Super cozy, cute & romantic Italian restaurant in the neighborhood. Love coming here for date nights. We always start with the bufalina appetizer...love the super fresh mozzarella (big portion)! My boyfriend always gets the white lamb ragu pappardelle pasta that he LOVES and gets everytime. This time I tried the lasagna (I normally get the bolognese), and it was overall good (I could've use a tiny bit more salt, but again overall good). Loved the panna cotta dessert, light, sweet and perfect portion to end the night. Love the small touches (red roses for February...always friendly and attentive service. read more

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This is one of those places that you don't really see while walking around because the entrance is kind of anonymous even if it has a whole glass wall that shows the inside of the restaurant. Came here with a group of friends last week, it was a pleasant experience overall. We ordered each one pasta dish so we got to try many different things. I wasn't a fan of my own choice, the lamb pasta, as it had no sauce and tasted mainly like green onion. Also there was one single piece of asparagus in it and it felt very random. The best dish was the squash gnocchi with amaretto crumble. Incredible! Really recommend. The tiramisu was mainly creamy but the taste was great. The service was somewhat fast but there was one single person taking care of the whole place. While it was a Wednesday evening and therefore there weren't many tables to serve, that resulted in a bit of confusion here and there and some moments of slow serving. Overall I do recommend this place and I will be coming back. read more

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Just came here with a friend for a casual dinner. Loved the vibe! The entire place was decorated in Christmas decor and felt so warm and cozy. It was a small place but not to croweded or noisy at all. The waiter was very friendly and introduced us to different kinds of wine, which we appreciated. The food was everything that I expected after hearing great things about this place from friends. We got the pappardelli pasta with lamb sauce and mushroom truffle pizza, both were amazing! I really want to try the fetacchini pasta next time! Would for sure recommend this place. Came here again recently and would say the same! Not crowded and the servers were very nice. Tried the cacio e pepe, fetacchini, prosciutto, and salmon tartare and all of them tasted hearty and delicious. Wines are nice too. This is really a gem for your authentic Italian food! read more

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Food was amazing (homemade pasta!!) super friendly service, and such a cute and cozy place for a date night. Love this spot

An authentic Italian experience with a menu curated by a true Italian from Rome. This was some of the best pasta and pizza I've had, the pasta was so fresh, flavorful and perfectly al dente, highly recommend the squid ink and trying one of their specials, the second pasta we got was a tagliatelle with basil, tomatoes and pistachios. I loved the truffle arugula pizza, the dough was light and crispy and the porcini mushrooms and truffle compote were to die for! The place is quiet on weeknights and very busy on weekends. Make a reservation and take your date! read more

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Best Italian restaurant in Astoria! Quality wine, bread, oil, apps, and main- feel like I'm in Italy! The waitress Stella is always warm, attentive, knowledgeable, and professional. Awesome ambiance and vibes. They recently put up adorable holiday decorations. read more

Via Vai - Chianti Classico Lamole di lamole, 2017 (Toscana) Gnocchi Bolognese Taglioni al Nero con Gamberi - Italian Near Me - Astoria, New York

We haven't been here in a long time so we recently popped in on a cold Friday evening. There was only one other table of people so it was quiet. The ambience was amazing - dimly lit and plenty of candlelight. By the time we left, the restaurant was filling up! For the food, we wanted to try a little bit of everything. We initially wanted to just order an appetizer and assess our tastebuds but were told the chef prefers the food order all at once. That is one of my biggest gripes because I'm not always the most decisive upon sitting down and like to get my eating started to see what direction I want to go in. So, we decided to order three items on the fly: the polpette, margarita pizza with prosciutto and the special ravioli of the day, shrimp. We each also ordered a glass of wine which were definitely small pours (in our experience at other Italian restaurants). The polpette was fantastic - fluffy meatballs in a great tasting sauce. The pizza was a miss, though. The crust was underdone and I felt like, for the price, the quality did not match at all. I was underwhelmed. The shrimp ravioli, which was $32, was definitely made fresh, but didn't blow me away. It also appeared to have orange rinds of some kind on top, which was incredibly bitter and as someone who has a citrus sensitivity, I had to check the remaining ravioli before eating them so as to not have a mild allergic reaction at dinner. I wish that had been mentioned when the specials were being told to us! We ended with the tiramisu which was super enjoyable! It wasn't overly filling and the flavors were on point. Overall, it was a good time but probably would only come here once in a while based on the quality and price - there's just too many other Italian restaurants in the area! read more

Came for dinner and it was a nice quaint place. We ordered the Margarita Pizza, Tagliatelle Al Branzino, and Tagliolini Al Nero Con Gamberi. The Margarita Pizza was a good appetizer. The tomato sauce was not too acidic and flavorful. The Tagliatelle Al Branzino consisted of housemade pasta, branzino, black olives, capers, cherry tomatoes, and basil. Tasted very light yet flavorful from the tomato and capers. The Tagliolini Al Nero con Gamberi consisted of house made black-ink pasta, shrimp, asparagus, mint, and pecorino romano. Tasted fresh, sea-salty, light. Shrimp was cooked perfectly. Overall: We would definitely come back here. Both dishes tasted equally delicious but in different ways. read more

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What a cute little Italian spot right off 23rd Avenue! Now we know why they earned their Michelin star. We had heard so many good things about this spot and were finally able to try it ourselves. We came here on Thirsty Thursday for a nice glass of wine and pasta! Although we had a reservation for 630, we decided to sit at the bar since it looked so cozy and welcoming. We started off with a glass of wine, calamari and a salad. Then we shared a margherita pizza and a fettuccine bolognese. Everything was delicious! The wine was chilled to perfection and food was fresh and melted in our mouths. We definitely came at a good time because as our drinks were being served, large parties were coming in. We will be back for the holidays to enjoy their other delicious pizza and pasta dishes. See you soon Via Vai! read more

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I really wanted to like this place. I didn't enjoy my wine selection or my meal but oh how I loved the calamari. It was light, flavorful and crisp! I would go back JUST for that. It was cooked perfectly! I was really excited because this place has homemade pasta but mine (which was colored with squid ink) was tough to eat. My aunt and coworker enjoyed their meals but I guess I didn't choose wisely. The vibe is chill and eclectic, we all enjoyed that along with the playlist. If you go there try two dishes: the short rib and shrimp carbonara. One cool this about this establishment was that my aunt left her credit card and they called her the next day to pick it up. She went back, ate there again and enjoyed another meal. That customer service alone gets 4 stars from me... read more

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I came here based off of eaters recommendation as it is one of the top eateries in the neighborhood. I was expecting good things and boy was I right. I walk to the front of the restaurant and I see all these signs stating that they're Michelin rated for many years. I had no idea about any of this and was impressed. Looked over the menu and there was so much to choose from starting with the appetizers. The Polpette which are beef meatballs is what I started with and chose the Pappardelle Con Angello as my main dish. Both were really good. I recommend their pasta dishes as I sampled another one. For their dessert, I had their Panna Cotta with cherry sauce on top. Panna Cotta is an Italian dessert of sweetened cream thickened with gelatin. Not only was their food good, but their service was impeccable too. read more

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This spot is a nice upscale pasta spot in Astoria! Definitely a good date spot! Food: they have house made pasta which is really great and a few options that are imported! I ordered the cacio e Pepe which was good but just a bit hard! They also give bread, which was so delicious! I am glad that they don't have a separate brunch menu, and instead just have their lunch/ dinner menu! Ambience: I loved the design of this restaurant! It was beautiful, really clean and just gave off nice vibes! Service: waitress was amazing - she explained the menu and have good recommendations Price: if u just order a main, you can pay about $25-$30 Tip: they open at 2, not 1 on Sunday (on Google the times are wrong) read more

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via vai...where to begin. i've been dining here since early 2018..seven years of via vai!!! The ambiance is extremely romantic, it's dimly lit, cozy, hard wood tables and gorgeous plates, it's decorated with italian masks from carnevale, is usually decorated for each holiday and has string lights throughout. you can watch the pizza chef make the pizza as the oven is near the dining area. The service, for me, has always been top notch. The staff is kind and attentive. However there is typically only 1, or 2 servers on the floor...please be patient and understanding, especially on nights that it's super busy. The owner and head chef, Antonio, has become like a friend to me with how many times i've frequented his restaurant. I came here on one of my first couple of dates with my long term boyfriend and we continue to choose this wonderful restaurant as our date night spot every time we're craving italian. There is a wide variety of wine, but no hard liquor. If you're not super educated on the wine there's always someone available to assist in the decision and guide you based on your preferences. As for the food...it is just outstanding. Antonio (again, chef and owner) comes in early each morning and makes the pasta fresh...house made pasta, you can't beat it. Everything is made with care and love and is just meticulously prepared. There are too many items that I love that I can't name them all, i've tasted the whole menu. You really can't go wrong. Pasta is always cooked perfectly, sauces have depth and rich flavors, the tomato sauce is otherworldly...i've never been disappointed here. But if you're dining here for the first time and happen upon this review, make sure you order the polpette, and the polpo as appetizers! Any of the pizza's will do. And as for pasta's you'll have to slowly try them all but id choose the pappardelle con agnello or the mezzi paccheri alla gricia, and don't forget to ask about the risotto of the day. Once it was made with scallops and it was just to die for. the desserts are also all made in house (everything is, minus the ingredients that are imported!) the tiramisu and the panna cotta are phenomenal!!! he once had this fresh fruit dessert with some sort of champagne jello that was out of this world, and one of my favorite pasta dishes was his handmade gnocchi with broccoli rabe and sausage, hope he brings those back this year!!! Antonio is a wonderful person and an equally as excellent chef and deserves nothing but praise for his dedication to his craft. Whenever i'm in the mood for italian, this is my go to place. Pro tip: pasta is never as good as it is when it's fresh and it's meant to be eaten right away. If you're ordering to go, keep that in mind. It's absolutely worth it to sit, relax and enjoy. read more

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Delicious food and great service!! The atmosphere was pleasant. I definitely recommend this place.

VIA VAI is one of those true hidden gems, most often never discussed when talking about the restaurant scene in Astoria, For they are a little-known Italian restaurant to those who live outside Queens. We had meant to come here for quite a while, but circumstances and timing never aligned. Finally, a week before Christmas, we reached VIA VAI. As you can see from the photos, the employees hung beautiful and festive Christmas ornaments around the restaurant, and it was like being in a winter wonderland! Now, what to order from the menu? Or main entrees included octopus and their special homemade ravioli. For dessrt we ordered tiramisu. Everything was delicious though quite expensive. Our hosts were accommodating and made recommendations, esp about the homemade pasta. We will be back!! An absolute must if you plan to visit Astoria!1 read more

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I've eaten here a good many times, over the years, and my dining experiences here have always been spectacular. However, it was only recently that I realized...this restaurant has received a Michelin star! (Aha! So THAT explains why the food is so amazing here!) On top of that, the ambiance is very warm and relaxed, and the service (particularly more recently, from a woman who seems to always work the tables there) is so warm and personable...as if you were in a small village in Italy. I can't recommend this place highly enough! read more

*4.5/5 Per my goal of making it thru the Queens Michelin Bib Gourmands, Via Vai was first on the list! Even though I rarely opt for Italian food (1: it's not cheap, and 2: I'm a messy eater and I feel like they would judge me), Via Vai was worth the visit. Sits in a cute lil section of Ditmars with vibey (date-night-esque??) decor to boot. Def make a rez bc the space fills up quick. They start you off with complimentary bread chunks and garlicky olive oil to dip. My friend and I ordered the octopus appetizer to share (~$24?), and it was quite flavorful altho very very small. Luckily I was half a glass of Lacrima de Morro ($13) in so I didn't have enough inhibitions to regret the spend. Not usually a red wine gal but this one wasn't bad. Was better than my friend's rosé ($15) at least. Ordered the Tagliatelle al branzino ($21), a dairy-less pasta with little white chunks of branzino, capers, and cherry tomatoes. Quite tasty. Polished off the whole dang plate. Pasta was perfectly al dente & the capers provided a nice sour note to the dish overall. All of this cost me $61 after tax/tip which is not great for an analyst budget but quite great for the value. read more

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Outstanding experience. Angel the server was knowledgeable, professional, and accommodating. The cuisine was scrumptious and the decor and vibe was relaxing and inviting. I will definitely be back. read more

Italian cuisine in Astoria with fresh hand made pasta. Seems like the dishes are either a hit or a miss. The fettuccine bolognese was amazing but porcini truffle pizza and TAGLIOLINI AL NERO CON GAMERI was a total miss. The cheese on the pizza was super bland - no taste at all. The pizza crust was on point though. The black ink tagliolinalsi lacked flavor and needed a little more seasoning. Food was not impressive but the decor was really cute. read more

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We go here on a Saturday night around 7PM, and while there was no wait, the hostess warned us that they were busy, so service may be slow. It looked like there were only 2 people handling all the tables - we appreciated the warning, and although it was a bit slower than normal, it was nothing alarming. The two of us weren't feeling too hungry, so we shared beef meatballs, PAPPARDELLE CON AGNELLO (white lamb ragu, buckwheat pasta), and tiramisu. All were good - the beef meatballs came with a nice tomato sauce (no cheese just FYI), the pasta didn't look like buckwheat but it was clearly freshly made and the sauce was more flavorful than I was expecting, and the tiramisu was too high on the cream to 'bread' ratio for my liking, but the taste was flavorful with the coffee taste. The 'bread' didn't seem like ladyfingers, it was almost crunchy with more chew - I actually really liked these layers, and just wished that there was more of it. There was also complimentary bread that came in bite-size pieces that was an interesting change. Lots of flavor. read more

Just went to Via Vai yesterday and quality definitely went down. It used to be good about a year ago. This time we waited to get our food for about 1 hour when the waitress said it would take about 15-20 minutes to make our pasta. So all we had for 3 people was 1 bowl of appetizer meatballs for 1 hour. Then when the food finally came out, my dish was so salty, I could not even eat it. The spinach was over salted and the branzino fish special was fried and also salty. I thought it would have been sauteed with some lemon juice. Instead it was only flavored with too much salt. Disgusting and ruined the subtle flavor of the fish. Another couple at a table near us also waited just as long to get their food. The place was not even full and not that busy, but a lot of us waited so long for our food. Don't think we are coming back anymore. read more

Came here for dinner for a date night. Romantic and intimate ambiance. It's a pretty small place so a reservation is recommended. Alcohol: they seemed to only have beer or wine. Their wine selection was nice. It was around 13 dollars a glass. Food: the quality of the food was not at all consistent with the price. It was mediocre Italian food. We ordered the branzino which was a pretty large portion of fish. It came with two fillets. We also ordered the shrimp ravioli which were pretty flavorless. The sauce was also more watery than creamy. The prosciutto pizza was good! Service: our waitress was very nice but the food took forever to be serviced - about an hour. Way too long to really enjoy dinner. The factor that reallyyyyy turned me off from ever coming back here is that a glass of Diet Coke was 6.50!! I didn't even get the whole can. I understand inflation is hitting the economy pretty hard but that price is ridiculous. Total turn-off. read more

Tasteless food and do not ask for cheese for your pasta it is not done there almost got my head handed to me for asking for cheese. Very arrogant chef due to Michelin ranking really not worth your money. There are far better places to spend your money and get food as you like it. I still cannot comprehend how I am the one paying for food and i am told I can only enjoy it the way the chef dictates that is what is call complete bullsh*t and customer abuse. I have traveled to many countries on many continents and enjoy the food, this is the first time I was told how I must eat my food, food that i am paying for and certainly not a very welcoming place and not a very enjoyable experience. read more

My husband and I came here a second time to have dinner and it was amazing again so I had to leave a review! We had the bufala margherita pizza and the tagliolini al nero con gamberi pasta. Oh and can't forget the tiramisu, just like in Rome! Classic Italian dishes made perfect! If in the area this is a must try! Our waitress, Stella, made our dinner such a great experience, she's the best! Highly recommend this restaurant and we will for sure be back soon! Vai in questo ristorante!!!! read more

Wow. Might literally be the best pasta I've ever had. We split the TAGLIATELLE AL BRANZINO and the BUCATINI ALL'AMATRICIANA, both of which were terrific. Split the gelato and had espresso for dessert to close out an incredible meal. read more

Imagine making a reservation and being turned away to come back in 30 minutes. Apparently they take late parties, but those that are on time are turned away... so what is the point of a reservation? Frustrating experience and will never go back. read more

Best homemade pasta dishes and pizza. You can tell the pasta is freshly made and the pizza is a crisp brick oven. The atmosphere is cozy, rustic Italian. read more

Via Vai - Pappardelle con Agnello - Italian Near Me - Astoria, New York

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Ever ate fresh caught clams at a trattoria in Tuscany? Highly recommended while in Italy but if you happen to be in Astoria and craving a similar experience then head over to this spot. The owner/bartender/server was awesome. His Italian accent added to the ambiance of this place. We started off with appetizers: calamari and mussels pot. The broth from the mussels outshone my calamari which could have been more seasoned. The entrees were generous portions of (1) short ribs in tomato sauce over a large order of polenta and (2) fresh made linguine over clams in a white wine sauce. Everything was tasty again my options came in second because I'm used to a more seasoned clam. Nonetheless I did choose the winning dessert; Nutella pizza was banging and the rich panna cotta came in an honorable second. The food was solid and filling but the service was superb. I will be back and maybe try a cocktail this time. read more

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A trip to Italy! Without leaving NY! The restaurant was ornate with Venetian masks and was warm and cozy. What a wonderful delectable treat this was. The food here is superb. Our server Stella earns 10 stars. She suggested the wine and most of our choices. We were seated and swiftly attended to. The soft centered crisp focaccia awakened our palates. We started our journey with their polpette that was reminiscent of Rome. Soft small meatballs in a delectable tomato sauce. Their appy special layered zucchini blossoms was sweet and cheesy. We continued on to our pasta choices of "white meat" ravioli nestled in a buttery sage and truffle sauce and the cacio de pepe which was the star! Our next course , also a special was Bronzino wrapped and baked inside a dough similar to a calzone. Wow!! So delicious. Flaky fish seasoned with rosemary and lemon. Accompanied by garlicky spinach and asparagus. The meal was completed with homemade pistachio gelato. We almost licked the bowl!!! So good. This place should be on everyone's food radar when in Astoria. read more

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The food and service were great at Via Vai. Had been dying to try the Cacio e Pepe and I wasn't disappointed The Tiramisu and Panna Cotta also stood out. read more

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To Desiree's review below. They are liars. We sat next to them last night. Service was a little slow, but the waitress let us know at the beginning of the meal she was by herself (only waitress). She was doing absolutely everything. There were 5 tables to serve, not 3, plus Grubhub orders she had to deal with. She was also bussing tables. They also ordered scallop risotto, which my girlfriend got. The menu stated the rissoto takes 25+ mins to cook. At this point they knew it might be slow service due to the staffing and then both ordered the slowest item on the menu. It was a little pricey, but they also had every capability to ask the cost of the rissoto of the day. The cheese thing did happen, but the waitress politely suggested to try it as it was very cheesy (I tasted it), and if she still wanted she would gladly bring it. They were rude and mocked her and laughed at her while she was struggling to manage the restaurant. The waitress was very nice and attentive and did everything great. Desiree also neglects to mention that her and her boyfriend SCREAMED at the waitress as they walked out the door. Absolutely unacceptable even if you feel you did not have good service. Complete street trash. read more

My first time was there and the foods was so bland the service was ok only few tables in the restaurant and 2 waitresses working my table next to me finished their food long time ago and they never come to pick up empty plates the waitresses was just talking to each other so definitely will not visit again read more

Came here for the first time and heard good things about Vai Vai ..the place is rustic and has a nice vibe..our waitress was very friendly and helped us with our wine selections..For our appetizers we had fried calamari,,Bufalina,and Cavolo salad..all very tasty but small portions..for the main course we had Maiale, Costolette special, special risotto,,Tonnarelle Casio and Pepe ..they were all very tasty and the star was the Maiale. For dessert we had Tiramisu and Panna Cotta, overall the food was good but the prices are very steep. read more

We started with the polpette, an appetizer recommend by our waiter, they were bland and boring. I had the spaghetti carbonara, also a recommendation, it was extremely salty. The black pepper was so coarsely ground that it made the overall taste very unpleasant and was irritating to my throat causing me to cough as I tried to eat my meal. We finished with the tiramisu which was fine but nothing to write home about. Then we got the bill I was charged $6.50 for a 10 oz bottle of Diet Coke. I thought there must have been an error so I asked the server and she said it was correct. Again I wouldn't need to return for the quality of the food but I was so angered and insulted by what they charged for the Diet Coke that I will definitely never go back. read more

Fantastic service and food, the duck on a bed of hazelnut mashed potatoes was especially good

This has become my go to place to order food during this horrible pandemic. Simply check the menu online, call to order and the food is ready for pick up in 20 minutes. I'm not entirely sure if they are on other delivery platforms but it's always nice to come by and have a quick chat with the wonderful owner/chef. We've order the FETTUCCINE BOLOGNESE, TONNARELLI CACIO E PEPE, TAGLIATELLE AL BRANZINO, SPAGHETTI, and the CALAMARI and all of the dishes tasted authentic and cooked to perfection. And there are always leftovers so I can have two meals for the price of one. :) If you are looking for a place to order food this is it. Support small businesses! Plus they also include a free dessert with every order. read more

My husband and I had an absolutely delicious and romantic meal at Via Vai recently. We dined outdoors and enjoyed the scenery. Every bite of the buffalo mozzarella and prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella pizza, and taglioni with crabmeat and lobster was incredibly satisfying. My husband grew up with his best friend's Italian family and he definitely thinks this is hands done the best Italian he has ever had. read more

Via Vai - Buffalo mozzarella pizza, and taglioni with crabmeat and lobster - Italian Near Me - Astoria, New York

Came here on a Thursday night. Me and my husband were the only people in the restaurant. Ordered their short rib special and a truffle pizza. First of all the waitress was absolutely awful. Paid no attention to us whatsoever. Kept talking loud to another woman at the bar. Didn't even come by to ask if we were enjoying the food (which we weren't). She was just a bad bad waitress. And we paid a lot of money for a very mediocre food and terrible service. Should've known it's not worth it considering nobody was there but oh well. read more

Run to this place do not walk. Homey and cozy restaurant in Astoria. Great food and some fantastic red wine.

Food was very good. They limit you to an hour and a half so we were asked to leave which was annoying. Small restaurant so make a reservation. read more