This is a really cute place -- best looking place in the neighborhood. As others mentioned it is like a beacon of light walking towards it. Very cute place, great ambience....the wine list and the menu are appealing and reasonably priced. The food doesn't really live up to all of that -- but decent enough. Service was friendly, but not very attentive. read more

The best way I can sum up Bar Tano is: the decor is beautiful, the food is mediocre, the service is so-so. I wish I had nicer things to say, since I can see the restaurant from my front window. Go for their sandwiches and pizza. Don't order the pasta. Although the pasta is cooked al dente, the pesto has no flavor and the red sauce is usually too salty. The broccoli rabe is pretty tasty for a side. The last time I tried to go, the waiter would not let us eat at 10pm, saying the restaurant was closing for a private party the next day. Yes, I know you need to prepare for a private tasting party, but the night before? At 10pm? Somehow, I think the wait staff wanted to go home early because it was a slow night. Thank god, the cheap chinese food restaurant on 4th Ave was open. I have a feeling my pork fried rice had more flavor than Bar Tano's pasta and meatballs and was $10 cheaper. read more

My husband and I went here to grab dinner before a show at the Bell House. The place was packed for a Monday night. Although the place was short staffed, our para dishes came out quickly, per request. Our server was very nice and accommodating. I ordered the rigatoni tano, which was perfectly cooked al dente and was well seasoned. My husband ordered the spaghetti bolognese. The sauce was delicious and flavorful. He wished the spaghetti was cooked less. We shared the tano salad, an arugula based walnut, cranberry, and Gorgonzola salad. It too, was well balanced and fresh. Overall, we had a lovely, simple dinner here. We would come back again. read more

The bruschetta and spagehtti pomodoro were good. The bruschetta had a lot of flavor but it was not super garlicky. The spaghetti pomodoro sauce was good too. Maybe that was why it took so long for it to come out, they were trying to perfect the sauce! The service here is great. read more

I wasn't a fan of this place. Service was slow and the Pizza did nothing for me, which is unusual, if it is Pizza, I usually love it and this did not do it for me. read more

There's a dearth of good restaurants near The Bell House, where I often find myself...hungry. Recently, it was post-show (so late) and I was hungry and very concerned I might have to suffer through the long ride back home on an empty stomach. Thankfully, a friend led me to Bar Tano - what a nice surprise. It serves dinner 'til 12 a.m. through the week and 'til 1 a.m. on weekends - what a nicer surprise. And what a delightful atmosphere - cozy and charming, very neighborhood bistro-esque. A little bit of Italy in Gowanus. And the food matches the fetching atmosphere. The Bruschette (three for $10 or one for $4) is delicious - we had the goat cheese & fig, the funghi, and the whipped salt cod - YUM. I loved my salad - a special of the day ($14, I think), with poached shrimp, arugula, and some other succulent things. And I had a fantastic Old Fashioned ($10) with Michter's (their bourbon and rye selection is great). My lady friend had the Costolette ($14) - basically a braised short ribs sandwich, with caramelized onions and Swiss cheese - which she said was terrific. And my man friend had the burger, as man friends are wont to do. He had the Tano Burger ($14), with mushrooms, fontina, and rosemary. I'm not a burger person, but I did snag a few house-made potato chips and they were solid. Just checked out the brunch menu - all items hover around $8-$10, unheard of for quality food in Manhattan. Might even be worth a little train ride across the river. Very friendly service - our waitress was a doll, even though it was late and she probably wanted to go home, she didn't rush us at all. She just let us linger. You got me wrapped around your finger, Bar Tano. read more

I'm a little sad about my experience here with the host and indirectly the manager. I drove back to this restaurant because we had a good experience previously ordering take out as we knew they did not deliver, but today was a little different. When I called the restaurant to let them know I was around the corner for when they are ready for the food to be picked up curbside, immediately they said we don't do that. I don't think I have an issue about going in to the restaurant but rather how it was handled. I let them know that on the ordering site it said curbside pickup was available, and that I was also by myself and couldn't just leave the car parked in a no parking zone. I was met with I can't leave either, but let me ask my manager. I could hear them talking by the phone and the same with the manager says, no tell her to come in. I think I am just a little disappointed at the service and how it was managed. Hopefully this could be addressed a little differently in the future for customers who come thinking they can order curbside. Also I'd totally understand if it was busy but there were 2 customers inside. Maybe they were having a bad day? Not sure. read more

Sweet Talk - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I wanted to love this place SO badly! I consider Bar Toto a solid neighborhood restaurant, with reliably good food, efficient staff, and visitor-charming ambience. I hoped for that and more of its sister Bar Tano, and I'm bummed to have to report otherwise. The good: The Gowanus cocktail was delicious and the wine was enjoyable. The escarole side (earthy pine nuts, sweet raisins) was yummy but a bit small. The saltimbocca was a successful representation of those sensual opposites we so like - sweet but savory, soft and meaty, all with a punch of rosemary and sprinkle of jus. We added grilled chicken to the Tano salad, and although the amount of chicken wasn't quite worth the extra cost, the flavor was nice and the salad was damn good. These things alone earn Bar Tano a 3rd star. The bad: 1. A weeknight dinner involving 3 entrees, 3 drinks, and a side should in no way venture beyond two hours, in my humble opinion. The waitress's careless excuses only made matters worse. 2. The zuppa di pesce was awful; the fish was overcooked beyond recognition, and every component tasted like mediocre mussels (even the peppers!). 3. We watched the waitress deny a fellow patron a $2 side of bread for her pasta sauce because her date had already paid for the meal (it wasn't my own experience, but really???) 4. When the billed arrived, we'd been significantly overcharged for two items. The bill was cordially corrected, but it put a big, sour cherry on top. I'll probably stick to Bar Toto from now on, unless I'm stuck in Gowanus, ravenous and without bike, or just in desperate need of variation. read more

Tano has not only the best ambiance but really good food. Uncomplicated dishes and the best Bread Pudding in town. Makes a perfect pre/post drink/dinner for BellHouse shows. I had dinner here before my soundcheck and, Tano's staff were helpful on suggesting wine and pair dinner. The place is small so is best to arrive early if you are hitting a show. I wish I had this friendly spot near home. read more

Dinner here Saturday night before a show at the Bell House. A birthday party had practically bogarted the joint, so we were lucky to get a table at all. Ate starter bruschetta and drank a cola at the bar -- which is well worth perching at if you can't get seated properly. Once we got seated, they broke our party in two and smushed us in between a long row of related revelers. I had the $9 spaghetti and meatballs. The spaghetti sans meatballs comes in at an attractive $7, but the meatballs are well worth the $2 difference. Sausagey in flavor, they were delicious. I'd get the spaghetti again in a heartbeat. Drowned it with a limonata. Everyone else at the table seemed to enjoy their dishes, as well. The pizzas looked great and can easily feed two -- don't just get one for yourself! Go when it's not so crowded, and when everyone else doesn't know everyone else, and it'll feel more like a restaurant usually feels. Still, an excellent place. Update: Went last night for dinner. Hella less crowded. Weeknights might be slow. Got an outside table for the setting sun. Pleasant, but no little truck traffic from down the way. Got the pepperoni pizza, which was a little salty but otherwise OK. Other folks got the salmon, prosciutto and lettuce pizza, etc. Seemed pleased. One dish came way late because they screwed up the order, but they comped it, which was a nice gesture. read more

Excellent! My friend and I were looking for a place to eat before an event at The Bell House. We had originally picked somewhere else, but when we walked pack this place with its outdoor seating and cute red umbrellas and ADORABLE old-fashioned decor and ceiling tiles inside, how could we turn it down? The menu was great. The sandwiches and sides and salads all looked incredible (they also have pizza and pasta and bruschetta). I had chosen a panini, and then our waiter told us the special - butternut squash and coconut soup. YEP, I'll take a bowl! I also ordered a side of the house potato chips. You guys, they were SO good! They were ultra crispy and not greasy in the slightest! They were lightly coated in this great salt; it was flakes instead of granules. Nummy. The soup was sooooo good, too. Normally, butternut squash soup gets boring after a few spoonfuls, but this one left me happy till the last drop. I would absolutely recommend this to a friend! read more

Bar Tano is a fabulous spot that my husband and I just love. On a relatively quiet corner in Gowanus, this charming, easy-paced Italian restaurant features an array of savory delights, from bruschetta to pasta to pizza. The menu is just the right size, offering enough selections for variety, but not so many that the quality suffers. I've tasted nearly everything on the menu at this point, and you really can't go wrong. From their Salsiccia Pizza (my favorite!) to the classic Tano Burger, you're sure to find something on the menu to suit your fancy. Their specials are always a delight, too. The bar has also been very accommodating to friends of mine who have ordered unusual drinks that aren't on their menu. Note, though, that the kitchen is not usually able to accommodate substitution requests. Therefore, if you tend to have very specific dietary preferences or needs, you may want to peruse the menu before heading to dinner. But if you are open to going along with the chef's menu choices, you're nearly guaranteed an exquisite dining experience. The ambience is romantic, quiet, and leisurely. The servers are consistently pleasant and really easygoing. However, their casual demeanor should not be mistaken for a negative attitude, as I've seen some reviews imply. We've only had really lovely experiences with the servers at Bar Tano, and, knowing us, we'll probably be back again next week. read more

Came in at 6:30ish on a Friday night. The hostess/waitress told me I had to wait for my friend before I could be seated. Although there were only 3 tables occupied, I agreed to wait at a counter by the door. Five minutes later, a man came in and said he was meeting someone. They sat him at a table by the window, alone. My waitress then looks at me and tells me I can choose one of two tables to sit at. Ok? How come I had to wait and he didn't? My friend came shortly after I was seated. We both ordered the shrimp linguine. It was fine, but not spectacular. Waitress was kind and attentive after the initial seat confusion. read more

Sweet Talk - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Awesome place. Went here after being told that there was a three hour wait somewhere else. We got right in. I have been here a few times and they are really good. A nice simple menu and very good drink selection. Some of their specialty drinks are worth trying. There is a fairly nice amount of seating and sitting at the bar is a nice place to be too. whoever decorated the inside did a great job. Even though the outside area is not very attractive, the inside makes you forget where you are. One of my top places to go when I NEED a great meal. read more

My boyfriend brought me here for Valentine's Day. Good move on his part. The atmosphere at Bar Tano is cozy, and romantic. Tables are close together, but it's a tame crowd so we didn't have strangers' conversations blasting in our faces. I ordered the Pappardelle al Pesto, and it was delicious (I heart olives, so yeah, I was in heaven). I'm not big on pasta, but I ate every bite. Portions here are realistic, unlike many other Italian restaurants where you order dinner, and you have leftovers for the next few days. We also tried a few different types of bruschetta, all of which were very tasty. Fast forward a few weeks, and we swang by to grab a quick late-night bite. We ordered the mushroom pizza and were happy to find it was just as good as our Valentine's dinner. For a cozy, consistent restaurant, Bar Tano is the place to go. Side note- we went in February and March, but we noticed there was space for outdoor seating. read more

Great date soot or for friends' meetup. Perfect for conversation. Atmosphere and ambience are super cozy but spacious-feeling; food is delicious. (I dream of it being cheaper but... NYC). Bar is a great chat-meetup spot too. read more

Nice relaxing atmosphere for brunch. Friendly waiter who did not get flustered or annoyed after we changed our orders a couple of times and he got everything right! Everything we ordered was delicious. I'd definitely go back! read more

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When I'm in the area, I come here. It's quiet and cozy and I just come here for drinks. They have a nice selection of beers here and I like everything I get. The bartender is always nice here too. read more

I was thrilled that this place opened, like, 2 blocks from me. We don't get much restaurant love in the nether-region between the slope and gowanus. But that's all gonna change. Go fourth ave go! I was especially excited to find it was a Bar Toto sibling. So, any of the pastas are great, and the salad with chicken cutlets, too--though here they are grilled instead of fried. Bruschette...I could make a meal of just these. A creamy white bean puree smoothed over crunchy bread; dark, jammy fig spread topped with tangy goat cheese; and a classic tomato. A big surprise, is the burger. The tano burger comes with mushrooms and rosemary; get the burger medium rare for a truly savory, droolingly juicy bite. Wine choices are fine, though I go for a Manhattan to start here. The other cocktails are just as well made. read more

Food was horrible!!! The service was trite!!! Though the restaurant was clean with a good selection of beer/alcohol/wine, even the clientele was off putting. With so many places in this neighborhood to choose from on the weekend this establishment with its, "looks like everything else---run-of-the-mill interior" and inflated prices for bad food, would be a poor decision. Finally, when a server/bartender asks you how everything was and it is met with a blank stare and a grin rather than some concern....that is a problem, again, in a neighborhood with many very good restaurants. I wasn't looking for a free drink. I was just desiring good food with flavor and presentation and non patronizing service. read more

I had dinner here with friends recently. There isn't a ton of seating, as the full bar dominates the space a bit, but the interior is decorated very cute, with low lighting. I would pin it as a good date spot. I had the Insalate Tano (salad with gorgonzola, cranberries, balsamic), which was a little bitter but otherwise tasty. I also shared an assortment of bruschetta, with the Fichi bruschetta definitely being the tastiest (though the bread was rather burned from toasting). They had a nice wine list and some interesting looking cocktails. Overall, I think the atmosphere is probably better than the food, but it's probably a good place to come for a drink and a little snack. read more

If you think Gowanus is charming in an ugly duckling kind of way, then you will love Bar Tano, which is located in the heart of this odd little neighborhood. I went here for the first time on Friday night, and came back for brunch on Sunday! Loved the atmosphere. And more importantly, the food was good. (Just good, not great.) Brunch was a step above dinner, but I would really recommend both. They're different experiences. Some dinner notes: - Olive plate: No. Skip it. - Bruschette: Yes. Stinky cheese heaven. - Mixed drinks: Yes, delicious! Dare I say as good as Weather Up in prospect heights? Some brunch notes: - Everything: Yes. except, - Juice: Didn't seem fresh-squeezed, and was served over ice? Weird. read more

This place is fantastic! Yummy food, and the servers are incredibly helpful and friendly. We came here before a show at the Bell House and started off with an Amber Bastard on tap at the bar while waiting for our table. They have a great selection of beers (especially local) on tap! Since we didn't want a huge meal, we ended up ordering a bunch of appetizers to share. Everything was scrumptious, and 5 appetizers were perfect for 2 people to share. The olives were too spicy for me, but my partner RAVED about them (she's an olive nut). Really yummy fried calamari and tasty homemade sauce. The artichokes wrapped in prosciutto, and eggplant roll were both delicious. The steamed mussels really stood out-- I'm from Maine and I'm picky about these things. They were some of the best I've ever had. My only regret is that we didn't get dessert! We'll definitely be back here when we're in the area again. read more

Very nice and cozy. Excellent Italian food with great service. Pasta & Pizza were amazing. Great cocktails and beer selection. Would definitely come back here to try other dishes. Good for Brunch, Dinner, and late night munchies. Very knowledgeable and helpful bartender and waitress. Thanks!! read more

I'm much more satisfied with the service than at sister restaurant, Bar Toto, which used to be the bomb and now bombs at lunchtime. The food is as dependable as at Toto, which is to say very. The gremelle (rope-shaped pasta) with sausage in a creamy tomato sauce was lovely and the olive bruschetta was delish. The ambiance is also lovely, if a bit cafe trite. I'm a little perplexed by the decision to have an outdoor space on that particular corner, which is really loud with truck and bus traffic. The prospect from the tables is ugly-industrial as opposed to exquisitely brutalist. If the restaurant were across 9th street, it would face towards the amazing black, pixelated, fabric-covered train trestle and the warehouses, and we'd be in business, but as it stands, the outdoor space leaves a lot to be desired (I guess better than nothing). Confusion notwithstanding, I will be back for that yummy food and drink. Even the Americano was a pleasure. read more

Went to stay in Brooklyn last week for a few days with an old college friend and her new hubby. Our flight got in late, so when we arrived we were hungry! Fortunately, this charming little spot was right around the corner from their house. I split a fungi pizza and some kind of pasta. Clearly it wasn't that great since I don't even remember what it was (and it was less than a week ago!) and some tiramisu (not great either---though my friend claimed it was the best he'd ever had--so that's a difference of opinion). I went back the next night out of sheer convenience. After returning from up town, nothing else was open, so my traveling buddy and I ate here again. This time I had the chicken dish which comes in a wine sauce with mushrooms. Now THAT was good. I can't eat greens so they let me substitute sauteed carrots instead, no problem. They were yummy too! Overall this place was good, but not EXCELLENT. Also, our waitress was not really paying attention to us. She seemed more interested in chatting with the other members of the wait staff and the bar tender. And though the food was good, I did feel guilty paying the hefty price tag for this level of quality. If I pay $18 for chicken, it better be the best chicken I've ever eaten. Not quite folks. The ambiance was good. A nice little outdoor patio area--great for sitting out since it was a warm evening. Great for sharing conversations and good company :) I'd eat here again---but would prefer to explore and try somewhere else first. Not a die hard fan, but maybe someday they'll win me over. OH! And the pasta was the pesto linguini. Yeah, it really took me that long to remember. Good, but obviously not super memorable. read more

Last night was my first time at Bar Tano but it will not be my last. We went for happy hour at the bar and it did not disappoint. The employees and bartenders were easy going as were the customers. The bees knees cocktail is a must try. Their roasted cauliflower was some of the best I've ever had. Can't wait to go back and try more of their food! read more

I had some delicious pesto pasta here. The place has lots of character, the service is prompt and friendly and the prices are very reasonable. read more

Sweet Talk - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I actually live across the street and was pretty psyched for this place to open. I wasn't expecting much, just a place to get a drink and something to eat when i was too lazy to go 5th ave. It's been open for some time now, and I've probably only eaten here 5 times. I've gone in a few more times for drinks because it's so convenient. Nice selection of drinks and mediocre food and service. With so many better options up the block, it's hard to understand why people go here. It's nice to look at though. read more

Excellent low key vibe. Solid cocktail menu and a decent pint of Guinness. Ignacio, the bartender, was very pleasant and attentive. If you happen to be in the Gowanus area I highly recommend a visit to Bar Tano. read more

This place is great! Charm, good food, and sweet outdoor terrace. Dog friendly, since there is a hidden gate in the flower laden fence around the terrace so your dog doesn't have to walk the through the restaurant. The inside is small and comfortable. The food is always fresh and delish! read more

Sweet Talk - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Real nice inside with good service. Short rib papadelle was out of this world and the calamari looked good. Family continues to frequent this place and I would if it weren't for the fact that I was charged $4 for each iced tea refill without being notified. I wouldn't have even gotten the tea if I knew I was going to pay $16 for 4 small glasses. Really tough to get hit on a placed that has such amazing food and ambience. read more

Bar Tano is simply awesome. It's a small space with some sidewalk seating if the weather's nice. It feels like a little Italian bistro. There are a ton of things on the menu that I want to try! Their bruschettas are amazing - I especially loved the fig jam and goat cheese one. I've been here a couple times and have had the smoked mozzarella & fungi pizza which was delicious. I also had a panini with fig jam, escarole, and fontina cheese, which came with a side of house made potato chips...mmmm, so good! Both times I've been here were for special occasions - first was my birthday, second was a friend's hen night. Both times we were treated to complimentary dessert. And neither time did anyone from our table tell the wait staff that it was an event. So I've tried their strawberry tiramisu a couple times, and it is super good. Really moist. I really can't wait to come back here and try more of their dishes. And I don't say that about many places. I love me some Bar Tano. read more

Their fresh ricotta: get it. I don't care on what, just get it on something, and get it in your mouth, because it's delicious. Just ask for a cheese plate or something, and eat it plain, if you want. If you get the ricotta pizza, be aware, there might not be enough of it -- so make sure you get the ricotta, and a lot of it. God speed. read more

I went here on a double date and all four of us were greatly pleased with everything that we ordered. We shared to start the Fritto di calamari (the marinara was simple but fresh and delicious) with a bottle of red wine (I forget the name). Amongst the group, there was the Salsiccia Pizza, Bucantini Pesto, the Pork Chop special and my personal favorite (excuse the bias for having it been what I ordered), the Pappardelle con Ragu di Costolette. The ragu could not have been more perfect. I'd probably go back to Gowanus just to eat at this restaurant...and perhaps just to immaturely pronounce the town's name incorrectly. read more

I would have given this place a 4 stars but sadly, I had to take one star off because I was disappointed in a crucial aspect of the restaurant--the food ! Came here on a Saturday night just past 7:30 for a joint birthday dinner for two of my friends. They take no reservations and we had 8 girls so I was expecting some kind of a wait, but surprisingly, they were able to seat us almost immediately. They just had to clean up the table . But I did notice the restaurant got pretty crowded pretty fast . The interior is lovely, our server was nice, and the drinks were one of a kind and yummy. I had the drink with St. Germaine in it . Very good, and definitely got me woozy. It seemed like forever until we got our food, but I think all of us were understanding because it is a small restaurant and we did have 8 girls. But what made me really disappointed was the food . I got the pasta with shrimp, olives, capers, tomatoes,etc which sounded promising--but when I finally did get my food, it was so salty . The entire time I kept on thinking if they used half the amount of salt, it would have been a fine dish . I sampled my room mate's pizza with arugula, her dish was fine . I would give this dish a solid 4 star . Over all, this place has tons of charm, but for me the food missed the mark . However, I would be willing to give this place another try given the occasion . read more

This place was really an amazing find. I accidentally stumbled upon it while looking for a place to hang out on observed Christmas Day (12/26) and the fates smiled on me. The ambiance is super lowkey. Not much background music, definitely don't need to shout to hear your company. Didn't eat the food, though it looked quite lit - the drinks were what really got me. A little on the pricey side, but wow were they well-made. My personal favorite was the Gowanus - lots of grapefruit flavor and perfectly mixed, I was totally happy shelling out the $12 for it. read more

so good i loved the service ans the people were so sweet when i got on one knee and proposed with an onion ring they thought i was soooo silly good crowd pluss good space for back flips read more

This place is fantastic! There is very limited seating, and when my friends and I came, there was one large family party - so we sat at the bar- but that was okay. We shared a pitcher of the Tano Sangria (white).. and it was very delicious. I had the Braised Short Rib with Polenta (substituted the carrots for escarole) and it was delicious. Perfectly cooked, not dry at all. I only wish the plate was a bit larger - but given the price, it was not a bad amount. My friends had the pasta - which they enjoyed. Altho the Carbonara is better than the Pesto. Definitely a great place to come - service is fantastic as well. read more

Everything was good but I didn't find anything particularly awesome except the potatoes. The potatoes were AWESOME. But the brunch portions being what they are and the prices not too steep but not great either, I had a pleasant time. It's the kind of place that doesn't have skim milk or thinks egg whites; totally fine in my opinion but it's good to have in case. I basically had a wonderful brunch with great company on a nice day in the outside portion of the restaurant. The corner is certainly good especially in the coming years when there will be more activity in the area. I'm not sure I would come here for a drink (I'm not a big fan of having drinks at places that are more restaurant than bar) although the decor here is really nice, the actual bar is one of the more beautiful bars that I've seen. read more