TLDR
Authentic Italian trattoria w/ standout homemade pastas like gramigna & cacio e pepe, crispy calamari, and great vibe. Affordable & delicious!
Will Hartman reviews Il Gigante, a Ridgewood Italian restaurant that delivers a dangerously fun dining experience with handmade pastas and a lively atmosphere, perfect for casual dinners and dates.
Details
This Ridgewood Italian trattoria is a neighborhood gem, offering a warm and inviting atmosphere with friendly staff and a focus on authentic, well-executed dishes. Known for its generous wine pours and delicious homemade pasta, it's a spot that makes diners feel personally welcomed. From crispy calamari and flavorful meatballs to standout pasta dishes like gramigna and cacio e pepe, Il Gigante delivers a satisfying and surprisingly affordable dining experience.
Food Overview
Il Gigante offers a classic Italian menu with a strong emphasis on homemade pasta dishes, such as gramigna and cacio e pepe, which are highly recommended. Appetizers like crispy calamari and flavorful meatballs are also popular. While most dishes receive positive feedback, one review mentioned the Pappardelle al Ragú as a slight disappointment.
Caveats
One diner found the lasagna to be served excessively hot, which detracted from their enjoyment. Another comment implied the restaurant might be outside the poster's price range.
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About IL GIGANTE
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Best Affordable Italian Restaurant Nyc
"This user mentioned Il Gigante, implying it might be outside the poster's price range."
NeutralFrom post: Best Lasagna In Nyc
"This user finds Il Gigante's lasagna good, but it was served so hot that it impacted their enjoyment."
NeutralFrom post: Best Lasagna In Nyc
"This user mentioned liking Il Gigante's lasagna better than Rolos."
PositiveFrom post: Best Cacio E Pepe In The City
"Il Gigante in Ridgewood is recommended as a place that serves cacio e pepe."
PositiveFrom post: Looking For Some Authentic Italian Recommendations
"Il Gigante is recommended for its Emilia-Romagna cuisine, noting it's relatively new, excellent, authentic, and affordable, especially the pasta."
PositiveFrom post: Staying In The Bushwick Area This Visit And
"i giganti in Ridgewood is a trattoria with a good wine selection and great vibe, known for homemade pasta like the gramigna."
PositiveFrom post: Who Has Your Favorite Bread And Olive Oil Heres
"This user mentioned that Il gigante serves great free bread."
PositiveFrom post: I Am Having A Huge Craving For Fried Calamari
"A user unexpectedly tried El Gigante's calamari and still thinks about how delicious it was, noting everything else was also delicious."
PositiveFrom post: I Am Having A Huge Craving For Fried Calamari
"El Gigante in Ridgewood Queens was highly praised for its fried calamari, described as crispy, juicy, and bursting with flavor, needing no sauce."
Positive