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Pane E Vino
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
174 Smith St(between Wyckoff St & Warren St)
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Neighborhood: Cobble Hill
(718) 501-1010
- Nearest Transit:
-
Bergen St (F, G)
Hoyt - Schermerhorn Sts (A, C, G)
Carroll St (F, G)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 11 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 12 am
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Angel S. said: "Despite some of the poor reviews here, I have been to Bevacco several times for brunch, lunch and dinner, and I enjoyed them all. It has really nice industrial kind of decor and it's roomy so you don't feel squashed like some NYC…" read more »
73 reviews for Pane E Vino
Review Highlights
"The live music was fantastic, and the plants were beautiful."
(in 8 reviews)
"It's my to-go Brunch place on weekends in this area."
(in 21 reviews)
"Back patio available for private parties."
(in 5 reviews)
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73 reviews in English
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Review from Jen Q.
Brooklyn, NY
11/26/2011
You know, all you pretentious wannabe food critics who have nothing nice to say about Pane Y Vino can really suck it. The lasagna is 11 dollars and not 18 for a reason, and if you don't know what that reason is going in its your own fault.
That being said, I have NEVER had a bad experience at Pane Y Vino and I eat here often. The staff is wonderful, the ambiance is absolutely darling and a welcome, welcome change from the overcrowded and overpriced fare of Manhattan. The food is tasty and beautifully presented, and the wine list is affordable yet inspired. In short, I too am fiercely protective of this little Smith Street gem! Long live Pane Y Vino :) -
Review from Meribeth G.
Costa Mesa, CA
2/6/2012
Went tonight with great hopes for an amazing Brooklyn Italian experience per the recommendation of my hotel. Menu not overly exciting, but they were able to change the mushroom sauce on the veal to a white wine sauce and that was good, but the veal was a bit overcooked.
I was hoping for a bit more Brooklyn Italian flare, so was a bit disappointed, but I would not suggest you don't go, just know it will be nothing overwhelming. -
Review from Sophia K.
New York, NY
1/16/2012
I've eaten at this restuarant about 3 years ago and I remember the experience as pleasant. The pasta was really good and the restaurant is super cute, especially in the nicer weather when they open the garden.
I came here again the other day for desserts and cappucinos and I was impressed again. The bosc pear in wine sauce is perfection!
Service was a bit slow (i think they forgot we were there ;-/) but we weren't in a rush, so its fine.
All in all, its a very cute neighborhood place that I plan on visiting again. -
Review from Cydney T.
1/9/2012
Looking for live jazz music and grown folks getting their drink on? Found it!
We took a chance on this place after reading through the reviews on yelp which are strangely polar at either 4 stars are 1 star. Conclusion, neither - a solid 3 stars.
The food options are standard Italian fare and their menu calls out which items are their specialties (in case you are having trouble deciding between pasta and pasta or steak and steak).
We started with the caprese which was delicious and flavorful. We shared the Ravioli di Magro which was stuffed with spinach and ricotta and the Tagliota - sirloin steak. The ravioli was good but definitely not enough for a main course if you are just in the mood for a pasta dish. The steak was noted as one of their specialties - it was good, no complaints and nothing to rave about.
So overall, its good. Its not four star amazing, best italian spot on Smith street, but its not one star, throw your napkin on your plate and walk out either.
The live music, which I believe changes nightly, was a nice touch and while it does make conversation a little difficult it was a interesting and welcomed change to dinner ambiance. -
Review from Lauren R.
Manhattan, NY
1/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
Pane e Vino made my tummy smile. Great ambiance. Great food and great prices.
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Review from kathleen s.
New York, NY
1/14/2012
Went on a Saturday night at 7.30. Empty when we got there, packed by the time we left. The gorgeous back enclosed patio had a private party so we sat inside overlooking it. I had the mushroom risotto and my friend got the filet mignon. We were both very happy with our dinners and with the service. A live jazz band started playing as we were leaving. Definitely a gem on Smith Street, especially for the price.
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Review from Peter D.
10/16/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I don't care if Gabrielle Hamilton isn't a fan of the "pretentious restaurants on Smith Street, that minor-league stretch of Brooklyn that always disappoints."*
OK, I lied, and I'm sorry. I respect her opinion, and I do care. I live a block off Smith, and I feel slightly protective as a result. I just have to believe that Ms. Hamilton isn't a fan because there are so many options along the strip, and she's probably made poor choices. (I know a great website that can help narrow it down.)
In any case, I like Smith Street** precisely because a place like Pane E Vino almost gets overlooked. It's a cozy little spot with a beautiful covered patio area, and they serve up hearty food that's sure to satisfy. The portions are large (easily the biggest piece of halibut I've ever seen on a single entree), they make a hearty bolognese and there are several well-priced, tasty bottles of wine. All of which are served by an attentive staff.
They are a go-to for a cheesy, heavy lasagna that you'll regret eating (in the best way), and I can't wait to come back and try that Strawberry French Toast at brunch.
__________
*According to her excellent memoir, "Blood, Bones & Butter."
**I'm slowly trying to hit every single spot on Smith: http://www.yelp.com/li... -
Review from Kim R.
New York, NY
11/14/2011
I came here after fleeing the scary place next door. It was a good choice.
It is always empty here in the middle of the day. That is probably because they do not have a clear lunch menu. It looks like a regular menu with appetizer & entrees at regular prices and the word lunch is printed sideways & hidden like Waldo. That's too bad because it is a lovely room and the only sit-down Italian (not pizza) that I know of in the immediate area.
The staff was friendly and professional. Even when the waiter got my order wrong, it all worked out and I left feeling it was a positive experience.
I had the Nizetta (which apparently sounds like "lasagna" but has a lot less fat, cheese and carbs). It was a tasty salad with seared tuna, olives, onions and a sliced boiled egg. Nice protein boost. Even though it wasn't what I had in mind it was so tasty that I am glad the mistake was made! The bread served with the meal was fresh and warmly toasted in the panini maker. I was glad there was red pepper olive oil on the table to go with it.
The kitchen was fast and the atmosphere was relaxing .it certainly is a good place to go if you want to have a private conversation. But the spacious room is much better suited for a party. So is the glass-enclosed garden in the back that must seat at least 50 people.. -
Review from Leilani B.
Bronx, NY
12/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great staff... food was good but not great...... the sangrias are refreshing!!!!!!. The pasta wassss very yummy.... nice calming garden room decor very nice
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Review from Sharon K.
Brooklyn, NY
12/4/2011
:( I used to live in the neighborhood and this place was my go to spot for picking up food while studying for the bar exam. Pretty yummy when you are too lazy to cook. (I was judged by a woman at Pathmark for picking up lean cuisines during bar study!) I have also eaten here several times with my bf. The food was always a decent 3.5. The patio area in the back is a cute spot for dinner or brunch. Perfect for walking around the corner and getting a bite to eat.
On our most recent visit, the service was okay, food was fine, but somehow, our party of 2 was charged an automatic gratuity of 17%. All of a sudden no one was coming to our table. Finally I had to flag someone down to bring up the issue. I have been here several times with our bill approaching/over $100 for just the two of us (we like to eat!) - this has never happened previously. I questioned the charge and they offered to take it off, but it really made me wonder was this charge added to our check because of our minority status? I voiced my thoughts to the man who came over to address the issue. All I got was a blank look. No acknowledgment of what I said at all. He told us that when the bill goes over $100, the system automatically adds a 17% gratuity. What? How does this make sense? I could see, for parties over 6 or something but this was not the case. I mentioned that the bill did not go over $100 (it was $90 something) :: Crickets:: Hello!! Is anyone home? Is anything going on upstairs? Maybe I am naive but something like this has never happened to me before. Ruined the evening (for me at least - my bf was somewhat amused that I had never been treated this way. somehow this became a "learning experience" .) We tip anywhere from 20-30% depending on the service. We left the 17% gratuity on the check, paid, and left. -
Review from William C.
Brooklyn, NY
8/26/2011
Pure fucking class.
I went here for the salsa night to join some Venezuelans for someones birthday.
It gave me eerily familiar feelings of SUR when it was still open on Butler.
The live band, the beautifully awesome people (from ages 8 - 80 (literally)). I really need more nights like this one. -
Review from Steve B.
Brooklyn, NY
10/16/2011 9 Check-ins Here
The place is fun especially weekend nights when they have live music. Im not into dancing but felt good at this place. I haven't try any food yet.
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Review from Ebony C.
6/1/2011
Sooo heart this place!! I recently planned a bridal brunch w/ fellow bridesmaids here and although the communication process was a bear the food was sooooo GOOD!!!!!
We had the french toast... which had to have crack in it b/c we couldn't stop eating it! We ended up adding another tray b/c it was so good. The eggs...which they definitely put seasoning in.. yummy... I def don't like bland eggs. They also had skirt steak... the carnivore in me danced w/ delight! That steak was GOOD!!!
The other dishes we ordered...bacon, homes fries, & a vegetable quiche.
The price per person was definitely way reasonable & didn't kill your pockets. However, if you can't deal w/ poor communication & a language barrier from time to time & will drive yourself crazy b/c of it... Don't plan an event here..LOL -
Review from Stark M.
Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, NY
11/15/2011
Had a private party booked here for this coming Friday.
Management decided to boot us out because a larger party wanted to book them on the same night, three days before our event.
Not nice. Can't prove it, but possibly racist.
If you're white, sure, go here to try the food.
Otherwise, I suggest you go somewhere where they treat you with respect. Avoid. -
Review from Monique R.
Kew Gardens, NY
9/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
I came here for a bridal shower brunch. Perhaps I partied too hard the night before but was not impressed with the food. The offerings for the brunch were scrambled eggs, bacon, strawberry pancakes, mushroom fritatta, Roasted potatoes and steak. We were offered a choice of either a mimosa, sangria or bloody mary.
The sangria was not great. The bloody mary was decent but the thing that I could tolerate was the mimosa.
The service is amazing. The staff are very friendly and very attentive and dropped heavy portions of bacon and potatoes on my plate when they heard i was hung over.
I am not a huge fan of scrambled eggs and found them to be okay but nothing i would ever go out of my way for. The potatoes were great! as was the bacon but the fritatta was rubbery, the steak too dry, and the pancake was really thick.
The decor of this place is wonderful. The back patio was spacious and with ample sunlight can be quite the sight!
Would I come back? Yes. I think if i go back for a meal I will be pleased.Listed in: Brunchalicious, Group Outtings!, Brooklyn in the Hizzy
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Review from Florence Y.
Brooklyn, NY
5/31/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I've been there twice for brunch now..and I have to say..for $10.50, you get a decent choice of brunch foods and 1 drink..why not?! The strawberry french toast is amazing...love love it. The service is good too..very on-point.
Been there for dinner a long time ago..but I didn't write a review. :/ Oops...will have to have a do-over next time.
It's my to-go Brunch place on weekends in this area!
Tip-bits:
Back patio available for private parties
Single unisex bathroom by the door to back patio
TVs at the bar for games
By-window dining -2 tables? -
Review from Gary B.
Brooklyn, NY
5/26/2011
This place is perfect for a large group but you should definitely make reservations. Try to sit in the garden out back (and when making reservations say this specifically). Great live Latin music on select nights. If you're looking to have a deep conversation, try to sit as far away from the bar as possible as the music can get quite loud.
Food is above mediocre but for the price you cannot ask for more. Enjoy! -
Review from Liz L.
Brooklyn, NY
1/18/2011
Brunch here was appalling. Seriously: appalling. What they want to call a Bloody Mary is V8 cut with vodka. Served warm. Seems like a nasty thing to do to a patron.
Don't get me started on the greasy, nasty omlette. What a joke.
It's a shame because I've had decent dinners here. But the disaster they term a brunch has really taken the shine off the place. -
Review from Bianca B.
2/9/2011
I came here for a birthday dinner a few months ago. We sat at a large table in the beautiful garden with a giant heart light. Live music playing inside, some of us created a mini-dance party and the servers and bartenders were patient and friendly.
I ordered eggplant caponata and grilled veggies topped with cheese. These are simple dishes, hard to mess up. Along with a generously sized glass of wine, I was quite satisfied with my easy meal.
I didn't try any other food, but I must say the atmosphere here is really relaxed. Great for a weekday dinner or drinks. -
Review from annie t.
2/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
The live music attracted us from accross the street. Warm charming atmosphere. Friendly servers. Looking mostly to hang out for some drinks after dinner, we sat on the nice big couch by the bar. Decor was lovely! I was drawn by the amazing moves of the dancers as well as the band's creative sound. SO ordered a dessert (sorbet peach) that he didnt complain about it.
I could hang out here all night. Would come back for brunch -
Review from Victor L.
Brooklyn, NY
11/29/2010
I really enjoyed my meal here and I went basic. I think the pasta was fantastic and the alfredo was actually so rich as to possibly be a bit overpowering but it's my style. My girlfriend's tilapia was well cooked and could have used a slight bit more seasoning but again, to each his/her own.
The soup was delicious, the portions are sizable, and the atmosphere was really pleasant. The backyard was enclosed which I'm sure suits the winter months better than the summer, it was pretty toasty. The staff was nothing but smiles and I would definitely come back for another fresh pasta dish.
It's a very relaxed environment; even with a party of 30 next to us, everything just seemed so calm and inviting. It's a huge space so don't worry about bringing the gang. -
Review from Caitlin M.
Brooklyn, NY
12/16/2010 1 Check-in Here
This place played quite a trick on us. It's so beautiful and warm and bright in here! But then you order, open your mouth and swallow and some how it doesn't jive.
Maybe it was the fact that we came here en masse for our holiday work party, but still a place that has a set prix fixe menu better cook that same meal well or not cook it at all. I guess if that were true, there would only be good restaurants and I wouldn't have to dole out 1 measly star to warn others to steer clear.
Where to start. My friend and I thought we'd conquer the menu by ordering opposites so we could split everything. For appetizers, we ordered the Frittura--the fried calamri and the Caprese--buffalo mozzarella with yellow and red tomatoes. The fried calamari was mediocre; the Caprese was light and simple.
For the middle course, out came the Bracio de Ferro. What an odd mix of random stuff. Spinach, beets, cucumbers, heart of palm, fennel overloaded with asiago cheese. We all kind of shook our heads and waved the dishes away unfinished.
The entrees that followed were a royal failure. The spinach and potato gnocchi in pesto sauce was overcooked. If food were only meant to fill up your belly and not please your palate, this plate would succeed. The Trancio di Salmone--grilled salmon with white wine dijon mustard sauce was well cooked, but a tad salty. The green veggies (spinach?) was way too salty. Halfway through it, we had to call it quits and hold out for the tiramisu. Had we known what a mess that would have been, we would have eaten the rest of the salmon and filled up our tummies with the dry gnocchi. Lady fingers tasted like coffee soaked sponges doused with water. This place absolutely murdered my favorite dessert dish.
Suitable punishment? I will never come here again! -
Review from Naomi G.
Brooklyn, NY
8/2/2011
Pane e Vino is one of my favorite places on Smith. The decor is eclectic, nothing to look at, but still cozy. Great for low key dinners. The food is excellent. Homemade pastas that are traditional, but delicious. The ravioli in butter and sage is to die for - the best I've ever had.
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Review from Ron P.
Bloomington, IN
11/16/2011
We had a big group and were standing outside looking at the menu. A man came out and said, "Come on in and have dinner. We guarantee you will like it." After a bit of banter, we decided to give it a shot and everyone was glad we did. The prices are reasonable, the ambiance is pleasant, the service was very good and the food was excellent for the price. I recommended it to others who were staying at the nU hotel down the street who were in town for the same wedding. They went there the next night and had a very similar experience. It's not as good as Queen, down the street on Court, but it's also about half the price.
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Review from Elaine C.
10/7/2010
If I could rate my meals differently on yelp, I would give brunch here a 4 and dinner here a 2.
Brunch here is good. My boyfriend and I sat outside and the atmosphere was real peaceful, slow and quiet. The food was good. Pretty light. I had the The service was quick.
I had dinner here twice. Both times the service was extremely slow and the place was so loud and crowded. The live music is awesome but it is a little too much for such a small space. Our table had to yell and scream at each other to have a discussion. The food was alright, not the best Italian food I've had. The first time I came, I had the mozzarella caprese, it was amazing and fresh. The second time we ordered it, it was so disappointing! It didn't even have the same texture - a little crumbly... My entree was the Fettuccine Alla Bolognese and it was okay, a little heavy for my taste. I tried the spaghetti with pink sauce my second time here. I was expecting something extraordinary since it was spaghetti, but it was just okay. The pasta didn't taste that fresh. I also tried the gnocchi that my friend ordered and that was pretty good. If I had a choice, I wouldn't go back.
My boyfriend loves this place though, so I will probably be back. He gets the steak and loves it. -
Review from Angela K.
New York, NY
10/14/2010
We had a huge group for a Friday night dinner... at least 25 heads... with no reservations and it was Thursday! After many internet searches, we found Pane e Vino. They were super nice and accommodating and reserved an enormous table for our group in their back patio.
Obtaining reservations the night before made me apprehensive, but to my surprise, the place was adorable, on a super lively block with tons of people everywhere. People were spilling out of bars up and down the street and our restaurant had live salsa music. Score!
The group ordered a combination of pitchers of sangria and signature cocktails... my favorite was the Limoncello Martini. The most popular apps ordered where the several varieties of Bruschette... the Tradizionale (tomato, basil, garlic) and the Avocado (Goat cheese and avocado) were fantastico! Pane e Vino offers lots of varieties of pastas and risottos- the best I sampled was the Gnocchi with spinach, sauteed shrimp and pesto. Their seafood special was a Lobster and pasta combo which several of us ordered. Again, really tasty.
As a whole, the experience was great. The prices were really reasonable which was key for such a large group. Everything on the menu ranges between $11 and $18 bucks. We ended up having our own little area in the patio where our group could walk around, chat and take pictures, without interfering with the other patrons. My only suggestion... if you are dining as a couple, or as a smaller group, sit inside. The ambiance in the main dining room was so cozy and quaint. Unique square tables, dim lighting and live music. The outside was great for accommodating our large group, but it was a bit hot out there (it is covered with a glass ceiling).
The Scene- Cozy and Quaint, Good for Groups
Food and Drinks- 3: Pleasantly Surprised. Everything was tasty.
Tip Worthy- 4: Double the tax and then some. Dealing with a big group is a pain in the ass. Not once did our waiter act annoyed. He was hustling!
Coordinates- 5: Block- Fun is right next door! Wow, I was really surprised a how jumping the block was.
Restaurant Return Rate- Lime green light. Ok, I just made that up... I can't decide. The food was good, drinks good, surrounding area lively, but the food wasn't mind blowing... not sure I would travel over to Carroll Gardens just to hit this place up 'food wise'. However, if I was in a bind again with a big group, I definitely would take the trek. You can't beat the service and the prices... plus everyone can find something to eat on an Italian menu.
This review written by Angela. -
Review from Touro T.
Brooklyn, NY
3/6/2009 4 photos
What word can I say to describe this restaurant?
Well here goes, it was...
Food was OK!
Service was OK!
Drinks was OK!
Lighting and decor was dim but OK!
Price was OK!
Band was OK!
What more can I say but it was OK! -
Review from M M.
Brooklyn, NY
12/10/2010
How does this place have so many positive reviews? The decor is cheesy in a way that only your grandma or someone from the Jersey Shore cast would think was nice. Don't let the large greenhouse-like back area fool you. The salad was more iceburg lettuce than anything else, and was way overpriced considering it had no flavor aside from a few black olive slices from a can. Ew.
I just get the feeling that the cooks here slide everything onto a plate from a frozen package or can. I will say that the Thursday night Tango is FABULOUS, and worth going for (but only if you're getting drinks...also overpriced). -
Review from Andrey B.
Brooklyn, NY
6/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Lobster and tomato soup was phenomenal!
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Review from Abigail S.
Miami, FL
2/3/2008
The food is nothing special and the service is inconsistent. However, you can eat on a heated patio and $10.50 nets you a ton of food plus one drink and coffee. It's a good deal and a comfortable place to have an inexpensive brunch.
I wouldn't bring someone here expecting to impress them, but for a mixed group of friends seeking comfy seating and a cheap meal, this is a good place to consider.Listed in: Brooklyn Does it Better, Cobble Hill and Carroll…
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Review from Sonny F.
Brooklyn, NY
3/7/2008
My sister, mom, and I decided after mani/pedis at Dashing Diva BK, we would stay on Smith St. and try something new. I wanted Thai, but I made the mistake of mentioning I had fried calamari a few weeks ago. So my sister, a calamari fanatic, was fixated on going to her favorite [can I say] calamari/Italian restaurant (which shall remain nameless). I thought there must be something worth trying on Smith St. So based on the recommendation of the ladies at the salon, we headed over to Pane E Vino.
It was Thursday, around 4pm and they still had the lunch menu, but also offered the dinner menu as well. Not much of a difference between the two (just price, add'l dinner options). We sat a table near the bar- the atmosphere was really spacious and the theme, consistent. The music playlist included all genres.
My mom decided to get the $15 pre-fixe cornish hen special, with a tricolor salad, roasted potatoes, a gravy boat, and caramel-apricot panna cotta for dessert. To start, I chose fried calamari and an avocado/goat cheese bruschetta (OMG-can't wait to try making this myself at home), and the lobster ravioli. My spoiled sister, along with her calamari, requested fettuccini alfredo w/chicken- by the way, was not on either menus. The chef obliged, and all was happy. Meanwhile, our waitress was great- very friendly, always smiling, cute Russian accent, really attentive- but by now, we were the only party in the entire restaurant.
Everything was great! I know Alfredo dishes can be so blase sometimes- this dish that's not on the menu should be. It was fantastic- it tasted like the first time I had it at this very nice traditional northern Italian cafe like 15 years ago! I cannot lie- I enjoyed this much more than my dish- which was okay/good, but my sister's dish almost seemed like the cooked prepared her dish with a different energy. My mom dishes offered a generous amount, and to me were all surprisingly very good. While my mom enjoyed her panna cotta, my sis and I decided to split a bowl of tiramisu. It definitely lifted us up! It was very delightful, a non-traditional assemblage, very tasty- not the best, but it could have been much much worse.
Pane E Vino was a cool pick on short notice. We were all very satisfied. We didn't spend a fortune. It had enough quality, I guess some authenticity to satisfy a real Italian food crave. Can't wait to go back and try what else they have to offer.Listed in: Follow my nose, It always…
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Review from Hannah S.
Brooklyn, NY
1/17/2008
Dang, the gnocchi dish is tasty. DANG. The scallops fall apart when you touch them and the gnocchi themselves are little drops of pesto smothered delight. So yes, chiming in with a must-try on those suckers.
Also, I love fat, especially fat in the form of... crap, brain fart... you know, glorified corn mush. At Pane E Vino, it has truffle oil and mushrooms and I am a fan. Oh! POLENTA!!! Gah, that was driving me crazy.
Speaking of fat, we almost tried to take the table olive oil home with us before realizing that could become extremely messy. The bread was just regular ol' baguette-y bread, but the dipping oil made it something else ENTIRELY. And that something else was GOOD.
My dining companion had the pork. His synopsis - bland, he could've made something better at home. That's what he gets for ordering the pig, but then again, I'm biased against the poor little porkers.
And! I've also had their brunch a few times. It's a great price for a pretty decent brunch (though by far not my favorite) and their glassed-in porch screams atmosphere. I've also always enjoyed their waitstaff who speak English with varying degrees of fluency, adding to the Italian charm, though it sometimes IS difficult to get their attention when they're busy.
PLUS! It's like half a block away from the place I regularly housesit. Location location location, as they say. -
Review from Tony M.
Brooklyn, NY
12/22/2007
It's kind of big, even for Brooklyn, but it doesn't feel big, which is nice. The front part is by a small bar, the middle part is by the wine rack, and the back part is by the kitchen. There's also an outdoor patio in the back.
The food was quite tasty. I had a little bit of pasta (I forget what kind, they all taste the same) with carbonara sauce that I found quite enjoyable.
They serve wine by the glass and carry about 8 kinds of beer in bottles (none on tap).
I would go back to try their pastas. I hear their gnocchi is very nice.
They had a live jazz trio when I was there on Friday night. Sometimes they have live music on Saturday nights as well. -
Review from Devin T.
Denton, TX
9/7/2006
The atmosphere of Pane e Vino is a mix of romantic and clubbish. The music inside was blaring and there were candles everywhere, but the glass roofed patio was more moderate, if darker. The restaurant was mostly empty on a Thurday night, the patio had most of its 10 tables filled but the entire inside was vacant.
Service was prompt and we had so many people helping us we couldn't tell who our waiter was. The food took a very long time though, and the waitstaff blamed it on the lasagna. I've never heard of an italian restaurant making lasagna fresh to order before, but it was very good. Actually , all of the food was quite good, lots of suble flavor and some flair with the specials, and priced appropriately for Cobble Hill, $10-16 for an entree.
They are cash only, as is typical for the area. -
Review from Lori B.
Astoria, NY
1/24/2010
I'm giving Pane E Vino three stars only because of the ambiance. The food was a solid two stars (at best).
It's a cute restaurant -- although almost bordering on too cute. The staff is friendly and the wine is good. The food, however, is mediocre. I'm not convinced it was made fresh -- first because of the speed that it was served on a Saturday night, and second because it didn't taste so good.
I ordered the Risotto 4 Formaggi,*** which was extremely salty, a little grainy, and tasted terribly similar to the Olive Garden's risotto. My Italian friend was less than thrilled with her spaghetti with pesto sauce. But my friend who actually likes the Olive Garden seemed pleased with her lasagna.
So I guess you can use this rule of thumb: If you like the Olive Garden, you'll like it here. Otherwise, go elsewhere.
***NOTE: I am tempted to knock off a star based on the restaurant's accusation below (which is hopefully gone by now because they gave themselves five stars in the process!) that I am not aware of what I ordered. But I am. It was NOT the mushroom risotto that I ate... It was definitely the four cheese risotto. Believe it or not, Pane E Vino, I am intelligent enough to know the difference. -
Review from Albie L.
San Francisco, CA
9/4/2007
I was with my folks out on Bastille Day (not the real one, but one sponsored by Bar Tabac in Cobble Hill the Saturday after July 14th). We were looking for my favorite Ki Sushi but couldn't see it for the crowd so we randomly walked into Pane e Vino.
The service was great and the food was some of the best Italian I've had in this city. I think it's better than Frankie's and all its spawns. It's better than Otto if only because the portions are bigger. My only complaint is the music is rather loud. It makes for a great first date place because of there's not too much pressure to make conversation with the noise and the atmosphere is trendy enough to make you seem cool and expensive enough so that your date can be sure you're not a bum but it's not so expensive that you can't afford to take her again.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Lana V.
10/28/2009
I'm a big brunch person, but I like a nice unpretentious brunch which is not always easy to find. Too many places in this neighborhood have become brunch hotspots and require a wait for a table. As far as I'm concerned brunch is the same everywhere. You have eggs, pancakes or french toast.
Last Saturday we decided to skip all the other packed places and walked into Pane E Vino. We were a party of four and were the only customers in the place which suited us just fine as we had the whole indoor garden to ourselves.
The food is typical brunch food, nothing special, but the service and ambiance made me definitely want to come back. -
Review from Amber B.
Brooklyn, NY
7/27/2009
Hmph.
I was hoping, for once, that Yelp might've been a little off- but you all hit it on the head.. Pane E Vino is A-OK. Nothing spectacular.
I took some out of town friends here specifically for the vibe and the decor- both of which are amazing! I loved the "garden"- and was actually glad it wasn't outside since it was hot and humid that night. The live music was fantastic, and the plants were beautiful.
On a Saturday night around 9:30, we only had to wait 10 min for a table of 6, they do take credit cards, and our waitress was nice enough to split our check into three- and that's about where it ends.
My girfriends and I got up to use the restroom- which, on first view seemed to be pretty clean... until we were dripped on from a gigantic hole in the ceiling. And then from another... gross.
Once we ordered, we were told that two of the meals (the hen) took about 25 min, and were asked if we'd like apps. We figured sure, since we were famished... but it took 20min for our bruschetta to appear- it was chewy. Took another 20 for the rest of our meals (so much for 25min).
Apparently the hen was pretty good- my 4 cheese risotto was nothing to rave about, though certainly not bad. The sangria was pretty good, but don't get a carafe- get two large glasses for the same price, and more sangria.
When all is said and done, I'll stick to Frankie's and Fragole for (a more delicious, and more affordable) dinner, but Pane E Vino is a great spot for a drink or two. -
Review from Jason V.
4/5/2010
A great location with a great atmosphere and very good brunch.
This is a bigger restaurant than most here on Smith St. The space seems to be twice as wide and twice as long. There's a nice garden patio in the back with plenty of tables, but the glass roof with the bright sun had it pretty warm for Easter Sunday and the ceiling fans weren't cooling it off enough for my tastes, so we sat right inside the dining room with a nice view of the garden.
They had Lenny Kravitz's Greatest Hits going over the speakers. I am a big fan of Lenny, but for Easter Sunday brunch, "Always On the Run" might not be the move.
The service at Pane e Vino is great and so was the food.
They have a prix-fixe brunch menu, with pancakes, omelets and eggs benedict, etc.
I tried the eggs benedict and my girlfriend ordered the Italian sausage and spinach omelet. Both are served with roasted potatoes seasoned with rosemary and an assortment of greens with tomato and carrots. The potatoes were great, but I didn't ask for oil & vinegar for my "salad", although I should have.
The omelet was pretty good. The sausage has that nice fennel taste and everything was cooked through.
These were pretty much the best eggs benedict I've had in years. Poached eggs with smoked salmon on an English muffin is a slight twist on the usual ham n eggs way of making it, and it works. The extra grilled bread served with your meal comes in handy for cleaning up your plate.
You get a choice of drinks with your brunch and we opted for a bloody mary and sangria. These aren't the biggest drinks you'll ever be served, but they are serviceable.
Total bill- $23 and change. It's a bargain! -
Review from Stephanie S.
Brooklyn, NY
9/30/2011
For my birthday this year, I was looking for a quiet spot to grab a good meal and a glass of wine with my girlfriends. I was initially a little bit apprehensive about Pane E Vino. There was no waiting list; no line of hipsters streaming out the door. Turns out, that's not always a bad thing. This may not be the trendiest restaurant in Cobble Hill, but it was one of the best nights out I've had in this neighborhood. Thanks to the greenhouse roof, we were able to enjoy dinner by candlelight on the patio, even in the misty weather. Michael Buble and Norah Jones were playing in the garden, and at the front of the restaurant, a couple was dancing to live four-piece band [who serenaded me with a few bars of 'Happy Birthday' as we left.] Our waiter surprised me with cake and the maitre d' made sure to check on us before the end of the night. The service alone makes Pane E Vino worth a visit. The food doesn't disappoint, either.
