ZipPicks Awards
Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Astoria
Master Critic Review
Botte Ditmars
7.8
Botte Ditmars (Bar Parioli by Botte) brings a Roman-accented Italian menu, cocktails, and an aperitivo feel to the Ditmars strip. Guests come for wood-fired-leaning pizzas, pastas, and a comfortable dining room that works for casual date nights and small celebrations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy rigatoni alla vodka, House meatballs, Chicken marsala
Scores:
Value: 6.9
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 9.1
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Italian date-night spot for cocktails, wood-fired pies, and pastas.
Who should go: Dates or small groups craving modern Italian and cocktails.
When to visit: Prime dinner hours or late weekends when the bar hums.
What to order: Spicy rigatoni, meatballs, chicken marsala.
Insider tip: Reserve weekends; the bar fills quickly with neighborhood regulars.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; it can be competitive during peak dinner hours on Ditmars, but easier a few blocks off the main strip.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but many guests lean slightly dressy for date nights.
Noise level: Moderate — you can usually hold a conversation, but the room gets lively during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation depending on time and party size.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait (if open), or very short waits during early dinner hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good selection — several pastas, salads, and pizzas work well for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Limited — you may find 1–2 options with modifications; best to ask your server.
Gluten-free options: Some dishes can be prepared gluten-free, but pizza and pasta options are limited — confirm with staff.
Best For
Better for: A polished Italian night out with cocktails, solid pastas, and a relaxed-but-special setting right on Ditmars.
Consider Alternatives If: You want ultra-traditional red-sauce Italian, very quiet dining rooms, or fully vegan/gluten-free menus.