servers quick to refill focaccia baskets. Come for fantastic fresh pastas in a laidback setting, where satisfying group meals land around $60 per person. Order the Gramigna alla Salsiccia—short, tubular noodles with wonderful nuttiness, where Italian sausage brings sweetness and a fennel kick—and the Cotoletta alla Bolognese, a massive fried pork cutlet draped with prosciutto and covered in a cheese sauce that’s a shareable showstopper. For dessert, the well-sized tiramisu is generously topped with cocoa powder and notably light on rum, and the selection also includes a flourless chocolate cake and flan. Artwork scattered on walls and ledges gives the room a lived-in feel, with moody lighting cozy but bright enough to read; on a recent visit the restaurant was packed with groups chatting over a lively soundtrack and plates of fresh pasta, with high chairs stacked in the corner for brunch and early dinner. Drinks are well priced—mostly Negronis and spritzes—with a tight wine list and convenient half bottles for groups who want to taste a few. Service is fast in the best way: no one will rush you if you want to linger over dessert and wine, but those after a quicker meal (including families with impatient little ones) can be in and out without fuss." - Stephanie Wu