Il Poeta

**Il Poeta: A Masterpiece of Italian Culinary Art** Il Poeta is a hidden gem that transports you straight to Italy with its authentic flavors and welcoming atmosphere. The moment you step in, you're greeted by the warm, attentive service that makes you feel like family. The star of the kitchen, Chef Mario di Chiara, is a true artist, crafting dishes that are as visually stunning as they are delicious. Every bite reflects his passion and mastery of Italian cuisine. From homemade pasta to perfectly cooked seafood, each dish is a testament to his skill and creativity. Whether you're indulging in a classic carbonara or savoring a more contemporary creation, the flavors are nothing short of extraordinary. The experience doesn’t stop at the food. Julio, the restaurant’s talented bartender, elevates the meal with his exceptional drink pairings. His extensive knowledge and passion for mixology are evident in every cocktail he crafts, adding the perfect touch to an unforgettable dining experience. For anyone seeking an authentic Italian meal coupled with outstanding service, Il Poeta is 100 percent recommended. It’s more than just a meal—it’s an experience that delights all the senses.

What a fantastic and authentic Italian restaurant. Chef Mario and his team are attentive to handling every detail. As an Italian living abroad, this is probably the best meal I have ever had in an Italian restaurant outside of Italy—well done Mario. Keep up the amazing job.

Il Poeta is a lovely establishment serving tastebud tantalizing northern Italian cuisine. The food is delicious and the ambience is perfect. Add to that excellent service and you have a recipe for an outstanding dining experience. 💯 recommend!

What a gem! Can't believe I live here all the years and just visited them. It was a beautiful breeze night and we definitely enjoyed seating outside. Order Octopus capacio, house salad, papadelle with lamb meatballs, tagliatelle. All pretty good. Good service too. They are super busy on a Thursday evening. I can see why.

Super small portions, frozen produce, octopus hard, lobster hard, shrimp hard, raviolis without filling, sauce without flavor, penne vodka with salmon (3 pieces not even a fillet) small and horrible. Even though we said this to the server, there was no correction. The “chef” has no idea what he is doing. Extremely expensive for what they offer. Do not go to this place.

Celebrated my birthday tonight at IL Poeta. I don't order calves liver often, but tonight's dish was cooked to my liking...tender and moist. Service and ambiance was terrific! Bravo Mario for making my birthday a memorable one!

Dine in with my family to celebrate my birthday. The food was phenomenal. Had calamari and baked clams for appetizer. Had steak, pasta and chicken for the main course.. Everything was flavorful, just didn’t get the chance to try the desserts bec we have to leave early my baby started to get fussy. The staff were very nice and attentive. I think its the Chef roaming around, very friendly and warm and He made every guest feel at home. Its our first time and will definitely comeback and recommend this place.

The food and. Services. Is. Amazing. Definitely you need go this. Place.

I just moved to the neighborhood and this restaurant was such a great find! The seafood dishes were delicious--so many options, and everything was super fresh. Our server, Brans, was the best! He was super friendly and made us feel right at home (caracas wohooo). His recommendations were on point! I'll definitely be back to try more of the menu! This spot is a new favorite for sure!

I've had this spot bookmarked, so I've been wanting to check it out. It feels like a place where everyone knows your name if you're a local or where customers go to for some causal Italian food. There is no need to dress up here. The service was spot on as they cleaned up after you, such as the crumbs left over, plus your dishes and crumbs from the appetizers and bread with lentils, too. The waiter was great except for when he tossed a piece of paper with the specials on it for us to read. It was literally crumpled up before you can tell. That was the only thing that was strange. Food wise, it was good. They bring out a complimentary bread basket with lentils, which I've never had as a combo before anywhere. Also, they ask if you want more bread, too, if you've consumed it all. For appetizers, we got the burrata, which goes great with the bread. For my entree, I got the linguine with clams, which they made just right. Last but not least, the dessert, the Napolean with Chantilly Creamwith strawberries in it, not only tasted delicious, but it looked just as how it would taste. I would recommend this place if you're in the area.

My family and I went to Il Poeta on Mother's Day. We were a party of 5 (4 adults, 1 child), and our reservation was for 3:30 pm. We arrived on time and were seated immediately. The restaurant is sort of small and was very busy, which we liked. The ambiance was upbeat. Our primary server, Hector, was absolutely lovely. He was very attentive and patiently detailed all of the specials to us. The food came quickly and was delicious. Even the bread for the table was good! We ordered appetizers... crab cakes and baked clams - lots of flavor. Our main courses were the Parmesan crusted chicken breast, the steak, and my kid ordered the penne Alfredo with grilled chicken. Honestly, everything was perfectly cooked and flavorful. We were all pleased. We also ordered cocktails, and they were awesome (on the strong side, which we didn't complain about)! Try the Lady Passion or the Espresso Martini. The Chocolate Martini and the Peach Martini were also nice. Dessert was lovely. We tried the apple tart, the vanilla gelato, and my personal favorite, which was a nut crusted amaretto ice cream. We'll definitely return. It wasn't cheap, but we all agreed that it was well worth it!

I didn't enjoy this place at all. The seafood was an absolute disaster. The clams were so fishy and inedible I spit one out in my napkin. And then I was like oh no I ordered pasta with seafood as my main I hope it's not the same thing, it was too late at that point to change my order and the same thing happened in my entree. I was scared to eat any of the clams or the mussels out of fear of getting sick. The lentils on the table with the bread is the best part of this place. Much better options around the area

I finally tried this restaurant after passing by multiple times. It's fancier dining compared to other restaurants in the area but no pressure to dress up. Tablecloth, ambiance, mood lighting, you name it. Fairly kid-friendly so we felt comfortable eating here with our little ones. They have a good kids menu ($10). We opted to try all adult dishes instead and the kids really enjoyed it. Eggplant and ricotta croquettes - usually a fan of anything fried with cheese for an appetizer and this was surprisingly good. My oldest daughter really enjoyed this. It comes on top of a flavorful tomato sauce and bed of spinach. Penne pasta with salmon and asparagus - great option for those who want a protein and vegetable all in one. This was the main reason I selected this dish. Great to share and kid approved. Chicken breast in parmesan crust and white wine, lemon sauce - delicious. Loved the texture of the chicken, flavor, portion and taste. The mashed potatoes were soft and silky. I really enjoyed this dish! Roast chicken - not bad! Baked potatoes served with the roast chicken. Good sharing dish. Panna cotta - not sure what really good panna cotta is supposed to taste like but this seemed good to us! Firm, good texture, taste and presentation. The strawberry and raspberry decoration boosted the flavor profile. The food took a while to come out but it was an enjoyable atmosphere. Certainly didn't feel like we were on Metropolitan Avenue. After our meal, they gave a plate of bite-sized cookies. Adorable and friendly gesture. Also a nice way to wrap up our meal. Il Poeta is a great choice for celebrations, special occasions or just a way to treat yourself.

We came here for a birthday celebration. Omg. The truffle taglettele was amazing! The other pastas were just okay. The braised sorry ribs were good, nothing super outstanding. The tiramasu was awesome! Service was great, although they are not sommeliers... so, know your own wine! The decor was standard Italian restaurant.

I've been coming to Il Poeta for years, and it never disappoints. There's a reason Il Poeta has such amazing reviews. The owner and chef is incredibly kind and welcoming. Born and raised in Italy, he is a second-generation chef. Each meal is skillfully prepared, generously portioned and authentic tasting. With almost all of their ingredients imported from Italy, you're guaranteed an authentic dining experience at Il Poeta. The service is superb. The staff is kind and attentive, ensuring that everyone at the table is satisfied.

"Il Poeta offers exquisite food, a charming ambiance, and exceptional service. Highly recommended!"

This restaurant serves delicious, authentic cuisine from the Veneto Region of Italy! The owner. Mario, is a gracious host and his waitstaff are always attentive! The venue is cozy and can be crowded but this adds to its charm! Always satisfying and delightful! And they are wonderful for larger groups!!

First time visitors to Il Poeta last night after passing by so many times. We are sorry we did not stop in sooner. We had an exquisite meal with each of us choosing from the specials for the night, one lovely risotto and the me freshly fileted orata, topped off by desert and grappa. Owner/chef Mario di Chiara comes out and walks the floor and spent some time at our table speaking with us as well. It's such a revelation when you sit down for a meal and have such outstanding service (thanks Luis) along with delicious food and wine.

Gonna use my lack of photos of the food at Il Poeta as an excuse to go again - this is my favorite restaurant in Queens, period. The food is to die for (especially enjoyed the Croquette di Melanzane and tagliolini del Poeta) - the pasta is always cooked to perfection and paired perfectly with particularly pleasant sauces and meats. Alliteration aside, the place is quite small, which makes for a very cozy and warm dining experience. Instead of feeling tight or cramped, the restaurant is a perfect place to relax with a glass of pinot noir and a delicious meal. If you come on Thursdays you'll get to bypass the corkage fee if you bring in a bottle from home - which gives me a great idea for dinner in a few days. All is right in the world when you arrive at Il Poeta. Be sure to say hi to the incomparable Chef Mario - but he'll probably end up greeting you first!

It was very appealing! For appetizer I ate one of the insulata meli e parmigiano salads, my spouse fried calamari then Tasty fresh pasta ragout for myself and my spouses dish was veal scallopini. For dessert I ate the delicious tiramisu. It was a bit pricy but worth the price as we had a good time!

It really does deserve a 5 star rating, everything was perfect. The welcome to the goodbye but the middle part ( Food. ) was exceptional! My partner had the veal with broccoli rab and I had the daily special, a white fish with capers in a cream sauce. We couldn't decide which one was better. The calamari that we started with was also absolutely perfect, the chef is gifted with a vision of what food can be in its perfection. The warm local atmosphere was welcoming to us travelers from far away.

The best food, the best service like in the cruise ship service. The price are very reasonable.

Il Poeta on Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills! Hands down some of the most decadent, rich, homemade tasting pasta and roast chicken. A true hidden gem.

To keep it short and simple: absolutely amazing Italian food.

Owner Mario and staff only cater to returning customers. I have been there a few times and always the same problem. A long time to be served, waiters forget half of your order and expect a big tip. Will never return. Achille

I am not as impressed with Il Poeta as the yelp* community. I stopped in for lunch and I grabbed a table. The server rattled off a lengthy list of specials, and that's what I went with. I tried the Octopus special as my app. It was very tasty, the tomato's were perfectly ripe, and the Capers were tasty as well. As a main I tried the Potato and Gnocchi special. This is where thing went down hill. This special was too ambitious. It had Clams, Oysters, Saffron and Fried Zucchini. The Zucchini were inedible, and the Saffron overpowered the dish. The complimentary bread was tasteless. The interior of the restaurant is worn and dated. The bill was a bit steep. Thank U next!

The restaurant had Amazing service. Food was fantastic. Staff was super friendly. Highly recommeded.

AWESOME Italian! Great ambiance and even better service. BYOB nights too! Perfect hidden gem!

My family and I have been coming here for years. We are Queens natives who love good Italian food. Years ago, Chef Mario absolutely killed it --the tagliatelle alla bolognese has been a favorite prior to the pandemic (as well as the cavatelli, which is handmade). We are recently getting back into going to our local haunts, and had a 7:30 PM reservation this evening for my father's birthday. We got there a little early (at 7:15 PM) and we're seated by the waitstaff. And then we waited. And waited. And finally got up and left at 7:45 PM. No one had come over to us to even take a drink order. We never heard the specials, even after asking one of the waiters if she could read them to us. That waiter in question went to find someone who could, and neither that waiter or whoever she went to find came back. Honestly, we were disappointed because we were looking forward to the eats, but it is what it is! Not sure if we'll be coming back, but I hope the service starts to change a little - every restaurant is working towards bouncing back from COVID-19, but it's been a minute for Il Poeta!

Five of us gathered to celebrate a birthday. It was our first time there. When I thought the tables were set too closely together, they immediately moved them around and we had more space between us and the next table. When we started to look at the menu, Sergio came over to tell us about the specials. It was amazing to listen to the endless list of specials and they all sounded great. We shared a couple of platters of fried calamari and they were crisp, delicious and not at all greasy. we had to ask Sergio to repeat the long list of entrées and we all had different things. Each of us was absolutely delighted with what we chose. Sergio continually checked on us to see if we needed anything, and even the chef came out and went around the tables. There was an amazing array of desserts as well. I would highly recommend this restaurant and we will return!

Been here a few years ago and recently went back. So much better en the last time. Great atmosphere and great service. Food took a while to come out. But worth the wait.

When hospitality turns into hostility. I had enjoyable experiences in the past at this establishment so it bums me to have to write this. Tonight, all I wanted was to catch up with a friend that I haven't seen in a long while and was hoping for a lovely evening to catch up over some delicious food and wine. Understanding that we showed up 10 minutes late to 6pm reservations to which we apologized for, we waited patiently for the next table to open up. It was a busy evening and we totally understand. But here is where the problem starts. We were told a certain table will be ours once it frees up. Finally when the table did free up, the waiter proceeds to seat a couple that literally just walked in. So I inquired with the waiter and asked oh i thought that table was ours next, he responded with a condescending tone and reprimanded me for not calling to let them know I'm running late (10 minutes??) , essentially blaming me for not being seated. Meanwhile, my friend and I have been nothing but patient while waiting for a table. Sometimes, it's not only about how wonderful the food is. It's about being kind and understanding to your customers, and making them feel like they are being treated fairly and welcomed, in buona compagnia. Please do better.

Cheese fritters atop asparagus and potato soup. Chef Mario is a genius in the kitchen.

For starters, the person who greeted us, although pleasant, didn't speak ANY English. We waited over twenty minutes for a server to acknowledge us and take our drink order. We asked for bread were refused and told we had to wait until we ordered!! After seeing two other tables who were seated after us get bread and drinks, I asked for bread again and where were our drinks? She made a face and told one of the bus people to give us bread. Wow. Had to ask for specials of day, never asked if we wanted another drink or how the food was. Wont be back. Food was just ok.

The ambiance, servers, cocktails, and food are exquisite. The home-made pastas are cooked just right. Their menu does not have Pizza Restaurant-type items, so don't go there for Chicken Parmigianna. I've been with only my wife and with a group of six. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I recommend everyone try this place at least once. You will not regret it.

I've been coming to Il Poeta for so many years. I love Italian food and this is my favorite place to go. What makes me love Il Poeta so much is not only the food (duh) but also the atmosphere. It's a small intimate space and the service is impeccable. The pasta here is to die for!! If you're in the forest hills area I would definitely check out Il Poeta!

Delicious Italian food with a warm, friendly staff. I have eaten here a few times and each time the food was delicious. I had the octopus appetizer, which was so good, and the pasta with seafood. My friend had the pork tenderloin, which was amazing. The staff is warm and welcoming and were so nice to my elderly father.

I came here on a suggestion from a customer of mine, and I have to say he was totally right! It's not a big place, need a reservation, but it is worth it. Service is excellent. The food is outstanding honour and chef comes to your table to speak to you at the end they give you these great little cookies they make their, all in all I have been back there many times, I give it a five star recommendation.

I've been coming here for years. The carchofi app must be tried. Others too, but dont miss this one. Tagliatelle del Poeta is amazing, as is almost all the doshes we tried here. There is always an amazing wine for a good price.

Our favorite neighborhood restaurant! Nothing beats this Northern Italian gem. Chef Mario has a delicious and unique menu. The service is fast and the staff is very kind and attentive. Ambiance is lovely, romantic, and Venetian. The grilled branzino and grilled octopus are among the favorites! Polenta as well with the bolognese sauce! Drinks are stellar.

Have dined here many times. Made a reservation over a week ago for Christmas Eve. Get to restaurant and they don't have it in the book. The guy tells me he was out of the country. I spoke to an employee on the phone and he gave me a choice of 6:00 and 6:30. Took my number. They guy at the door just rudely says we have no table for you. I will not be going back.

Dined here on a recommendation and happy that I did! What makes this place unique to other restaurants in the area, is their Michelin Star Chef, who is from and famous in Italy (and has a TV show)! He sits with customers in the dining room and is very friendly in conversation. Try the Panna Cotta and you will be amazed! Also highly recommend the Burrata, Cannelloni di Vitello Gratinati al Profumo di Tartufo & Tagliolini del Poeta.

Wow! The food here was beyond incredible. From the fresh pasta to the carefully culled wine list, it is all an artisanal level of deliciousness. I had the gnocchi which was simply mouth melting as my main dish. The chef/owner visited our table to check in and say hello. It was clear he takes the utmost pride in his work. Highly recommend it. I will be back.

A total surprise. This humbly decorated restaurant located on Metropolitan Ave. Humbles some of the finest restaurants I have ever eaten in. Authentic Italian, amazing fish. Their zucchini flowers are of the hook, their pasta is perfect Recommend highly. Mario the Chef from Venice is outstanding and friendly.

Great place to have a romantic dinner. Everyone is welcome, the waiter we had made a recommendation and my wife fell in love with the food. We have been periodically stopping in for years now. To the business, continue making everyone feel welcome no matter the race or gender. Lazlo always treat every customer with love and appreciation. Thank you all for always putting great food on the table with great service.

Great service, delicious homemade pasta and yummy grilled octopus!! Be sure to make reservations. Can't wait to go again.

Elegant and professional service, lovely and quiet atmosphere, and absolutely spectacular food. The varied and unique menu offerings make it difficult to choose, but you will not be disappointed by whatever you decide. We can't wait to go again!

Delicious food, friendly staff, and BYOB Thursdays! Sat outside and it was really lovely. Highly recommend this place.

this was my first time coming to il Poleta, things went from bad to awful--it started with the waiter only mentioning one special, in the meantime we heard another waiter recite multiple specials in detail to the table sitting right next to us---i ordered the Tagliolini del Poeta ~ $27.50 Homemade pasta in porcini mushroom sauce, wrapped with imported speck and truffle cream.--the waitier even repeated the order to me---I believe his name was Luis--a while later the order came, from another waiter---it was another dish with prosciutto-i never ordered that, the other waiter said sorry and took the order back--then, at some point the original waiter came over and said "sorry" diddn't you order this--I said no i did not----this even after he repeated it when he took the original order--he offered to put in a new order while my guest was already eating hers- i was not happy, it would have taken another half hour--so I did not eat a main dish---poor service and awful communication ruined what should have been a great night out to dinner-absolutely ZERO EXCUSE to take the order, repeat the order, walk 6 feet away and put in another phantom order---has to be laziness and simply not caring about the customer. awful!

Came here to celebrate a birthday dinner and we were seated right away on a weekday around 8pm. Food: - Bread - warm, fresh, soft with a nice crust, and came with a dish of lentils with olive oil (dip not to my liking, but I enjoyed the bread nonetheless) - Calamari ($13) - came with marinara sauce, a creamy white sauce, and a piece of lemon. It was cooked well and the breading wasn't too heavy. Not better than the standard, but tasted great with the accompanying sauces - Pastas: 1. Tagliolino del Poeta - I recommend this dish. It was flavorful and delicious, but a small portion 2. Linguine con Scampi, Zucchine, Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino - biggest portion, shrimp and zucchini were perfectly cooked, noodles had less flavor compared to the other pastas we ordered 3. Spaghetti alla Sebastiano - basic homemade pasta with tomato sauce Things to know: - Street parking wasn't too hard to find on a weekday evening - Chef Mario personally comes out to ask how the food is, which is always a personable thing to do - Water refills are plentiful - The kitchen closes at 9:30pm - Dark lit interior, if you prefer that over brightly lit interiors (I found it a bit too dark for my taste)

Had the best dinner here on Thanksgiving Eve with my family. We ordered the tagliolini del poeta, tagliatelle all's bolognese & penne pasta with salmon and asparagus. This is hands down one of my favorite Italian restaurant in Queens. The chef/owner was super kind and made small rounds around the restaurant to greet his patrons. I'm amazed by the amount of customers he had in such a quiet little neighborhood. An absolute gem!

Very disappointed. Polenta appetizer had no taste and hardly any cheese. And it's the chef's signature dish. My linguine was served practically raw. The chef came out and offered to "cook it longer". Not sure what he would have done with the zucchini and shrimp that topped it while my linguine was cooking. Was charged for every item even though I didn't and couldn't eat my linguine. Will never go back.

Everything was impeccably done! We ordered the polenta and chicken liver appetizer and eggplant rolls to start. The flavors were tremendous with right balance of acid, salt, etc. the kids absolutely loved their pasta bolognese. very homey ambience filled with locals. Fewer large tables so definitely call in advance if you have a big group!

This was our second time here. The first pre Covid and we had a very nice experience. Post Covid... guess a reservation would help but we chose to sit outdoors. The food was ok. Prices fair.

Delicious food, intimate seating & attentive service! Eager to return for another amazing experience!

An Italian gem on metropolitan avenue. Authentic, quality food. This isn't your standard chicken parm or spaghetti and meatballs American Italian restaurant. The chef is from Italy, so you know what you're eating is legit. The beet salad was amazing and fresh, homemade pasta, truffle sauces, and a tiramisu that is to die for. Ladyfingers soaked in liqueur. Now THIS is what tiramisu is supposed to taste like. Ample seating outside, attentive waiters, and a nice selection of wine. My parents come from Long Island to eat here, that's how much they enjoy it.

Probably the best Italian restaurant in Queens. A little on the pricy side but the food and service is amazing. I usually start with some calamari, so the pasta dishes are great and desserts have great selection.